We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ashley Harvey a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley , thanks for joining us today. How did you get your first job in the field that you practice in today?

My 1st ever Nurse Practitioner job was a process! I went to multiple states with my husband to see who was the right fit. We traveled to: Bluffton, SC, Monroe, LA, Texas, Seiling, OK, and Mississippi. No one wanted to offer me a position due to my lack of experience. I have never been one to beg for any position. I’ve always said my talents will open doors for me. I got the offer in Seiling, OK and was ecstatic! But could not pass my boards. So I respectfully declined it and started working towards passing. Months later, I passed and started back looking. Every position I’ve gotten, my husband has found via Indeed. Crazy, right?! Well he found this position in Earle, AR. Rural health primary care. I went to interview and loved the vibe there. Working for a female Indian doctor was a beautiful match. I got the job and moved with my family 2.5 hours to start my 1st position as a Family Nurse Practitioner 5 years ago. I felt independent, happy and content. Finally felt that someone chose me for me and it was time to start making my mark on helping others.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I wanted to be a Nurse Practitioner for quite sometime. Senior year of high school my great grandmother got ill in the nursing home. I remember some of her last words being to choose a career that you love that will make a good life for you. At the time, I was pregnant with my oldest DJ, which she was unaware of. I changed my mind from nurse anesthetist to nurse practitioner. I knew I wanted to be a boss. My mindset would be too much for nursing and I would get in trouble for expressing myself with healthcare cases. I needed a position that matched my future energy and this was it. I am most proud of my work ethic and the ability to believe in myself and to never give up. So many have doubted and I have proven them all wrong.

With my non profit work at Keeta’s Place Inc. The CEO found me on LinkedIn. I looked up the mission and the website, the rest is history. Mentoring young girls virtually is awesome. As a teen, I never had a mentor in my field. I looked up to others but no one offered to take me under their wings. I knew once I made it, I wanted to share what I learned with the next generation and pay it forward. The non profit work I do makes me feel warm, fuzzy and like I’m making a different with the youth.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Everyone needs help. This is something I had to learn on my way to earning my Master’s. I had a nursing mentor that I admired and trusted. We were both working towards our Bachelor’s. We worked together, made time for one another after work, and our children bonded. She asked if she could review one of my papers. I always worked ahead. I trusted her. I submitted my paper and quickly found out that I was being accused of copying her work. She submitted my paper word for word. I was almost expelled from college over someone I trusted almost like family. She denied it and proceeded on like it was nothing. I was able to plead my case, take a low grade and worked to improve and pass the class. I distanced myself and completed my Bachelor’s. Everyone does not need help, especially at the expense of my own success.

Any advice for managing a team?

Walk the walk. Talk the talk. When you have inexperienced team members, they need additional guidance but they are less apt to listen when you are not doing what you ask them to do. Can she start an IV? Can she do the skill she asks me to do? Nurses under my guidance know I don’t back down from a challenge. It needs to be done and you can’t do it, I can and will. If I can’t, I’m honest. This is how I keep my morale. Never put yourself in an uncomfortable position when you don’t have to.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: aharvey_fnp
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashley.vancern
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-harvey-06a158216
• Other: Non-profit where I am Marketing & Media Chair/ Board Member: www.keetasplace.org Brand Ambassador with: www.kellygraceaccessories.com

Image Credits
Photo credits for my Brand Ambassador photo with my poodle, Bella and Keeta’s Place Inc. photo, Damien Vance. Photo of myself and my husband in black, photographer: @Soleonyc (Instagram handle). Group photo with my brunch crew (group of 5): Jimarie Nelson, FNP and owner of Bluff City Drip