“Nothing good comes from comfort zones,” says Megan Pratt, and she’s living proof. As an associate professor and family nurse practitioner track leader at the University of Nevada, Reno’s Orvis School of Nursing

, Pratt isn’t just preparing future nurse practitioners—she’s actively reshaping what meaningful healthcare looks like in underserved communities.

We’re thrilled to honor Megan Pratt as the Nurse of the Week following her recent recognition with the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) State Award for Outstanding Contributions—an honor bestowed on just one individual per state each year.

From ICU to Impact

Pratt’s journey began at the very university where she now teaches. Like many students, she wasn’t entirely sure what her path would be. But it didn’t take long before she realized where her heart belonged.

“What I realized is that the people who spend the most amount of time with the patients and actually are able to impact their entire well-being are the nurses,” she says.

She found her purpose in the high-stakes environment of critical care. Working in the ICU gave Pratt a clear view of how many health crises could have been prevented. That insight fueled her decision to become a nurse practitioner and later to focus on primary care—especially for those who need it most.

“I really made a shift in wanting to serve patients in a primary care setting and provide health that way,” Pratt explains. “I’ve always been a strong advocate for ensuring that everybody has good access to quality healthcare.”

Bridging Academia and Community

At the University of Nevada, Reno, Pratt wears many hats. She leads the Family Nurse Practitioner and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care programs and continues to practice weekly at Specialty Health, supporting cardiometabolic risk reduction for first responders across Northern Nevada.

But her work outside the classroom is turning heads—and changing lives.

Pratt spearheads the APRN Student-Led Wellness Clinic, launched in 2022 with funding from Nevada Aging and Disability Services. The clinic brings care directly to low-income older adults in partnership with the Reno Housing Authority and Sierra Manor. This innovative model doesn’t just fill a healthcare gap—it’s also training the next generation of NPs to practice community-centered, preventative care.

“This grant-funded clinic is the only one I know of in the nation where we are really harnessing practitioner students to provide care and help with an identified healthcare gap,” she says.

A True Advocate for Interdisciplinary Care

Pratt’s leadership style is rooted in accessibility and collaboration. Her students don’t just learn—they’re mentored closely with one-on-one time and an open-door policy. She’s also an advocate for bringing together disciplines like social work and pharmacy to create a more holistic approach to care.

“As an educator, Megan is shaping the next generation of nurse practitioners to lead with both clinical excellence and a deep sense of responsibility to the people they serve,” says Charles Yingling, dean of the Orvis School of Nursing. “I nominated her because she reflects everything we value in this profession.”

Asking “Why” and Leading with Purpose

Whether in a classroom, clinic, or community setting, Pratt encourages critical thinking and keeping up with the latest in healthcare research.

“I tell my students, you know, we’re doing something, but why? We should constantly be reviewing the literature, reviewing studies, making sure that we are moving with healthcare,” she says.

For Pratt, receiving the AANP State Award isn’t about accolades but about validating her mission.

“I really do love that I have the perfect role in that I get to still see patients, I get to be out in the community giving back,” she reflects. “I get to work with students—I don’t know if many people can say that they get to do all the things they are passionate about every day.”

Megan Pratt embodies what it means to be a modern nurse leader—one who teaches by doing, uplifts her students, and makes care accessible to those often left behind. She’s not just pushing boundaries—she’s building bridges. And for that, she is more than deserving of this spotlight.

Nominate a Nurse of the Week! Every Wednesday, DailyNurse.com features a nurse making a difference in the lives of their patients, students, and colleagues. We encourage you to nominate a nurse who has impacted your life as the next Nurse of the Week, and we’ll feature them online and in our weekly newsletter.

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