Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Peck.
Hi Jessica, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born and raised with deep Texas roots in a working class family. I did well in school but higher education was financially and logistically out of reach. I eventually found my way to a local community college, where I discovered I could earn a nursing degree. Because I had always loved caring for people, the choice was easy. Working three jobs and with support from my grandparents, I attained an Associate Degree in Nursing.
I began working for my childhood pediatrician and quickly developed a passion for pediatric nursing. A faculty member from a nearby nursing program encouraged me to return to school, first for a bachelor’s degree and then a master’s degree as a pediatric nurse practitioner. Although I started on academic probation, I graduated with a 4.0 GPA, became the first woman in my family to get a university degree, and eventually attained post-master’s and doctoral degrees and became a nursing professor and a national nursing leader.
When an old friend running a new anti-trafficking organization in my community asked for my help to write continuing education for healthcare professionals, I found my life taking a dramatic left turn when I stepped up to volunteer. Soon I found myself advising state and federal legislators, testifying for anti-trafficking laws, consulting with survivors to create curriculum standards, working with the federal government to create standards for healthcare systems, founding a national advocacy organization, publishing, and speaking all over the world. This eventually led to the opportunity to host a daily faith-based radio show. Nursing gave me a pathway and equipped me to use my voice as an advocate for those who had none. I am now Distinguished Alumnus for both the University of Texas Medical Branch and the University of Alabama and have received numerous international, national, and state awards. I proudly claim them as hope for others that if I can become a nurse and make that kind of difference, anyone with dreams to do the same can do it too.
I am so grateful for the power of nursing and the ability to use my education, training, and perspective to help support others to make the world a healthier place for children, especially my own.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Although nursing is the largest healthcare workforce in the world, it is very under represented in decision-making and policy forums. I’ve learned to become an advocate for my profession. Leading the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners as President during the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the biggest professional challenges I’ve ever faced. I’m so grateful to have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the most trusted caregiving force in healthcare!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Dr. Nurse Mama Show is where faith, family, and practical wisdom meet. Hosted with the perspective of my professor brain, hands-on nursing experience, and heart as a mom, the show tackles the real-life challenges facing today’s families from parenting and mental health to technology, culture, relationships, and raising kids with strong faith and healthy habits. With a blend of evidence-based insight as a nurse practitioner, a biblical Christian worldview, and plenty of honest “mom” perspective, I equip parents to navigate a complicated culture with confidence. My daily mission is “prescribing hope for healthy families.” The shows airs daily Monday-Friday through American Family Radio.
How do you define success?
I define success less by what I accomplish and more by how my accomplishments impact others. I’m highly driven but people are always at the heart of my work. I have a desire to encourage, equip, and empower families to pursue investment in healthy habits that strengthen them holistically with generational impacts. Integrity is at the heart of my work, and I value being the same person at home as a mom and a wife that I am on the air. If I can be truthful, faithful, and impactful through a lens of kindness while nurturing my own family’s health, I will consider myself to be wildly successful.
Pricing:
- Radio show/podcast is free
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.drnursemama.com/show
