Team Minot welcomes new nurse practitioner Published Sept. 20, 2012 By Senior Airman Jessica McConnell Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The first thing most people do when they're sick is call the appointment line at the local clinic. But, when making an appointment isn't an option, what's the next best thing? Talking to a nurse. While she may not be the nurse to speak with about every issue, she is one most women will talk to at one point or another. Capt. Darci Parker, 5th Medical Operations Squadron women's health nurse practitioner, joins Team Minot from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. Well, she didn't just move here, she volunteered to be here. That can only mean one thing... "I love it!" said the captain. "I'm originally from South Dakota so it feels nice to be back in a smaller community. I went to college in the Twin Cities [Minn.] and worked as a nurse there for six years prior to joining the Air Force. I met my husband there as well, so, I consider both South Dakota and Minnesota to be my home." Parker had been a nurse for six years outside of the military and wanted to try something different. Her husband was also at the right place to make a career change. "I had always been interested in the Air Force so I decided to join," said Parker. "I worked as a labor and delivery nurse at Langley AFB, Va., for my first assignment while I finished my master's degree in women's health. My next assignment was at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio as a women's health nurse practitioner." Parker stays quite busy as a nurse practitioner. She is responsible for health promotion, prevention of reproductive health issues and the diagnosis and treatment of women's health problems. She helps women of all ages. "I see about 17 patients a day, not including the number of patient's I talk to over the phone," said Parker. "Some days are busier than others and some days I stay late to catch up on sending patient letters or making patient phone calls. But, the work load is typically manageable." With a workload like this, Parker said she's lucky to have a wonderful support system and tries to take everything day by day. She has never been one to have a lot of patience and said her husband reminds her frequently of the importance of this virtue. "My family and my faith are what get me through the difficult days," she said. "I would not be who I am and where I am today without both." Parker knew she wanted to be a nurse from a very young age, and made the decision to become one because of an accident that occurred within her family. "I have pretty much always wanted to be a nurse," said Parker. "My brother was in a farming accident as a young child; that is what shaped my decision to become a nurse. Once I was in the nursing work force, I realized that I loved educating women and helping women through the many health challenges they face as adolescents, through child bearing and on up to menopause." When she isn't working as a nurse, Parker can be found hanging out with her family going on walks and spending time in the park, as well as reading and working with pottery. While she enjoys her down time, her work is where Parker's passion lies. "I have a passion for helping those who have been victims of sexual assault," said Parker. "I am hoping that I can make a difference here for these victims and make it easier for these women to get whatever help they need." For anyone interested in a nursing career within the Air Force, Parker said it's a wonderful job with many challenges but is very worth it in the end. "There are so many benefits of being an Air Force nurse, personally and professionally," said Parker. "My biggest advice would be to remain open minded. There are so many opportunities available to Air Force nurses that are not a possibility outside of the military."