The Advanced Practice Initiatives & Certification Outreach Team
Celebrating NP Week (November 9-15) Featuring the Story of Justin E. Bala-Hampton, DNP, MPH, RN, AGACNP-BC, NEA-BC, FAANP, FNYAM
Dr. Justin E. Bala-Hampton'sdecision to become a nurse was driven by his commitment to service, his desire to improve health outcomes, and his passion for making a meaningful difference in the lives of others during their most vulnerable moments. Nursing was a natural progression for him, shaped by his core values and life experiences.
His upbringing and military background instilled in him the values of dedication, discipline, and resilience, as well as a strong sense of responsibility and a genuine inclination to help others. Nursing became the perfect intersection of science, compassion, and leadership—allowing him to combine his clinical expertise with his dedication to patient care and his advocacy for improved healthcare delivery.
Justin’s passion for nursing is deeply personal. It began in his first year of high school when his grandmother was diagnosed with a critical illness. Though she fought bravely, she passed away before she could see the man and nursing professional he would become. Her words, spoken in Ilocano, have stayed with him ever since: “If you want that white coat, my grandson, study hard. Go for it—you can be anything you want, Justin.” Inspired by his grandmother’s strength, Justin developed a strong desire to care for patients like her. He has always been fascinated by the complexity of acute care in adult and older populations. He recognizes that in this population, a missed diagnosis or delayed intervention can mean the difference between life and death. The high level of acuity requires evidence-based, timely clinical decision-making to improve health outcomes and save lives.
With his goal of serving the aging population, Justin knew that graduating from nursing school and becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) was only the beginning of his professional journey. He continued his academic advancement to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and later achieved ANCC board certification as an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP-BC). In this role, he applies the science of nursing and medicine to make timely, evidence-based clinical decisions that have a direct and immediate impact on patient recovery.
While Justin continues to value the science and clinical reasoning behind acute patient care, he has also developed a passion for driving broader healthcare change—improving delivery, shaping policy, optimizing operations, and leveraging technology to enhance outcomes.
Becoming a Nurse Executive has allowed Justin to bridge his clinical expertise with leadership and strategy. Just as he pursued certification as an NP, he took the next step by earning his second ANCC board certification in Nurse Executive, Advanced (NEA-BC)—further solidifying his commitment to advancing healthcare at every level.
Being dual certified through ANCC reflects Justin’s commitment to lifelong learning and excellence in both clinical and executive practice. His certifications bridge the gap between frontline patient care and strategic organizational leadership, all while maintaining a strong patient-centered focus. Justin’s goal is to ensure that nurses have a voice at every executive table—across hospitals and the private sector—using his credentials to strengthen nursing’s influence in shaping the future of healthcare.
As an advocate for community outreach, Justin shares a purposeful mission with his fellow Filipino nurses. He is proud to be a member of the Philippine Nurses Association of Metropolitan DC (PNAMDC), an organization that blends professional networking with cultural pride. Connecting with other Filipino healthcare professionals who share his passion for advancing the nursing profession has been deeply rewarding, giving him a strong sense of belonging and a supportive community that understands their shared experiences and challenges. Through PNAMDC, Justin is grateful for the opportunity to give back by sharing his knowledge, supporting key initiatives, and serving as a resource for fellow nurses—especially those just beginning their careers.
Each of Justin’s higher education programs has contributed uniquely to his professional development. His Master of Public Health (MPH) provided a broad perspective on population health, prevention, and health equity. His Master of Health Administration (MHA) offered insights into healthcare systems, operations, and financial management. His Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) strengthened his advanced clinical skills and emphasized the value of evidence-based practice and clinical leadership in enhancing patient outcomes, resulting in his ANCC certification, AGACNP-BC.
Justin is currently pursuing an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) at the Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business, with a concentration in Health Innovation and Leadership Strategy. This program allows him to continue his education with a focus on business strategy and an interdisciplinary approach, integrating all aspects of his prior education and strengthening his business acumen.
For those considering advanced education, Justin advises thinking long-term. While higher education is a significant investment, it offers opportunities to influence care delivery, operational improvement, policy, and large-scale innovation in ways that career experience alone cannot. For those passionate about their field and committed to making a meaningful impact, pursuing additional education can be a transformative step.
A Special Message in Honor of NP Week (November 9-15) & Veterans Day (November 11) Featuring the Story of Emilly Bell, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC
As a Senior Policy Advisor with the American Nurses Association (ANA) Nursing Programs and a certified Nurse Practitioner (NP), I want to wish everyone a happy NP Week! Whether you are currently certified as an NP or considering this amazing career, ANA is here to support you. I remember the uncertainty of choosing among the many healthcare roles before ultimately deciding to become a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Emilly Bell, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Senior Policy Advisor
From an early age, I felt a strong calling to care for others, though I wasn’t sure whether that meant helping people or animals. To explore both paths, I joined a healthcare career club in high school, worked part-time at an assisted living facility, and volunteered at a local veterinary clinic. During my first year of college, I discovered the wide range of opportunities within nursing and changed my major from Pre-Veterinary Medicine to Nursing. My first clinical rotation was on an oncology floor.
It revealed the profound impact of providing a therapeutic presence. This experience, along with my psychiatric nursing coursework and an externship on a child and adolescent inpatient psychiatric unit, confirmed my passion for psychiatric-mental health nursing. Guided by mentors, I committed to pursuing advanced education and hands-on experience to develop my skills in this specialty.
I pursued a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) during a transitional period in advanced practice education and psychiatric–mental health nursing certification. Through extensive discussion and guidance from a graduate mentor, I determined that I wanted to provide psychiatric evaluation and treatment for individuals across the lifespan, which required me to change graduate schools. This decision ultimately led to my ANCC board certification as a Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). It proved to be the right choice, as it has allowed me to provide psychiatric care to children, adolescents, and adults in various settings. After 16 years as an NP, I transitioned into my current role with ANA, while continuing to prioritize maintaining my ANCC board certification. In this position, I work to impact the healthcare system and improve patient care from a different vantage point.
In honor of Veterans Day, I reflect on one of my favorite clinical positions—working as a Psychiatric–Mental Health NP at a VA hospital in Florida. There, I cared for veterans seeking mental health evaluation and treatment, often for the first time. I focused on creating a safe, nonjudgmental space for these conversations. Many veterans shared that stigma and concerns about the impact on their careers made it difficult to seek treatment while on active duty. What I found most meaningful was the opportunity to listen to their experiences of service and sacrifice, instill hope for recovery, and provide evidence-based treatment options to address symptoms affecting daily life. Our conversations often centered on preparing for a new mission in life, exploring the concept of post-traumatic growth, and developing treatment plans to chart a new path forward.
Throughout my nursing education and career, I have been fortunate to have many mentors who have significantly influenced my professional journey. Some were from the University of Florida College of Nursing, where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), while others I met in graduate school and through active involvement in various nursing organizations. One of the most meaningful connections I made was with Dr. Loretta Ford, co-founder of the NP role—a visionary innovator, educator, and steadfast advocate for healthcare accessibility. Her contributions have left a lasting impact on both the nursing profession and healthcare as a whole. I was honored to attend her 104th birthday celebration before her passing. Though she is greatly missed, her legacy continues to inspire. That event remains one of the most memorable moments of my life, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to meet and celebrate someone I deeply admire.
The guidance of my mentors, influential experiences, and challenges fuel my deep commitment to nursing advocacy. These inspiring individuals have shown me that, like them, I can play a vital role in advancing legislative change that expands access to care and improves patient outcomes.
With over 20 years of experience as a Registered Nurse (RN), I remain committed to the progress of our profession and to supporting others who share the goals of increasing access to care and improving healthcare outcomes for all. As a Senior Policy Advisor with ANA Nursing Programs, my goal is to provide you with the resources you need to grow and thrive in your career.
The American Nurse Journal article, “Caring for Veterans". This work will continue into 2026 with the launch of a new ANA Caring for Veterans webpage featuring webinars, articles, and other resources to help nurses care for our nation’s veterans.
For NP Week, I want to personally thank all NPs for their dedication and hard work in advancing the nursing profession. A special thanks to Dr. Justin Bala-Hampton for sharing his inspiring story—through storytelling, we learn from and motivate one another. I also want to take a moment to honor those who have served, in recognition of Veterans Day, and express how privileged I feel to have worked with and learned from this remarkable population.
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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 page, under the Resources for You tab. We also encourage you to read our 2025 stories:
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