Gretchen graduated in 2002 from Wenatchee Valley College North with honors as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), and continued on with her Nursing program education, and again graduating with honors, obtained her Registered Nurse (RN) license in 2003.
Gretchen's Nursing career began at North Valley Hospital in Tonasket, Washington and was hired on at Okanogan Douglas District Hospital (ODDH) for the Night shift in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in 2004. Later, she moved to Day shift as an ICU/ER Nurse and then on to Charge Nurse. In 2008 she moved back to Night shift -- as Charge Nurse this time -- to accommodate her children's schedules.
As the ODDH Chief Operating Officer , Sandy Sylvester, explained, "State statute requires Nursing leadership. Gretchen is an experienced Nurse and she is well respected by her co-workers. When I asked her for help, she did not hesitate to take on the position. I trust she will do a fine job as interim, and new ODDH Chief Executive Officer, Bud Hufnagel, will choose the permanent CNO soon."
