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Wanda Freeman is more than just a Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) at TrueCare. Nurse Freeman is a true embodiment of our mission. With over a decade of dedication to our cause and community, Nurse Freeman’s approach to care is guided by a simple yet powerful philosophy: she has seen firsthand the inequities in the health care system, particularly in communities that are too often underserved, and is committed to being the provider who treats everyone with the dignity and respect they deserve. This unwavering commitment to compassionate, holistic care is the heart of what we do at TrueCare. If Nurse Freeman’s passion resonates with you, and you’re looking for a health care career where you can truly make a difference in your community, then keep reading.
So, without further ado, meet Nurse Freeman and discover what it’s like to work at a place where every day presents new opportunities to change lives for the better.
Meet the TrueCare Team: Wanda Freeman, PMHNP
Nurse Freeman started at TrueCare as part of our San Diego health center and is a shining example of the kind of person who fits our mission-driven organization. Learn about how our organization supports and accommodates our team through the lens of Nurse Freeman’s story.
What Inspired You to Pursue a Career in Medicine and Specifically Community Health Care?
For Nurse Freeman, this is more than a profession – community health care is a calling that she continues to seek out, which is why she is such a great fit for the TrueCare team.
“I find this work really fulfilling,” Nurse Freeman said. “I actually worked at a community health care clinic in Michigan, and when I relocated to California, I specifically sought out other clinics that worked for the community. I love helping people in need, and I think that’s a really important trait for people who want to work at TrueCare,” she said.
Still, her passion for serving her community was not something she was born with – it was something that was instilled in her from a young age.
“I think people sometimes assume that you have to be born with a heart of gold to get into this kind of work, but it’s like anything – you develop this passion,” Nurse Freeman explained.
Why Are You Working at TrueCare?
Because of Nurse Freeman’s commitment to helping her community, she is a natural fit with our nonprofit organization. This passion and her professional experience led her here.
“I started out in family practice, but so many people came to me and started talking and talking and talking,” Nurse Freeman said. “Most of them were upset, depressed, and sad. I decided to go back to help those people out, and I learned that you can’t really treat a person with high blood pressure or diabetes, for example, by simply treating the physical condition because their depression is contributing to that. I quickly realized that you can’t treat a whole person unless you help them with underlying issues, like depression or anxiety, so they need a well-rounded and compassionate provider who can help with it all. That’s the opportunity I discovered that brought me to TrueCare,” she said.
Nurse Freeman said that being a well-rounded professional is really important in our nonprofit organization.
“While you don’t necessarily have to do it all, you do have to be a really well-rounded provider at TrueCare,” Nurse Freeman said. “That’s why I work in both a psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner and family nurse practitioner,” she elaborated.
While she has been with our nonprofit organization for over a decade, she says she is happy where she is and feels like she has found her home with our organization.
“I really don’t have a desire to leave,” Nurse Freeman stated.
What Drew You to the Role at TrueCare?
Part of what has continued to fan the flames of her passion at TrueCare is what drew her to the role in the first place – working for a mission-driven organization dedicated to serving its community with accessible health care.
“I just love the work I do, and helping families is really fulfilling,” Nurse Freeman said. “It gives me purpose and makes every day exciting. Sometimes, it feels like there’s nowhere else I want to be, which is really important because you work with people who rely on you. Having that commitment is vital because you really build these great relationships with patients and, in some ways, become an extension of their family,” she said.
While she loves the families she works with, she also loves being a part of the TrueCare family and really values the connections she’s made.
“People here are super welcoming, and it’s a very warm environment,” Nurse Freeman said. “Even people who used to work in behavioral health and went on to some other area in TrueCare, I still message them, and we still talk to each other even though we’re in different locations and departments. It’s still a family to me. Even if I left TrueCare – which I have no intention of doing – I know that I would still keep in touch. It’s a really great support system that we have here, so it’s important to fit that vibe, too,” she said.
How Do You Avoid Burnout and Take Care of Yourself as a TrueCare Provider?
Still, her role can be demanding, so she knows how important self-care is to avoid burnout, which is something she advocates. But she also says the work we do helps.
“When you take care of yourself, you take better care of your patients, and they feel better,” Nurse Freeman said. “It’s all connected. So self-care is important. But the feeling of making a difference really helps, too. Yesterday, I had one patient tell me they were extremely happy because they actually feel better, and that’s when I feel better. That’s why I do this – to help people. And when they feel good, I feel good. That makes work feel less like work, and it never really feels like you’re working too much,” she said.
Still, when things don’t go as planned or she starts feeling burned out, she says the support from her team helps lift up her spirits.
“If I have a bad day, which I don’t really ever recall, I just call somebody and tell them what happened,” Nurse Freeman said. “Having someone to talk with about this stuff can really make all the difference, and the TrueCare family is always available to lend a friendly ear or a helping hand. But I don’t really vent too much. I’m just really passionate about facilitating health care, so I love what I do,” she explained.
What Sets TrueCare Apart from Other Community Health Care?
Nurse Freeman understands that there are other clinics with similar goals and a similar mission, but she truly thinks TrueCare is a special place for employees who are not only top quality but also have a passion for helping others.
“What really sets TrueCare apart from the rest is the sense of purpose it gives you,” said Nurse Freeman. “I didn’t really know TrueCare when I started. I just knew they were a community-focused organization. And when I went in and interviewed, the person who interviewed me – I think it was Dr. Diaz – was wonderful. Everybody I interviewed with and spoke to was really passionate, and I could feel their compassion. If I compare that with when I interviewed with the government, I just didn’t feel that same compassion. So it’s really the people and environment that drew me in,” she said.
What Was the Interview Process Like at TrueCare?
Clearly, Nurse Freeman enjoyed the interview process and had some invaluable insights to share.
“I went through two interviews,” Nurse Freeman said. “The first person I interviewed with was really nice and sweet, and then I met with the medical director, who was also nice and sweet. They actually showed me around, almost like I was visiting someone’s house for the first time. I spoke to some of the providers, and everybody was really welcoming there. Even the patients were nice and happy when I spoke to them, which says a lot about a clinic, so I knew this was the place I wanted to be,” she said.
Related Article: What Is the Interview Process at TrueCare?
What Does Making a Difference Mean to You?
Ultimately, Nurse Freeman is passionate about making a difference in people’s lives, and she believes this is only possible through holistic treatment, which TrueCare’s model positions her to provide in a unique way.
“In our intake, we kind of blend physical and mental health to provide holistic treatment, which is unique and really elevates the experience and results,” Nurse Freeman said. “Making a difference is changing someone’s life for the better, and that requires treating the person as a whole, physically, mentally, and spiritually, as well as accommodating their lifestyle because we have a really diverse pool of patients,” she explained.
Nurse Freeman said that hearing patients tell her that they’re receiving a level of treatment they have never received makes the job worth it. She says it feels amazing to restore her patients’ agency and create a partnership with them.
“Patients come to us and feel heard and like we’re in this together, which is new for a lot of them, and they tell us that,” Nurse Freeman said. “It really puts how important this work is in perspective. I ask patients why they transferred, and their answer is almost always that they didn’t feel like their old provider was listening. I say, ‘Just tell me what you need, and I’ll work with you. We’re in this together.’ It’s amazing the power of just listening, which is something we really value at TrueCare. We’re a partner for our patients; we’re not just a provider. I think that’s what sets us apart,” she added.
What Kind of Mentorship and Growth Opportunities Are There at TrueCare?
Just as importantly, Nurse Freeman says that there are ample opportunities at our nonprofit organization to develop and grow professionally.
“Everyone here is very supportive,” Nurse Freeman said. “I remember there was a time when I felt like we were running through patients too fast and there were no breaks in the schedule. We had patients every 15 minutes. Everyone was already feeling the strain because it was during COVID, and people were depressed because they couldn’t leave the house. When I said that we needed to change the schedule to make things more comfortable here, they did. There wasn’t any resistance. So they actually listen, which is rare for any workplace, not just a clinic,” she said.
One of the best aspects of working at TrueCare, Nurse Freeman says, is that you don’t just learn from leadership – everyone helps each other learn and grow.
“We just had someone join our team, and I told her to hang in there because things get better,” Nurse Freeman said. “That’s really important because it doesn’t matter what the job is, whether you’re working retail or working in a clinic, there’s always a learning curve, and we really go above and beyond to facilitate and ease that process to ensure that every employee has an optimal learning experience. I used to train employees, and I told this new hire that every Wednesday, I could help her learn for an hour. She really appreciated that I made the time, and it’s really helped a lot. Everyone benefits when everyone is knowledgeable and skilled,” she said.
Still, she has one piece of advice to ensure new hires are learning: “Take your time, listen, and tell people what you need to tell them. Everyone, including higher-ups, listen.”
She says this is really important because they truly care about employees and want them to enjoy the work they do and stay on the team.
“I want everyone to know that TrueCare is a great place to work,” Nurse Freeman said. “We have a high standard, but if you’re a good employee and a good person, that means you’re going to treat our patients right. And we don’t want you to leave. We want you to stay,” she added.
Nurse Freeman’s belief in the TrueCare team being a family is more than a buzzword. For her, TrueCare is truly a family affair.
“My daughter-in-law worked at TrueCare for a while, and it was really great to see her experience what it’s like working here,” Nurse Freeman said. “She was a nurse and worked in labor and delivery. She worked upstairs, and then she went back to psych, so she was doing her training in behavioral health. Now, she’s a nurse practitioner. It’s in the family,” she said.
Are You Inspired By the Words of Wanda Freeman, PMHNP? Apply Today to Make a Meaningful Difference in Your Community.
At TrueCare, we believe in providing holistic care that goes beyond just treating the symptoms, and Nurse Freeman exemplifies that commitment every day. With over a decade of dedication to our mission, Nurse Freeman’s story is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do—treating everyone with dignity, respect, and compassion. If Nurse Freeman’s passion for community health care resonates with you, and you’re looking for a place where you can truly make a difference in the lives of others, TrueCare could be the perfect fit. Join our team and become part of a nonprofit organization where both professional growth and community impact come together in a truly fulfilling way. Visit our Careers Page, apply today, and take the next step in your journey to making a meaningful, lasting difference.
