Rachael Pelletier, FNP – a Local Success Story

Rachael Pelletier, Family Nurse Practitioner, at her desk at North Country OB/GYN.

“Without North Country Hospital helping, and the support of family, friends, and coworkers, I wouldn't be here where I am today.”
This sentiment, issued by Rachael Pelletier, FNP, refers to the educational assistance she received from North Country as she moved her way up the health care ladder to the Nurse Practitioner position she now fills.
Starting at North Country Hospital in 1979 as an licensed practical nurse (LPN), Rachael went back to school and got her Associate's Degree in Nursing from SUNY. From there she continued on and received her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from Norwich University. When the University of Vermont received a grant to develop a rural health class for primary providers, Rachael was afforded the opportunity to attend the first class of 12 students which was specially geared toward rural health, training RN’s to become Nurse Practitioners. She and Christie Aldrich went through the program together, graduating with their Master's Degrees in Primary Care in 1999.
Rachael, who was born and raised in Orleans Co., chose rural health because she has lived in the Northeast Kingdom all her life and plans on staying here.
“In rural health you get to know the patients; you get to know the family. You get to know things that you might not know if you were in a big city where they would just be coming and going through your practice.”
Rachael not only enjoys the area but she also enjoys variety. That is why she enjoys sharing her time between three practices. She will be found three days a week at North Country's Ob/Gyn office where she specializes in Women's Health. She may see anywhere from seven to 15 patients on any given day. She enjoys this part of her job because it allows her to work with young girls all the way to elderly ladies. There are some generations of families coming to see her from the granddaughter to the mother to the grandmother.
“Women are more apt to talk to another woman about concerns, about life, problems with kids - someone who can connect with them.” That's what Rachael enjoys most about working in Women's Health. “I schedule extra time for my appointments. This gives me more time to talk about women's issues like domestic violence, and chemical issues like drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol abuse.”
One day a week, Rachael can be found at the Orleans Medical Clinic where she works in Family Practice. She enjoys this day because she gets to see everyone from babies to senior citizens. She finds it very rewarding to be in a position where she can give patients tools to help fix themselves. She sees herself as a support person who focuses on wellness rather than illness and enjoys seeing “generations of patients.”
“We work to offer as much teaching as we can to keep our patients healthy.” As needed, she gives out advice to patients concerning nutrition, exercise, diet, depression, safety issues, and child rearing. She is proud that she can bring the nursing aspect to health care.
The third hat that Rachael wears is working one day a week on the Maternal/Child health unit at the hospital. She has been there since she started as an LPN in 1979.
In addition to all of her other duties, in 2000, Rachael became trained as a sexual assault nurse examiner. Until recently, she was the only nurse available for this duty. She now shares this call with four other nurses.
While going back to school as an older student was a challenge for Rachael, she thoroughly enjoys what she does. As a FNP, she must keep up with certification through continuing education classes and conferences. She must stay up with medical issues just as the doctors do. She has to keep up with the daily documentation of each patient's visit.
Rachael is thankful to North Country Health System for helping her become what she is today, and, as a result, the community is blessed with a compassionate lady who brings a family feel to rural health.

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