Rachel E Nettle, C-PNP, ARNP

Rachel Nettle, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC, is a pediatric advanced practice provider in the Division of Pediatric Surgery at the University of Florida Health Shands Children’s Hospital. She began her nursing career at UF Health in 2004 as a bedside pediatric nurse after graduating from the University of Florida College of Nursing. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Florida in 2007 and transitioned into advanced practice in 2008 within the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. During that time, she played a key role in program development as the inaugural Pediatric Sarcoma and Solid Tumor Coordinator to help establish a multidisciplinary center of excellence.

Since joining the Division of Pediatric Surgery in 2013, Ms. Nettle has demonstrated sustained leadership in clinical care delivery, program development, and quality improvement. She provides comprehensive outpatient and perioperative care for a broad spectrum of pediatric surgical conditions, with particular expertise in the management of children with gastrostomy and gastrojejunostomy tubes. Her practice emphasizes longitudinal patient and family engagement, evidence-based care, and coordination across multiple specialties to optimize outcomes for medically complex children.

In 2018, Ms. Nettle founded and continues to direct UF Health’s multidisciplinary Pediatric Gastrostomy Tube Clinic, one of the first programs of its kind within the institution. This clinic integrates pediatric surgery, gastroenterology, nutrition, and care coordination to deliver standardized, high-quality care for children requiring enteral access. Under her leadership, the program has expanded significantly, improving access to care, reducing unnecessary emergency department utilization, and enhancing caregiver education and support. She has also been instrumental in developing clinical protocols, triage guidelines, and patient education resources that have improved care consistency and operational efficiency across the division.

Ms. Nettle is actively engaged in quality improvement and clinical innovation initiatives focused on optimizing outcomes for children with complex surgical and nutritional needs. Her work includes developing multidisciplinary care pathways, enhancing outpatient care coordination, and advancing education for both providers and caregivers. She is committed to fostering a collaborative, team-based approach to care that aligns with UF Health’s mission of excellence in patient care, education, and research.