Click here to see Debra M. Crain's curriculum vitae.

In 1998, Debra graduated from Mayland Community College as a Registered Nurse. After graduation, she accepted a position with Mountain Kidney Associates in the acute hemodialysis unit at Mission Hospitals, where she worked for one year. At that time, she accepted a position with Hospice of Yancey County, where she remained for three years. Her responsibilities were to provide quality end of life care to terminally ill patients in consultation with the referring physicians, as well as familylcaregiver support and education. Debra was also responsible for management and coordination of nursing services in the absence of the Patient Care Coordinator. She also developed pain competency exams for hospice nurses for the facility. During this time, she was an active member of the Hospice and Palliative Care Nurses Association and obtained certification (CHPN) December 13,2000. In 2002, she accepted a position as a staff nurse at an inpatient medical oncology unit. In 2003, she gained full time employment with Cancer Care ofWNC, PA. Her responsibilities included mixing and administering chemotherapy, patient education and triage assessments. She became a member of the Oncology Nursing Society and obtained certification in oncology (OCN) in May 2005. In August 2005, she resigned that position while remaining on a PRN basis in order to complete a MSN,FNPdegree at Western Carolina University in August 2007. At present, she is employed by Cancer Care of WNC, PA as an FNP, providing quality care to outpatient oncology patients.