DIML as a corporate nurse practitioner
0700am: start the day with movement! Usually I opt for a quick yoga flow at home.
0745am: I have 2 toddler girls so after my workout and shower I pack their lunches and get them out the door.
9am: log on to my work remotely, check emails, look at meetings for the day/week, slow sip coffee
10am: Meetings usually begin. Meet with boss 1:1. We usually meet once a week for an hour. Sometimes we add on additional meetings as needed. Today we chatted about conference planning. There are some big oncology conferences coming up in May so we talked about our strategy for this conference and who we may want to set up meetings with while there.
11am: I met with some colleagues who are part of a different team to check-in about shared projects. I am working with the marketing and enablement team on a continuing education presentation so I met with them to talk about the content and ensure that my clinical perspective is incorporated since I will be an approved speaker for that presentation.
12pm: lunch time!! I had leftover ramen from last night so I warmed that up and added a fried egg.
1pm: I had a meeting with a physician I’ve been working with to implement a program I’m leading in his clinic. We met for an hour to work through those details like when I should come train the nurses and other staff.
2pm: the program I am leading has a weekly call to chat about the workflow and updates made with our partners. This one also was an hour long. We chatted through updates on the sites we have enrolled in the program I am leading!
3pm: finally a break to catch up on some to-dos and answer emails. I had a ton of emails because I was OOO the past 2 days so needed to catch up and get back to people. This time my inbox was full of emails from nurses from external clinical sites who had some questions about the program in implementing at their clinic.
4pm: met with another internal colleague to catch up on her partner needs. This was a physician who wants to partner so we chatted about strategy on how to approach.
430pm: log off to go pick up my girls from school and start dinner!
It's so interesting how many of you are curious about a 'day in the life' of a corporate Nurse Practitioner! My schedule might seem packed, but what I didn't quite capture in my hourly rundown are the bigger picture insights and the nitty-gritty details that truly make this role unique. Many NPs, myself included, transition to corporate roles seeking a different kind of impact and, often, improved work-life integration compared to traditional clinical settings. While I still leverage my clinical expertise daily, the pace and focus shift significantly. Instead of direct patient care, I'm influencing healthcare on a broader scale – working on strategies for new programs, developing educational content, and collaborating with diverse teams. It's incredibly rewarding to see the ripple effect of my work. To truly thrive as a corporate NP, I've found a few core skills are absolutely essential. Strong communication, both written and verbal, is paramount. You're constantly collaborating, presenting ideas, and ensuring everyone is on the same page. Organizational skills are also key; you're often managing multiple projects simultaneously. I rely heavily on detailed MEETING NOTES and clear lists of ACTION ITEMS to keep everything straight. It’s not just about attending meetings; it’s about making them productive and ensuring follow-through. Working remotely, as I do, offers incredible flexibility but also demands discipline. My morning routine, starting bright and early at 7am with movement and getting my girls ready by 7:45am, sets the tone for my day. Then, when I log on around 9am (often with that first sip of coffee, which by 10am is usually half-gone!), I dive straight into emails and preparing for my first calls. It's crucial to establish clear boundaries between work and home life, even if your office is just a few steps away. I make sure to take a proper lunch break, usually around 12pm, to step away from the screen and recharge. Whether it’s a quick leftover meal or just a few minutes of quiet, it makes a huge difference. The beauty of a corporate NP role is its diversity. One day, like mine, might involve strategizing for major conferences, refining continuing education content, or implementing clinical programs. Another day could be focused on market research, product development, or even regulatory affairs. My 1pm meeting to discuss training nurses for a new program is a perfect example of how our clinical knowledge translates into practical, impactful initiatives far beyond the bedside. And by 4pm, when I'm wrapping up and thinking about school pick-up, I often reflect on the varied challenges and successes of the day. It’s not always easy – there are deadlines, complex projects, and the constant need to adapt. But the ability to shape healthcare delivery, contribute to innovation, and still be present for my family life, makes it an incredibly fulfilling career path. If you're an NP considering a corporate shift, lean into your clinical expertise, hone your collaboration skills, and be ready to embrace a dynamic, desk-based, yet deeply impactful role.
