Carrie Miller, MS, ARNP-BC, CCNS
Carrie Miller’s career in healthcare is a story of dedication, courage, and innovation. After initially starting in a research field, she realized her true calling lay in nursing, famously googling “Most honorable profession?” and receiving nursing as the answer. She pursued her degrees and certifications, breaking barriers as one of the first nurses in the ICU after challenging the hospital board’s requirements. Her commitment and skill quickly earned her recognition, including ICU Nurse of the Year, highlighting her excellence in critical care.
Driven by a passion for patient care and empowerment, Carrie founded VIP Pain Services, where she serves as Chief Clinical and Operations Officer. Under her leadership, the practice provides personalized, multimodal pain management across multiple hospital campuses and post-acute facilities in Jacksonville, Florida. Her work integrates acute and post-acute care, emphasizing patient empowerment, streamlined coordination, and innovative therapies designed to improve outcomes and quality of life. Carrie’s approach is grounded in compassion, clinical expertise, and a culture of hope for patients dealing with acute and chronic pain.
Beyond her clinical work, Carrie is deeply involved in professional development and advocacy. She participates in multiple organizations within her nurse practitioner specialty fields, including ERAS and PNT, and contributes to committees focused on performance improvement, protocol development, and patient-centered care. Her career exemplifies a commitment not only to advancing healthcare standards but also to mentoring and inspiring the next generation of nurses and healthcare leaders.
• BLS
• The Johns Hopkins University
• University of Maryland Graduate School of Nursing- M.S.
• Sigma Theta Tau
• AACN
• ERAS
• PNT
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering healthcare to focus on excelling in their core education and training, then discover a specialty that truly excites them, and surround themselves with a supportive team of professionals who share that passion.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in nursing is that nurse practitioners often aren’t recognized for their individual expertise, being seen only by their title. A major opportunity, as demonstrated by VIP Pain Management, is to elevate the role by ensuring practitioners are acknowledged by name and specialty, honoring the hard work and dedication required to earn it.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my work and personal life are family, dedication, and joy—spending quality time with my five children, staying active through sports and travel, and embracing new experiences like Latin dance that bring fun and connection.