Assistant Professor
How did you decide to become a nurse?
I often tell my students some people were born nurses and some people become a nurse. I grew up in a large catholic family and I was the only girl of five children. I love dolls but enjoyed baby dolls more. I babysat my little cousins as often as possible and I just always new that I would be a nurse who cared for children and babies.
Do you have a specialty and/or favorite area of focus?
I have been a pediatric and neonatal nurse practitioner for over twenty years and a registered nurse since 1989.
Can you share your education journey? We would love to hear about your coursework, practicum, boards, etc.
My journey was a little different. I had very little academic support but a great deal of family support and self-drive. I attended an all-girl catholic school and was the second-generation student where both my mom and two aunts attended prior to me. But was told by my counselor that I would never get into nursing school and should apply to be a nurse’s aide. I looked for BSN programs on my own and was accepted into the University of Pittsburgh where I received my BSN in 1989 (#3 CON at the time). I then achieved my MSN in pediatric nursing in 1996 from Gwynedd Mercy University. In 2000 I received a post-masters certificate from the Pediatric NP Program and in 2002 another post-masters from the Neonatal NP Program both were from the University of PA. In 2018 I received my Doctor of Nursing Practice from Florida Atlantic University.
What kind of licensure is required to practice? Can you share an overview of how you prepared?
The Registered Nurse License required studying the material from the BSN program. To prepare for NP National Certification Exam, I completed over 600 clinical hours in both programs with a 9 month of didactic and studied a review book.
What led you to working with Creighton University?
My mentor Dr. Lori Rubarth has been the Director of NNP program for 17 years and was retiring and the school needed a replacement.
Are you part of any professional organizations or interest groups?
I am a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society, Chi Eta Phi Sorority for Minority Nurses. I currently represent the CON on the Provost Excellence Council and I am the Chairperson for CON Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. My current passion is mentoring students of color on how to navigate through nursing school and become successful in the career of nursing.
What is your least favorite part about being a nurse? Conversely, what is your favorite part?
My least favorite part of being a nurse is witnessing other nurses who should not have become a nurse and the poor pay for what we do for a living. My favorite part is saving babies lives and treating them as if they were my own babies.
What’s something that people might not know about being a nurse?
That it is a thankless job, and we are caregivers not the physicians.
What advice do you have for someone who is interested in starting their own journey to becoming a nurse?
Do it for compassion and empathy; not for a fall back career or how much money you think you can acquire.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Spend time with family and friends and watching reality tv. Being an ally for the Queer Community.
Do you have a favorite book, television show, film, or podcast?
Favorite film is Rocky and Jaws! Favorite TV show is Ru Paul’s Drag Race and listening to Jeff Lewis's podcast.