Patricia Olsen Zarnitz

RN, MSN, CRNP, FNP-BC Family Nurse Practitioner

Medford, NJ USA

Ms. Zarnitz graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1991 with a Bachelor Degree of Science in Nursing from West Chester University, Pennsylvania at age 35.  She was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities in 1991.  Ms. Zarnitz went on to earn a Master of Science Degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Wilmington College, Delaware in 1998, and a certificate as a Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) in 2004 from Delaware Community College, Pennsylvania to complement her role in the surgical specialty practice of Otorhinolaryngology. Ms. Zarnitz retained her licensure as a Registered Nurse and Certified Family Nurse Practitioner in state of Pennsylvania for over 35 years.

Ms. Zarnitz’s nursing career began as a hospital staff nurse in telemetry and medical surgical nursing. She then practiced for 13 years as a community visiting nurse and hospice nurse. After receiving her Masters degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner, she practiced in Women’s health, Geriatrics, and in the specialty practice in Asthma, Allergy and Immunology. In 2003 she accepted a position with the US Department of Veterans Affairs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and practiced in two settings Primary Care and Surgical Otorhinolaryngology.

Ms. Zarnitz was a distinguished publisher who received the 2005 Association of Military Surgeons of US (AMSUS) Federal Nursing Service Essay Award; New Author award 2006 Society of Otorhinolaryngology/Head- Neck Nurses; and the Literary Award from Ear Nose Throat Nursing Foundation in 2009. Ms. Zarnitz was a pioneer nurse practitioner in the specialty practice of otorhinolaryngology publishing procedural guidelines for the nurse practitioner in adult fiberoptic flexible nasopharyngolaryngoscopy and adult otologic microdebridement. Ms. Zarnitz’s numerous publications featured her pioneer role as a surgical nurse practitioner in otorhinolaryngology to include: RNFA, historical perspectives, educational training, leadership, preceptorship and mentoring published from 2003 to 2010.

Ms. Zarnitz served in leadership roles as Board of Directors, Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head- Neck Nurses 2006-2008, chairperson of the Military/Federal Otorhinolaryngology Nursing Society 2006-2008, VP Philadelphia Regional Otorhinolaryngology Head- Neck Nurses 2005-2007.

Ms. Zarnitz earned her American Nurses Credentialing Center Board Certification as a Home Health Nurse 1994, Family Nurse Practitioner 1998 and Certification in Otorhinolaryngology Head-Neck Nursing (CORLN) 2006.

Ms. Zarnitz was one of the pioneer Nurse Practitioners in the US who paved the way for other Nurse Practitioners to practice within a surgical specialty. Her dedication to the expanding the role of nursing practice, her publications and leadership expertise will be remembered in nursing history. Ms. Zarnitz retired in 2019 from the US Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.