Family Nurse Practitioner Graduate Uses Degree to Care for Veterans

A master's in family nurse practice (FNP) can open doors to registered nurses and provide opportunities to serve new patient populations in unique ways. Alejandra Schreur, MSN, FNP-BC, graduated in May 2023 with her master's degree and has since explored two unique avenues of patient care. 

Schreur's medical career began in 2011 when she worked as a certified nurse assistant in nursing homes for four years. She then attended Southeast Technical Institute in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and graduated with a licensed practical nurse (LPN) diploma in 2015. After graduation, Schreur worked in the community living unit at the Veteran Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Sioux Falls and the San Diego VA. In 2018, she returned to the Southeast Technical Institute and graduated with an associate's registered nurse degree, giving her the distinction of RN. Her first job practicing as an RN was at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton on the medical-surgical floor and at the Avera Sister James Care Center. "While working as a registered nurse at Avera Sacred Heart, a few of my coworkers were enrolled in Mount Marty's FNP program, and they had great things to say about the quality of the program and the support that was provided," said Schreur. "I later moved away from Yankton, but when I was ready to pursue an advanced nursing degree, Mount Marty always was at the top of my list due to their high pass rate for nurse practitioner boards and assistance with clinical rotation placement."

Mount Marty's FNP program is a two-year online curriculum with a total of 780 clinical hours. Schreur said the instructors brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the classroom, including real-life case studies that were easily applicable to practice. She was also impressed with the clinical rotations, saying they are organized and diverse and "stand out as a cornerstone of the program." Her advice to anyone considering the FNP program is to manage time well, participate in lectures, take advantage of supplemental materials, and practice self-care along the way. 

Since becoming an FNP, Schreur has worked as a contractor with a third-party company called OptumServe, where she is contracted to assist various VA institutions with performing veteran evaluation exams. With each patient she encounters, she takes a history of their symptoms, provides a diagnosis if one hasn't already been identified, and then determines whether the diagnosis is service-related based on chart reviews and medical evidence. Schreur knows the importance of these evaluations to these veterans and finds her job very rewarding. "Whether helping someone finally receive recognition for a long-standing injury or validating their struggles, these evaluations have lasting effects on their lives. … Every veteran has a unique story, and each evaluation is a chance to listen, acknowledge and respect their sacrifices. Many share experiences from their time in service, offering glimpses into history and personal resilience." She has spent most of her nursing career with the VA and said, "It is truly an honor to continue working with this population and to continue to serve our veterans as they served this country." Schreur actively listens to every veteran's concerns and fears, provides emotional support and medical care, and prides herself on creating a comfortable environment for these discussions and education sessions.

Along with providing care to patients with the VA, Schreur is also pursuing a long-time passion as she branches into the world of aesthetics. Using her FNP degree, she is opening Rooted Aesthetics & Wellness in Brookings, South Dakota. Schreur will provide aesthetic treatments such as Botox and dermal fillers with hopes of incorporating hormone replacement therapies in the near future. She recently trained with the top Midwest injector Stefanie Gatica, DNP, at Revive Aesthetics Academy in Ankeny, Iowa. She feels confident to "safely and effectively provide injectable aesthetic procedures" to her future clients. "I have always had a passion for all things beauty, and starting something of my own where I can help people enhance their natural beauty is a dream come true." Schreur hopes to open Rooted Aesthetics & Wellness at the end of March, which will be open weekday evenings and weekends while continuing to serve our country's heroes.

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About Mount Marty University

Founded in 1936 by the Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery, Mount Marty University is South Dakota's only Catholic, Benedictine institution of higher education. Located along the bluffs of the Missouri River in Yankton, with additional locations in Watertown and Sioux Falls, Mount Marty offers undergraduate and graduate degrees focusing on student and alumni success in high-demand fields such as health sciences, education, criminal justice, business, accounting, recreation management, and more. A community of learners in the Benedictine tradition, Mount Marty emphasizes academic excellence and develops well-rounded students with intellectual competence, professional and personal skills and moral, spiritual and social values. To learn more, visit mountmarty.edu.