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For Carole Owens nursing has been more than just a career; it’s a vocation. She feels that she was truly “called” to this path and is blessed to be able to pursue the work of her dreams. She has always enjoyed helping others stay well and knows she has made contributions to society. “I have felt accepted and respected by the people I have been privileged to help. As always, as we help others we help ourselves.”

This statement from Carole is reflected in her career path. She was employed for 20 years in acute care settings in New Mexico, Michigan and Wisconsin. She moved from acute care settings to Public Health, where she practiced for 25 years in Colorado and New Mexico. After retiring in 2001, Carole continued her path as a Nurse Consultant/Nurse Practitioner in private practice. She is a volunteer at Villa Therese Clinic in Santa Fe and has a contract with State of New Mexico Department of Health for Specialty Clinics. In addition, Carole works as a part-time Instructor at Santa Fe Community College.

While in the Masters of Community Health Nursing program at UNM’s College of Nursing, she elected to work within the Department of Epidemiology at the New Mexico Department of Health. A case of plague occurred in rural NM where she helped conduct the investigation. This involved setting “traps” to catch the rodents and using “flags” to collect fleas from rodent burrows. They were successful in their collection and able to provide health education to the population. Carole found the assignment a wonderful learning experience of a rare historical disease using the multidisciplinary roles of the EIS, Environmental Improvement Division, Community Health Nursing, the CDC and the private physician. After reviewing her work, her professor suggested she submit the final report for publication. It was accepted and published in the Journal of Community Health Nursing.

Carole brings passion to her many positions and is an inspiration to others. When asked to give advice to nursing students or those contemplating nursing as a career, she has this recommendation. “It’s important to be dedicated, caring and compassionate. The nursing profession provides endless possibilities for creativity. Reimbursement is improving, learning continues daily and one can move into a variety of nursing and related professions.”