Bridget Nichols

MSN, MBA, RN, VA-BC, BCPA
Vital Link Healthcare Advocates
Bridget
legacy member

Bridget Nichols

MSN, MBA, RN, VA-BC, BCPA
Vital Link Healthcare Advocates
Advocate Location
Cave Creek , AZ 85331
Specialty
Medical Guidance
Other Services
Wellness & Lifestyle
TeleAdvocacy Available
Paid Consultations Only
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*Greater National Advocates Terms of Use Apply
How I Can Help
***Professional advocacy consultation and service fees are NOT covered by insurance***

If you have questions please send us an email (see below).
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I'm guessing if you are here searching for a patient advocate, you may be feeling uncertain, confused, or frustrated trying to navigate your way through the fragmented healthcare system. Perhaps you're looking for someone to listen, help you ask the right questions, and discover the root cause of your symptoms. You might be feeling overwhelmed with a new, serious, or life-threatening diagnosis and wonder what to do next. Maybe you are managing one or more chronic conditions and would like to improve continuity of care between multiple specialists.

Often people contact us for help coordinating care for a loved one while juggling a career and family responsibilities. It's possible that you live out of state and are trying to care for a loved one living in Arizona. You may feel uncertain about making decisions or unaware of the resources available in an area you're less familiar with. It can be stressful and exhausting to be pulled in so many different directions while trying to keep your loved ones safe and healthy.

With over 25 years of nursing experience helping people with complex illness and board certification in patient advocacy, I help patients and their caregivers, save time and energy, reduce stress, and experience peace of mind. Whether you're amid a healthcare crisis, managing chronic illness, or looking to improve your overall health, I can help.

Please schedule a consultation at www.VitalLinkAdvocates.com
Important Information About Me
  • I offer TeleAdvocacy Service
  • I am insured
  • My geographical area of practice is Phoenix, Arizona
Why I Became A Professional Health Care Advocate
I have always had a strong desire to help and to care for others. Nothing gives me more gratification than knowing I've made a positive difference. My interest in science and medicine combined with this passion for caring eventually led me to the field of nursing.

Patient advocacy is a hallmark of the nursing profession, although there are often many barriers particularly in the hospital environment, which is often task-based, lacking in staff support or resources, and often involves increasingly complex and burdensome documentation requirements that hinder nurse-patient interactions. Doing what's best for the patient can be difficult if the nurse does not have adequate family, physician, administrative, or organizational support.

As a bedside nurse, I have experienced the struggle of providing the kind of care I knew my patients deserved while juggling the demands of a high acuity patient load or coping with inadequate staffing. I have also experienced frustration as a patient and caregiver trying to navigate an inefficient and often overwhelming system. I believe that patient advocacy, like nursing, is a calling and advocates like myself are drawn to this profession by unique personal and/or professional experiences, a desire to help individuals and contribute to the greater good.
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Formal Education
The University of Phoenix, M.S.N., 2004
The University of Phoenix, M.B.A., Healthcare Management, 2004
The University of Iowa, B.S.N., 1997
Additional Skills
My experience as a Registered Nurse allows me to help clients overcome barriers, avoid pitfalls, and efficiently flow through the medical system. My services allow clients to focus their energy on healing, recovery, and quality of life while we take care of the rest.

I have cared for patients in both the inpatient and outpatient settings with complex healthcare needs over the past 24+ years. I have experience in a variety of medical-surgical subspecialty areas as well as an extensive background in Oncology and Transplant Medicine.

Extensive experience with:
Cancer (solid tumor and hematologic)
Multiple Myeloma
Leukemia
Lymphoma
Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT)
Stem Cell Transplant
Liver, Kidney, Pancreas Transplant
Chemotherapy
Vascular Access Devices (PICC, Port-A-Cath, Apheresis & Dialysis catheters, etc.)
Blood Transfusion and numerous other intravenous infusions
Medication Review and Education
Communication with healthcare providers and family
Health education
Care coordination

Other interests:
Infertility
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Diabetes
Cardiovascular Disease
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)
Brachioradial Pruritus
Benign Myoclonic Infantile Epilepsy
Professional Affiliations
Additional Training:
University of Arizona/RN Patient Advocates Learning Intensive (iRNPA), 2018

Certifications:
Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA), 2022
Vascular Access Board Certified (VA-BC), 2022
Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) 2004 - 2008

Memberships & Affiliations:
Arizona Association of Patient Advocates (AAPA), Founding Member
The Alliance of Professional Health Advocates (APHA), Member
National Association of Healthcare Advocacy (NAHAC), Member
Washington State Health Advocacy Assoc. (WASHAA), Member
National Nurses in Business Association (NNBA), Member
Association for Vascular Access (AVA), Member
Arizona Vascular Access Network (AzVAN), Member

Awards:
Mayo Clinic Mae Berry Award for Service Excellence
Mayo Clinic Scottsdale Individual Award for Service Excellence

Additional Professional Activities:
Arizona Association of Patient Advocates, Interim Secretary
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, NCLEX-RN Panel of Judges
Mayo Clinic House Wide Team Leader Meeting, Co-Chair
Mayo Clinic Nursing Practice Subcommittee, Member
Mayo Clinic Solid Organ Transplant Service Excellence Team, Member
American Cancer Society "I Can Cope" Certified Program Facilitator