Provider Profile

ALWAYS LEARNING

By Lisette Hilton

Darlene Bewick, DNP, CRNP, CUNP, a nurse practitioner in Jefferson’s Department of Urology since 2003, is a lifelong learner. Growing up in a small coal mining town in Upstate Pennsylvania, Bewick pursued her dream to become a nurse, left for the big city, and earned nursing’s highest degree, a doctorate, to do what she loves most: care for people.

About 37 years into her nursing career, she is still learning and encourages others to do the same. After all, she says, her colleagues, friends, and family were the ones who encouraged her to reach higher. And sometimes, a little encouragement is all it takes.

Tell us about your nursing career.

Bewick: I graduated from a three-year nurse diploma program in 1985. After that, I worked on a medical-surgical floor at a community hospital for three years.

A friend encouraged me to go to the big city and experience city life. So, I moved to Philadelphia in 1988 and worked in a surgical trauma unit at Jefferson Hospital. I went from dealing with attendings (no residents) to a teaching hospital smack in the center of Philadelphia. I was excited. I was thrilled. I learned so much.

During my years as a nurse in the hospital, I relied on the hospital’s mission of focusing on patient care, education, and research.

I decided to return for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and completed it at Jefferson in 1994. Five years later, I pursued a Master’s in Nursing degree, thanks to the encouragement of a nurse I considered a mentor.

Once I completed my nurse practitioner in December 2002, I decided to branch out and do something different. Jefferson had only two job listings at the time—one in the emergency room and one in urology.

When I interviewed for the job in urology, who interviewed me but Dr. Gomella. He told me they were looking for a nurse practitioner to work in the hospital to help with the residents’ 80-hour work week. The Urology department required an advanced practice provider to manage the urology inpatients— for admissions, discharges, consults, and carry the beeper while [residents] were in the operating room.

After several months, Dr. Gomella said I was doing a great job, and he wanted me to go to the outpatient urology clinic to evaluate patients.

It is 20 years later, and I’m still in the outpatient clinic. Advanced practice providers continue to increase in the outpatient setting to provide care to our urology patients. I feel advanced practice providers can make a difference in patient care by improving teaching, evaluation, and management; and enhancing a positive patient experience.

So, what is it that keeps you coming to work every day?

Bewick: First, the patients. My primary role as an advanced practice nurse is caring for our patients and making sure they have the best outcomes that they can have. Second, the Department of Urology. I realize as an advanced practice