Faculty Practice Spotlight

Faculty practice provides faculty members with the opportunity to be engaged in their area of expertise. As leaders of exemplary, innovative, and culturally proficient faculty engagement, faculty members fulfill the mission of the UA Capstone College of Nursing’s Faculty Practice Committee. The Faculty Practice Committee strives to increase the visibility of the school of nursing by spotlighting the practice of faculty members as they practice in community agencies. Practice sites are diverse and represent the expertise and background preparation of faculty engaged in faculty practice. Faculty “spotlights” are updated multiple times annually to showcase the exceptional work of faculty practice members. Be sure to return to this webpage in the future to learn about the practice of other faculty members!

Brandi Lester, MSN, RN, NP-C
Instructor

Tell us about your role at CCN

I have been a clinical instructor at CCN since 2017 and am now a Senior Clinical Instructor. I teach primarily in Fundamentals, where I am the course leader.

Tell us about your faculty practice

I practice as a Nurse Practitioner at Northriver Primary Care and Moundville Primary Care, working in Wellness and Weight Loss.

What patient population do you serve?

Anyone 18 years or older who is committed to improving their health and becoming the best version of themselves.

Tell us about a typical day in your faculty practice

I support my clients in their wellness and weight loss efforts by encouraging and motivating them every step of the way. I hold patients accountable and set personalized goals for them. I help equip clients for success by providing behavioral counseling, meal replacements, supplements, nutritional counseling, and exercise goals. I get to be my clients’ biggest cheerleader as they strive to be the best versions of themselves.

How do you incorporate evidence-based research into your faculty practice?

I stay current on the latest research related to weight loss, nutrition, exercise and wellness. I use clinical guidelines to guide my plans for each client. I also integrate tailored interventions when considering my patients’ beliefs, culture, and preferences when teaching about lifestyle changes.

What are your professional interests related to your faculty practice?

Behavioral change strategies, technology in wellness, preventive health, and nutrition science.

What are your future plans related to faculty practice?

I plan to expand our services to new locations.

What changes have you seen in your area of expertise in the last several years?

DNA-based diets, gut microbiome research, wearable technologies, behavioral interventions, pharmacotherapy and medical interventions, and non-invasive treatments (fat freezing).

How does your practice contribute to the mission of the Faculty Practice Committee and CCN?

Promoting evidence-based practice, improving population health, interprofessional collaboration, contributing to nursing innovation, and community engagement health promotions with long-term impacts.