Alexandra Szczepanski BSN, RN, S-FNP

I think my success comes from working hard, staying humble, and always being willing to learn. I've never been afraid to ask questions, make mistakes, and learn from them. I check in with my mentors often because I know there's always something new to learn. I'm passionate about what I do, and I've learned that growth usually comes from doing the uncomfortable things instead of staying where it's safe. I try to approach every decision with discernment, always keeping my patients' best interests at the center of what I do. A lot of that comes from my mom. She taught me to work hard, take care of myself, and never depend completely on anyone else. That independence and resilience have been some of my greatest strengths.

The best career advice I've ever received is that it's okay not to know everything. In fact, it's better to admit when you don't know something than to pretend you do. Medicine is always evolving, and no one has all the answers. Being honest, asking questions, and learning from those with more experience has made me a better nurse, injector, and future nurse practitioner. I believe that every experience in life serves a purpose. Whether good or bad, I see each experience as either a lesson or a blessing.

I would tell young women to give themselves grace. Not everything will make sense right away, but I've learned that everything happens for a reason, even if you don't see it at first. Don't compare your journey to someone else's, and don't take things personally. Not everyone is going to be kind, and that's okay. Keep moving forward and stay true to yourself. Create a schedule, stick to it, and make time for your own self-care. Taking care of yourself isn't selfish—it's what allows you to show up as your best for everyone else.

One of the biggest challenges in healthcare right now is hospitals shutting down. When a hospital closes, those patients don't disappear—they're forced to go to surrounding hospitals that often don't have the capacity to absorb them. That leads to overcrowded emergency departments, longer wait times, and added strain on healthcare workers trying to provide safe, quality care.

If there's one thing life has taught me, it's that a healthy balance is everything. For a long time, I thought success meant constantly pushing myself and always doing more. I've learned that taking care of yourself isn't a luxury; it's what allows you to keep showing up for the people who need you. My faith, my relationships, my family, my health, and my career all matter, and I've learned that none of them should come at the expense of the others.

Integrity is the other value I refuse to compromise on. I believe your character is defined by what you do when no one is watching. I want to be someone people can trust in by owning my mistakes, following through on my word, and always doing what's in the best interest of my patients. At the end of the day, I don't want to be remembered only for what I accomplished. I want to be remembered for how I made people feel and the impact I had on their lives.