What inspired you to pursue a career in nursing?
My mom pushed me in the right direction, but there were so many moments I experienced as a CNA that demonstrated to me that nursing was my true calling in life.
How long have you been a member of the Wisconsin Nurses Association?
Four years
What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?
I love the vast variability of the profession; I work as an instructor and still at the bedside. Additionally, I take great pride in the care I provide to my patients, whether directly or through my students.
Can you share a memorable experience from your nursing career?
One impactful moment for me was when I was asked to pin one of my students at her pinning ceremony. Then, as a surprise, she pinned me back during the ceremony because she knew I missed out on my pinning ceremony due to COVID. Needless to say, we stayed in touch over the years and remain friends.
How has being a member of WNA benefited your professional development?
WNA has brought me out of my shell and widened my nursing circle to the state level. It gave me a group of colleagues outside my workplace who support my goals and overall nursing journey.
What advice would you give to new nurses entering the field?
Once settled into your new nursing role, find a professional nursing organization to join (like WNA) to help develop a strong network of nurses, grow and support yourself professionally, and begin to impact nursing at a larger scale for the future.
What are your favorite ways to unwind and practice self-care?
I love to spend time with my family, garden/spend time with my plants, take walks on my farm, and going antiquing with my daughter.
How do you stay current with the latest developments and best practices in nursing?
In addition to being active with numerous state-level nursing organizations, I also receive publications and nursing updates via email or social media. I also enjoy attending in-person conferences whenever possible.
What impact do you hope to make in your community through your work as a nurse?
I aim to address the nursing shortage by broadening access to nursing education, leveraging innovative program approaches, and inspiring future nurses through targeted recruitment efforts in middle and high schools across rural central Wisconsin.
What does being part of the WNA community mean to you?
To me, being part of the WNA community means collaborating with a diverse group of nurses to strengthen our profession and ensure that nurses’ voices are heard and valued across the state.
What’s your favorite way to spend a day off?
If I don’t have anything pressing to accomplish, I love to be home, just relaxing and focusing on self-care. I will typically come up with a fantastic dinner to cook and spend some time with my family.
What’s your go-to comfort food?
Currently, I love making different soups. Once the weather cools down a bit, we will have Soup Week at my house, featuring a different type of soup or stew for dinner each day, accompanied by homemade bread. My kids enjoy it and get creative with researching different recipes.
Do you have any pets? If so, tell us about them!
I have six dogs, most of whom are rescues. We have Ladybird, a Redbone Coonhound; Skylar, an Australian Shepherd-Lab mix; Rocky, a Border Collie-Terrier mix; Olive, a Lab mix; Piper, a Boston Terrier-Shiba Inu mix; and Bowie, a mini Australian Shepherd. Rocky was actually abandoned on our farm by his previous owner, but he was so loved by our family that he never left.
What’s your favorite type of music or favorite band?
I enjoy country, classic rock, or pop music of the early 2000s, but it depends on my mood or the season. I have a bit of an eclectic ear, listening to jazz, the Crooners, or whatever my kids or husband have on.
What’s the best vacation you’ve ever been on?
My husband and I went to St. Lucia for a week for a delayed honeymoon. It was so relaxing and beautiful.
Do you have a favorite place to eat in your hometown?
I am from Illinois, so I always have to make a stop at Portillo’s when I go home to see my mom.
What’s something on your bucket list that you hope to accomplish?
From a professional perspective, I want to earn my DNP, which I am currently pursuing. Personally, I want to go on a road trip across the country, exploring all corners of the USA, taking photos and antiquing with my husband.
