Highlight a Nurse! Meet Dr. Teresa Rittenbach, PhD, APRN, BC!

What is your area of nursing specialty?
“I am a Professor of Nursing, a Nurse Educator and Geriatric Nurse Practitioner.”

What led you to become a nurse?
“I suppose I wasn’t too different than many other 19 year-olds, I wanted to “help others.” I soon realized that this field of study I was embarking on would provide a lifetime of challenges and rewards! It would become the very core of who I am. I have been so fortunate that when returning to school for my master’s degree, I had found a program that combined a functional area in nursing education and a clinical track for the adult nurse practitioner. At this time, the role of the nurse practitioner was very new in ND but much more well-established in Oregon where I went to school.”

What talents, gifts, or skills do you have that assist you in your day-to-day work?
“My love of learning and studying. I have a desire for my students to make connections and appreciate the intricacies of the human body and all it is capable of. I also have compassion for my patients and their families. My goal is to improve the older adults quality of life and their death. And this isn’t really a talent or skill – but a belief. I have a deep, spiritual faith that I hope is the foundation for all that I do.”

Dr. Rittenbach’s typical day.
“On Fridays, I combine my roles. I spend the first 2 hours caring for the older adult as a NP in a long-term care facility where I manage the care for residents of five family practice physicians. That morning I will also spend 2 hours in my office – office hours, set up to be available for University of Jamestown students. I then have class for 2 hours; I am currently teaching a six semester-credit class – Child Adult Health III. After class, I am off again to the nursing home where I spend the next 4 hours making rounds, writing orders and communicating with the staff.”

What are some of the greatest challenges for you?
“Because I have chosen to combine the two roles of nurse educator and nurse practitioner, I do often struggle with balancing the roles. It requires not only a balance of time, but also balancing the priorities of both my residents and their care and my students and their education.”

What are some ways that you see your specialty can make a difference in rural areas?
“I believe that we need nurses who are competent and compassionate, now more than ever in this current healthcare environment. My contribution to their education is one way to contribute to this goal. I also realize that our older population is ever increasing, and with this increased population comes a significant challenge to our healthcare system. The older adult presents with many challenges to meeting their care needs.”