**Evolving Holistic Health Care: A Nurse Practitioner’s Path**
As a Doctor of Nursing Practice and a certified nurse practitioner, my vocation has been profoundly established in internal medicine, pulmonology, and sleep medicine within the dynamic outpatient settings of New York. For over ten years, I have dedicated myself to caring for a varied, socioeconomically diverse patient demographic, many of whom contend with chronic respiratory diseases, comorbidities, and obstacles to accessing health care. This complex environment has ignited my commitment to a more holistic and fair approach, highlighting systems-oriented health care delivery.
During the initial phases of my career, I often noticed trends that others frequently overlooked—such as the neglect of follow-up appointments, the underdiagnosis of conditions like sleep apnea, and inadequate asthma management in younger individuals. Realizing that lasting healing is not limited to examination rooms, but flourishes in transformed health care systems, I took the initiative to lead performance and quality enhancement projects. These efforts advocate for proactive patient outreach, integrated care coordination, and strong patient education.
One notable initiative sought to improve follow-up care for patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and chronic asthma. Acknowledging these conditions as controllable yet often overlooked due to systemic hurdles like complicated testing procedures and insurance challenges, I led the development of a structured tracking system alongside evidence-based decision support tools. This setup significantly minimized delays in diagnosis and treatment, boosting patient adherence, outcomes, and satisfaction.
Additionally, my enthusiasm for patient education prompted me to revamp the preparation steps for labor epidurals. Working closely with anesthesiology and obstetrics teams, we created a pre-admission education module. Its implementation ensured that women preparing for delivery were well-versed in their pain management choices, had consent forms that were reviewed in advance, and were emotionally equipped for childbirth. This initiative not only improved workflow efficiency but also greatly enhanced the patient experience.
Beyond clinical innovation, I derive immense satisfaction from mentoring aspiring nurse practitioners and physician assistants. As a preceptor, I provide students with practical exposure to complex outpatient scenarios while supporting them in clinical skills, documentation, communication, and professional growth. Witnessing their evolution into confident clinicians is one of my most cherished experiences.
To me, the core of being a nurse practitioner goes beyond diagnosis and prescribing. It includes advocating for at-risk patients, challenging traditional practices, and continuously exploring methods to elevate care quality and efficiency. It also involves promoting the role of advanced practice providers as essential leaders within interdisciplinary teams. Whether engaging directly with patients, participating in strategic discussions, or mentoring students, I aim to lead with compassion, purpose, and evidence-driven practices.
Being part of a transformative health care system is a privilege. I am dedicated to playing an essential role in this transition, and I hope my journey encourages fellow health care professionals to lead courageously, address inefficiencies, and consistently place the patient at the core of care delivery.
*Shabeena Hirani, DNP, FNP-C, is a certified nurse practitioner with substantial expertise in internal medicine, pulmonology, and sleep medicine. A graduate of Quinnipiac University, she practices at Queens Pulmonary Medical Services and has spearheaded initiatives in chronic disease management and mental health assessment. Renowned for her patient-focused approach and commitment to mentoring, she collaborates actively with health care professionals to foster compassionate, holistic care.*