Natalie Ernst Fertility Journey
From Patient to Provider: Natalie's Journey with Indiana Fertility Institute
At Indiana Fertility Institute (IFI), every patient’s story is unique, and some stories come full circle in unexpected ways. Meet Natalie Ernst, whose journey took her from labor and delivery nurse, to patient at IFI, and eventually to her current role as a Nurse Practitioner at IFI!
A Passion for Women’s Health
Natalie's career in healthcare began as a labor and delivery nurse in Indiana, where she developed a deep passion for women’s health. However, after facing her own challenges with secondary infertility, Natalie’s personal and professional lives became intertwined in a way she hadn’t anticipated. Following the birth of her first two children, Natalie encountered difficulties when trying to expand her family further. Despite undergoing multiple treatments, including intrauterine insemination (IUI), she faced several setbacks, which led her to take a break from fertility treatments and reconsider her career path.
The Turning Point
It was during this time of reflection that Natalie decided to pursue further education, enrolling in the University of Cincinnati’s Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Program.
“When I started exploring the idea of going back to NP school, I knew I wanted to do a women’s health program because I wanted to stay working in that realm,” she shared.
As she balanced her studies, a colleague recommended she seek a second opinion from Indiana Fertility Institute before closing the chapter on her family-building journey. After careful consideration and with newfound hope, Natalie decided to try in vitro fertilization (IVF) under the care of Dr. Meredith Provost.
A New Chapter Begins
While undergoing IVF, Natalie continued her studies and maintained her commitment to her career. It was during a visit to IFI during one of her cycles that Natalie learned of an open nurse practitioner position.
“After experiencing such excellent care as a patient, I wanted to be a part of that care for other patients,” she explained. “The opportunity to work with and learn from Dr. Provost was a huge part of my motivation for wanting to pursue employment with IFI.”
Although the timing wasn’t initially right, Natalie still found other successes and joys. In 2021, she successfully completed her NP program and her son was born. Then another opportunity at IFI arose. In August 2022, Natalie officially joined the IFI team as a nurse practitioner!
A Career Fueled by Compassion
Today, Natalie combines her professional expertise with her personal experiences to provide compassionate care to those facing infertility. She understands the emotional and physical toll that fertility challenges can take and is dedicated to supporting others on their own paths to parenthood.
“I like being able to support women going through [infertility] in this role,” Natalie shared. “So many more people are experiencing infertility than you realize. If you have questions or concerns about your fertility or you’ve been trying, whether it’s for your first or second or third baby, reach out and know that there are people here that really genuinely care and want to help.”
Reflecting on her journey, Natalie’s advice to those considering fertility treatments is to remain open to the process and seek support from the resources available. “You don’t always have to know the end treatment plan at the beginning,” she said. “There are many people who can help you find the answers and help you formulate a plan as you go.”
Conclusion
Natalie’s story is a testament to the resilience required to navigate infertility and the power of combining personal experience with professional passion. At Indiana Fertility Institute, Natalie now dedicates her career to helping others achieve their dreams of parenthood, offering empathy and understanding shaped by her own journey.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your fertility journey, schedule an appointment with Indiana Fertility Institute today. Our team is here to support you every step of the way!
