Member Feature: Andrew Rotjan, Director, Advanced Clinical Providers Co-Director, ACP Education and Fellowships; Northwell Health

1. Tell us about your current professional position and what it entails. 
I currently serve as the Director of our Center of Advanced Practice and Co-Director of our NP/PA post-graduate fellowship program. I am responsible for the strategy and operational implementation of our fellowship program, designing and implementing educational opportunities for all of our NPs and PAs throughout our organization, as well as serving as an advocate and voice for NP and PA practice.

2. Why do you believe fellowships are important for NPs? 
Post-graduate fellowships help transition new providers into roles to support their confidence and competence as providers. New providers may have a great deal of anxiety and a sense of imposter syndrome, especially as they transition from expert nurse to novice nurse practitioner. Additionally, with the growing number of direct RN to NP programs, new graduates may not feel prepared to enter specialty care environments.

3. How do you see NPs grow and develop throughout their fellowship experience? 
Fellows transition at different stages based upon specialty and experience, but usually need to work through not taking on “nursing roles” while working as an NP, broadening their differential diagnosis skills, and breaking the habit of pattern recognition that we relied on as nurses.

4. Tell us about the fellowship program at Northwell Health - how long has it been in place? How many fellows have you all had? Where do you see the program going in the future? 
The program started in 2018 with 3 fellows, 1 in EM and 2 in Cardiothoracic surgery. We now have 96 fellows across 14 specialties. We are currently in the process of seeking accreditation!

5. What would be your recommendation to other NPs who want to start fellowship programs? 
Be deliberate in your decision-making, ensure complete stakeholder engagement and buy-in, think about the data you want to collect before you launch the program, develop a steering/advisory committee, and don’t re-create the wheel – there are a lot of people who are willing to help you.

6. Why are you an APGAP member? What do you like most about APGAP? 
APGAP allows me to network with other like-minded professionals and educators, crowdsource from experts, and help improve my program.

7. What would you say to someone who was considering joining APGAP? 
1000% worth it – of course, like a fellowship, you get out what you put in!

8. What is your current position on the APGAP board? Have you held previous positions? If so, what are they? 
Currently, I am Director-elect of Education. I have not held previous board positions within APGAP, although I have in other professional organizations.