About Our Practice
Dr. Akia Sheema Blandon is the founder and provider at New Beginnings Healthcare. Her strong clinical background and drive to improve the health of her community drives her to make an impact on each patient she cares for through personalized and convenient care.
Here are the highlights of Dr. Blandon's accomplishments:
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Adjunct professor at Helene Fuld College of Nursing
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President of Tau Chi Chapter Inc. of Chi Eta Phi Sorority Inc and Regional Meeting Coordinator for the Northeast region
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Small Group Leader at Christ Church in Rockaway, New Jersey
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Founder of Pearls of Promise, Non-for-Profit organization
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Proud single mother of five amazing children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did I choose to start my own practice?
I started my own practice to address the heath disparities in my community through individualized healthcare. I feel most successful when I am able to assist patients in gaining back health norms in their lives to achieve their health goals.
Why should I choose New Beginnings Healthcare as my healthcare provider?
Patients should choose New Beginnings Healthcare due to our convenience and ability to listen and meet your needs. We spend time with our patients and are invested in helping them achieve healthier outcomes. This is due to our training as a nurse practitioner, but also due to our own health journey. Dr. Blandon has incorporated several lifestyle changes into her own health over the last few years, including living a plant-based lifestyle, and going to the gym five days a week. This has resulted in her losing over 80 pounds in the past three years. Her own journey inspires her to promote similar lifestyle changes in her colleagues, friends, and patients.
How does a Nurse become a Nurse Practitioner or an NP?
First NP's have to complete the training and licensure process to become a registered nurse. And then they can apply to a program that offers Nurse Practitioner training, they continue through that additional education and licensure process to become a Nurse Practitioner. All Nurse Practitioners must hold at a minimum, a masters and or a doctoral degree.
What healthcare services does a Nurse Practitioner provide?
NPs provide advanced primary, acute and specialty care for all types of patients. In every state, NPs assess patients, order and interpret tests, make diagnoses and provide treatment – including prescribing medications.
Where do Nurse Practitioners work?
Nurse Practitioners can be found in outpatient clinics, acute care hospitals, emergency rooms, urgent care centers, nursing homes and private practices nationwide.
Why is a Nurse Practitioners perspective different?
Nurse Practitioners blend clinical expertise with an added emphasis on disease prevention and health management. Nurse Practitioners bring a comprehensive perspective to health care which begins by listening to and spending time with patients to develop a personalized plan to reach an individual's optimal health.
Is the cost of a Nurse Practitioners healthcare services less costly than a physician?
Yes, sometimes as it depends on the insurance payer such as Medicare. Nurse Practitioners are reimbursed at 85% of the typical fee structure that physicians are reimbursed for the same services.
When should an individual seek the help of a Nurse Practitioner?
Patients should seek the help of a Nurse Practitioner to treat acute and non-emergent conditions, such as Fever, Colds, Allergies, Sore throat (Strep Throat), Bronchitis, Pneumonia and Sinus conditions. They also can diagnose and treat rashes and skin conditions such as Poison Ivy, Dermatitis, Psoriasis and Fungal Infections. Other problems including Urinary Tract Infection, Yeast Infections, Sexually Transmitted Infections (Herpes, Gonorrhea, Syphilis) and Stomach Viruses, Nausea, Vomiting and Diarrhea and managed by nurse practitioners. Other acute conditions like Lyme Disease, Shingles can be treated easily as well by NP's.
Nurse Practitioners are trained and licensed to manage other common chronic conditions such as Anxiety, Depression, Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), High Cholesterol, Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), Diabetes. Additionally common conditions including thyroid disorders, COPD/Emphysema, Asthma, and Osteoarthritis can be treated and managed by a nurse practitioner.
Staying healthy is important and your nurse practitioner can provide preventive and annual medical needs such as Medicare Annual Wellness Exams (Complete Physical), Pre—K and Kindergarten School Physicals, Annual Flu Shots, Pneumovax, Vaccinations and Tetanus Injections.
What makes a Nurse Practitioners qualified to deliver medical services?
Nurse Practitioners are qualified to deliver comprehensive, advanced care. NPs have at least six years of advanced academic and clinical training, including a master’s or doctoral degree. NPs pass rigorous national certification exams and meet state licensure requirements.
