Welcome to my world.

          Many inquire about how long I have been a nurse. I often share the story of discovering a tiny kitten with a broken, crooked tail and goopy eyes on the roadside when I was just seven years old.  That moment marked when I became a nurse. 

          My journey continued in high school, where I obtained my CNA certification through a vocational technology program during my senior year. I was far from a conventional student and found myself alongside other non-traditional girls in that class.  An extraordinary RN by the name of Lynn Barton introduced herself as our instructor.  She taught us, nurtured us and became our biggest supporter.  She instilled in me the belief that I had the potential to pursue a career as a registered nurse.
          In 1998, I proudly graduated from the University of Maine with an associate’s degree in nursing. Passing the NCLEX exams granted me the license to practice the profession I had long been destined for, now with the added reward of earning a living through it.
          Over the course of the last 27 years, my nursing journey has been remarkable and diverse. I spent eight years as a correctional nurse in a maximum-security prison, followed by five years in home hospice and case management. Subsequently, I served as the nurse manager at an inpatient hospice facility, dedicated a year to weekend and overnight home hospice coverage, and another year to hospice telephone triage from the comfort of home. Additionally, I have accumulated over four years in residential mental health nursing and approximately five years in skilled nursing rehabilitation.
          At each juncture, teaching has been an integral part of my role, whether imparting knowledge to patients, colleagues, or the community. My passion for teaching originates from the profound impact Lynn Barton, RN had on my life. She was the remarkable nurse who convinced a teenage girl veering off course, that she was capable of vast possibilities. I have strived to pay forward the encouragement I received, supporting entry-level healthcare workers throughout my nursing endeavors.
           Driven by my entrepreneurial spirit, I have embarked on establishing my own business, focusing on what I love most. I offer nurse consulting services in the residential and assisted living settings, alongside educational programs for entry-level healthcare certificates such as CRMA and PSS. Continuing to provide ongoing support, I conduct affordable annual training sessions covering topics such as Diabetes Management, Respiratory Apparatus, Epi Pen and Narcan Administration, as well as two-year CRMA recertifications. Additionally, I offer American Heart Association training in Bloodborne Pathogens, First Aid, CPR, and AED.
          My ultimate aspiration is to culminate my career by teaching at least one high school vocational technology CNA class before retirement. This passing of the baton  moment would paint the essence of my nursing journey, ensuring that the legacy of mentorship and guidance that shaped my own path has the opportunity to endure another generation.