CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Stacy Michelin, a Jamaica native, is a nurse practitioner who owns and operates Compassion Care Clinic.
Michelin came to America as a teen to live “the American dream” and started studying computer technology. However, she soon realized her calling was helping people and nursing.
CNow: Tell me how you got into your profession; when did you know this was what you wanted to do and what inspired you?
“I started my nursing career 16 years ago. I was inspired by my late aunt, Elizabeth McDonald, aka Aunty Betty, who was a nurse manager at a big hospital in New Jersey. We had a lot in common. Her drive and fulfillment in helping people in the field of nursing inspired my own interest. She was my best friend and a person who I highly admired.
“My mother’s struggles with multiple chronic diseases urged me to expand my knowledge in medicine to better help improve her health conditions. With the increased medical knowledge, I was able to play an active role at her doctor’s appointments, in rendering my input in her treatment plan collaboratively with her health team. I have seen the marvels of modern medicine and how it has improved her health. It was at this point that I was even more encouraged to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner.”
CNow: What was your motivation and process to reach the goal?
“Continuing my educational path to becoming a nurse practitioner was very challenging especially considering that I had to work while attending school. I attended an online program for my BSN and a hybrid program to attain my MSN. The Family Nurse Practitioner program at MTSU was rigid. Their program was primarily online, but most testing and exams were done on campus. I had to commute from Nashville to Memphis weekly as a result.
“I had to make several sacrifices to complete the program successfully. Two of those sacrifices were the death of my social life and time spent with my family.
“My family was extremely understanding and supportive, especially my husband and children. Oftentimes, they were my ‘test subjects’ and my audience to many of my rehearsed medical acronyms. My mother was also my biggest support. She left her home country, Jamaica, to play an active role as a second mother to my children while I was in school.”
CNow: What obstacles did you have to overcome and how did you do so?
Michelin was pregnant with her third child when she was traveling from Nashville to Memphis for tests in the FNP program. She ran into pregnancy complications.
“I was throwing up taking my test. I was driving with a big belly. I was determined not to give up. I was admitted to the hospital from complications with my heart and pregnancy and I still had my laptop working on my classes. It was a lot of struggles.”
Michelin also said she faced hardships finding internships.
“I went to 200 doctors to see if I can get an internship for my clinical. I often felt hardships in getting an internship, but it was Joann Garland who connected me with Dr. George (Clardy).”
CNow: What do you like about your profession?
“Working in primary care as a nurse practitioner has been the most fulfilling career path I have taken within my 16 years of nursing. I absolutely love the schedule flexibility compared to my hospital work life. I love the autonomy in making treatment decisions in the best interest for my patients, supported by evidence-based practice and my experiences.
“I absolutely love my prescription privileges, even though it comes with great responsibilities. Most of all, I love my patients’ interactions. Developing a trusting and healthy relationship with my patients are the most fulfilling aspect of my career.
“I approach healthcare in a holistic fashion. I truly believe that in order to care for individuals’ health needs, you have to address the mind and soul, and above all be compassionate.”
CNow: When did you open your business? What do you like about being a business owner?
“I opened Compassion Care Clinic in the latter part of 2019 with the assistance of Joann Garland and Dr. George Clardy.
“It was a struggle to get hired as a new grad, despite my years of experience as a nurse. Joann Garland saw my potentials and hired me to assist Dr. George Clardy with his practice. Dr. George Clardy later retired and entrusted his patients to my company. His patients had the choice to seek other primary care providers, but most of them decided to entrust their health in my care.
“It’s very ironic that I find myself working harder and longer hours, but at the same time, I am enjoying every minute of it. Providing competent care for my patients is essential and I am always willing to go the extra mile.”
CNow: Tell me some things about yourself that you’d like other people to know
Michelin is married and has three children.
“I love nature! I enjoy being by the mountains and around the riversides camping.
“I enjoy singing. Although not musically inclined, you would find me at karaoke night impersonating my favorite vocalists: Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton and a few others.”
Celebrating Black “HerStory” is a Black History Month series celebrating women who are living their dream and making a difference as professionals and entrepreneurs.