Nursing Influencer Taps Into Her Student Experience, Recommends Seton Hall for Aspiring Nurse Practitioners

In the world of healthcare, blending professional expertise with relatable social media content is rare. Yet, Kathleen Brown, a graduate student in the College of Nursing, has done just that, shaping a unique narrative in the nurse practitioner community. With a sizeable following on social media platforms (26.2k followers on Instagram and 61.1k on TikTok as "Kathleen Green"), Brown candidly shares the trials and triumphs of her profession, bringing a fresh and authentic voice to the nursing field.

Brown began her journey as an undergraduate, using her growing influence to provide a more authentic view of the nursing profession. Her blend of educational content and humor not only earned her a place among the top 50 nurses to follow on TikTok by Nurse.org, but also the title of Nurse.org’s nurse creator of the year. "There weren’t many nurses being their authentic selves, everything was too professional, perfect and boring," said Brown. "I wanted to create a space for myself and others to be comfortable in their own skin, live in their truth and share their stories."

Her strategy of balancing educational insights with light-hearted content has attracted a wide audience, making her a sought-after partner for several healthcare brands. Brown has collaborated with Good Rx, FIGS, eko health, Littmann stethoscopes, and Nomad Health care, among others. Her work with FIGS, particularly in the launch of their plus-size scrubs, shows how committed she is to promoting diversity and inclusivity within the healthcare apparel industry.

Brown’s influence extends beyond social media. She has been actively involved in continuing education initiatives with Nurse.com and represented Dolan scrubs at the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) National Magnet conference in 2022, where she interviewed healthcare professionals about their experiences in the field. These roles helped solidify her reputation as a credible voice in healthcare discussions.

Now, as she approaches her graduation from the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program, Brown's strategy is to post insights from this next phase of her career but remain true to where she started. "Being a bedside nurse has been such an important part of my life," she said.

Becoming a Nurse Practitioner
Brown decided to attend Seton Hall after extensive research, looking specifically at the academic rigor and support systems in each school. Seton Hall’s strong national ranking, supportive faculty, and high pass and employment rates were huge factors in her decision.

The online format of Seton Hall's nurse practitioner program stood out to her, offering flexibility without sacrificing academic quality. "Professors often had video calls to address questions students may have about the syllabus, to review for exams and even to review an exam individually to make sure you are aware of what is needed to improve," she said.

"Seton Hall has some of the most supportive professors that I’ve ever had," she added. "They want you to succeed, but you have to be honest and reach out when you need help. They are so knowledgeable, they always have answers when I need them, plus they give good feedback on how to improve your coursework."

Brown's clinical placements have provided her with comprehensive patient care experiences, shaping her ability to manage complex cases effectively. "At clinical, I was managing so many patients with many comorbidities; it was a 'big picture moment' where I realized I can manage patients with multiple chronic diseases along with any acute issues that arise," she said.

"Seton Hall is one of the most innovative schools, always looking for more opportunities for their students to have new or unique learning experiences," she said, citing how during the last immersion she participated in telehealth visits and received feedback from both the patient and the professor. "Another time, we spent the day at Integrity House's treatment center where we learned about how the community helps people with substance use disorders."

For those exploring nurse practitioner programs, Brown stressed the importance of selecting a program that offers robust support and real-world training opportunities. "Seton Hall offers a slow and steady program that provides a great education, and that’s why people who graduate from their program are successful," she said.

Categories: Health and Medicine