What is a Nurse Practitioner?
Nurse Practitioners are advanced practice nurses who provide high quality healthcare services similar to those of a doctor. Nurse Practitioners diagnose and treat a wide range of health problems. They have a unique approach and stress both care and cure. Besides clinical care, Nurse Practitioners focus on health promotion, disease prevention, health education, and counseling. They help patients make wise choices about health and lifestyle. Nurse Practitioners are your partner in health.
I cannot find Varnam Family Wellness Center’s name on my preferred provider list on my insurance website?
Please look for Dr. George Thomas Holland’s name with our practice address (712 Village Road, Suite 106, Shallotte, NC 28470). North Carolina requires Nurse Practitioners to have a collaborating physician and some insurances choose to require the bill to be sent to the insurance company under that physicians name. Dr. Holland is our collaborating physician.
If I need to be admitted to the hospital, will you take care of me?
We feel that you are best cared for in the hospital by specialists called hospitalists. Hospitalists are physicians who possess special skills and knowledge to care for patients in the hospital setting. Your nurse practitioner specializes in outpatient care and feels strongly that you deserve the best care by the best provider at all times. When you are in the hospital, we believe the hospitalists provide the best care. There are hospitalists at both Novant Brunswick Community Hospital and Dosher Hospital.
I have a question about my statement, who do I call?
Call our medical billing company at 910-842-9692 first. If you need further assistance, please call Ramona Hester, our office manager at 910-754-2273.
Why do I have to go to the office for labs and then come back for a visit?
We find it more effective to discuss your labs with you in person. This provides us an opportunity to provide health education services along with providing your lab results.
I have an appointment for lab work in the morning, when do I stop eating and drinking?
Certain lab tests require that you be fasting to get the most accurate results. Fasting for our purposes means that you stop eating and drinking everything EXCEPT water and black coffee at midnight the night before your labs. It is helpful for you to be well hydrated on the day of your labs to make the lab draw easier on you and for our staff.
I forgot to tell you about a medication that I need refilled at my appointment. What do I do now?
Call us at 754-2273 and leave a message for the nurse. Please allow up to 48 hours for us to call the refill into the pharmacy. We appreciate your planning ahead and being patient.
Why do you allow Nurse Practitioner students to come to your practice?
We feel strongly that it is every nurse practitioners responsibility to teach the nurse practitioners of tomorrow. We allow students from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and East Carolina University to come to our office to learn more about the nurse practitioner role. Nurse Practitioner students are experienced nurses who are obtaining advanced education to be able to provide advanced nursing care to patients like you. A student may come into your room and ask you questions and do your physical exam. You will always also be seen, evaluated and plan of care established by a board certified nurse practitioner the same day. If you are not comfortable talking to or being examined by a student, we fully understand, please tell them and your nurse practitioner will see you.