ABQ Times

New Mexico has been a pioneer in healthcare since 1969 when Martha Schwebach became the first Family Nurse Practitioner in the United States through a University of New Mexico (UNM) pilot program. Her work addressed healthcare needs in Estancia and contributed to establishing an essential profession for the state's healthcare system.

A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse with clinical training who provides direct patient care. New Mexico was among the first states to grant Full Practice Authority to nurse practitioners, allowing them to operate independently and fully utilize their education.

Currently, New Mexico faces one of the highest provider shortages nationwide, and nurse practitioners are helping fill this gap. Employment for nurse practitioners in New Mexico is expected to grow by 55% over the next decade, making them increasingly vital for ensuring residents have access to necessary care.

In recognition of National Nurse Practitioner Week, three nurses from the UNM College of Nursing share their stories.

Trish Wallace, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Family Nurse Practitioner student at UNM College of Nursing, found her path into nursing through personal experiences with chronic illness. Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at seven years old, Wallace was inspired by her primary care provider and medical team. "Being a nurse in New Mexico means the world to me," she said. As a fifth-generation New Mexican from Albuquerque’s South Valley, Wallace is committed to serving her community in both urban and rural settings. Her focus as a nurse practitioner is on wound care and chronic disease management. “This program is allowing me to bring all of my passions together,” Wallace stated.

Carly Nowicki, an alumna of UNM College of Nursing, always felt drawn to health and wellness due partly to her mother’s influence as a nurse interested in alternative medicine. Nowicki realized nursing was her calling while applying for college. “It was just such a natural response for me,” she said. Her career began with clinical rotations in rural New Mexico, focusing on family medicine and pain management before transitioning into neurology, specializing in migraines, stroke recovery, and dementia care. “What’s unique about being an NP is the ability to become specialized in an area and yet gain experience and expertise in other medical skill sets,” Nowicki noted. She also teaches part-time, educating students about newborns, maternal health, and pediatric care.

Justin Laird discovered his passion for behavioral health during his nursing clinicals. As an alumnus and preceptor at UNM College of Nursing working at UNM’s Addiction and Substance Abuse Clinic, Laird focuses on substance use and mental health care. The clinic offers medication-assisted therapies for opioid use disorders alongside counseling and case management services. “I can’t say enough about the collaborative nature between our different disciplines," he commented on his team's approach to complex cases. Laird advises aspiring nurse practitioners: “Just do it. It’s hard but it’s only a few years, and the payoff is so worth it.”

Those interested in pursuing this impactful career path can apply now for the DNP program at UNM College of Nursing.