About Our Nurse Practitioners
In recent years, there has been a change in the focus of health care from the treatment of illnesses to preventing illness and maintaining wellness. The role of the nurse practitioner is one of several positions that have developed as a result of this concern for wellness.
What is a nurse practitioner?
A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who has had extensive training in performing many of the skills traditionally reserved for physicians. These skills include history taking, interpretation of tests, physical diagnosis, and treatment of minor illnesses such as sore throats, cols, and ear infections. Nurse practitioners are nurses and do many nursing tasks such as implementing treatment plans and patient education.
A nurse practitioner is not a physician. They are unique health professionals who, in partnership with registered nurses and physicians, can help provide more complete care to children and their families.
What do the nurse practitioners do?
The nurse practitioners provide a wide range of health services which include health maintenance as well as illness care. Some examples of these are:
- Health Maintenance – PAP smears, well baby exams, school, spots, and day-care exams
- Health Counseling – Nutrition and exercise advice.
- Patient Education – Teaching about prevention and effects of illness and the benefits of early detection.
- Developing Assessments – Testing growth and development and comparing against expected norms.
- Treatment – Treatment of uncomplicated illnesses such as upper respiratory infections, sore throats, earaches, vaginal infections and rashes.
- Prenatal tour – Expectant parents tour the facilities and can ask questions about infant care.
If your child has symptoms or problems that cannot be treated under the guidelines outlined by the pediatricians, the nurse practitioners will consult with a pediatrician while you are still in the office.
Will the nurse practitioner see my child in the hospital?
All hospitalized patients will have a pediatrician admit them and supervise their care in the hospital. The nurse practitioners examine some health, newborn babies in the nursery. In addition to the pediatrician, a nurse practitioner may visit your child in the pediatric ward.
Team Approach
Bristol Street Pediatric Associates has found success in the utilization of a team approach in the care of children. Each nurse practitioner is teamed with a pediatrician who supervises your child’s care and authorizes procedures. The pediatrician and nurse practitioner work together as a team to provide quality, innovative medical care for your child.
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Rosie Eash
Rosie Eash is a Nurse Practitioner and has been in nursing for 26 years. She received her Bachelor’s degree in nursing from Eastern Mennonite College and obtained her training as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Indiana University Medical Center in 1975. She resides in Goshen and has two sons. Her special interests are in adolescent medicine, gynecology, and dermatology.
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Jody Srof
Jody Srof is a Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Goshen College in 1982 and a Master’s degree in Nursing from Oral Roberts University in 1986. Jody has worked at Bristol Street Pediatrics since 1988. He lives in Goshen with his wife and 2 daughters. His areas of interest include sports medicine, dermatology, and child development.
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Colleen Shay RNCS
Colleen Shay RNCS received her BSN and Family Nurse Practitioner degree from Purdue University of Calumet in Hammond, Indiana. She has been a nurse for 13 years, and has worked at Bristol Street Pediatrics for 3 years. She resides in Wakarusa with her husband, who is a physical therapist, and her children. Her special interests include preventative medicine and child development.
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Patti Nietch
Patti Nietch is a Family Nurse Practitioner. She earned her BSN from Indiana University and her Master’s Degree in Parent/Child Health from Valparaiso University in 1997. Patti recently was a lecturer at IUSB School of Nursing and a Nurse Practitioner with Saint Mary’s Health Service. She lives in South Bend with her husband and 2 daughters. Her areas of interest include preventative medicine, adolescent health, and asthma.
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