Shannon McDonnell (’24)
Nurse Coordinator
Federal Occupational Health (FOH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
I’ve gotten to blend my nursing skills with integrative medicine knowledge to help clients make lifestyle changes, which is really rewarding.
About Shannon
Shannon graduated in 2024 with an M.S. in Integrative Medicine & Health Sciences.
Tell us about your current work. How did you get your current position?
I’ve been working in healthcare for almost a decade. I started as a volunteer EMT at age 17, and then graduated nursing school in 2020. As a new graduate nurse, I worked in a Level 1 (highest patient care acuity/capability) trauma center/emergency room for 3.5 years. I’ve also worked as an IV vitamin infusion nurse, which was where I got curious about integrative medicine.
Right before grad school, my IV job liquidated and I got a new part-time job as an occupational health nurse for the federal government. During grad school, I worked at a variety of clinics across the DMV and provided walk-in care to federal employees.
For my practicum, I wanted to get research experience since I had never worked in research before. I worked with the Colloca Lab at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. Their research is in virtual reality and chronic pain/placebo effect. I got to observe and assist with experiments and help the research coordinator, Katia, with daily duties. You [IMHS students] will get a lecture from Dr. Colloca in the spring [2025], she’s awesome! She and I are still working on a manuscript for publishing, so hopefully I’ll have my first authorship soon.
After finishing my internship, I went back to working with the FOH full-time. I have my own clinic in a government building and administer vaccines, walk-in care, and respond to emergencies as needed within my building. I’ve gotten to blend my nursing skills with integrative medicine knowledge to help clients make lifestyle changes, which is really rewarding.
Currently, I’m applying to DNP school at the University of Minnesota. I’m applying for a dual doctorate in Integrative Health and Healing and in the Adult/Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialty. Fingers crossed they let me in!
What strategies did you use to build your network and find job opportunities?
The Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine & Health Conference! I met so many different nurses who are interested in integrative medicine or work in integrative medicine and it really made me feel more at home in the industry. I even met current students of the DNP program I’m applying to, which really pushed me to look more into it.
I also went to a medical education conference (got to meet Dr. Fauci!) and met a lot of folks there too. I recommend making business cards for people you meet at conferences so they can contact you.
What Georgetown career development resources did you find useful for attaining your career goals?
I enrolled in the EPIC career course from BGE Career Services, downloaded their Notion template for career planning/job applications, and also made an account on the AAAS website to create a values and skills inventory. I also did a career exploration meeting with Deborah [Cohen, career advisor] and she was so helpful! I’m currently using their services to review my DNP application; I love that I can use their services as an alum!
Why did you choose to pursue another advanced degree program after completing your master’s degree?
The reason I choose to go after a DNP (as opposed to a Ph.D. in Nursing) is because the flexibility is very appealing to me. As a DNP, you can practice clinically, work in academia, work on research projects with Ph.D. nurses, translate scientific research into patient care policies (bench to bedside, anyone?), and advocate for a better healthcare system.
I’m hoping to be able to update this with what its like to be in the programs I’m applying to soon!