Introduction

My name is Christine Heady and I am a Family Nurse Practitioner from West Texas. I attended West Texas A&M for my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Abilene Christian University for my Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).  I am currently pursuing my Doctorate in Health Studies at Texas Woman's University. My clinical background is Intensive Care, Emergency Medicine and Correctional Health Care.  After I earned my BSN I worked in critical care as a staff nurse and relief charge nurse for five years. Once I completed my MSN I worked in a Rural Health clinic for two years. I currently work in correctional health care providing primary care to male prisoners. I have worked in correctional health for ten years and can say I have never had a more interesting position. In addition, I have continued working at some capacity in the Emergency Room for the past thirteen years to keep my experience with women, children and “Free World” patients current.  My hobbies are gardening, horseback riding and farming/ranching. My research interest is Intimate PartnerViolence. My career goals are to positively impact intimate partner violence by performing research on the topic.