Carol Savrin, associate professor at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University, has long been involved with interprofessional education in multiple different clinical environments.
While working as a pediatric nurse, receiving support from colleagues pushed her to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner (NP). Savrin wrote about her decision to become a NP as part of the 366 nursing stories collected by the Northeast Ohio Year of the Nurse.
She has held leadership roles in multiple national professional organizations including the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). Savrin received the 2021 AANP Nurse Practitioner State Award for Excellence from Ohio. She is lead faculty in the nursing school’s Family Nurse Practitioner master’s program, which was ranked 12th for family care programs in the country by U.S. News and World Report.
In celebration of National Nurse Practitioner Week 2021, she shared what inspired her to become a nurse practitioner and what the role means to her.
What inspired you to become a nurse practitioner?
Years ago, I worked with several physicians who truly believed that nurses could do more than they were given credit for. They gave me more to do, much more, and inspired me to become an NP.
Where is the best place to spend a day in Cleveland?
Metroparks
What does being a nurse practitioner mean to you?
I do primary care. I love being the detective who figures out the problem and educating patients on how to deal with the problem.
What is the best advice you ever received?
Recognize all your staff and allow them to function to the best of their ability.
What is your favorite thing about Case Western Reserve University?
Case is never stagnant.