Updated 2/24/2025

Bloscenia Avent, LPN, President

Bloscenia Avent has been a nurse since 2018. However, she came out of nursing school and hit the ground running. She obtained her nursing license 1 month before graduating Valedictorian, Magnum Cum Laude. The love for nursing came naturally for Mrs. Avent, as she has cared for her family and friends since childhood. This love came from watching her mother, the late Bettye L. Tolliver-Brewer, care for so many, in the neighborhood, at church, and anyone who needed help. It was always instilled in Mrs. Avent and her brothers and sisters that “service to others, is a blessing to the Lord.”

Mrs. Avent’s area of expertise is mental health, substance abuse and teaching medical terminology, as well as assisting with med/surg 2, growth and development, and personal and professional relationships, to up and coming practical nursing students. Mrs. Avent takes a special interest in those who suffer from co-occurring disorders with mental health and substance abuse. She feels as though this population is often overlooked and underserviced. She understands the importance of making them know and feel that they matter, and that there is someone who cares, she is a staunch advocate for the education of substance abuse and mental health disorders. Mrs. Avent has over 8 years of experience in this area. Another passion is seeing practical nursing students reach their goals of becoming a nurse. Mrs. Avent works at Prism Career Institute as a didactic Medical terminology instructor and as a teaching assistant, as well as in the skills lab. Her students appreciate her wisdom, and her selfless giving. You can often find Mrs. Avent encouraging the next generation of nurses, tutoring, and helping them to understand the challenges that they face as students, but knowing with dedication and hard work, it will all pay off. Mrs. Avent has been in the medical education field for 4 1/2 years. She always says: “I have been blessed to have wonderful mentors during
and after nursing school. I believe in paying it forward.”

Mrs. Avent has also worked as a part-time nurse at her high school alma mater, where her daughter is currently a
Junior. She currently is the head nurse for a mental health L.T.S.R. Mrs. Avent has certifications in the following areas: IV therapy, mental health first aid, Johns Hopkins Covid-19 contact tracing, Covid 19 education, HIV certification. She is also the president of the Pennsylvania Association of Licensed Practical Nurses, an affiliate chapter of the National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses. Mrs. Avent has a strong sense of giving back to the communities in which we work, and live in. She is also a mother of 3 beautiful children, and has been married to her husband, her biggest
supporter for 19 years. Mrs. Avent’s goal is to continue to promote the profession of Licensed Professional/Vocational Nursing, and inspire the next generation of nurses.

Deborah Schultz, Vice President

Since her youth, Deborah has always planned of becoming a Nurse.  She started her Nursing career in February 1976 when she trained as a Nurse Aide and later attended college earning her PN and was Licensed taking the NCLEX. She started her career working her first two years in Long Term Care then transferred working in a hospital.  There she worked in ICU, Labor & Delivery, and Med -Surg.  Deborah has served the majority of her Nursing career working in a Family Practice Clinic doing a variety of nurse duties to include performing x-rays and lab tests.  In 2001 she took a job in Memphis, TN at Semmes Murphy Clinic working with a Neurosurgeon.  This was a challenging job having to train in administering medication through Intrathecal pump implants as well as programming the pumps. She assisted in surgeries and also assisted in the trials and studies of cervical disc replacements.  This became the job of her lifetime.  She has enjoyed going on her church medical missions where she assisted in helping those in rural Columbia in their health care and educating them on their individual health care needs.  Deborah has served on the Mississippi Licensed Practical Nurses board for the past 10 years in support of and in giving back to her nurse profession.  

Certified in Mental Health First Aid

Certified in Gerontology

Tina Johnson, Treasurer

Tina Johnson is an LPN with over 30 years of experience. She has served NALPN in serve different capacities. She is currently the Treasurer 2023-2025. Before becoming a nurse, she worked in Business Finance for the Federal Government for many years, primarily with the Department of Army. Through her compassion and caring nature, she decided to go to nursing school at Wallace College in Dothan, AL. She has served on numerous nursing committees. She is dedicated to serving the public, she believes in giving back and showing empathy to everyone. She is most proud of her family; she has 3 children and 7 grands. She enjoys traveling, football and reading.

Shelly Robinson, Secretary

JoAnn Shaw, Director

Hello, my name is JoAnn Shaw LPN, and a PROUD member of the National Association of Licensed Practical/Licensed Vocational Nurses, Inc. since 1976.

 I have been attending Annual NALPN Conferences since 1999, and each time I attend, I fill my tool belt of nursing, with more and more. The CEUs/Certifications are so enlightening, and the fellowship is beyond measurable. Currently I am the NALPN Vice President, Conference Chairperson, New Chapter State Chairperson, and serve on NALPN membership committee.

In Wisconsin I have served on Convention, membership, and bylaws committees. Currently I am proudly representing the Wisconsin Association of Licensed Practical Nurses, as their President.

 I have always felt that LPNs/LVNs need to be part of their professional organization, NALPN. It is a personal goal to inform as many LPNs/LVNs about their organization, a to foster memberships to NALPN. There are over 1.2 million LPNs/LVNs in the United States, it be awesome to have each LPN/LVN a member of NALPN. Come join us!!!

Arlene Imes, Director

Hello, my name is Arlene Imes from the Great State of North Carolina where I serve as the NC NALNP Chapter President.

I am an enthusiastic, motivated, and dedicated nurse with 35 years of experience in nursing. I began my career caring for Veterans as a Nursing Assistant in 1987. I later attended and graduated from Rowan Cabarrus Community College in 1991 and transitioned into an LPN. I’ve worked is Med-Surg, LTC, Rehab, and Mental Health. I still serve the Veteran population at the Salisbury VA Medical Center in Telehealth as the Lead LPN.

I have served on the North Carolina Board of Nursing, protecting the public, since 2018 and recently reelected for another four-year term. I am continually active and recently served as Chair and Vice-chair of the Board.

I have served on several nursing committees and boards throughout my nursing career.
It is important to build collaboration throughout healthcare and having a seat at the table
so that my opinions are heard. I am dedicated to anything I participate in and can be
counted on to complete my commitment.

I am married to my High School Sweetheart and married for 41 years. We have 3 grown children and blessed with 6 grandchildren and 1 Fur-baby girl. I am looking forward to serving on the National NALPN Board and collaborating with my fellow Nurses.

Sandra Culpepper, Director

Sandra Culpepper is an LPN from Poplarville, Ms where she lives on a farm with her husband,
Keith of 27 years and three children Karley, Logan, and Jacob. Sandra has been an LPN for 17
years working in many areas of Nursing such as Education, LTC, Med-Surg, ER, Psychiatric,
and as a Nurse Recruiter. Ms. Culpepper is a 2007 LPN Graduate of Pearl River Community
College in Popllarville, Ms.

Currently Ms. Culpepper serves as the first LPN as the Ms Board of Nursing President, NALPN
as a Director, MSLPNA as a Director, and as President of the Ms Gulf Coast Nurse Honor
Guard. She has also been named as NALPN Nurse of the Year for 2019 and has served on
committees for NNAPP and NCLEX Sub-Review Committee. Also, Ms. Culpepper is the Clinical
Educator for Staff at Pearl River County Nursing Home, an Educator at Pearl River Community
College as a Certified Nurse Aide Educator, and a AHA BLS and ACLS Instructor. She has also
previously been Chair for the MS Office of Nursing Workforce, been on the Administrative Code
Committee at the MSBON, the Practice Committee, and the Chair of the LPN Education
Transfer Committee at the MSBON which lead to PN Education as a division of the Ms Board of
Nursing.

Ms. Culpepper is an avid advocate for Licensed Practical Nurses and all of the Nursing
Profession to create a stronger and more fluid workforce for everyone. She loves being involved
with NALPN, as it has strengthened her knowledge, allowed for growth as an LPN, and has
given her tools to become a strong leader.
Ms. Culpepper’s favorite quote in which she has used to navigate her career in Nursing is,
“People will forget what you have said, people will forget what you did, but people will never
forget how you made them feel.” ~Maya Angelou
“We should all strive to make a difference for the patients we care for and to leave a lasting
impact on Nursing through our love of the Nursing Profession!” ~Sandra Culpepper, LPN

Renee Likong, Director