Jessica Ray, DNP, FNP-C

BS in Biology | Montclair State University BS in Nursing | New Jersey City University DNP in Family & Emergency Care | Rutgers University

Transitioning from my emergency/trauma nurse role to a nurse practitioner marked a significant step in my professional journey. This transition broadened my scope of practice and deepened my commitment to patient care. I was inspired by the opportunity to take on a more comprehensive role in patient management, enabling me to provide immediate care and long-term guidance and support. Becoming a nurse practitioner empowers me to forge lasting connections with my patients and play a more integral role in their healthcare journeys, which fills me with a sense of purpose and professional fulfillment.

My treatment approach is holistic and integrative, encompassing a comprehensive assessment of the mind, body, and spirit concurrently. Rather than solely focusing on the disease, I delve into the social and emotional factors at play and synthesize this information. I firmly believe that if patients are experiencing heightened stress levels, their capacity for proper healing and self-protection is compromised. This, in turn, may hinder the success of their healing process.

In cases of endometriosis, there is no immediate, classic diagnosis involving physical numbers. Consequently, it is imperative to attentively heed the concerns of patients and comprehensively assess their symptoms to provide holistic management for endometriosis. The effective care of individuals struggling with endometriosis necessitates a receptive approach that acknowledges and validates their experiences rather than dismissing them.

The presence of pain should not be dismissed merely because there is no physical injury. Patients should be given the opportunity to communicate their feelings, while healthcare providers should establish a nurturing atmosphere that enables them to do so with ease. Pelvic pain is not normal, but we’ve normalized it, leading individuals, especially women, too often remain silent about their discomfort. Fortunately, as discussions about pelvic health become more commonplace, women are increasingly open about their experiences and are discovering that what they’ve endured isn’t the norm.