About Me
Education
Registered Nurse with a Masters of Science in Nursing, Certified Nurse Educator
What do you like best about teaching at GRCC?
I love the variety of students. From the high school graduate, to the grandparent who is pursuing their dream to be the nurse they always wanted to be.
What are the strengths of your program?
The nursing programs at GRCC have a wonderful reputation in the community - our students are prepared for practice when they graduate! In both 2019, 2020 and 2021 we had 100% pass rates for all GRCC nursing graduates who took the NCLEX (licensing exam) on their first attempt.
Has working in this field always been your career goal, or did you switch tracks at some point?
I have always seemed to gravitate towards education - as a teenager I started teaching sewing and swimming, then as a nurse I loved to mentor new grads and nursing students. So it was quite natural to move into education in the clinical setting and then eventually formally in the classroom. Truthfully when I graduated as a nurse, I certainly never thought I would someday be a professor at GRCC. I'm proud to say that I am a GRJC nursing graduate!
What do you know now that you wish you'd known when you were first starting out in your profession?
Work-life balance! It's been challenging through the years trying to maintain that balance. Teaching is very rewarding. I wouldn't change it for anything, but I think I could have been better about the balancing act.
How has your ability to connect with students changed in a positive way during the pandemic?
I've had more empathy for the difficult situations which students are in. I've continued to connect with them via email, zoom, text, and face-to-face as needed. We have used technology like never before in order to connect with students.
Who is your hero and why?
I respect so many of my colleagues who have taught me so much and am so thankful for their contributions.
Courses taught
There are too many to list! The nursing programs have changed curriculums a few times during my 25 years at GRCC, so the courses have changed as well. I've taught medical terminology in addition to various nursing courses -- assessment, nursing care of the adult, leadership, and therapeutic communication.
