Karen Mckinnon Winckler | Honor Society®

About

I am a retired Licensed Practical Nurse who has decided to do a career change for the second stage of my life. After taking care of patients and family members on the clinical side of healthcare I decided that it is time for me to take care of these same people, as well as my co-workers, by working on the administrative side of healthcare. This experience is very new to me, but I see that my education is helping me to understand the "big picture" of healthcare, and how it is a business that is very unique from other businesses. The business of healthcare does not produce products like paper or plastic, but it produces wellness and healing of people. This in and of itself is a difficult task and a heavy burden and I want very much to become a part of this mission.

Education

Colorado Technical University

Healthcare Administrative Assistant

2013 – 2015

Goals and interests

Career goal: I can honestly say that at this point in time I know that I want to work in healthcare management but I am not sure what area holds the most interest for me. I am interested in Risk Management, Research and Public Health. If there is a position out there that can connect all three, I think I would be a happy camper. In addition to earning a decent wage I would like to help my community by starting a non-profit that will assist with feeding the hungry and tutoring children after school. One Saturday a month I would assist my church with feeding the women breakfast from our local women's shelter. I don't think that once a month is enough when it comes to feeding the hungry, so I would like to start a food bank and a kitchen to serve lunch to the community. I have started by making sandwiches for my local men's shelter. It is truly a good feeling to help someone in need, no matter what the cause.
Graduate school interests: I am interested in obtaining a Master's degree, and I am leaning to Public Health. I enjoy research and statistics and I have been looking into schools that offer this degree. I think it would be great to work for the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
Outside the classroom: I love gardening, cooking, decorating and spending time with my family.

Experience

licensed practical nurse

Novant Health Medical Center

Feb 1999 – Sep 2011

Volunteering

Volunteer Intake Manager

American Red Cross

Jul 2016 – Jul 2017

Languages

English (US) Fluent