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Joyce Butt's nursing profession has allowed her to practice in many different areas of healthcare. She began her career as a staff nurse at Albuquerque's Presbyterian Hospital but moved to Clayton, NM soon after to begin what she calls an "exciting" experience in a very small and old general hospital. Joyce has worked in New Mexico and Colorado. She did general hospital nursing and school nursing for all of Union County, NM. She has been a County Sanitarian, nursing home consultant, orthopedic staff nurse, and ENT office nurse. Currently she is the school nurse at Santo Domingo Pueblo. Over the years Joyce notes, "Nursing has changed dramatically in the 44 years since I was at UNM. Technology has changed, but true nursing care is the same."

Born in Indiana, Joyce, age twelve, and her family moved to Albuquerque in 1951. Her father was very ill, but it was very important to him that all five of his daughters go to college. Albuquerque had the University so the girls could live at home and go to school. Joyce's father passed away in 1954; however his dream was fulfilled and all his daughters received a college education.

Joyce has always loved helping people. She worked for six years in various departments at Presbyterian Hospital prior to becoming an RN. She enjoyed working in the hospital. It was a special family friend who inspired her to go into nursing. She was a peer to Joyce's parents and she took an interest in Joyce at an early age and became a mentor and inspiration to her.

Joyce attributes some of her best experiences with UNM to the friendships she has maintained throughout the years. "We are true friends, sisters in the field, and life long nurses," she explains. The members of the class of 1961 remained nurses throughout their entire careers and continue to remain in contact with one another. Joyce believes, "...this is quite a testimony for the education we received at UNM College of Nursing."
When asked to give advice to current nursing students or to those thinking about going in to nursing, Joyce has this to offer: "It is a great field of study. There are so many opportunities and varied experiences one can take. It gets more exciting all the time. If you love people, can work with hurting people, like real life challenges, and want an ongoing education, nursing is a good place to be."