What if the future of healthcare isn't about choosing between conventional and functional medicine—but bringing the best of both together?

In this episode of The Next Level Podcast, Marcia Jones, NP sits down with Kacie Proctor, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, FMACP, IBDA-C, a Family Nurse Practitioner and Functional Medicine Practitioner who is redefining what patient-centered care can look like.

After working in emergency medicine, critical care, hospital medicine, palliative care, and primary care, Kacie began noticing the same pattern: women struggling with fatigue, weight changes, brain fog, digestive issues, hormone symptoms, and chronic health concerns—while repeatedly being told their labs were "normal."

That realization led her to functional medicine—not to abandon conventional medicine, but to expand upon it.

• Bridging conventional and functional medicine
• Why women with “normal” labs still don’t feel well
• Looking beyond symptoms to uncover root causes
• Kacie’s journey into functional medicine
• Building a hybrid practice as a Nurse Practitioner
• What Kacie would tell NPs who are ready for something different
• The future of women’s healthcare

One of the biggest messages from this episode is simple:

You don't have to choose sides.

Conventional medicine is extraordinary for acute illness, emergency care, surgery, and lifesaving treatment. Functional medicine gives us additional tools to explore prevention, chronic illness, lifestyle, and the deeper "why" behind symptoms.

When we bring the best of both together, we can create a more personalized, preventive, and patient-centered model of care.

Kacie Proctor, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, FMACP, IBDA-C

Website: Wecarehealthandwellness.com
Social Media: @KacieProctorNP

For women looking for a functional medicine approach to hormones, thyroid, metabolic health, gut health, fatigue, and whole-person wellness:

MarciaJonesNP.com

For Nurse Practitioners ready to expand their clinical knowledge, explore functional medicine, build a practice, or take their career to the next level:

NextLevelNP.net

Ready to go deeper?

Join Marcia for the Next Level NP Women's Health Intensive, an intimate, hands-on experience for Nurse Practitioners who want to strengthen their knowledge of women's health, hormones, functional medicine, and real-world clinical application—while connecting with other NPs who are ready to practice differently.

September 17–19, 2026 | South Carolina

Learn more and register:
https://www.nextlevelnp.net/nextlevelnpwomenshealthintensive

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The Next Level Podcast
Hosted by Marcia Jones, NP