Shirley graduated from the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Texas A & M University, with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in 1994.  Over the years, she has worked as a registered nurse (RN) in many different capacities, and brings these valuable experiences and clinical knowledge with her to Ouray Family Medicine.  Shirley graduated from Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Colorado, with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, emphasis on Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) in May, 2008. Shirley is Board Certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

David and Shirley have a combined family of five adult children, one grandchild, two dogs and two cats! Shirley’s other interests include hiking, skiing, gardening, reading, yoga, pilates, weight lifting, and cooking. She mostly loves being with family and good friends.

What is a nurse practitioner?

A nurse practitioner (NP) is a nurse with a graduate degree in advanced practice nursing and board certification. The NP provides a broad range of health care services. Some of these services include:

1. Taking the patient's history
2. Performing a physical exam, and ordering appropriate laboratory tests and procedures
3. Diagnosing, treating, and managing acute and chronic diseases
4. Providing prescriptions and coordinating referrals and promoting healthy activities in collaboration with the patient.

Nurse practitioner specialties include family practice, women's health, pediatrics, geriatrics, adult health, neonatology, psych/mental health, and acute care.
(Source: Adapted from U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health)