This pic was taken in June 2006 after I had graduated from the Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner Program – Drexel University. Philadelphia, PA … Planned Parenthood Federation of America. I was a member of the last graduating class for that program.
I graduated from nursing school as an RN June 1983 at the ripe old age of 19. Prior to that I had been an LPN for a year, and a CNA the year prior to that. I also had a very brief stint as an EMT 1. My first RN job was evening charge nurse of a poorly conceived combination adult substance abuse/ adolescent psychiatry unit at the now defunct Riverside Psychiatric Hospital in Sellwood, OR. After that I went on to become the Director of Nursing at a private psychiatric facility for Veterans. Eventually I went to work @ St. Vincent’s Hospital in Beaverton as a relief charge nurse/staff nurse on an adult psychiatric unit.
In 1994 I graduated with honors from Lewis and Clark College with a Master’s of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology. I had plans to pursue a doctorate in psychology, but enrolled in the pre-med program @ Portland State where I became very interested (borderline obsessed) endocrinology/hormonal balance in women. After a year of pre-med I decided that I am a nurse at heart so I changed gears and decided to become a nurse practitioner.
In 2004 I graduated with a Master’s of Science degree from the University of Wyoming emphasis nursing education and rural health. I was on the Dean’s list and was invited to join Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
I truly believe what Confucius said “Choose a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life”. I feel honored to have worked with wonderful nurses throughout the years. I’ve encouraged several of my friends to pursue careers in nursing (I hope that they have forgiven me…lol). I have a great deal of respect for my patients, and all that they have taught me. 
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