Marybeth Patterson

In layperson terms, what do you actually do at work?

I am a nurse practitioner and I work with a medical assistant and see people who are sick in a health care clinic. I see all ages from newborn babies to the very elderly. I also get to do cool Stuff like swab throats, apply casts or splints to broken bones, see up cuts, remove moles and warts and other such things. I prescribe medications to help people feel better.

When you were a student, did you do anything outside of school to build skills or get knowledge that has helped your career?

When I was in high school I participated in the ROTC program which taught me so much about discipline and things like being timely, showing up for work when expected, following the rules, and most importantly what teamwork is. These skills have helped me every single day in my career. I also worked as a “candy stripper” in a hospital which gave me an opportunity to serve others and to see what jobs in the medical career were like.