Meet Truly Innovative Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Diana Bernier

This post is part of a blog series highlighting Northwell Health’s Advanced Clinical Providers (ACP). Each Northwell Health employee was nominated by their manager as an individual who exemplifies a Northwell Health value.

 This month, we’re proud to introduce to you Diana Bernier who currently works as a pediatric nurse practitioner for Northwell Glen Cove Physician’s Partners.

Diana started her career at Northwell Health in 1994 as a staff nurse working in the pediatric intensive care unit. From the start, she had a clear vision for her career and knew exactly how she would achieve it. While working in acute care, she was also working to complete her bachelor’s degree in nursing in the RN to BSN program at Stony Brook University – a move that would help set her up for success in the future.

Never one to back down from a challenge, Diana would push herself beyond her job description to learn about other roles within our organization. Her curiosity would lead her to the Division of Allergy and Immunology, where she would learn the ambulatory nursing side of pediatrics. Before she realized, she had spent 10 years in the department and was now a Certified Asthma Educator, working within the community and having a hand in coordinating the startup of the Pediatric Asthma Center.

Diana credits Northwell’s tuition reimbursement program for playing a huge role in her growth. “In 2012, I was accepted into the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program at Stony Brook University. The program made it possible for me to achieve this goal,” she says. “The Pediatric Pulmonary Division encouraged my interest in asthma and helped me fulfill the majority of my specialty clinical requirements.”

Proving herself to be not only versatile but a strong asset to the organization, Diana would be asked to take a role as a pediatric nurse practitioner for Northwell Glen Cove Physician’s Partners, a role she’s been in since 2017. “Though I had only considered specialty nursing, I was intrigued by the diversity of primary care and eventually became their first NP in the practice. It was a huge learning curve to shift from specialty to primary care, but my colleagues were very patient and supportive, and I am pleased to say I have been with this amazing team for three years now and feel like I am part of a family.”

Now, the mom of three continues to forge ahead in her career and in her personal life. “I have always had the drive to continuously learn and challenge myself. Challenges have sometimes felt terrifying, but I have learned to push through as experience has taught me that ultimately the rewards make temporary discomfort and sacrifice worthwhile.” This kind of attitude has helped her not only reach her patients in more authentic ways, but it has also helped her demonstrate the role her health plays in the overall picture. Approaching her 18th running marathon, she states, “It’s all about having a plan, working into your life, being flexible but committing to it even when it gets unbelievably hard. Once the goal is achieved, celebrate, and make a new one.”

A model NP at Northwell Health, Diana urges anyone who wants to achieve great things within their field that Northwell is the place to do it. “I am an example of an NP who has the opportunity to practice to the full extent of her professional license every day.” Thank you, Diana, for setting the tone and being a perfect example of what’s possible for NPs at Northwell Health.

If you’re Made for working with a team of exceptional ACPs, explore our opportunities here.