I have a diverse background in nursing that has prepared me to better support patients in my current practice. My career in nursing started at University of Portland, one of the best and well recognized programs in the state. When I started nursing, I knew my education would not end after four years as I wanted the ability to diagnose and prescribe medications. This led me to Washington State University for Master’s in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP).

As a FNP, I worked at Kaiser Permanente’s center for health research. I worked directly with participants in studies of mental health and preventive health care. It was my direct work and interaction with participants struggling with mental illness that made me realize I had missed my calling: mental health care. I was able to form therapeutic alliances with participants effortlessly and my work felt fulfilling; I knew I would be happy to contribute to this field.To specialize, I earned a Post-Master’s Degree as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Washington State University.

I had the opportunity to be a student intern at a psychiatric and substance dependency hospital for my final year in the PMHNP program. I loved the challenge and acuity of that experience so much, I continue to work in the same hospital. This acute setting has given me an intensity, knowledge base and focus that I carry with me to my outpatient practice.

Deliberate, thoughtful questions provide a clear picture of the root causes of illness; I believe each patient’s past experiences will shape how they respond to current and future challenges.

My outpatient practice as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner relies on each piece of my background. My treatment recommendations honor the complexity of mental health.