A Nurse Coach is a Registered Nurse who is board certified by the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation to guide individuals through lifestyle, wellness, and behavior changes.

While I do coach nurses, my services are for anyone who is motivated to improve their health, wants accountability, and is ready for a partner in their wellness journey. My role is to help you understand your body, support you through change, and empower you to become the healthiest version of yourself.

Functional nursing is grounded in Functional Medicine, an approach that focuses on identifying the root cause of symptoms rather than simply managing them.

I have completed:

• Functional Medicine for Nurses (Integrative Nurse Coach Academy)

• Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice (Institute for Functional Medicine)

This approach considers the whole person: mind, body, and soul. Interventions may include nutrition, sleep optimization, stress management, movement, and environmental factors. Together, we explore the why behind symptoms and work toward long-term healing, addressing concerns such as:

• Inflammation

• Gut issues / “leaky gut”

• Hormonal and stress imbalance

• Environmental exposures

• Early signs of metabolic imbalance

These are often precursors to chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and more.

Absolutely. I strongly encourage all clients to maintain an ongoing relationship with their primary care provider and to have had a physical exam within the last 12 months. My role is to support you alongside your existing medical care, not replace it.

I do not provide primary care services and I am unable to prescribe medications, order laboratory testing, or diagnose medical conditions, as this is outside my nursing scope of practice in South Dakota. With your permission, I am happy to collaborate with your healthcare provider to ensure care is coordinated and aligned.

If at any point your symptoms require medical evaluation or urgent care, you will be directed to your primary care provider or to emergency services as appropriate.

Every person heals at a different pace. Many clients notice improvement within the first few weeks, while deeper, long-term changes can take several months.

My programs are structured as 3- or 6-month commitments because lasting results require time, consistency, and support. Your body didn’t become dysregulated overnight. True restoration is a process.

After booking online, you’ll receive a detailed health and lifestyle assessment, virtual visit consent forms, optional Release of Information (ROI) forms if you’d like me to collaborate with your healthcare provider, and portal onboarding instructions to help you get set up smoothly.

Before your first appointment, if you have lab work from the past two years, you’re encouraged to upload it so I can review it ahead of time. Labs are helpful for deeper insight but are not required in order to begin working together.

Your care begins with a 90-minute initial consultation focused on your health history, current concerns, and goals. The first month includes weekly 50-minute coaching sessions to build momentum and establish a strong foundation. After that, sessions transition to 50-minute visits every other week to support continued progress and long-term sustainability.

Between sessions, you’ll have access to secure messaging through the Practice Better portal for questions, guidance, and support. All visits are conducted virtually using HIPAA-compliant platforms, allowing you to receive care from the comfort of your home.

I operate as a cash-based practice, which allows:

• Unrushed, personalized care

• Freedom from insurance limitations

• Transparent, upfront pricing

• No surprise bills or denied claims

Payment is made through the Practice Better portal before each session.

If requested, I can provide a superbill for potential insurance reimbursement—however, I cannot guarantee coverage. Many clients successfully use HSA/FSA cards for nurse coaching; please verify with your plan.

No, testing is completely optional.

Many clients choose to use targeted labs to better understand the root causes of their symptoms, such as:

• Annual bloodwork

• Nutrient testing

• Food sensitivity testing

• Stool testing

• Hormone or cortisol testing

If desired, you can order specialty labs through Rupa Health. Their physician oversees the order, and results are sent to you directly. Root First Nurse does not interpret Rupa-ordered labs; please review results with your primary provider.

Supplements can be helpful short-term when they are high-quality but they are never required.

Because I cannot prescribe or recommend supplements, my role is to:

• Educate you about safe options

• Review general information

• Provide resources you may share with your provider

You may use HSA/FSA funds for supplements depending on your insurer.

Yes. Current clients have access to secure, HIPAA-compliant messaging through the Practice Better portal for simple questions and support.

For new concerns or issues requiring in-depth guidance, a visit will be scheduled. Messages are answered during business hours, and I always aim to reply promptly. If I'm away for any length of time, you’ll receive a notice.