64 | www.Ups tatePhys i c i ansSC . com | www.Hea l thL i nksUps tate. com CHANDLER STALLINGS, FNP-C, APRN Originally from Atlanta, Chandler Stallings was always a Clemson Tiger at heart. It was only fitting that she obtained her BSN from Clemson University. She began her career in nursing in emergency medicine as an internal resource nurse with Prisma Health. This is where she became particularly interested in mental health, especially in the older population. Stallings now works for iTrust Wellness Group. She provides psychiatric medication management while utilizing various psychotherapeutic modalities to customize treatment plans based on an individual’s needs. Stallings said about her path to nursing: “I have always known I wanted to work in the medical field. I was drawn to nursing because I wanted to help others. I am a bit of a thrill seeker, and that was what initially drew me to emergency medicine. Through working in the emergency departments of the area, I saw the drastic need for more mental health providers. I have also personally struggled with mental health – both ADHD and postpartum depression, as well as anxiety – and I realized through my own care that primary care providers would not take the amount of time needed to listen to my concerns. I hope to be a provider that patients feel comfortable with but also confident knowing that they are going to feel like their best selves.” Her advice to new nurses: “Go after your dreams. You may not get your dream job right away, but that does not mean that it is never attainable. Take a class, get more training and learn as much as you can. Keep applying. You will be where you are supposed to be.” BRIAN HENDRICKS, MSN, PMHNP-BC, BSN, RN A native of the South Carolina Upstate, Brian Hendricks received his BSN and MSN in psychiatric mental health from Anderson University. He currently works for iTrust Wellness Group as the clinical director. His experience in nursing comes from 15 years of acute inpatient care. Now, as a nurse practitioner, he can treat psychiatric disorders across a person’s life span. He has extensive knowledge in pharmaceuticals and integrative therapies, which help him design the best plans for his patients. He will also use genetic testing when treating patients. He incorporates diet, exercise, stress management, sleep and supplements so that he can treat the person as a whole. Hendricks has an undergraduate degree in forestry from Clemson. “After helping a sick family member for a few years, I was drawn to health care because of the opportunity to help others. After serving others as an RN, I grew to understand mental health, and I decided to pursue an advanced degree and specialize in mental health.” Hendricks added, “There are so many different ways to direct your career in nursing. The possibilities are endless. If you have compassion, nursing will be a great fit for you.” T H E P U L S E O N UPSTATE NURSES HealthLinks Upstate has partnered with KUDZU MEDICAL STAFFING to highlight some of the Upstate’s top nurses.
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