Member Spotlight

How long have you been a nurse?

I have been a nurse for 36 years.

How long have you been in nephrology? 

I have been practicing in nephrology for 33 years in acute dialysis, pediatric nephrology, and nursing administration for the past 10 years.

What is unique about nephrology nursing?

The diversity of nursing roles in nephrology spans the spectrum from chronic kidney disease, transplant and dialysis. As a nephrology nurse you learn the complexity of kidney physiology, and up to date treatments for those living with kidney disease, so that we can best advocate for our patients undergoing this life altering health journey with them.

What do you value the most about your ANNA membership? 

I joined ANNA 30 years ago because I valued the networking and professional development I received with my local chapter and national symposiums I attended. I currently volunteer as president in my chapter, pediatric SPN publication advisor, and manuscript reviewer for the Nephrology Nursing Journal. I have life-long friends and mentors through ANNA as a result.

Do you have a favorite patient story??

My most memorable story is how I advocated for a patient to receive a presternal peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter who had a history of pulling out their hemodialysis catheter. The mother was distraught because she heard about the high risk of peritonitis.

The back story is that I had published a case study 20 years ago in the ANNA Journal on this catheter for a patient. The patient had multiple complications and a presternal PD catheter was placed as a last resort. The patient did well on PD that she never developed an infection for over three years.

The nephrologist and surgeon agreed with the plan to order this catheter for placement the next day. I was able to collaborate with the surgeon on the unique characteristics of the presternal catheter placement. The reason this catheter was ideal for the patient is that it was easily concealed in clothing and therefore, could not get pulled out. The patient received a kidney transplant soon after and is doing well today.

What do you enjoy when you are not working as a nurse?

I enjoy attending social events such as movies, concerts, dancing, and dining out. I like to relax and work on craft projects and binge watch my favorite shows.

Share an interesting fact about yourself.

I received the highest honor in my career when I was voted as Great 100 Nurse in Dallas-Fort Worth in 2016.

What would you tell a newly practicing nurse about nephrology?

Today, there are not nurse residency opportunities offered in the nephrology specialty. I believe we have a special niche in ambulatory, home and hospital-based settings. Retention is an issue faced today, especially for newly practicing nurses. I believe that our diverse renal patient population will always need us and there are no better mentors for new nurses because many of us have the expertise, experience and heart to share with the next generation.