When you ask our current Urgent Care APP Lead, Kennikqua “Nikki” Thompson, MSN, APRN, FNP, ENP, what the busiest time is in urgent care, she says undoubtedly the winter season, better known as cold and flu season.
“It can be a hectic time; however, our staff is excellent at managing our patients and providing excellent patient care,” Thompson says.
Statistics would tend to agree with her – just last year, there were more than 46,000 clinic visits between UTMB urgent care clinics in the months from November 2022 to February 2023.
Thompson earned her Advanced Practice Nursing Degree in 2016 and currently holds board certification in Family Nurse Practitioner, as well as Emergency Nurse Practitioner. She has been a part of UTMB Urgent Care since 2017.
While this time may be busiest, Thompson states she finds it important to take the time to discuss prevention of illnesses. She encourages regular contact with primary care providers, aimed at preventative care. She also touches on vaccine optimization, staying home when ill, proper hygiene, and vitamin supplementation.
“It is important to guide the patients in preventing and managing their care, particularly during high illness times,” Thompson says. As APP Lead, she also encourages staff to do the same. She states, “It is important we all stay well, not only for ourselves, but also the patients we serve.”
UTMB currently has six urgent care clinics, spread across institution locations, ready to serve patients. They offer extended hours to accommodate patients’ needs. In addition to cold and flu cases, they treat a wide variety of needs, with the ability to obtain X-rays, perform procedures when needed, and collaborate with primary care and emergency care.
In closing, Thompson states, “I have pledged to always treat others as I would want to be treated and embrace the patient as an integral member of their healthcare team. I find it important to give patients the tools to their own healthcare; however, I, and we, will always be willing and ready to care for someone, should they walk through our urgent care doors”.
Thanks to Nikki Thompson and all our fantastic urgent care staff!
APP Corner is a monthly feature showcasing UTMB's Advanced Practice Providers.