19 Years and Counting. What is Next?
This month marks 19 years since I became a Registered Nurse at the tender, clueless age of 20 years old. I am so glad that that young girl weathered so many storms because here I am today, having experienced life in countless priceless ways, so many of which I could not have had without my career.
Given that the Big 20 (years in) is coming around soon and so is me turning the big 4-0, I have been reflecting upon not only what I’ve learned but what I want.
Just a few points that I have learned:
You cannot take care of everyone but yourself.
I learned this in 2021 when I just could not hang during COVID. I was TURNED UP 24/7 professionally and personally. When I finally cracked from working multiple jobs for multiple years and struggling, I sold almost everything and moved to Mexico with my kids. We took 3 back packs and 3 pieces of luggage. Those first 9 months were some of the best of my life and here is why:
I had set much better boundaries when I first started my first private practice directly prior to the move. You cannot be available 24/7. I knew I had been setting out to find peace and needed to maintain that. Four clinics and many, many changes later, I have forgotten that. Thanks to email, messaging, etc., I am available to people 24/7. It does not mean that I check or answer my messages that much but it does mean that people (clients, family, whomever) have the means to contact you no matter when. Disconnection is what so many of us pine after but do not achieve. I have the opportunity to disconnect and need to stop letting it pass me by.
Private practice requires sacrifice. Has it been worth it to build successful clinics, sell one, and keep growing what I still have? Absolutely. But it does not align with what I want in life anymore because:
Insurance does not pay for my expertise. What I bring to the professional table should be paid for appropriately but unfortunately, it simply is not when insurance is involved. However, clients want to (rightfully so) use their insurance.
I want to practice root-cause medicine that goes beyond medication and good ole’ cognitive behavioral therapy. No hate on CBT but as a neurodivergent person I know it is not for a lot of people. I believe that medical care involves so much more and clients deserve better. Insurance thinks otherwise.
I love education. Nursing education. Business education. I love to coach, teach, and help others achieve their dreams. I cannot do this to the extent I would like to while I am actively growing my practice(s) and attending to the needs of clients.
Your virtue is not proven at the bedside. And with that in mind, it is time that I start to transition into roles that reflect my current passions and dreams. I’ve earned the title CEO and have equally earned (and want to continue to embrace) the titles Consultant, Coach, Creator, and -most importantly-Mom. My kids need me and I want to be more present, no matter the cost.
So what am I getting at?
Over the next six months I will be transitioning away from accepting insurance for my services. I will be cutting back the number of clients that I see but will continue to offer HRT because it is TRULY life altering.
What is next?
I am working on a course for the Elite NP (Re: Medical Billing and Coding for the NP Entrepreneur) and will continue to make content for them as I am able and as needed.
I am hosting a CE Cruise in November and plan to offer more!
We have many long cruises planned including some that are back to back for months.
I will continue creating courses and presentations that support other nurses, healthcare professionals, and those that seek that change that I’ve been so fortunate to harness over the years.
I am pursuing a doctorate degree-finally! I had planned this for my late 20s but a surprise pregnancy changed my life trajectory in a positive way. 12+ years later-it is finally time.
I will continue to offer my consulting and coaching services while refining those offerings and making them more intentional.
And lastly, it’s time to be Mom. As a single mom, I wear a lot of hats and have to walk in a lot of shoes but it has been worth it. I only have six years left with my oldest and I intend on making those six years really matter. Ultimately, we hope to move to Southeast Asia in 2026! Read a bit about our 3 months there on my blog. If I thought my life in Mexico was brain-altering, but Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam threw that right out the window!
It’s been an incredible 4 years in private practice and I’m thankful to those that have stuck by and enjoyed the ride!
With Gratitude,
Stacey
Calendar of Events:
Woo or True? The Role of Functional Medicine in Mental Health. Dublin, OH for Teal Saguaro August 21, 2025
Alcohol Use Disorder: The Silent Epidemic in Women. Presented for the PMHNP Source mentorship group October 2025. This group is truly an unique and valuable resource for any PMHNP!
CE Cruise! Do not miss this. We are opening 10 more spots!
Deprescribing in Psychiatry. Presenting for the Elite NP Tier 3 Members. December 2025.
