Elizabeth M. Byrd graduated with her BSN from the UAB SON in May of 2004. She started her clinical practice as a bedside nightshift nurse on the Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit at University Hospital. In 2009, she accepted the interim Advanced Nursing Coordinator position on the same unit and spent the next five years orienting new nursing staff, validating skills during competencies, and conducting quality improvement and quality assurance programs, all while working on her MSN. After obtaining her graduate degree, she took a position as