7 Quick Questions With Neurocritical Care Nurse Practitioner William Lombardi

A nurse practitioner, William Lombardi, DNP, provides neurocritical care to patients in a hospital setting. He treats patients recovering from strokes and traumatic brain injuries.

Meet a Neurocritical Care Nurse Practitioner

We asked Lombardi 7 quick questions to get to know him better.

1. What has most inspired and shaped your approach to patient care?

The people I’ve worked with and the mentors I’ve had. When I talk to patients, I often hear the words of a mentor or educator I have experienced. Being able to take bits and pieces from practices I admire and incorporate them into my own practice has really helped shape the way I approach healthcare today.

2. What is your favorite part of your job?

The people, whether it’s patients who have a big impact on their healthcare, or my colleagues. It’s a stressful environment in which we work, but being able to have fun with each other during this time and still do excellent work is so important.

3. What is your biggest fear as a patient?

Thinking, “What’s the worst that could happen?” I think working in an ICU environment, we see a lot of the worst. So that makes a lot of us hypochondriacs. We wonder, “Is this the time I will hear big, life-changing news?”

4. What do you do to relieve stress?

I like going out of the house. I like going to the mountains. We have so many great areas to explore in Virginia. I’m from the Midwest, which is a very flat area, so having the mountains nearby was great. Plus, we have a lot of land where we live, so there are always projects. There is always something to do to work my hands and keep me occupied and busy.

5. Dog or cat?

I love all animals, but I am definitely a dog lover. I have two dogs.

6. Last movie you watched? Do you like it up or down?

The most recent Venom movie, which was terrible.

7. Best advice you’ve ever heard?

Don’t take it too seriously. Back when I worked in retail at a Container Store, people were very stressed. Everyone is very intense. One of our regional directors came in and blamed us for being too busy with everything. He raised his hand and said, “Guys, we sell plastic boxes.” And this puts things into perspective very quickly for all of us.