Nursing is the heart of health care, regardless of the setting in which it is provided. My passion is helping students to prepare for their nursing careers. Why? Because each day nurses touch the lives of human beings in times of need. The Pearson Education Reviews and Rationales Series is a result of this passion. My overarching aim with this series is to provide current, evidence-based and quality study aids, to help students feed their own passion - becoming caring and competent nurses!I was born and raised in western Massachusetts, and still reside there. I have taught in diploma, AD, and BS nursing programs, and am currently at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. I began teaching NCLEX-RN review courses in the early 1990s, and for the past decade or so have also taught NCLEX-PN courses. My research interests relate to nurse clinical competence, nurse decision-making, and patient safety. I am a member of the American Nurses Association, ANA Massachusetts, the Eastern Nursing Research Society, National League for Nursing, and Sigma Theta Tau International (nursing honor society). When I am not pursuing my teaching and scholarship interests, I enjoy traveling and spending quality time with family and friends.