Nicole Wheeler, NP

About Nicole Wheeler

A naturally caring person with a desire to help others in need, a career in medicine was an easy choice for Nicole Wheeler, AGACNP. “During a biology science class in middle school, we had the opportunity to dissect a cow eyeball,” she says, adding that she was curious about the anatomy and function of this organ. “[With] the combination of a passion for caring for others, and a love for learning anatomy and physiology, going into a career in medicine felt like a great fit.”

As an Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Nicole has experience caring for seniors in long-term care/short-term rehabilitation and inpatient adult cardiac care nursing in the hospital setting. She graduated from Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, VA, with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Nicole earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Spring Arbor University, Spring Arbor, Michigan.

In her role, Nicole describes what she does as developing trusting and respectful relationships with people. Nursing experience in cardiac health and a love for how the heart is essential to the function of every system in the body, led her to this specialty. “While cardiac health is a specialized area of medicine, I also have the opportunity to learn and balance other body systems such as lungs and kidneys as I work to optimize heart health and maintain quality of life for each patient,” she says.

A philosophy she follows is to provide holistic health care with realistic and attainable goals for each patient, all while helping them maintain a positive quality of life. Patients have taught her to take time to listen and to admit if she doesn’t have the answers, and then go one step further by collaborating with colleagues or referring a patient to a specialist to get those answers.

“I hope that patients come away from receiving care feeling that I as a healthcare provider provided a holistic approach to their health,” she says. “I hope patients feel that they are genuinely cared for and have or continue to build trust with me as their provider.”

In her own words…

Who is or was the most influential people/role models in your life?  The most influential role model in my life is my long-time mentor and retired nurse, Mim.

What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it?  My first job was working as a waitress in a small restaurant. I learned quickly about hard work and teamwork with others; additionally, I began understanding the concept of customer service.

What is your favorite food? Movie?  Favorite food is anything Mexican!  Favorite movies are Sweet Home Alabama and/or The Holiday

What was your best/worst subjects in school growing up?  My favorite subject was reading/English.  My worst subjects (and still are) would be math and art.

If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why?  I would like to sit down and have dinner with Florence Nightingale or May Angelou. Their commitment to caring for others is inspiring, but also I would love to hear stories of their lives and caring of others.

In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about?  I am passionate about my faith in Jesus, my family, music, learning to cook/bake.

What are your hobbies, interests?  Reading, music, playing piano, camping, time with family and friends.

Do you have pets?  I have three dogs: Dexter (mini Goldendoodle), Cooper (mini Bernedoodle), and Max (Aussiedoodle).

What is something most people don’t know about you?  I was adopted at birth and recently adopted our son from an orphanage in Bulgaria.