We were lucky to catch up with Dr. Yulanda King Nurse Practitioner recently and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Yulanda, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
“I grew up in a single-parent household, where financial stability was always a struggle. From a young age, I learned the value of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. My mother worked tirelessly to provide for us, and I quickly understood the importance of resilience. I balanced two jobs while attending school. I took responsibility of my aunt children after she passed away. I went from a family of two to a family of six and making this effort in my early 20’s. I never let the weight of responsibilities hold me back from achieving my goals. Despite the obstacles, I remained focused and determined.
Being the first person in my family to graduate college was not just a personal achievement; it was a testament to the power of persistence and the sacrifices made along the way. I went all the way through school and earned my doctorate degree in nursing from Jacksonville State University; while working on my Doctorate, I was also enrolled in another college University of Texas and graduate with my post master’s in Mental Health, in doing so I continued to work full time taking care of COVID patients working thirty twelve-hour night shifts consecutively. This experience taught me that no matter the challenges, with resilience and a strong work ethic, anything is possible. My journey wasn’t easy, but it shaped me into the person I am today—someone who embraces adversity and thrives in the face of it.”
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I Dr. Yulanda King is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) based in Montgomery, Alabama. I earned both my Master’s and Doctor of Nursing degrees from Jacksonville State University, specializing in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care. I further my advanced her expertise by obtaining a specialty in Psychiatric Mental-Health from the University of Texas.
In 2021, I Dr. King founded Hope Psychiatric Consultants, a telehealth platform aimed at providing accessible mental health care. Her mission is to normalize seeking professional help for mental health issues and to offer a judgment-free environment for patients to openly discuss their concerns.
Dr. King’s clinical experience includes roles in hospital medicine at institutions such as Morristown Medical Center and Valley Baptist Medical Center. I am licensed to practice in several states, including Alabama, Arizona, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.
Beyond her clinical practice, I am actively involved in community initiatives. I organized a free mental health fair in Montgomery to address local mental health challenges and raise awareness.
At Hope Psychiatric Consultants, I offer services such as therapy, medication management, and combined therapy and medication plans. She treats conditions including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, ADHD, and more.
I want to end the Stigma on Mental Health and change one mind at a time.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Reflecting on the journey to becoming a Nurse Practitioner (NP), three qualities, skills, and areas of knowledge that tend to be most impactful are:
Clinical Knowledge and Critical Thinking: A strong foundation in medical knowledge, coupled with the ability to think critically, is vital. As an NP, you’ll encounter a wide variety of patient conditions and being able to apply evidence-based practices while navigating complex clinical situations is key. This combination of knowledge and decision-making skills helps ensure you are providing the best care possible.
Advice for newcomers: Focus on building a deep understanding of pathophysiology, pharmacology, and clinical guidelines. But don’t just memorize—work on applying your knowledge to real-world scenarios. Engage in case studies, shadow experienced providers, and ask questions in clinical settings. This will help you hone your critical thinking skills.
Communication Skills: Both with patients and the healthcare team, communication is a cornerstone of being an effective NP. Clear communication ensures you understand patients’ needs, can educate them on their conditions, and collaborate effectively with colleagues. Developing the ability to listen actively and explain complex medical information in a way that patients can understand is crucial.
Advice for newcomers: Practice empathetic listening and always strive to make your communication clear and concise. Being patient-centered in your communication is essential. Consider role-playing scenarios with classmates or mentors to develop these skills in different contexts. Building rapport with patients early on will help in your future practice.
Self-Reflection and Adaptability: The ability to reflect on your practice, acknowledge areas for improvement, and adapt is invaluable. Healthcare is always evolving, and as an NP, you must be willing to learn from your experiences, patients, and colleagues. This mindset helps you continuously improve your skills and adapt to changes in medical practices or patient needs.
Advice for newcomers: Regularly engage in self-reflection after clinical encounters. Ask yourself what went well and where you could improve. Seek feedback from preceptors or mentors, and always be open to constructive criticism. Staying flexible and maintaining a growth mindset will help you thrive in the ever-changing world of healthcare.
For those starting out, these are foundational skills that will shape your practice as a Nurse Practitioner. Approach your learning with curiosity, be patient with yourself, and embrace the journey as both a challenging and rewarding process.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
I am facing a significant challenge in terms of professional recognition and access to practice within your field. Navigating restrictions placed by regulatory bodies, such as the Board of Nursing and the Board of Medical Examiners, can be really frustrating, especially when it prevents you me from providing the care that I am trained to offer.
To address this, here are some steps I considered.
Understand the specific regulations: Make sure I am fully aware of the rules or laws that are limiting your practice. Knowing the specific criteria or barriers they’ve set can help me work within the system, whether that’s through additional certifications, reapplying for licensure, or clarifying the scope of practice you’re allowed to work within.
Engage in direct communication: Continue to contact the boards directly to seek clarification on what’s needed to meet their expectations or requirements. I pray I can work with them to find an acceptable solution, such as getting additional training or fulfilling certain prerequisites.
Networking and Advocacy: Engage with colleagues, professional associations, or legal advisors that who help me advocate for your ability to practice. Sometimes, the issue is about navigating the right channels or receiving guidance from those who have been through the same challenge.
Continual Education: If the issue is tied to credentials or certifications, taking steps to earn additional qualifications or undergo necessary training could improve your position in the eyes of these boards and allow you to expand your scope of practice.
In any case, addressing these obstacles involves a blend of persistence, strategy, and often a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape. Staying proactive and seeking out the right resources will give me a stronger chance to overcome these hurdles and get back to what I love doing—helping patients and serving my community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://virtual-hope.com/
- Facebook: Hope Psychiatric Consultants
Image Credits
Hope Psychiatric Consultants, Hope stand for Handing Out Positive Energy
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