Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Elisabeth Collins. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Elisabeth, appreciate you joining us today. How did you first get into your field – what was your first job in this field?

Hi there! Thank you for the opportunity to share my story with your readers! I actually landed my first job in healthcare when I was still in high school. I had been working at a library, and I enjoyed what I did, but I knew I was ready for something more. I connected with a lady at church who told me about a position that was opening where she worked in an accounts receivable firm. This sounded interesting to me, so I set up an interview for the position. As part of the interview process, I was asked to take a typing test. I had been home-schooled up until that point, and my mom (aka: my teacher) had invested in an online program that had allowed me to hone this skill. Her investment paid off that day as I scored very high on the typing test. The interviewer was impressed with my score and asked if I would consider a different (better) administrative position in healthcare client services. Of course I said “yes”! While this position was somewhat entry-level, it gave me such a valuable foundation. I stayed with this company through several organizational changes and mergers, and I gained valuable experience through all of it. Later when I was attending college out of state, I applied for a job in a hospital as a patient access representative. The job I applied for was full-time, but I needed part-time hours as a student. That hiring manager gave me what I asked for (part-time hours) simply because of my prior experience working with healthcare clients at the accounts receivable firm. It was while I was working in this hospital that I was inspired by the nursing staff, which led me to eventually pursue a career in nursing and later in advanced practice nursing. Every day I use the skills I have learned from my prior employment experiences. I am grateful that my mom set me up for success at an early age through investment in a practical skill. I am also glad that I listened to the internal nudge of pushing myself out of my comfort zone when I was just a teenager. There are many opportunities and roles in healthcare; the important thing is to just get started. My first job in healthcare laid the foundation for my entire career.

Elisabeth, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am currently a dual-board certified nurse practitioner and the founder of MedAlign Innovative Solutions, LLC, a healthcare consulting and educational services company. Most of my nursing career has been spent in the hospital, and I have seen first-hand the areas that can be improved for patients. I believe strongly in nurse-led quality improvement because nurses are directly caring for patients. I now help nurses develop competence and confidence so that they can lead change and transform healthcare from the inside out. I also help healthcare organizations make healthcare better through quality improvement and chronic care management solutions.

Types of Services:

For nurses, I offer educational support and mentorship. From Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), I have been there and can help nurses who want to experience a meaningful and impactful nursing career. My business MedAlign Innovative Solutions is certified as a continuing education provider for nurses. We also offer resources and mentorship for doctoral nursing students who want to implement a meaningful and impactful capstone project.

For healthcare organizations, I offer nurse-led solutions to practice problems. I have experience leading change in resource-limited areas and can help organizations overcome barriers to creating and improving processes that are necessary for certification and accreditation. For primary and specialty care providers, I offer a full-service chronic care management program that can be implemented in 90 days.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

Absolutely not. Healthcare offers so much diverse potential, and nursing is an incredible profession. I often tell nurses to “only pursue those areas of nursing that you are truly passionate about.” A lot of nurses get stuck thinking that their only option is to work in a traditional role at the bedside, but that is simply not true. I believe strongly in pivoting when necessary to avoid staying stuck. Nursing is just one field within healthcare, and there are so many specialties within nursing! I actually think entrepreneurship is its own specialty – it’s a personal growth journey for sure! The reality is that there are many options for nurses both in and out of healthcare, including entrepreneurship if they’re up for a challenge! I have no regrets.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Networking is by far the most important skill to develop as a nurse and as a business owner. Making and maintaining connections with people has proven to be invaluable in my life and in my business. I believe it’s important to understand that our reputation often precedes us, and the world is much smaller than we sometimes realize. Therefore it’s important to treat the people we encounter (clients or not) with respect, dignity, and kindness. Though my personality type is ENFP, I am definitely an introverted extrovert, and I have to work on going out of my way to connect with people. But the connections that I have made through simple conversations in a classroom, on public transport, or even online have led to even more connections, which ultimately enriches life and provides opportunities. The saying “interested people are interested” is true. The easiest way to make connections is to be curious and ask questions. This takes the pressure off (it’s not always about you!) and creates the opportunity for dialogue and a broader perspective. One of my favorite things to do is to connect people with resources, which has also proven to be an enjoyable aspect of my career as a nurse and entrepreneur.

Contact Info:

• Website: medaligninnovativesolutions.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.innovative.np/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinnovativenp
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisabeth-collins-dnp-aprn-np-460373167/

Image Credits
Kasie Marie Creative