Indiana State University Newsroom

Tracey Glenn is a 21st century pioneer. A registered nurse in Richland, Wash., Glenn is forging a new path in providing affordable and accessible health care, along with dermatology services.

A graduate of Indiana State University's unique online nursing program, Glenn has become the first nurse practitioner in Washington State to open a practice devoted exclusively to medical aesthetics and wellness.

"I have always been an entrepreneur at heart," she said.

Glenn's business, Advanced Medical Skincare, provides services that were previously difficult to access in Richland due to the shortage of area dermatologists. Glenn and her newly established company will offer services from Botox® Cosmetic to permanent makeup, as well as services to help with common skin troubles such as acne and rosacea.

Before becoming a nurse practitioner, Glenn sought to combine her business sense with healthcare to build her own practice. She thought that graduate school would provide her with the knowledge and skills to open her own practice.

"After much analysis of distance programs, I decided that ISU was the best for me as the courses were completely distance based, and I could conduct my clinicals locally," she said.

Glenn said that ISU provides great value to its students without a heavy price tag.

ISU provides a distance education learning experience that allows students and instructors to communicate with each other. With distance education, students throughout the United States are working together to learn how to become better practitioners in their field.

Glenn was happily surprised by how strong the student and teacher connection was during her distance education courses. She said that her instructors offered support and encouragement during her challenging and often stressful journey through graduate school.

Esther Acree, former interim dean of the department of graduate nursing, helped Glenn choose ISU when she was searching through graduate schools.

"This is an exciting thing for her to do," Acree said. "She is an example to show students what can be done in the field."

Along with Acree, Susan Eley, assistant professor in the department of advanced practice nursing, helped Glenn through her distance education at ISU.

"I am proud of her as an ISU graduate and as a fellow advance practice nurse," Eley said. "Her contribution to her community and profession will be a tribute to her educational accomplishments here at ISU and the College of Nursing, Health, and Human Services."

The Board of Nursing in Washington State defines a nurse practitioner as "an advanced-practice registered nurse who is licensed to provide healthcare independently. NPs are held to the same legal and ethical standards of care as physicians, with the same high level of commitment to providing personalized, quality healthcare.

Glenn said that in "21 states plus the District of Columbia, NPs can practice independently without physician collaboration or supervision."

With additional training in cosmetic dermatology and integrative medicine, Glenn fulfills many of the same basic services a dermatologist would with medical skincare.

"I treat, diagnose, prescribe and refer to specialists or for labs and imaging when necessary," she said. "With a board certification and specialization in family practice, I am able to provide care for all ages."
Because some people cannot afford a dermatologist, Glenn hs an opportunity to fill the void by working as a nurse practitioner, she said.

"This is the core of what nurse practitioners are about-making healthcare more accessible and more affordable to the public," Glenn said.

Indiana State University provided Glenn with the tools and abilities to become a 21st century pioneer, she said.

"My favorite part is when I have the opportunity to advocate for someone, to give them a hug, to help them see the positives when sometimes they are down. Knowing I can have a positive impact on someone's life...it is truly an honor," she said.

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Photo: http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/photos/650339079_ob6Ja-L.jpg - Tracey Glenn, a nurse practitioner who is a graduate of Indiana State University's advanced practice nursing program, administers a Botox Cosmetic injection to a patient at her Richland, Wash. practice.

Contact: Tracey Glenn, RN, MS, FNP-C, Advanced Medical Skincare, info@advancedmedskincare.com

Writer: Dave Taylor, media relations director, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-3743 or dave.taylor@indstate.edu