Blessing Oparaji, who was born in Nigeria but grew up in the United States, completed her BS in Nursing at the University of Missouri Kansas City.

She then served in a variety of settings as a nurse, working with both adult and pediatric populations. This included experience as a preoperative nurse and a post-anesthesia nurse. As a travel nurse, she broadened her experience in a variety of inpatient hospitals around the country.

However, it has been her experience on adult and geriatric psychiatric inpatient units which inspired her to pursue her master’s degree as a psychiatric nurse practitioner (University of North Dakota).

“I chose to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner because of my fascination with the brain and my affinity for the psychiatric patient population,” Blessing says. “I have always had a strong desire to provide psychiatric care, and I enjoy interacting with my patients.”

Blessing believes in diversity in healthcare, including both providers and patients. She focuses primarily on adolescents (13 and older) and adults of all ages.

“The most gratifying aspect of my work,” Blessing says, “is that I have the privilege to witness the positive impact that psychiatric care can have on an individual’s life.”