Carrie grew up on a cattle farm in Pike County, Illinois. An athlete in high school, she was not sure what she wanted to do with her life after graduation.  So, when a friend asked Carrie to enroll in nursing school with her, she agreed.

“That’s how I started my nursing career, by being a good friend. Then I discovered how rewarding being a nurse and helping people could be.”

Carrie also found out how rewarding emergency medicine could be.

“It is being there to help people cope on what could be the worst day of their lives. It shows the purpose for our hard work and training.” 

In addition to her exceptional caregiving skills, Carrie has another gift that benefits her patients.

“I can talk to anybody. I have only minutes to make a relationship with a patient so we can have a positive outcome for their experience. People have to be able to trust me. I feel I have the ability to make positive relationships quickly.”

And when not in the emergency center, you may find Carrie on the trail doing something else she loves – horseback riding.