When U.S. News & World Report ranked nurse practitioner the No. 1 Job of 2025, it stated, “The career path offers a strong combination of robust job growth, high pay, and upward mobility.”
Here’s something else to consider: A Nurse Practitioner degree doesn’t just lead to one career path – it opens up a whole range of options.
“In the Finger Lakes and beyond, there’s high demand for primary care providers, and many of our graduates choose that route,” said Dr. Beth Russo ’98, professor and chair of the nursing division at Keuka College. “But NPs are also needed in academia, research, and senior administration.”
Dr. Russo, who has also served as an NP in the Veterans Health Administration and at the College’s Health & Counseling Center, added that, “NPs have a unique blend of clinical expertise and a whole-person perspective, which means they have a special part to play in all areas of healthcare.”
Get to know three KC-educated nurse practitioners who are thriving in three very different but equally meaningful roles:
DELIVERING CONTINUOUS CARE
After several years as an RN in emergency and critical care settings, Sarah D’Acquisto M’24 wanted to pursue a role that would enable her to forge deeper, longer-lasting connections with her patients.
Shortly after completing Keuka College’s online Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) master’s program, D’Acquisto landed her dream role at Lifecare Medical Associates in Seneca Falls, N.Y. As a provider with prescriptive and diagnostic authority, she offers expert whole-person care to patients ages 13 to 103.
“At Keuka College, I was part of a close-knit cohort, and I’m so thankful for the relationships I built. Now that I’m in primary care, I’m able to build relationships with my patients through all walks of life, from school and career changes to having babies and grandbabies.”
RESEARCHING TOMORROW’S BREAKTHROUGHS
Healthcare is a calling – and for many people, that call comes early. When she was 7, Prudence King ’07 M’13 was given an activity book that asked: What do you want to be when you grow up? Her answer: A nurse.
Today, King is an advanced clinical practitioner at Medpace, a global research organization helping to launch innovative medical treatments through clinical trials. In this role, she develops educational materials, optimizes safety protocols, and serves as a clinical expert for business development activities.
“I’ve also had the opportunity to conduct research in nursing care for kidney patients. My latest study investigated a potential link between a common iron supplement and a rare skin disease, which highlighted the need for greater awareness to improve outcomes for patients on dialysis.”
LEADING WITH PURPOSE
Dr. Victoria Record ’01 got her first taste of Keuka College’s personalized approach when she was studying at a local community college, and a KC professor invited her over for tea. They spoke so passionately about the nursing program that Record applied immediately.
Having returned to Keuka College to obtain an AGPCNP certificate in 2017 and gone on to earn her Ed.D., Dr. Record is President of the Rochester General College of Health Careers. Overseeing several certificate and degree programs, Dr. Record is advancing her institution’s legacy as a leader in nursing education.
“My AGPCNP background is pivotal to my leadership approach. The clinical knowledge I gained enhances my ability to develop curricula that are not only academically rigorous but directly aligned with real-world challenges.”
START EXPLORING YOUR OPTIONS
If you’ve been thinking about taking the leap from RN to NP, here’s what Sarah D’Acquisto advises: “Just do it! Change is scary – life is scary – but it is so worth it.”
Find out more about Keuka College’s AGPCNP master’s and post-master’s programs and take the next step in your healthcare career today!
