About Me
I completed my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northern Illinois University in 2002. I began my nursing career as a registered nurse (RN) working in a post-anesthesia care unit, followed by work in an outpatient neurology clinic. I completed my Master of Science in Nursing at Northern Illinois University in 2006 to become a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). Throughout my years as an FNP, I have worked in several different roles. I have taught undergraduate nursing students at a local community college while working in a variety of clinical settings which included convenient care clinics, internal medicine, family medicine, home health, hospice, and neurology.
While working in neurology, I realized how much I was drawn to psychiatric nursing and mental health care. In August 2024, I completed a post-graduate program through Illinois State University and obtained board certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). My experience as an FNP, specifically my years spent in neurology, allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the impact that chronic medical conditions have on mental health. My approach to care includes combining evidence-based treatments with empathetic listening, ensuring each patient receives personalized care tailored to their unique needs. I feel it is important to foster a supportive environment where individuals are empowered to take an active role in their mental health care. I provide psychiatric evaluations and medication management in all areas of mental health including mood disorders, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and ADHD for adolescents through older adults.
Certifications
ANCC board certified Family Nurse Practitioner
AANP board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
