Today we’d like to introduce you to Nimmy Thomas.
Nimmy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My name is Nimmy, and I am a registered nurse transitioning into my new role as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. I started my career as a nurse in 2011 at the age of twenty. I was president of my nursing class, and have always admired the impact the field of nursing has had on the healthcare system. I have worked in various settings including psychiatry, telemetry, emergency room, and geriatrics. I am a member of the Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurses of Houston, and the Texas chapter as well. I am a strong advocate for the advancement of nursing in this beautiful state of Texas.
An advanced practice nurse is a Master’s prepared or higher level nurse with specialized training in whatever specialty he or she chooses. For me, I chose the Nurse Practitioner concentration in Psychiatry. I wanted to be able to merge the caring and holistic nature of nursing to help diagnose and treat clients with mental illness. When I am not working, I am studying and keeping up with new research on diagnosis and treatment in the field of psychiatry. When I am not reading all the cool research stuff, I am running in the park, spending time with my awesome husband and family, and watching Netflix with my wine. 🙂
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No! As a floor nurse for seven years, I have been thrown into patient care situations that scared the crap out of me.
Busy units, people in excruciating pain, demands from various healthcare professionals have taken a toll on me for that time, but have made me who I am today. As a nurse and advanced practice nurse, we handle the technical stuff, the motherly stuff, and most importantly the safety stuff. I have worked countless 12-hour shifts without a lunch break or even a moment to sit because of life-threatening situations our patients go through.
Nursing school was hard, and so was graduate nursing school. Many graduate nursing students will not always readily have the time to explain their 40 hour work weeks, 32 clinical hour requirements for school, and the graduate course they are taking all at the same time. Well, that was me. God has really given the strength and push I needed to pull through.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Harris County Psychiatric Center story. Tell us more about the business.
I work in one of the largest psychiatric hospitals in the country. It is the only psychiatric teaching hospital in Houston, Texas, and Harris County Psychiatric Center is a great place to work for nurses and providers. I am most proud of the compassionate care the clinical staff provides for the variety of clients we see in this hospital. I have dedicated my time to continuing education and continuously educating the clients and their families here about mental illness and recovery.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Good luck has been given to me from my higher power, God. God has always looked out for me in my career to be surrounded by other health care professionals that have enhanced my learning and provided numerous opportunities for growth.
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