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May 26, 2025

Meet Sami Petty, Consulting Nurse Practitioner

I graduated from Malone University in 2011 with my BSN and passed the boards that year. My first job was at South Pointe, Cleveland Clinic on an observation unit.

Fun fact, I went to work at a camp in Pennsylvania for a summer as a lakefront director. It was there that mental health was presented to me as an interest. Many of the staff struggled with mental health. They felt safe coming to talk with me. I felt the Lord really lay on my heart that talking about mental health, and helping others through their difficulties, was a gift that I have, and I should pursue that career. I searched psychiatric nurse positions back in Cleveland and found Windsor Laurelwood Hospital.

I worked at Laurelwood for almost 5 years as a psychiatric nurse with kids from 5-18 years old. After two years I discovered that becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner was a career path so I studied at Case Western Reserve University. In my studies, I started to develop certain beliefs with treating psychiatry. I believed in a holistic approach and that medication was not the only way to treat mental illness. I started working at Hopewell as a program facilitator with the hope of working here as a nurse practitioner one day.

In 2018, I started working at University Hospital in the outpatient child and adolescent psychiatry division. I saw mostly teens and young adults, diagnosing, prescribing and providing some psychotherapy. I was able to integrate working at Hopewell twice a month.

Within the last year I started teaching full time at Case Western Reserve University. I teach 3 classes in the BSN program: Wellness, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, and Teaching and Learning in the Community.

A Bit About Me Personally

I really love music and sports. My favorite instruments are piano and guitar and I play in the worship band with my husband at church. They are a good outlet and way of expression for me. I played soccer for one year at the college level. I love the Cleveland Browns… most of the time. We have a pickleball court in our driveway and really try every and any sport we can. I used to be a triathlete – I raced for 6 years and loved it. Now I would say that my two young sons are my hobby!

I love writing, creating, filming, and editing. Currently, I am trying to start a podcast with a friend about mental health and mindset. I also enjoy speaking in front of others. I’m consistently looking for opportunities to speak on meaningful topics to help others in their learning process.

Truthfully, my faith is my foundation. It holds me together and provides a path forward. Without a doubt, God has called me to this work. Looking back, I can see He’s been orchestrating everything to bring me to where I am today. This is my platform and how I’m to connect and love others well.

I realize that I can’t fix everyone with a mental illness. But I'm going to do the best I can to be there, support them, and help them manage their symptoms. Mental illness doesn’t have a formula. Yes, there are a group of symptoms that lead to a certain diagnosis, but symptoms also look different for everyone. I’ve seen the look of desperation in residents/patients, the look of “please help me.” If I can be present and be there for them in that moment, then it’s worth it.

Working at Hopewell

I see residents weekly for one-on-one appointments where we discuss their progress at Hopewell and their concerns with medication treatment. I collaborate with the clinical team to help provide the best care I possibly can. I love to walk and see residents outside in nature, as I find being outside can prompt richer conversations.

Hopewell is very important to me personally. I’ve seen Hopewell in different capacities, and I love every bit of it. No place is perfect. But Hopewell is one of those places that you fall in love with so much that the negatives don’t really matter as much. It’s so unique but in my eyes the best way to care for those with mental illness. It doesn’t make sense to me that more places like Hopewell don’t exist. I’m so honored to be a part of Hopewell. For however long my time is here, I appreciate every day that I have the privilege to serve these residents. The staff here genuinely care. It’s authentic. You can’t find that in many places in healthcare.

A great day at Hopewell is working with residents, checking their progress, spending time outside with them, joining the community for lunch and connecting, and collaborating with staff.

What Might the Future Hold?

I’m presenting a poster for Hopewell at the American Psychiatric Nursing Association national conference in October 2025. I plan to publish more in journals or other sources. One life goal is to write a book. In addition to teaching at Case, I’m currently in a Doctor of Nursing program and plan to do my project on engagement, specifically with nursing students’ engagement in their lecture classes. I’m trying to bring holistic and experiential learning into the classroom.