I have always wanted to help others.  In college I thought about other career options such as business, art, and others but decided on nursing to help others, "make a difference," and because I loved science and anatomy.  

 

I worked my way up through the nursing field at various levels while attending school throughout. First, as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) where I worked in nursing homes helping patients with daily activities such as showering, feeding, dressing as I went to classes at the community college in Fergus Falls, MN, to obtain my licensed practical nurse (LPN) certificate. As an LPN I worked in a psychiatric hospital in Fargo, ND, distributing medications. As an RN I worked in a hospital on a cancer floor. When I cared for people going through the dying process, I realized how important it is to enjoy the time we have in this realm as we never know when it could be gone. As I worked as an RN I obtained my bachelor of science degree (BSN) at Minnesota State University (MSU) Moorhead and then eventually attended North Dakota State University (NDSU) to obtain a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. All throughout, even though sometimes the jobs were stressful, emotionally challenging, and workload heavy, I enjoyed each role I fulfilled as I helped others in various ways.

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After receiving certification as a family nurse practitioner (FNP) I worked at a community health clinic for underserved people with an amazing mentor, Dr. Napolean Espejo (Lucho), in  Fargo, ND. One of the best positions I have ever worked in, with supportive and caring staff working with homeless, uninsured, and refugee patients who were all grateful for the care they received.

 

I moved to Denver, CO with my husband in 2012, worked one year with the Veterans Administration (VA), happy to be helping those who had served in the military. But I missed community care and moved to Metro Community Provider Network (MCPN) before it became STRIDE for several years. Working there I ended up seeing many patients with complex mental health issues who had to wait several months before they were able to get into see a mental health prescriber. I decided it was time to return to school yet again, this time to obtain my certification as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). I transitioned to Jefferson Center where I have worked for the last 10 years helping underserved people in the community with mental health conditions.