From the moment Regina Mason, MSN, RN, GNP-BC, started nursing school, she knew she wanted to work with the elderly.

“The impetus for my career in nursing was assisting my family in caring for my godmother, who had Alzheimer’s disease,” Mason said. “She was 91 years old when she died in her home while receiving hospice care. The experience changed my life in that I was no longer afraid of the dying process, but realized I could help others have a peaceful death with their loved ones by their side.”