Education
My college education began at the University of San Diego, CA. I spent 3 years there majoring in Economics with plans to enter the world of finance. I gained skills with math, Excel, accounting, and critical thinking. Ultimately economics was not a match for me and I sought out something that truly inspired me.
I discovered that the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) was offering college courses in Patagonia. I enrolled in their Semester in Patagonia in Fall 2015. During the course I completed extensive leadership coursework. My skills were put to the test in real world scenarios leading a group of 16 students through remote regions of Chile and Argentina in high risk activities like glacial travel, mountaineering, and sea kayaking. Over 90 days my risk management and decision making was tested as instructors left route planning and scheduling to myself and other students. We weathered massive storms off the coast of Chile and blizzards in the Andes. Every decision was made considering group ability, risks of travel, and consequences.
Being exhilarated and inspired by my semester in Patagonia I subsequently enrolled in NOLS Wilderness Medicine Semester in Wyoming, Spring 2016. During this time I earned my NREMT becoming certified in Wyoming and Utah. I also earned my Wilderness First Responder. Skills were taught and practiced in the field, sometimes under difficult circumstances. During the 20 day backpacking section in the remote Wind River Range, we practiced unannounced scenarios prepared by the instructors - sometimes being awoken in the middle of the night. I practiced patient stabilization techniques to preserve life until definitive care. On the Green River for 3 weeks, we honed our swift water rescue skills and gained experience with injuries specific to water recreation. We practiced crossings, raft/kayak extraction, and worked with Classic Air on proper patient handoff to flight nurses. In the final climbing section, we practiced technical and clinical skills in a vertical environment. I learned how to raise and lower a patient in a stretcher suspended over 100 feet in the air while still providing care.
Upon finishing my Wilderness Medicine Semester and earning my NREMT, I enrolled and declared my major as Remote Rescue at the University of Utah. I took courses in medical Spanish and leadership in addition to keystone courses like anatomy and physiology. During this time I also earned my Advanced EMT and enhanced my medical skills in courses like avalanche rescue and advanced high angle rescue. I graduated with a 3.65 GPA and went to work for Gold Cross Ambulance.
After gaining experience at Gold Cross Ambulance and the University of Utah Health Kidney and Liver Clinic, I decided I wanted to widen my scope of practice and enter the field of nursing. I enrolled at Westminster College in Salt Lake City.
At Westminster College I passionately took on the coursework of nursing school. I began clinicals in my first semester, entered a student residency in my third semester, and completed my capstone at the SLC VAMC ICU. My program included 3 semesters of lab and many simulations. I also completed Westminster’s nursing leadership course, an advanced disaster life support class, and a flight nursing elective. Westminster’s rigorous coursework improved both my clinical skills and my soft skills with their varied curriculum. I graduated in May 2023 Magna Cum Laude.
At the VAMC I was a Post-Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Resident (PBRNR) and completed the program in August 2024. As a fully licensed resident in a CCNE accredited program, I gained knowledge in both the clinical and didactic settings. While I rotated through each unit at the VAMC, I spent 8 months in the ICU honing skills with advanced medical equipment and gaining critical care experience. I completed a 10 week Emergency Department education course and a 12 week ICU education course centered around advanced hemodynamics and post-cardiac surgery critical care.
Most recently, at the University of Utah, I have continued my education by participating in the Cardiovascular Acute Care Cardiac Prep Courses 1 & 2. I have also joined the UUHC Ethics Committee where trainings are held on a frequent basis regarding the different facets of healthcare ethics encountered throughout the hospital.
It is my opinion that education never ceases in the healthcare environment. I plan to continue my education in whatever unit I find myself, in whatever capacity I am operating.