Twenty-five years of nursing has taken me many places, rural Iowa, metropolitan Los Angeles, and most recently Germany, with the military. I tried med/surg and intensive care, worked in community hospitals and Level 1 Trauma Centers. However, I kept being drawn back to emergency nursing. Maybe it’s because as an emergency nurse you see everything. The feverish child, the elderly fall patient, the chest pain or trauma patient and the "I can’t be pregnant" (well you won’t be for long), patient. It’s the changing pace on a dime while maintaining composure and compassion. Being in the ED also led me to the Emergency Nurses Association.

I started with teaching TNCC. Then I attended a Missouri State Council meeting, leaving as president of an inactive chapter. With support from colleagues and co-workers the chapter thrived, as did my ENA pursuits. I went on to be a State President, participated on committees at all levels, helped develop program curriculum and was elected to the national board. As a director the last two years I’ve met wonderful people that have mentored me as I have grown professionally and as a leader, preparing me for the next step, that of secretary/treasurer, and the responsibilities it will entail. I know my colleagues will continue their support and mentoring. "I want to be a nurse," a simple statement with endless rewards.
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