Meet Jeanne Boudrieau, FNP

Specialty:  Family Nurse Practitioner
Now living in: McCleary. (New York Transplant)
How long on the board: New member of the transitional board, Fall, 2006.

Current work place and position: I am the Pediatric Program Coordinator/Educator at Grays Harbor Community Hospital in Aberdeen. This is a two year grant-funded position charged with improving community-based services to children and their families. Additionally, I’m a Family Nurse Practitioner at the Shoalwater Bay Wellness Center, in Tokeland, WA, on the Olympic Peninsula.

Brief work history: I came up through the ranks. Many moons ago I was a candy-striper at Suffern Hospital in Suffern, New York. I completed LVN training in the Los Angeles area at Glendale College, in 1982 and my ADN/RN there, as well, in 1983. My 1st RN position was at Kaiser in 1984 in the ER and since that time I’ve gained experience in ER, OB, Trauma, Critical Care, Hemodialysis, Pediatrics, and Oncology. I completed my BSN at the UW Tacoma in 1995 and MSN/ FNP training at St. Martin’s College in late 1997. In 1998 I created my FNP position at the rural Healthcare Clinic at Mark Reed Hospital in McCleary on the Olympic Peninsula. After much soul searching, I stepped out of that role to accept the Pediatric Program Coordinator challenge and am proud to say replaced myself with a FNP who precepted two rotations with me there. I’ve maintained a small rural panel at the Shoalwater Clinic where I’ve worked since 2002. I’ve had the honor of working with CHOICE on the Sustainable Healthcare Access Council (in Olympia) and have worked with Coleman Associates in collaboration with the Bureau of Primary Care as a consultant, healthcare redesign trainer and coach.

How you chose your specialty: I became a Nurse Practitioner to create access to care, coordinate care and provide healthcare services in underserved areas. I had worked for years in tertiary settings and felt compelled to spend time and energy as a champion of prevention and education. It’s an honor to partner with patients and their families.

Why you volunteered for the BOD: Our community has reaped the rewards of the efforts of AUWS. The L&I legislation and Prescriptive Authority measures have directly enabled me to better meet my patient’s needs. Those changes happened as a result of focus, commitment and energy. I want to contribute to furthering the NP role, since in advocating for NPs we advocate for the people we serve.

What you most care about regarding NPs: Nurse Practitioners are in a unique role to exquisitely affect access to affordable, quality health care and education in urban and rural communities, from tertiary to primary settings. I care that the public learn more about who we are and what we can bring to a community. I care, as well, that NPs learn about AUWS and actively participate in our professional organization.

Your hopes for AUWS: My dream is for AUWS to continue to grow as the voice and presence of Advanced Nursing Practice in WA State. I wish for 100% membership to support our causes as we are uniquely positioned to make a difference in our community’s health. I envision a world where patients become fluent in our capabilities and join with us as we strive for viable solutions in reducing healthcare disparities.