Today we’d like to introduce you to Orlett Haskett Torrence, CRNP.
Hi Orlett, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
While attending Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in high school, I knew I wanted to be a registered nurse. I decided to declare my major as nursing while attending Salisbury University because I desired a career with flexibility and the ability to pour back into my community. Most importantly, one of my biggest cheerleaders is a registered nurse, my mother. After over a decade of working in many facets of healthcare and higher education as a registered nurse, I decided it was time to change. With my burning desire to elevate my knowledge and contribute to delivering quality healthcare, I enrolled in the post master’s certificate program for a family nurse practitioner at Purdue University Global. I am now a board-certified family nurse practitioner.
You wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been smooth?
If the road were smooth, how good would the story be? I experienced struggles along the way. Nursing school is not easy, and being one of two people of color in my graduating class did not make it easier. It was tough most days and an experience that changed my nursing outlook. My experience shaped my conduct as a nurse, a nursing professor, and now a nurse practitioner. I knew I not only had to be competent. I had to be confident and unshaken by adversity when often being the “only one.”
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your business.
Nia Wellness is where purpose, lifestyle, and wellness intersect. We provide primary care services for all ages. Our mission is to encourage our patients to be purposeful in their life’s journey to ensure an abundant and healthy existence. Nia Wellness provides individualized, culturally appropriate care plans for all patients. Patients are empowered to take the reins of their health.
Our services include:
Annual wellness exams
Pediatric wellness exams
Management of chronic diseases
Urgent/sick visits
Sports participation physicals
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Early on, I realized networking events were not my forte. I would be in the corner waiting for someone to approach me. Eventually, I found my way by starting with my network of people I already knew. When I expressed my goals to friends and family, it introduced me to those who could be of assistance. This has helped build clientele, establish working relationships with other healthcare specialties, and more. I have never turned down someone who has asked for my guidance in navigating the world of nursing. One of my mentees approached me while she was working at Chipotle, and I was getting lunch. She noticed my uniform, said she wanted to be a registered nurse, and asked to exchange contact information. Since then, we have frequently had study sessions, lunch dates, and check-in. The story’s moral is not to be afraid to say hello and express your goals.
Contact Info:
- Website: niawellnesshealth.com
- Instagram: @nia_wellness
- TikTok: nia_wellness
Image Credits
OhExperience Boudoir Photography, LLC
