My name is
Angelina Rao, PMHNP-BC
I am the founder of The Mental Wellness Collective.
Welcome to this safe space.
Please allow me to introduce myself and share my background and credentials with you. My name is Angelina Rao. I am a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), and hold a MSN in Clinical Nurse Leadership (CNL). My passion is in human flourishing.
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Nursing is a second profession for me. Prior to nursing I went to Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.) in NYC where I studied interior design and art restoration. From F.I.T., I received a BFA and worked as an interior designer for 10+ years. Here is a snapshot of what happened…
A few years back I was at a crossroads in my career as an interior designer. I was working as a project manager in the architecture and interior design industry and the prospects of climbing the corporate ladder, while possible, looked bleak. The hours were long, and I was at the mercy of the project. That could mean cancelling plans at a moment's notice to complete a project over the weekend. It was grueling and I felt it. I started to consider the idea that I needed to carve my way out of the dead end I found myself in after a 10-year career. I had worked on some major projects, had a competitive portfolio and large design firms listed on my resume. I had solid working design skills and knew my way inside and out of drafting and perspective drawing, the most important design skills you can have to convey your thoughts in a NYC minute. I was finance savvy and could negotiate my way-out of profit losses that may have negatively impacted the bottom line, which helped… a lot. I had an education from F.I.T. NYC to hold me down and back me up. Many times, I considered furthering my education as an architect. Any school of architecture would have given me a chance based on merit; I had done the hard work and had the proof to show it...... But something felt like it was missing.
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I was totally burned out, unhappy. I was interested in people and their stories. I wanted to listen to people and learn more about them. Being around people awoke something inside of me. I’m what you might call an introverted extrovert; someone, who appreciates alone time and yet also thrives on being around people. In this case the extrovert in me was dying to bust out. I decided that social work was the answer. I had many friends that were therapists or in school for social work. I asked them hundreds of questions. No matter how much I wanted it, becoming a social worker didn't seem to be the right fit for me. I also desperately wanted to become a mom. So, when my then husband said, "why don't you go to nursing school", I didn't even take a breath before enrolling. Nursing school was really an impulse decision (I’ve made a few of those 😊) Looking back I realize the hand of God touched me. The whole idea of nursing felt a desperate attempt to reinvent myself (maybe) and spend more time with my babies. What I thought was going to take me 2 years, has ended up taking 10 years of educating myself. I could have gone to Harvard Medical School and became a doctor or learned and instrument and gave a concert at Carnegie Hall!
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I often say, “nursing chose me”. I had no desire or interest in ever becoming a nurse. I used to be part of the tribe that says, “I just don’t like blood”. Yet, becoming a nurse is the best thing that has ever happened to me, second to becoming a mom. In the process I found out that, not only do I get to work with people, but I also work in the mental health area of nursing which allows me to incorporate social work into my practice.
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People often ask, "what's next". So, I’m putting this out into the Great Mother & Father Universe. My goal is to follow what I believe that my Higher Power is calling me towards by continuing to explore the road of human flourishing. I believe that the humble pursuit of this goal is honoring my highest form of self, that which is a small part connected to all that is living and the Divine.
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My plan is to continue to write and educate on topics related to mental health and ways to improve or maintain mental wellness, participate as a facilitator/ speaker in wellness and mental health seminars and retreats and provide individualized holistic mental health treatment to clients in an independent practice setting. (Within my 5-year goal, again putting it out there: #TedTalk).
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Outside of all this I am a co-parenting mom of 2 kids: a creative 10-year-old girl and a charming brilliant 8-year-old boy and a naughty yet playful cat named Mice who show me how to love and be loved. My happy places are at the beach, doing yoga, playing tennis and cooking, well really eating, Mediterranean food.
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That's pretty much the jest of it. I would love to connect with you and learn more about you. Send me an email and I will get back to you. Please subscribe by pressing the link for daily inspirations and updates. Thank you for stopping by!
May God illuminate your path to keep you safe, sane, and sober in all aspects of life, one day at a time.
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All the love and lights,
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Angelina Rao, PMHNP-BC
Explore Human Flourishing With Me
Workshops & Retreats
The creative process is at work. Please subscribe for more information and updates on the next workshop and retreat.
Speaking
The power and proof of behind small changes, constancy and how to effect human flourishing.
An exploration into the modern world's mental health crisis and the power and proof behind small changes to flourish in health and mental wellness using the principles behind the 6 pillars of lifestyle medicine, mindfulness practice and how to incorporate these practices into daily living.
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How stress can actually change you for the better if you let go and allow it to do its job.
​Often, we run from situations that don’t "feel good", looking for a quick fix, but you would be surprised at the ability your genetic coding will reveal when put into enough of a stressful situation that will unlock your human potential. Concepts behind human flourishing and incorporating stress into the natural process of growth will be explored.
1:1 Nursing Assessment
Let's talk about what's going on in your life in a safe space and discover how I can help you navigate the complexities of our modern world as it relates to mental health and wellbeing. I've seen and heard it all! (Well maybe not all, but a lot! This statement is offered as a reassurance that I'm not going to run away, no matter what you tell me!)
Amongst nurses, when we share vulnerable information with one another, we say "HIPPA HIPPA", code for "held as confidential". So, to you I say, our meetings are "HIPPA HIPPA".