Before her move to academia, Ms. Nichols worked as a nurse for more than 20 years in mental health settings (inpatient, substance abuse, case management and administration), as well as in surgical, and emergency settings (ED), and family practice. Ms. Nichols is also a licensed and board certified massage therapist (NCBTMB), and maintains a private practice specifically serving the LGBTQ community. She is a member of the Honor Society of Nursing: Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI), The American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA), The Texas Association of Vocational Nurse Educators (TAVNE), and The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA).