She earned master's and bachelor's degrees in Nursing from Jefferson College of Health Sciences and an associate of applied science degree in Nursing from Blue Ridge Community College. She has 20+ years of healthcare experience with 10 years in critical care nursing. Professional career consists of teaching for one year in both the clinical and classroom settings at Virginia Western Community College. She was a preceptor on Thoracic Surgery ICU at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital and was active with shared governance, education and leadership. She has been a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nursing since 2008.