My Journey: From Bedside to Academia to Beyond

Nursing has always been more than a profession to me — it’s a calling. Over the course of three decades, my career has evolved from direct patient care to leading academic programs, shaping policy, and mentoring the next generation of nurse leaders.

Beyond academia, I am actively engaged in legislative advocacy and national service. I serve as Board Member on the Addiction Nursing Certification Board (ANCB) as a subject-matter expert and item writer. I am also a subject-matter expert and item writer for the PMHNP certification exam through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). These roles allow me to help shape the future of nursing certification and practice standards.

My PhD research focuses on nursing faculty self-care, burnout prevention, and workforce sustainability. By examining how self-care practices impact job satisfaction and resilience, I aim to provide actionable strategies to strengthen and support the nursing workforce.

When I’m not teaching, researching, or speaking, I focus on my own whole-person well-being through running, journaling, and spending time with family. Practicing the principles of self-care I teach is essential to my personal and professional balance.