Stories
What initially drew you to this field?
From a very young age, I knew I wanted to be a nurse. I was fortunate to grow up surrounded by strong, compassionate women in my family who were all nurses. Their love for the work and unwavering commitment to helping others inspired me in ways that have stayed with me. What truly drew me in was the opportunity to care for people and make a meaningful difference in their lives and my community.
For me, nursing has always been more than just a job or a profession. It is a calling - something deeply tied to who I am. Even on the most challenging days, I've never questioned whether I made the right choice. I know I am exactly where I am meant to be.
As I've stepped into leadership roles over the years, I've gotten further away from direct patient care, and I miss it deeply. There is something so special about the connection you make with patients and their families, about showing up in moments of vulnerability and offering comfort, skill and compassion. While I don't get to experience that hands-on care in the same way anymore, I've found meaning in supporting the nurses who do. My focus now is on making sure they have the resources, tools and support they need to care for others.
"What truly drew me in was the opportunity to care for people and make a meaningful difference in their lives and in my community."
What advice would you give to someone just starting their career in this field?
Be open. Try new things. Say yes to opportunities that take you outside if your comfort zone. One of the most beautiful things about nursing is the sheer variety of paths you can take. Whether it's working in a hospital, a clinic, a school, in public health, education, leadership or research, there are endless ways to grow in this profession.
There will be hard moments. If you find yourself in a high-stress environment like the ICU or emergency department, the emotional weight can be heavy. You might even question whether you chose the right career. If that happens, remind yourself that you have options. You are never stuck. Sometimes a change in setting or focus is all it takes to rediscover your passion.
Finally, use your voice. No matter where you are in your career, you are a leader. Nurses see and understand things that others don't. Your perspective matters, and the profession needs more nurses to speak up to improve patient care, working conditions and the overall health care system. Never underestimate your power to drive meaningful change.
How do you balance work and personal life?
This has been a learning journey for me. As someone in a leadership position, I feel a huge responsibility to be available to support my team, no matter what. But I've learned that constantly prioritizing work can come at a personal cost and balance is something I've had to be very intentional about.
One of the biggest lessons I've learned is the importance of community - leaning on others and letting them lean on you. I work with an incredible group of nurse supervisors, charge nurses and frontline staff. We look out for one another and we communicate openly so we can all find moments of balance when we need them. When you work with people who genuinely care about one another as people, not just coworkers, it makes a difference.
At home, I've found that including my family in my work life helps bridge the gap between the two worlds. I talk to them about my role and the responsibilities I carry. They know that what I do is not just a job, it's a passion. They support me because they understand the "why." At the same time, I ask them to tell me when something is important to them so that I can show up fully for them, too. It's about being present. When I'm at work, I give it my all. But when I'm home, I do my best to be fully engaged there as well. That kind of presence is where real balance begins.
"When you work with people who genuinely care about one another as people, not just coworkers, it makes a difference."
What are some things you do to stay engaged with USD, fellow professionals and alumni?
Life has been very full with work, travel and raising a family, and that hasn't always left me with a lot of time to stay connected in the way I'd like. But that's starting to shift. My children are getting older now, and this past year marked a very special milestone -my oldest son, Bryson Morrison, started his freshman year at USD, pursuing a degree in nursing. Dropping him off last fall brought back a wave of memories and reminded me just how foundational my own time at USD was. It was such a meaningful part of my journey and truly shaped the nurse and leader I am today. His presence on campus has rekindled my desire to re-engage with the university and I'm excited about the opportunity to give back to a place that gave me so much.
In my professional role, I stay actively involved with Tribal organizations and health care networks. Our company is dedicated to addressing health disparities in Indigenous communities, and we're often invited to participate in events, panels and speaking engagements that focus on these issues. It's a way to raise awareness, build partnerships and continue pushing for systematic change. I feel grateful to be able to represent this work in spaces that matter.
What are some things you've learned in your current role or from your mentors?
My entire career has been centered around Native health and through that work, I've learned just how deep the disparities run. These are not abstract issues. They are real, tangible challenges that affect people's lives daily. That knowledge has instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility to advocate, act and never stay silent when there's something I can do to help.
One of the most important things I've learned is that leadership is not about having all the answers. It's about collaboration, humility and knowing when to ask for help. I have been so fortunate to work alongside incredible mentors throughout my journey. These people have shown me what it means to lead with compassion and integrity. Their lessons have shaped how I approach every challenge.
One of the most influential mentors in my life was my grandfather, Webster Two Hawk Sr. He was also a proud graduate of USD, and he taught me about resilience, hard work and the importance of always leading with kindness. His legacy lives on in the way I work and in the values I try to carry forward each day.