We recently connected with Dr. Brittany Price, DNP, FNP-C and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Brittany, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
Oooo this is a good one! I was groomed for this. I grew up in an all black lower income area while attending a predominantly white middle- upper class school since 2nd grade. As dark as I was, I “talked too white” for my community and If I didn’t clearly pronounce every syllable of a word around the people at school then they acted as though I was speaking a foreign language. “I can’t understand you” they’d say. Also, My skin tone is also unique. Would you believe that I had an innocent caucasian toddler come up to me and say in the most concerning tone, “You’re so dirty! Does your mother know you’re dirty?”. Colorism was alive and well, so even from my own people, I frequently took jabs about how dark I was. Thanks to Lupita my stock went up and now my complexion is celebrated but before Black Panther hit let me tell you, it was a struggle! In high school, I also had the opportunity to be someone’s “first black friend”. All of these experiences shaped me and how I show up in the world and in retrospect I wouldn’t change any of them. I hated being one of few “token blacks” in the environment, but it prepared me for my future and what I believe to be a part of my purpose. My experiences have made me kind, humble, resilient and relatable. I’ve had a lifetime of experience to teach me how to be enraged and passionate yet peaceful and respectful. I learned to communicate with others who thought differently and accept those who look differently. Present day, when I look around and see that I’m one of few black faces , it doesn’t feel foreign to me. My past experiences have prepared me to feel comfortable anywhere I go and change the narrative so that I can leave the door open for others who look like me. It is a heavy burden, but I have been carrying it all my life; and quite honestly I’ve learned to embrace it. Now that diversity, equity and inclusion is increasing in popularity, perhaps at my next panel discussion we’ll be asking “what does it feel like to be in a room full of successful people who look like you?”. Now that would be an amazing story!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I absolutely love what I do and I’d love to share! I am a Travel Family Nurse Practitioner with a doctorate degree in Nursing. It must be said that Nurse Practitioners took over the #1 spot for the Best Job of 2024 according to U.S News so the timing is perfect! What I do is so special as I have the opportunity to re-establish trust in a healthcare system that is so broken. I’ve devoted my career to helping the underserved both nationally and internationally. Historically, I’ve worked in jails, FQHCs (Federally Qualified Health Centers)- serving non-english speaking immigrants , the unhoused and those suffering with addiction to name a few. The unfortunate truth is that many have had terrible experiences with the healthcare system and vocalize that they avoid the clinic even when they know they need to go because they don’t trust healthcare providers or they feel like they aren’t treated with respect. I get the opportunity to show them what a patient provider relationship should really look like. I get to create an environment that is comfortable for them. We laugh because laughter is the best medicine, we talk about their lives outside of their dreaded medical condition, because social determinants of health are very important contributors to health outcomes. Now instead of coming to the clinic once every decade they are excited to come see me and prioritize their healthcare with someone they know genuinely has their best interest at heart. It is an amazing feeling. It is however bittersweet because I always hate to leave those I’ve built such good relationships with, but I am always comforted in knowing i’ve left a place better than it was when I came. Now it’s time to start a new adventure serving those who serve our country- The US Air Force! In just a couple months, I’ll be completely relocating to England to serve as a civilian worker. I’m also working on a new children’s book series called “The Adventures of a Dr. Nurse” which is meant to increase exposure and representation of doctorate level nurses and black professionals. You can’t be what you don’t see! The goal is to reach children while they are still deciding what they want to be when they grow up so If you ask a 7 year old what they want to be, they may one day shock you and say “A Dr. Nurse”. It’s mostly fantasy in effort to create a world that children can’t wait to get back to and also a world I can’t wait to write about. It will have small lessons sprinkled throughout, but I mainly want to allow kids to get lost In the multifaceted world of a Dr Nurse and show them exactly how amazing, rewarding , and fun it is! It will also be loosely based on the lives and adventures of my business partner and fellow nurse practitioner Dr. Julius Johnson and I. It excites me that as a profession we are constantly pushing the boundaries that define us. Opportunities are more abundant now more than ever before and it is amazing to be a part of the change and have the opportunity to highlight nursing’s contributions.
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?
Discipline, Tenacity, and Patience were the most impactful skills necessary to become a nurse or nurse practitioner because this journey is not a short one and it is also a quite difficult one. I went to college for 10 years to get to where I am. It is really hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel when you are at the beginning of your journey. My advice is to figure out your “Why”. Figure out what you are doing it for so that when the work gets tough (and it will), you can tap into the reason why you chose to walk such a difficult path. Would you rather the struggle of being stuck where you are for the rest of your life or would you rather struggle to create a better life for yourself? There will inevitably be struggle no matter what you choose so don’t let that be a deterrent. Would you prefer a life of meaning? More opportunities for growth? Gateway to earning more income that you can use to fund other dreams? raise a family? or turn into wealth and financial independence? Whatever it is- These things cost! There will be a considerable financial investment required but they also cost time so you will need patience. They cost effort so you need disciple. You will also have to endure a considerable amount of adversity which will require tenacity. It will be emotionally taxing if you genuinely have a heart for what you do so you will need emotional fortitude. Try not to compare. Everyone’s journey is different. Compare the you of today only to the you of yesterday. This is not a race. It doesn’t matter what other people are doing around you. Stay focused on your personal goals. Do not focus on the time and what you’ll be missing but rather what you stand to gain. It is all about mindset. A negative mind says “I’ve got to go to school for all these years just to do this job”. A positive mind says “I’m working on building the life of my dreams and I’m going to work at it no matter how long it takes.” Give it your all the first time. It will shorten your journey substantially, because you wont have to repeat steps. Surround yourself with likeminded people who are also working toward their goals. You can be accountability partners. Remain grateful for the opportunities you do have even if you’re not where you want to be, because I guarantee you there is someone who looks up to you and what you have even when you feel you have nothing. Finally, keep in mind that nothing worth having comes easy, but I promise you it will be worth it! Speaking from experience, the years will fly by and before you know it you’ll wake up and be living the life of your dreams and it will be even better than you’ve imagined.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Collaboration over competition always! I am always looking for people to collaborate with. I’d love to do more podcasts/ interviews/ articles etc so anyone looking for guest speakers, bloggers etc. I’d love to contribute and discuss the profession, self care, work/ life balance, travel or anything filled with positivity and promoting living the life of your dreams. I’d also love the opportunity to connect with any nurses or future nurses. The Dr. Nurses platform is for you. I’d love to hear what we can do to help you succeed. I’d also love to connect with other Dr. Nurses who are doing unique and extraordinary things so that I can highlight you on my platform and maybe even find ways to collaborate and advance the profession together. I can be reached at www.drnurses.com. There is a “Contact Us” link at the bottom of the webpage that I respond to directly. I can also be reached on instagram @Dr.Nurse_LA. I look forward to hearing from you! 🙂
Contact Info:
- Website: www.drnurses.com
- Instagram: @dr.nurse_la
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dr-brittany-price-dnp-fnp-c-4471695b
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnk3_bqXv2StlpiqKyTk6TA
