The Advanced Practice Initiatives & Certification Outreach Team
Celebrating Back to School Month Featuring the Story of Melissa Oropeza, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, CGRN
Dr. Melissa Oropeza was diagnosed with asthma at just 2 ½ years old and spent much of her early childhood in and out of the hospital, often requiring extended stays. She remembers being placed in the enclosed crib surrounded by plastic, used to help her breathe in medication. The nurses, who affectionately called her “Princess Missy,” were incredibly kind and did their best to ease the challenges of hospitalization. They were gentle with procedures like IV insertions and provided as much comfort as possible.
Although being hospitalized at a young age was challenging, the kindness and compassion shown by the nurses left a lasting impression on Melissa. Their care inspired her to pursue a career in nursing, with the goal of providing the same comfort and support to others that she once received. This early experience shaped her deep commitment to fostering meaningful and effective patient-clinician interactions. It also motivated her to enhance her skills through higher education and professional certification, ensuring she can offer the highest quality of care.
As a strong advocate for education, Melissa pursued her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree and later became ANCC board certified as an Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP-BC). Her advanced training allows her to fill a critical gap in care between a patient’s initial diagnosis and the delivery of the final pathology report. During this often-stressful waiting period, she provides a compassionate handoff to the oncologist while also managing pain and addressing anxiety. Her presence offers both comfort and continuity at a time when patients need it most. Building supportive, trusting relationships with her patients remains a top priority in her practice.
Holding an ANCC certification gives her a unique edge, especially when communicating with her patients. It demonstrates how seriously she takes their health, and it holds her accountable to remain current in the ever-evolving field of healthcare. This commitment to excellence reflects how deeply Melissa values their health and well-being. Moreover, board certification holds her to a higher standard of accountability, requiring her to stay updated on the latest research, treatments, and best practices in an ever-changing healthcare landscape. This dedication ensures that the care she delivers is both evidence-based and patient-centered, ultimately leading to better outcomes and stronger patient trust.
Melissa has always held education in high regard, and earning her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) was a personal and professional goal. Achieving this milestone not only fulfilled her own aspirations but also serves as a powerful example to the Latino community, highlighting the importance of educational advancement and inspiring others to pursue similar paths. She encourages fellow nurses to set and pursue their own academic goals, knowing the value it brings to both their careers and the communities they serve.
While her academic background made the transition to doctoral studies smoother, she recognizes that everyone’s journey is unique, with different goals and starting points. She encourages individuals to pursue the professional path that best aligns with their own aspirations and values. For Melissa, obtaining her DNP degree was a natural progression—it bridged the gap between clinical practice and research, enabling her to ask critical questions, implement evidence-based care, and help patients make informed decisions rooted in the most up-to-date medical knowledge.
As August is traditionally a back-to-school month, Melissa recognizes that many individuals may be considering—or already enrolled in—undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral programs. She extends her best wishes to fellow nurses pursuing advanced education and encourages them on their journey toward academic and professional growth.
Celebrating National Wellness Month Featuring the Story of Tammy O’Neill, MSN, MHHS, RN, NPD-BC
Tammy O’Neill, MSN, MHHS, RN, NPD-BC Senior Magnet Program Analyst
I have always been drawn to the nursing profession because it is grounded in service, compassion, and authentic human connection. My time as a nurse in the Air Force was especially transformative, as it taught me resilience, adaptability, and how to remain steady in the face of adversity. That experience also taught me the power of perspective—how focusing on the positive, even in times of negativity, uncertainty, or fear, can shift the energy and create a more supportive environment not only for yourself but for those around you.
In every role I previously held, it has always been my mission to promote reflection, mindfulness, and self-awareness, empowering nurses to recognize their strengths, foster meaningful relationships, and overcome obstacles with confidence.
Holding two graduate degrees—a Master of Science (MS) in Health Science with a concentration in Emergency and Disaster Management and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a concentration in Nursing Education— reflects the two core aspects of my passion: education and preparedness. My MS in Health Science equipped me with the ability to remain calm, resourceful, and solutions-focused—skills that proved essential during deployments, where uncertainty and fear were part of everyday life. In those moments, practicing mindfulness and maintaining a positive outlook were critical to sustaining stability for both me and those around me.
On the other hand, my MSN allowed me to focus on mentoring, teaching, and empowering others. One of my greatest strengths is my ability to connect deeply with people, and this degree provided the foundation to develop that further through education and leadership. In both fields, personal wellness has served as the foundation that supports and upholds all other efforts.
What I value most in my current role as Senior Magnet Program Analyst is seeing organizations that truly recognize nursing excellence and create environments where staff feel genuinely valued. It’s inspiring to witness how the Magnet® framework encourages professional growth, collaboration, and healthy workplace cultures—essential elements that help nurses feel supported, connected, and empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. The Magnet Model naturally promotes wellness through its focus on:
Structural Empowerment
Transformational Leadership
Exemplary Professional Practice
New Knowledge, Innovation, & Improvements
Empirical Quality Results
This model provides a forward-looking framework for nursing practice and research, serving as a roadmap for organizations seeking Magnet® recognition—those that exemplify excellence and act as key sources of knowledge and expertise in delivering high-quality care worldwide. To explore the five Model Components and the embedded Forces of Magnetism in more detail, visit:
Wellness is an essential pillar of any successful organization, as it forms the foundation for high performance and sustainable outcomes. When nurses are supported physically, emotionally, spiritually, and professionally, they are better equipped to deliver exceptional care and contribute effectively to their teams. Maintaining a positive outlook, even amidst hardships, fosters resilience and cultivates a safe, inspiring, and connected work environment.
I was inspired to pursue ANCC board certification in Nursing Professional Development (NPD-BC) because of my strong passion for education, growth, and helping nurses achieve their full potential. Earning this certification not only validated my commitment to the nursing profession, enhancing my credibility as an educator, but also validating my knowledge to better support my customers and provide them with the guidance they need for success. Being certified has opened new opportunities and prepared me with the tools to design impactful learning experiences that promote professional development. These skills are essential in deepening my connections and developing a trusting relationship with the nurses I support.
My passion for helping people and my ability to build solid relationships drive my commitment to support these working environments. By intentionally creating space for positivity, we strengthen organizational culture, improve outcomes, and elevate the overall well-being of teams. Supporting Magnet® designated organizations—and those aspiring to achieve this recognition—gives me a strong sense of purpose and fuels my mission to boosting innovation, nursing excellence, and quality.
This passion makes my role deeply fulfilling, and I genuinely enjoy connecting with you all at the annual Magnet & Pathway Conferences. These events are always energizing, deeply meaningful and of course, fun! I look forward to seeing all attendees at the 2025 Magnet & Pathway Conference™! Be sure to stop by our booth—my team and I will be excited to meet you and answer any questions you may have. See you at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA!
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Meet Katelyn Bern who manages customer engagement through social media and at ANCC tradeshows. She is committed to delivering engaging and meaningful content to keep you informed about important updates, including celebrations of certified nurses, stories of inspiration, newsletters, upcoming webinars, and more!
Monthly Stories of Inspiration from ANCC Certified Nurses began in May of 2024. You can view all of the 2024 stories by visiting our Meet the Team's page, under the Resources for You tab. We also encourage you to read our 2025 stories:
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