"My name is Dr. Secil Schodroski and I'm a Family Nurse Practitioner and Doctor of Nursing Practice. In reflection mode, I think back and would like to share my medical journey.
At around 12 years of age I knew that someday I would become a nurse. My great grandparents instilled in me values, strength, and the understanding that the word “can’t” does not exist. By the time I was 17, my great grandparent’s health was failing and I became their primary caregiver. The strong compassion to care for them was effortless. I also gave birth to the most beautiful baby boy in the world. I then carried the single mother title. I started Junior college at 18 years old with all of my prerequisites geared toward nursing. Juggling being a waitress, a college student, and a young mother was a challenge. Thank God for all of the family support.
Over the years, I excelled from one nursing program to another. My degree status contents consist of CNA, LPN, RN, BSN, MSN, FNP, and DNP. Clearly the word “can’t” does not exist, as my great grandparents stated. Currently, I have 20 years' experience in the medical field. I have thousands of hours in practice, clinical, practicum, travel nursing, and internships of training. I have never once dreamed of owning my own business. I was always satisfied with clocking in to someone else’s clock. I believe that it was the natural thought of having the feeling of being secure.
However, that idea quickly changed once I found myself unhappy, not being able to provide quality care to my patients, and having the feeling of being rushed in the workplace. My last place of employment was the driving force to guide me into the notion of I can provide quality care to patients on my own. My last employer compelled me to pilot my career and to land on both feet.
I believe in quality patient care. With quality care upfront and being maintained, quantity will be sustained in the long run. Sometimes in life fear keeps us safe, and there are times it can hold us back. I believe that I needed that punch of confidence to move forward. I believe that my last employer provided that goal to me without knowing it. One may never know where their fate may be; however, it is the journey that places us, supports us, and carries us to the destination of where we are supposed to be.
I am a member of the Saint Louis Nurses in Advance Practice and I am licensed in both Missouri and Illinois to practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner. I am also member of the Black Business and Professional Association as well as ACLS certified and CPR certified."
