Building Confidence and Self Care
Building Confidence and Self Care: Supporting Clients with Caring Connection and Compassion
For Eric Lao, DNP, PMHNP, a 2024 Lois Spratlen Price Foundation Scholarship recipient, the impacts of COVID on mental health, physical health, and relationships ignited his already growing urge to advocate for mental health care and alleviate the void in services.
He saw how the lack of available caregivers led to cracks in the healthcare system.
His nursing journey began in 2016 where he worked as a Care Manager at Sunrise Senior Living. This unveiled the healthcare system to him and he saw a desire to help others through his abilities and advocate. His travels to the inpatient realm at FairFax and Harborview Medical Center further opened his eyes to the high stakes of clients with high acuity.
Going from outpatient to inpatient is not without its challenges, but Eric used this time as an opportunity for growth so that he could spot places where he could make a difference. Throughout these voyages he also saw time and time again, people leaving because they were cleared to go home but likely not ready, which led him to visualize the revolving door that often occurs in healthcare.
“I was inspired to become a PMHNP because I want to have a greater impact earlier in the course of care, helping patients manage their mental health proactively rather than only during crises.”
He wanted to increase his impact on the well-being of his clients; he renewed his determination and fortitude to become a provider who could combine clinical expertise with compassion to drive more of a preventive health culture. From there he decided to enroll in University of Washington’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program where he graduated, earned his degree, and started his journey.
Where is Eric Now?
Eric is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Grace MindCare, where he is able to work for a different population of clients who have less acuity than an inpatient setting but still require therapeutic and competent care. It a role that he feels fulfilled as he can advocate while focusing on early intervention and ongoing management.
“This setting [at Grace MindCare] aligns closely with my passion for mental health care and allows me to work more proactively, helping patients manage their symptoms and, in some cases, prevent the need for inpatient care.”
His journey of over a decade brought him attributes that he did not expect, such as confidence in his ability to connect with others after years of being an introvert. He is able to build meaningful therapeutic relationships with his clients, which is the core of effective mental health.
“The ability to connect, combined with the empathy and understanding I’ve developed as a nurse, has been invaluable and is something I will continue to carry forward in my role as a PMHNP.”
He has gone from working as a nursing student to becoming a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Eric’s journey surmounts his vision for the future; he is proud of his sustained passion and commitment to growth.
Best Advice He Received
Psychiatry is rarely black and white, clients are more than the DSM5-TR.
While diagnostic frameworks are important and useful for guiding care, they do not capture the full complexity of an individual’s experience.
Effective mental health care requires understanding the broader context of a patient’s life, including their environment, history, and personal experiences.
Eric’s well-rounded perspective from using this advice has helped his approach to care and from that he has developed more nuance, flexibility, and empathy, rather than relying rigidly on diagnostic categories.
His Advice for Budding PMHNPs
Maintaining boundaries: He encourages the importance of maintaining healthy boundaries with work. This involves setting clear limits, whether that means being mindful of when you respond to patients or avoiding bringing work home, is essential for preventing burnout. Being an NP can be especially demanding, as it requires both emotional presence and critical thinking.
Self care: He says that the work we do can take a toll if you’re not intentional about caring for yourself. Self care is not just about occasional breaks; it’s about creating sustainable habits. That includes maintaining healthy boundaries, building strong therapeutic relationships, and making time for hobbies, rest, and social connections.
“Boundaries and self care were important for me as a nurse, and it continue to be just as important in my role as a PMHNP.”
Impact of the Lois Price Spratlen Foundation
Eric’s adventurous journey and service in the community as Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner highlights the value of the mission of the Lois Price Spratlen Foundation.
When supporting committed professionals like Eric, the Foundation ensures that we have practitioners steadfast in developing and maintaining their skills to provide compassionate and competent care to all members of the community, so that they may flourish in their health and well-being.
Support the next generation of care leaders
Eric’s ability to thrive in the ever changing dynamics of health illustrates how the Lois Spratlen Price Foundation supports students who surpass the standards of clinical care and strengthen the community with their work.
Regardless of your position as a nursing student or a member of our community, you can empower the next generation of psychiatric trailblazers.