Mrs. Megan Calkins, FNP, NP

About Megan Calkins During an internship her senior year of high school, Megan Calkins, FNP, observed the work going on around her in the healthcare team and fell in love with the care that nurses were providing. “I was always driven to do something where I could take care of people and help them feel better but also to have human interactions with them and take care of them in a holistic manner,” she says. Megan earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at University of Indianapolis (Indiana), and her Master of Science in Nursing at Indiana University South Bend. She has worked in emergency departments, labor and delivery, and at a community healthcare center. As a nurse practitioner, Megan can do some of the things a doctor would do, such as prescribe medications and order tests to help guide diagnosis. She says, however, that her nursing education taught her to focus on the care of a person in a different way – from a physical, mental and emotional standpoint. “When I am at work, I am giving my patients 150% of myself. I am dedicated to providing the best individualized care for each individual person,” Megan says. “I think of my patients as part of their own care team and take their opinions, ideas, and concerns into consideration when recommending care.” Megan has learned that people want to have a say in their care and she hopes they know she is doing her best to advocate for them. “I hope that my patients have learned that I truly come to work for them and that their health, physical and mental, is incredibly important to me,” she says. In her own words… Who is or was the most influential people/role models in your life? Nurse Laure. She taught me that people deserve kindness, empathy, and compassion no matter who they are or how busy you are as their provider. What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it? Waitress at Perkins. I loved interacting with people. What is your favorite food? Movie? Food: Tacos. Movie: Gladiator. What was your best/worst subjects in school growing up? Best: Math. Worst: Art If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why? The founder of modern nursing herself Florence Nightingale. She was an intelligent woman in a time when women weren’t supposed to be. She questioned things and pushed boundaries. In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? I am passionate about my family and friends. They truly are my happy place and no time is better spent than with the people you love. What are your hobbies, interests? I love to exercise, read, travel, eat new foods, hike and lose myself in music. Do you have pets? Yes! I house is not a home without a dog or two…or three…in it. What is something most people don’t know about you? I went to 13 different schools before graduating high school.