Kim Baird, RN, MSN, FNP Director and FNP Care Provider Woodbine Family Care Center, Woodbine, GA

What have been your most helpful resources?

• Chuckie Hanson, the director of my NP program. She was a wealth of knowledge. It is very helpful to identify a mentor.
  
• The State Office of Rural Health was very willing to help.
  
• AHECs can be of tremendous help to people although I didn't use them in my initial setup. I recently received a computer from them and also obtained access to Mercer University Medical Library. Georgia is very rural and the AHEC helps place people in a clinical setting.
  
• I must note the importance of getting connected with the medical community and making yourself known to the physicians in that community. I did this through my initial part time work in the ICU while I was still in school. I was very forward in making sure that all the doctors know my and knew my skills and my goals to become an NP. There are some doctors who feel threatened by NPs but that it is necessary to show your face and show that you are all part of the team. The collaboration is no different than the internal medicine guy and the cardiologist.
  Medical supply companies will often help with designing the medical space and floor plans.