Your Partner in Health: Karen Esquibel

As told by Holly Kitten

When Karen Esquibel, R.N., BSN, MSN, CPNP-PC, Ph.D., returned to school after earning her doctorate, she was met with surprise from her colleagues.

"One of my colleagues asked me, 'Why on Earth would you ever go back to school after a Ph.D.?' Well, it’s simple: I knew it would make me feel complete," Esquibel said.

Esquibel loves children. From her first day of nursing school, she knew she only ever wanted to take care of children and their families. Now, she practices in developmental-behavioral pediatrics.

"Pediatrics is the only place I’ve ever practiced in, and I feel like it is my home," Esquibel said. "I love the complexities that come along with pediatric patients and how one age group can drastically differ from the next age group."

Esquibel said it is rewarding to make a difference in peoples' families. That’s why she says nursing students should stick it out when nursing school gets tough.

"The key is, you have to want it, because it is not easy," Esquibel said. "It takes a lot of work to obtain a degree and certification. Then, it takes more work to maintain your skills and grow in your specialty. But in the end, it is so worth the blood, sweat and tears."

As a co-course facilitator for the pediatric primary course, Esquibel spends her time away from the clinic cheering for students as they journey on the road to becoming nurse practitioners.