Rising Star

Margaret (Peg) Huryk, DNP, APN-BC

Describe a day in your life.

Oh boy. I guess I should say, “What day?”. It is probably unusual for most NPs to have a typical day since many of us have more than one role/job. Due to my dual careers in academia and medical group practice, I have different daily responsibilities and work in two rehab centers/LTC facilities. My NP practice includes arriving on site with an excited nursing staff who inform me of the issues, concerns, and problems since my last visit. I head to each of the floors and get all the updates. I prioritize acute medical problems, admissions, and re-admissions. In addition, I schedule the CMS monthly evaluation and wellness visits. Typically, I have nurse practitioner interns from the area nursing schools, especially Seton Hall University, working with me about two to three times each week. I generally like to precept 2 to 4 students. I found these groupings to be so beneficial to the students and myself. They learn from each other and how to collaborate with colleagues and assume leadership roles. I love the energy of being with young nurse practitioner students due to their enthusiasm about getting the role down and learning as much as they can. In the afternoon, I need to make time for follow-up lab work and phone calls to families and colleagues. I’m on call about eight nights a month and every 6th weekend, so the work may continue into the evening and night. My academic responsibilities at Seton Hall University are to teach six credits a semester, including teaching in the classroom or online, office hours, planning learning activities in class and online, and writing quizzes and exams.

What inspired you to work in geriatrics?

I was not inspired to go into gerontology, but I landed here and fell in love. My whole career has been with older adults in hospitals, homes, care, outpatient facilities, rehab, and nursing homes. How blessed am I that every day, I do what I love? I find it so exciting to work with an older adult, to find out what their life experiences have been, what matters most to them and what my role is in their life now. I have been inspired by many people who have helped me in my career. Janet Reynolds, GNP, was a great mentor and friend at the beginning of my career. She hired me right out of NP school into long-term care. She taught me the ropes. One of the wonderful things about being in GAPNA is having mentors available, ready, willing, and able to help me with my career development.

How do you see the field of geriatrics evolving in the future?

This is an exciting time to be in geriatrics. The evolution in 2024 is challenging and hopeful. The moving forward campaign on improvements in nursing homes makes me so hopeful, among many other initiatives. The aging baby boomer makes me a little scared, but I am ready for the changes that will come with this assertive group of older adults. I believe with GAPNA leadership being involved in the changing landscape of healthcare management of the older adult, the best is yet to come in the field of geriatrics.

What is your favorite part of your job?

• Identifying drugs for deprescribing and developing a plan with the family and patient.
• Adjusting medication for acute problems with good results.
• Watching patients improve their function and discharge to home from subacute rehab.
• Having an advance care planning conversation that really identifies the patient’s preferences, priorities, and goals and developing a plan that is congruent with these wishes
• Assisting and managing a patient at the end of life with a peaceful experience
• Working in collaborating with new nurse practitioner students and colleagues in healthcare

Hobbies/Favorite activities?

I suffer from the fear of missing out (FOMO). I love connecting with my family and friends. I love attending GAPNA activities and conferences. The Jersey Shore is one of my favorite places, and I enjoy walking on the beach in the spring, summer, winter, and fall. I enjoy traveling domestically and abroad, but my favorite place in the world is Ireland. I love golf, but sometimes golf does not love me. However, I hope one day to hit 150 yards from the tee. Maybe one day…

Describe where you hope to be in 5 years in your career.

I envision full practice authority in NJ in 5 years. I also feel in 5 years, we will be able to work in post-acute care and long-term care without the need for physician visits or oversee.

How long have you been a GAPNA member?

I have been a GAPNA member for more than 2 years. I joined several years ago but never participated in any of the GAPNA meetings or SIGs, and I let my membership expire. Then, one of my Seton Hall University colleagues, Sherry Greenberg, was president-elect at that time. She encouraged me to join, and then I was hooked.

How and why did you get involved with GAPNA as a leader?

I have never been involved with any group, organization, or facility that is as supportive of its members as GAPNA. I presented in 2021, and I have been engaged ever since. I applied for the Leadership Institute and was accepted. I was able to work and lead a team of experts in PAC and LTC to develop an amazing pre-conference that we offered at the September conference in 2023. Currently, I am the chair of the PAC/LTC SIG and hope to develop a mentoring program and offer the PAC/LTC pre-conference at the upcoming conference during September in San Antonio.

Any workplace honors you’d like to mention?

• 2018 Petersheim Great Minds Award at Seton Hall University
• Sara M. Erickson Medal for outstanding leadership in professional nursing
• Abstract award 2010 Presentation AANP National Conference
• 1998 Faculty Excellence Aware Seton Hall University

Anything else you’d like us to know?

No one is an island by themself. I have many people who have helped me in my career to develop my skills and fuel my passions. However, the people that matter most to me and have been the biggest champions of my efforts have been my family. My husband Bob and children, Robert, Jim, and Maryrose, have made many sacrifices so that I can pursue my passion. I am the nurse that I am because of them. I am so grateful.