New Mexico has a long history of leading the way in health care. In 1969, Martha Schwebach became the first Family Nurse Practitioner in the country as part of a UNM pilot program. Her work helped address health care needs in Estancia and helped start a profession that is now essential to the state’s health care system.
A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse with advanced clinical training who provides direct patient care. New Mexico was one of the first states to grant Full Practice Authority to nurse practitioners, allowing them to work independently and practice to the full extent of their education.
Today, New Mexico faces one of the highest provider shortages in the nation, and nurse practitioners are stepping in to help fill the gap. Jobs for nurse practitioners in New Mexico are projected to increase by 55% over the next decade. New Mexico will rely even more heavily on nurse practitioners to ensure that all residents have access to the care that they need.
In honor of National Nurse Practitioner Week, here are the stories of three inspiring nurses from the UNM College of Nursing.
For UNM College of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Family Nurse Practitioner student Trish Wallace, BSN, RN, WCC, her journey into nursing was shaped by her own experiences with chronic illness and the care she received, which led her to want to help others in the same way.
Wallace was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when she was just seven years old. It was her primary care provider and the nurses and doctors who helped her manage her condition that made a lasting impact on her.
"Being a nurse in New Mexico means the world to me,” she said.
As a fifth-generation New Mexican from Albuquerque’s South Valley, Wallace is deeply committed to serving her community. She values the opportunity to learn and work in both urban and rural areas, where the need for health care is diverse.
In her work as a nurse practitioner, Wallace is focused on wound care and chronic disease management. Through the DNP program, she is combining her passion for these areas to provide better care for patients.
“This program is allowing me to bring all of my passions together,” Wallace said.
For UNM College of Nursing alumna Carly Nowicki, MSN, FNP, nursing is a path that felt natural from the start. Growing up in the small farming community of Lemitar, New Mexico, Nowicki was always curious about health and wellness, thanks in part to her mom – a nurse with a passion for alternative medicine. It wasn’t until Nowicki was filling out college applications, that she realized nursing was the perfect fit for her.
“It was just such a natural response for me,” she said.
Nowicki’s early career was deeply shaped by clinical rotations in rural New Mexico. In addition to her work in family medicine, she also focused on pain management, developing protocols to help manage chronic pain and opioid use. Now she works in neurology, focusing on migraines, stroke recovery, and dementia care.
“What’s unique about being an NP is the ability to become specialized in an area and yet gain experience and expertise in other medical skill sets,” Nowicki said. This ability to provide comprehensive care across specialties is what makes nurse practitioners invaluable to the health care system.
Today, Nowicki combines her neurology with her role as a part-time educator, teaching nursing students about newborn, maternal and pediatric care. She finds joy in guiding the next generation of nurses and NPs, just as her own preceptors once did for her.
For UNM College of Nursing alumnus and preceptor Justin Laird, PMHNP, he didn’t always know he would end up in this field. During his nursing clinicals, he discovered that working with behavioral health patients was the aspect of nursing he truly connected with. This led him to pursue advanced practice and, with the support of his colleagues and the clinic, he transitioned from RN to NP.
At UNM’s Addiction and Substance Abuse Clinic, Laird focuses on substance use and mental health care. The clinic offers a range of services, from medication-assisted therapies for opioid use disorders to counseling, case management and primary care. In addition to serving adult patients, the clinic also has a STAR program, a counseling option for adolescents dealing with substance use disorders.
“I can’t say enough about the collaborative nature between our different disciplines, the MDs, the RNs, our case management staff, our counseling staff, they do a really good job about communicating, especially with complicated patients,” he said.
As a preceptor – a mentor who helps guide students in clinical settings – Laird encourages students to approach patients with openness and curiosity. He pushes them to set aside preconceived ideas and not be afraid to jump in, helping them build confidence and learn as they go.
If Laird could give one piece of advice to anyone considering a career as a nurse practitioner, it would be to dive in: “Just do it. It’s hard, but it’s only a few years, and the payoff is so worth it.”
Ready to make a difference? Apply now for our DNP program at the UNM College of Nursing and take the next step in your nursing career.