Recognizing National Nurse Practitioner Week 2025 – Roshani’s Story

By Roshani Kandel, DNP, ARNP, FNP-C, MPH

About National Nurse Practitioner Week (November 9 to 15)

Nurses are a vital element in the health care ecosystem and health of the populations. The American Nurses Association defines nursing as the protection, promotion and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities and populations.

National Nurse Practitioner Week is celebrated annually during the second full week of November. This year, it falls November 9-15 and is a week to recognize and appreciate the vital role Nurse Practitioners (NPs) play in the health care system. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, NPs assess patients, order and interpret diagnostic tests, make diagnoses, and initiate and manage treatment plans.

Becoming a Nurse Practitioner

I have been interested in pursuing a career in health care since I was in middle school. I did some nursing courses in Nepal followed by graduation with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in Bangladesh in 2010. While working with people in a hospital I realized how much we can help prevent them from getting sick, or prevent further complications with public health awareness, leading me to complete a Master of Public Health (MPH) program in 2012. After teaching community health courses to nurses in Nepal and watching my brother enter the medical field, I decided to pursue a career in advanced nursing and enrolled in the University of Iowa’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, with a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specialty.

Connection to Rare Disease

When I had some health concerns with my teeth, one of professors suggested that it could be a rare disease, and that lead me to learn more about the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). I found so much information from NORD about rare diseases that was very hard to find elsewhere. I decided to join NORD’s State Ambassador program in March 2021 to raise awareness about rare disease and advocate for patients and families. In my personal and professional experience with rare disease, there are some things that can’t be changed with genetic formation and disease progression, but there is still so much that nurses can do to help both clinically and through advocacy.

Importance to the Future of Public Health

With my experience, enthusiasm, and empathy for diverse populations, I am currently working in a federally qualified health center (FQHC) where I meet, help, and guide many people with the challenges they face – whether it’s lack of insurance, lack of resources, or issues accessing care. I’m amazed at how many people are in the community without a proper diagnosis of a rare disease, as well as how many people have a diagnosis but do not have access to quality care. Health care professionals working in primary care settings have opportunities to support people in accessing diagnoses and receiving appropriate care for their rare disease. We are also well-positioned to help our patients access resources – such as getting respite from caregiving or finding a specialist.