Parkview’s incredible advanced practice providers serve an integral role in delivering the best patient care. We invited Grace Sneary, NP, PPG – Family Medicine, to share more about these important care team members and what the responsibility means to her.
“My mom was a geriatric physical therapist, and so on the weekends sometimes I would get to go to the nursing home and watch her with her patients,” Grace said. “She was so cool and smart and capable and helpful, and I just really wanted to be all of those things.”
Grace went to the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne, where she got her Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) then went straight into her Master of Science in nursing (MSN). She has been an NP for over 10 years now.
Defining an APP
An advanced practice provider (APP) can be one of two roles, either a nurse practitioner (NP) or a physician assistant (PA). Both roles can do many of the things that a doctor (MD or DO) can do, though all APPs are required to work with a collaborating physician on plans of care.
An APP can:
- Diagnose conditions, acute and chronic
- Order tests, lab results and images
- Prescribe medication
My specific job though, is helping with overflow. I see patients for same-day appointments.
Finding reward in the role
Each time Grace knocks on the door to a patient’s room, she thinks of it as a fresh chance to make a difference. “It's such an opportunity to shine light and love. We are not MDs, but we can really help with the burden of healthcare.”
She prides herself on helping people reach their goals. “I enjoy celebrating tiny wins with patients, whether that's getting their blood sugars under control, their blood pressure is at target or they finally lost that last five pounds.”
For Grace and her peers, being a Parkview APP is more than a diagnosis. It’s about making a true difference.
