I have been a lifelong learner and feel as if I have a wealth of clinical knowledge and experience from which to draw. In 1980, I started out as an LPN, graduating from a high school vocational program; I then earned my Associates degree from our local community college. After working for a few years as an RN, I decided to return to school, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Moving to Florida in 2005, I earned my Master’s degree in nursing education and finally my APRN in 2011 from University of South Florida.
As a member of the Army Nurse Corp (reserves) for 22 years, I have been deployed to the Middle East twice. In 2008-2009, I functioned as the Chief of Combat Support Hospital Education. I was in charge of training, planning and execution of nursing care practices and activities for 230 hospital personnel, an Iraqi Nursing Program as well as the medical and emergency medical service personnel on COB Speicher, Tikrit, Iraq.
Then, in 2012-2013 I functioned as the Officer in Charge of a Medical Clinic at the DFIP (Detention Facility In Parwan), providing primary care as an APRN. We worked in a correctional setting providing health care to more than 3500 detainees and prisoners as well as providing healthcare training to the ANA (Afghan National Army) personnel, in Bagram, Afghanistan.
As a civilian, I have worked in several areas including med-surg (acute care), long term rehab and corrections. Currently, I am functioning as an APRN at Hillsborough County Jail.
I believe that the aim of nursing education is to inspire nurses as well as guide them in acquiring skills that they can then use when providing care to patients with multiple complex health problems.

“Accept challenges, so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory” (George S. Patton)