“What do you do when you go to work?” That was the question Kim Harkness’ son would often ask her as she got ready to start her day as a nurse practitioner (NP). It was hard she says, to explain to her kindergarten aged son, the difference between a nurse practitioner, a registered nurse, and a doctor, and she knew from experience that the role she had studied hard for, was just as ambiguous to other adults and even those in other health professions too.
“So I decided to create a children’s book, to help both young people and their parents learn a bit more about our role,” says Harkness a two-time alumna of the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing.
My Mommy is a Nurse Practitioner published by FriesenPress is Harkness’ first book. A colourfully illustrated story told from the point of view of a 4-year old, based on Harkness’ own son, the book covers all of the many things a nurse practitioner does, from working in clinics and diagnosing patients, to working in the community with other professions to ensure many different people have access to the care they need.
“Talking about NP’s right now, is so important because of the primary care crisis,” says Harkness of her motivation to write the book. “More people are going to be needing an NP to provide them with care, and there is a lack of knowledge among the general population of how NP’s can enhance healthcare and frankly why we need more of them.”
Harkness knew that there were many books for children about other careers from firefighting to teaching and of course being a doctor, but next to none about nurse practitioners. It is another reason why she felt strongly about creating this story, that could convey as accurately as possible why nurse practitioners are unique.
On writing the book
From start to finish, Harkness says the process of writing the book took just over a year. She knew that she wanted to touch on the main pillars that comprise the scope of NP practice but she needed some support. Working with her beta reader, Dr. Michelle Acorn, CEO of the Nurse Practitioners Association of Ontario and also a Bloomberg Nursing alum, Harkness made sure that the story focused on not just the clinical aspect of the NP role but also on what makes NP’s different from doctors or registered nurses, from their educational journey, to the kinds of health professions they interact with, like pharmacists, dieticians, physiotherapists and social workers.
“I was really grateful for my editor from FriesenPress. It was difficult to simplify the language for a children’s book especially when trying to explain the scope of NP practice, but I think we managed to do it well,” says Harkness.
The book also covers some of the challenges of the NP role, referencing difficult days and busy schedules, but to the 4-year old narrator, his mommy is still a superhero, making him consider becoming an NP too.
“It was important to me that my kids be proud and understand what I do because I am very proud of what I do as an NP,” says Harkness.
On being a nurse practitioner
Before deciding to become a nurse, Harkness did some work overseas in Tanzania where met a nurse practitioner who was working in a rural area acting as the regions only care provider.
“I was inspired by her autonomy and her level of knowledge,” says Harkness, “it cemented for me an ambition and a goal of becoming an NP and I haven’t looked back since.”
Harkness says she is lucky to be a two-time graduate of Bloomberg Nursing. The values and the culture of the Faculty have resonated with her and made her eager to return and remain engaged as both an adjunct lecturer, and as a mentor to future NP’s.
“Advocating for nurse practitioners is a cause that I’m very passionate about, and one way to do that is through education,” says Harkness. “I hope that this book will help very young people see the possibilities of this role and inspire them to become NP’s too.”