A Seton Hall nursing professor has been elected to serve as a commissioner of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners certification program.
Mary Ellen E. Roberts, doctor of nursing practice and an assistant professor of adult nursing, will now have an influence on the national certifying exam for nurse practitioners.
"I feel that it is our professional responsibility to move the profession forward through our national organizations," Roberts said.
Roberts said she hopes to "maintain a high quality clinical certifying examination for nurse practitioners."
According to Roberts, she has previously worked as a content expert for the certifying exam for several years.
The exam, according to the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program's website, certifies nurse practitioners in adult, gerontologic, and family nursing.
"The coursework is so intense for our nursing students and Roberts guides the student through with her teaching and support," said Margaret Huryk, assistant professor of nursing.
Roberts has extensive emergent care, intensive care and cardiology experience. She has taught at Seton Hall, Felician College and The College of St. Elizabeth..
"I truly enjoy all aspects of nursing and (being) a nurse practitioner," Roberts said.
"I am a clinical person who enjoys advocating and caring for my patients." Roberts said. "The thing I enjoy most about academia is seeing the students grow into nurses and/or grow into their role as advanced-practice nurses."
Roberts is certified as both an adult and an acute care nurse practitioner, according to her faculty profile.
Roberts received her bachelor's degree in Nursing from The College of St. Elizabeth, after which she obtained her Master's in nursing education and Master's of science in nursing from Seton Hall University.
Roberts said she encourages those entering health care to "stay true to yourself and patients" and to "give the best care you can."
Jessica Card can be reached at jessica.card@student.shu.edu.
