Her first brush with urgent care took place when Veronica Gore was a 911 operator in Chicago. The caller needed immediate help for a baby at risk from drowning so, until the ambulance arrived, Gore stayed on the phone to explain how to perform CPR. Although operators were not encouraged to give medical instructions, the experience gave birth to Veronica’s future passion for nursing. “How could I not help? This was a baby. I loved it!”
Gore carved out a path to nursing by earning an Associate’s degree from South Suburban College, a Bachelor of Science degree as a registered nurse from Olivet Nazarene University, and a Master of Science degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Chamberlain University in Illinois. In 2022, she completed an online graduate program from UNH that taught her the skills she needed to certify as an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP).
Starting her nursing career as an RN with St. James Hospital, Veronica also served as Clinical Nurse Liaison for several years with Centene Corporation and Aetna Health where she was case manager for high-risk populations. With a master’s degree in hand, she accepted a position as Family Nurse Practitioner with At Home Ltd, a home healthcare organization. Although she enjoyed the personal contact of visiting patients in their homes, Gore eventually returned to a direct care model by accepting a position as a pulmonary Advanced Practice Registered Nurse with Amita Health in Chicago.
"Each morning I tap into my faith to find an inner peace that helps me approach my work with humility and humor. A good nurse practitioner listens carefully to hear not only what patients say aloud but also to what remains unspoken. I picture caring for a trauma patient as reconnecting pieces of a puzzle until they have healed enough to renew their life with purpose."
The decision to enroll in the online UNH AGACNP certificate program reflects Gore’s desire for ongoing learning opportunities and to fulfill the practical need of remaining current with her professional skills. Given her unpredictable work schedule, the flexibility of asynchronous classes offered in eight-week terms allowed Veronica to establish a sustainable balance between work, home, and professional studies. Although a resident of Chicago, she was attracted by the UNH curriculum, and attending a virtual info session with nursing faculty cemented her decision to apply.
"Program Director Clarissa Michalak and Professor Brittany Biega are warm and approachable faculty who offer students tremendous support derived from a deep understanding of this nursing specialty. Everything about the program was appealing, especially its structure, because I did not need to cut my work hours to complete the training. To be successful with online learning requires self-discipline but segmenting my schedule helped me stay focused and organized. As an Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner, the AGACNP certificate gives a layer of liability protection and makes me more marketable in the field."
Commenting on the current labor shortage of skilled nurses, Gore expresses concern about the nurse-to-patient ratio in critical care, citing the need for focused attention on these patients. Referring to her workplace, however, she speaks with warmly about the closely knit teamwork. “Each team member contributes important skills and the collaboration supports our collective energy in an adrenalin-packed environment.”
To balance the daily intensity of her nursing career, Veronica embraces a self-care awareness rooted in her faith and capped by a lively sense of humor. She looks forward to the quietude of caring for a flower garden.
"Spring is my favorite time because the greenhouses are full of colorful flowers that delight the senses. Gardening renews my inner peace and recharges my energy for a field that I love."
Written by Gwendolyn Goguelet
