Candice Frude
Maternal Child Health State Nurse Consultant
Wyoming Department of Health - public health nursing
Fremont County, WY USA
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
Grew up in a unstable home with a drug addict and major depressive mother. Father was rarely involved
Graduated high school barely and thought I would move to Vegas to become a stripper
Moved to Denver and became involved in the drug and alcohol scene. Moved to Vegas and became pregnant at the age of 20 and got clean. Decided maybe becoming a stripper was not going to happen.
Moved back to my home state of Wyoming with nothing except what would fit in my car. Got a low-income apartment and enrolled in college
Had my daughter and was a single parent for 1 year. Met my now husband and graduated from nursing school. (2006)
Began my career as a RN and finished my bachelor's degree (2013)
Had 2 more daughters, obtained a master's degree (2020)
Eventually worked my way up into the leadership position I am in now.
Education
High School
Natrona County High School
Natrona County High School
Bachelor
ADN
Casper College
ADN
Casper College
Doctorate
MSN
University of Wyoming
MSN
University of Wyoming
Career
Maternal Child Health State Nurse Consultant
I oversee Public Health's home visitation program and other MCH duties including the nurses that provide this service.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Medicine
Government
Helping People
Day to Day
For this nursing job, it is very administrative and lots of travel. I manage grants, build programs and deal with the state government side of things.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for everyone
Make a call. I had no idea what to do for college since I was a first generation graduate. I just made a call and they connected me with their single parent resources. That made the world of difference.
Recommended Education
My career is not related to what I studied. I'd recommend this path instead:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"Nursing school is hard and you don't really have the drive to finish."
Challenges I Overcame
Drugs / Addiction
First-Generation College Student
Financial
