DNP, RN, MBA, CHC, CCM, FACHE
Catherine began her participation with a healthcare career in 1967, as an EKG technician. This experience led to the need to pursue an education in nursing to further assist individuals. The beginning of nursing education was to become a licensed practical nurse. Securing a position in the Intensive Care Unit at the hospital where she was an EKG tech. This experience included the learning of kidney disease with the impact on individuals in the community. Her next venture was earning her associate degree as a registered nurse in a bridging program she traveled 160 miles daily to attend a nursing school with an advanced abridging program from LPN to RN. The next goal was to receive a bachelor’s in nursing this would allow advancing career as a charge nurse, nurse team leader house supervisor and demonstrating the compassionate care of patience. Colleagues believed adding a bachelor’s in nursing science would be beneficial in my nursing executive position. Fortunately, travel was with 2 other RN in pursuit of a BSN. Travel was also required for 134 miles with shared driving.
Completion to meet budgeting and business objectives were obtained with a master’s in business. The objective was when she was transferred to another state as a director of nursing, realizing the need to pursue more education to be an example for nursing staff.
Nurse executives were progressing toward greater financial knowledge acquiring strategic elements for budgeting, staffing, and assessing outpatient billing codes with accurate reimbursement.
The next strategy was to ensure my education met full potential to teach Nursing, Business Administration, and leadership. A transfer to Dallas, TX allowed professional mentoring. The
accomplished transfer allowed a position teaching Associate Nursing students. This teaching experience introduced teaching online with a MBA and a California nursing program.
Invitation by Nephrologist joining the NIH Kidney Precision Medicine Project (KPMP), the ongoing program training and education has been invaluable. Through KPMP was introduced to a nonprofit kidney patient organization AAKP. Currently serve on the AAKP Board.
KPMP introduced participating in collaboration with KPMP a number of articles have been published.
The most recent volunteer contribution has been to the AARP Nurse Leadership team. The current project is Patient Family Advisory Council (PFAC) assisting patients and families’ resources and comradery meeting the demands of family and patient self-care.
Awards have been received for volunteering from the United States of America President, Dallas / Ft Worth Case Manager of the year and corporate acknowledgment to provide Beta testing for improved medication accuracy. My continuing volunteer activities will be a life-long commitment.
Continuing to volunteer is a priority giving back to my nursing profession which has provided a lifetime of service and gratitude.
