Why I chose a PhD in nursing:

Education has always been something I love to be involved in. When I became a nurse, I gravitated towards educating people and became a certified diabetes educator. I enjoyed the education part of nursing so much, that I wanted to make that my career and a PhD seemed like the most fitting match for me. With a PhD, I will get to learn more about why things are the way they are and what we can do to make something better.

Research/professional interests:

I am interested in registered nurses returning to practice after a career break. I want to learn more about what can help these adult learners to be successful in their journey back to practice through taking a refresher course. I am also interested in how the pandemic has affected the nurses’ return to practice.

What I like about UNMC:

UNMC has been a big part of national research and has a great reputation for being the best. I got my MSN at UNMC because of this and really enjoyed being a part of something bigger than just working on my degree.

Professional memberships:

• Sigma Theta Tau
• Member of the leadership succession committee within Sigma Theta Tau

Three things people may not know about me:

• I am an “Ironman” (completed an Ironman triathlon)
• I play clarinet and had a music scholarship for my first undergraduate degree
• I originally went to college as a music major but then got a degree in psychology before I decided to become a nurse