Prescribing and Treating With Compassion and Care

A Nurse Practitioner builds trust and transforms the lives of his patients

Welcome to Nurse Ascent, a twice-weekly newsletter created by nurses, for nurses. This week, we spotlight the critical work of a Nurse Practitioner who diagnoses, prescribes, and treats patients across care settings. We also dive into the latest headlines, including longer ER wait times tied to recent Medicaid cuts, and a troubling new report on the decline of children’s health. Plus, browse job openings available now from trusted employers.

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Nurse Spotlight: Jerry Szych, Nurse Practitioner

What I do for work

I am a Nurse Practitioner working in two clinics, one located in Central Jersey and the other in South Jersey. My areas of specialization include nutrition, anti-aging, weight loss, medicine, and hormone optimization. I diagnose and prescribe treatments, and I refer patients when necessary. My primary focus is on disease prevention. My role is as extensive as it needs to be. I am dedicated to doing whatever is needed to ensure my patients receive the best care possible.

How to become a Nurse Practitioner

You will need to become a Registered Nurse (RN), first. In Florida, the program I went through allowed me to earn my associate's degree, which qualified me to sit for the RN licensing exam. After obtaining my RN license, I pursued my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). At that time, I already held another bachelor's degree, a master's degree, and a doctorate. Following my BSN, I went on to complete my master's degree with a focus on Nurse Practitioner, which I finished a little over three years ago.

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Featured Jobs

🩺 CRNA - Anesthesiology Jacksonville, CHRISTUS Health Jacksonville, TX ​Apply Now​ →​

☤ LNA - Home Health and Hospice, The University of Vermont Health Network Colchester, VT ​Apply Now​ →​

♡ LNA/Mental Health Tech - Resource Pool, The University of Vermont Health Network Berlin, VT ​Apply Now​ →​

💉 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist - CRNA, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, FL ​Apply Now​ →​

🩹 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist - CRNA, Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN ​Apply Now​ →​

🩸 Registered Nurse - ICU - RN, Mayo Clinic Eau Claire, WI ​Apply Now​ →​

​Create your free CollabWORK profile to get matched to nurse roles that fit your life (per diem, remote, travel, specific locations).

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More on Jerry Szych

A day in my life

I typically arrive at the office around 7:30 a.m. and leave between 5 and 6:30 p.m., depending on how busy the day is. I prepare my lab reviews even before I step into the office. Each of my visits lasts about 45 minutes to an hour, during which I thoroughly examine every aspect of the lab results. This comprehensive analysis covers everything from vitamins and the complete cholesterol panel to hormones. We discuss what can be improved, what requires medication, and what can be managed without it.

I also conduct medical exams for patients who come in with various issues, such as thyroid conditions, diabetes, hypertension, or hormone-related concerns. Our goal is to help them maintain their health for as long as possible, which should be the objective for everyone.

What aspect of your job do you find the most rewarding

Without fail, I often hear someone say to me, “You changed my life” or “You saved my life.” I strongly argue that this is not true. I had nothing to do with it. I provided the guidelines, and you followed them. So, this is all on you—don’t credit me. You made the changes; I simply shared how to do it, and you listened. This process is ongoing, and that’s the beauty of it—it never truly ends. It’s not about the destination; it’s about the journey. My goal is for everyone to be happy and healthy, and that’s what really matters to me. Every time I meet with a client, whether it has been six months or longer, and I see them doing incredibly well, it is so rewarding. It never gets boring. I can't express how much joy it brings me; it gives me chills just thinking about it.

My self-care routine (or what I do for fun, or to relax)

I love traveling and experiencing new foods and cultures. I've traveled to over 30 countries, though I don't keep an exact count. I just keep going and exploring. I recently returned from Singapore. I love the Caribbean islands. I enjoy the warm weather and the opportunity to explore new places.

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Headlines in Healthcare

Longer ER waiting times

A little-known tax that helps fund Medicaid—one that many ERs rely on to stay staffed and functional—was slashed under the newly passed “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” The cuts are expected to force hospitals to reduce emergency services, limit staffing, or shut down departments altogether—especially in rural areas where care is already hard to access. Longer ER wait times, delays for urgent treatment, and even full-capacity turnaways could become more common, impacting everyone—regardless of whether they have private insurance or none at all.

MAHA report highlights decline in children’s health

Children’s health has declined over the past two decades, with increases in chronic illnesses such as obesity and mental health issues. The "Make America Healthy Again" report describes kids as undernourished and overmedicated, serving as canaries in the coal mine that reflect broader societal problems. Meanwhile, policies that fuel vaccine hesitancy among parents may lead to a resurgence of preventable illnesses.

New treatment for swelling disorder approved

The first on-demand treatment for hereditary angioedema, approved on Monday, offers rapid symptom relief for individuals with this rare, life-threatening disorder. Importantly, it eliminates the need for injections, providing a more convenient option for patients.

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Meet the author:
​Renee DLamini
(RN, BSN, Writer)

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