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.
JoAnn Shaw, Vice President
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!!!
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.
LaToya Johnson, Secretary
Hello, my fellow LPN/LVNs. My Name is LaToya Johnson & I am from Meridian, MS. I started my nursing career late in life, but I am so glad to be doing it. I always wanted to be the nurse that to give the care, that I would want my family to receive from their nurse. I started my nursing career in 2017 the first area being in Med-Surg. Since then, I’ve worked in OB/GYN, Family Practice, and Cardiac Rehab. Currently, I work currently in an OB/GYN clinic, and I truly believe this is where I’m meant to be. I believe each of you should really work in the area that you’re truly passionate about being in. Being chosen to be your secretary, is something I’m honored to do & I’ll take pride in doing. I’ve always believed that LPN/LVNs should be involved in our national and state organizations. I encourage you if you’re not currently a member of organization to go ahead and join, you won’t regret it. I look forward to being an advocate and supporter of all nurses, we’re here for you. If there’s anything I can do for you, please feel free to reach out to me.
“Just be prepared for a long and often uncertain journey. The good stuff
doesn’t come easy.”- Author Unknown
Deborah Schultz, Director
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
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.
Gwendolyn M. Dunn, Director
I’m an LPN for the past 46 years. I have worked in a number of different area as an LPN. These areas included Med/Surg., Rehab, Psychiatrics, Post-Partum, Telemetry, and Pediatrics. Working as a Staff Nurse in these areas help me in my 40 years to develop many skills. For the pass 6 years since I stop working in the hospital setting, I have been busy with both the National and State LPN organization. On the State level I have be lecturer and speaker for my State association. On the National level I have aided in organizing the National Conference. I am a member of Louisiana Federation of LPN and National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses for the past 32 years. I became Treasurer for LFLPN in 2005 and still hold that position. I became Treasurer for NALPN in 2012. I do maintain my continue education hours annually to keep up with the 2 new procedures in the hospital. I sit on the Louisiana State Board of LPN Exams. for the past 20 years and remain on that Board to this present time.
Renee Likong, Director