SUNA Spotlight: Charlene Neer, RN

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Charlene Neer, RN, is one of Great Lakes SUNA’s newest members and has graciously agreed to be the March spotlight feature.

Currently employed at the University of Michigan Urology Center Outpatient Clinic, Charlene’s role is that of a urodynamics nurse with a particular focus on FUDS.

She says she joined SUNA for all of the benefits the organization offers.

“I believe organizations that represent the various specialties in nursing represent the best collective knowledge and expertise of that specialty,” explains Charlene, who grew up on a farm in Michigan’s “thumb” region. “The opportunity to network with colleagues that have this sort of expertise is invaluable. I am new to the organization, but I have high expectations.”

Charlene earned her Associate Degree in nursing in Columbus, Ohio, and then moved to Michigan to work as an RN at University of Michigan. While in Ann Arbor, she completed her BSN. This was followed several years later at Penn State University with an MPA (Master's Public Administration) with the health care planning and administration track. Charlene also notes that she has received certifications in Surgical and Medical Intensive Care, Trauma Nursing as well as the Certification of Clinical Research Professionals.

In yet more impressive facts, Charlene also has a variety of experiences in nursing that include various medical-surgical units, a head and neck reconstructive surgery unit, urology, orthopedic, ICU settings, nursing management, village nursing in Ethiopia with Save the Children Federation and research.

Urology was in that aforementioned list and an area Charlene found challenging and exciting to make her specialty.

“I have always been intrigued by the many aspects of the problems and then the solutions of these types of patients,” Charlene says. “Each patient is different, so each solution is also different. I find this sort of complexity a wonderful challenge.”

But once she’s home from work, Charlene’s hobbies take over.

“I love to travel,” exclaims Charlene. “It’s hard to tell a favorite hobby because I love photography, gardening, sewing, reading and so on.”

Welcome aboard, Charlene!