Jennifer Sizemore

I am married to my wonderful spouse of over 30 years, who is my partner for life. Together, we have one daughter and one son-in-law, and we are expecting our first grandchild, a boy named Shepherd, in July. My family has been a vital part of my career for over 30 years and has been the best support team I could have asked for. I have more than 30 years of experience in healthcare as a nurse. I began my career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at the age of 18, then completed my Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) training at the Washington-Holmes Area Vocational Technical Center (WHAVTC) in Chipley, Florida. I first attempted college at 16 but did not perform well. After much encouragement from my mother, I applied to the LPN program and was accepted as the youngest student in my class. I worked as an LPN for 15 years in various settings, including hospitals, medical offices, nursing homes, and home health care, which allowed me to gain extensive knowledge about different patient populations and care environments. When my daughter was a bit older, I began pursuing an Associate's Degree to become a Registered Nurse (RN) at Chipola State College in Marianna, Florida. I eventually earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Chipola State College, although I had to take a break to support my family during that time. I was later able to concentrate on my studies when my daughter received a nursing scholarship, which encouraged me to enroll in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program. During my schooling, I faced numerous challenges, including losing my home to Hurricane Michael and being displaced in a camper for a year. My father was also diagnosed with progressive dementia and prostate cancer that metastasized to the bone, which was particularly difficult for our entire extended family. As I struggled to balance personal issues, my job, and the intense demands of the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner program, I experienced anxiety, extreme stress, and depressive symptoms, which deepened my understanding of these issues. After several failed attempts to receive support, I eventually realized that I needed to be my therapist and turned to self-help books to create a plan for myself. My family was also a tremendous source of support, providing love and assistance, which helped me reduce stress and lower my anxiety. Distancing myself from sources of stress allowed me to regain some balance in my life. In 2020, I graduated from Regis College in Boston with a degree in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. My primary goal is to support individuals of all ages with mental health issues, and I am especially passionate about caring for children and seniors, who often receive inadequate attention and care. My experiences, particularly with my father's dementia, motivated me to focus on geriatric psychiatry and children's mental health. It was challenging to find a caring provider for my father; after four failed attempts, we finally found one who truly listened. This frustrating experience is a common theme for families in need of support, further inspiring me to be a healthcare provider who is genuinely invested in and cares for my patients. Since then, I strive to support my clients, especially those with special needs, by offering them hope, cutting-edge treatment modalities, and a proven path toward better outcomes. Families and caregivers play an active role in the care I provide.