I have been working in the field of aging since I was 16. I began my professional nursing career with a focus in geriatric nursing in 1974 as a clinician, researcher, educator, consultant, and administrator. My research focus has always been in the context of nursing homes with a focus on quality and the nurse related factors that impact the quality of care and life of individuals residing in nursing homes (e.g. staffing, leadership, care delivery models). For the last 20+ years I have been on the faculty at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. I continue an active program of research in this area while serving as the associate dean of academic programs.