About Me

Short and sweet version:

I’m a children’s book writer (Pitch Wars 2017 alumni) and college nursing instructor. I have four kids, and I love the outdoors. I use running for a mental escape and to discover or live in my stories. Staring at a waterfall is as close to heaven as I’ll get for now. I may think that because I live in the desert, Las Vegas, NV! I would die without caramel apples and chocolate covered strawberries.

More…….

Bio

I have worked in the area of pediatrics as a nurse since 2001. My background is primarily Pediatric Intensive Care. I’ve taught nursing students at the college level for over ten years.

I’m currently married with four lovely children (2 boys and 2 girls).

Through my personal experiences as well as what I’ve learned working in the pediatric setting, I’ve developed a passion for storytelling. I love the YA years because it is an exciting time in one’s life when one begins to ask big questions and find answers. I grew up reading C.S. Lewis and Roald Dahl. Currently, I love the works of John Green, Nicola Yoon, Suzanne Collins, and books with some magical realism. I hope to make even a fraction of an impact these authors have made through their words. Additionally, I’m half Puerto Rican and half Korean. My oldest son is half African American. My family is filled with diversity. Therefore, I support diverse books.

I love positivity and motivating/supporting others to help them reach their dreams. I believe that none of us are perfect or come from perfect backgrounds, but this doesn’t mean we can’t aim for a positive and fulfilling life. The life we all deserve.

When I’m not writing, I’m is running or exercising, adding content to my other website www.healthykidsplay.com, or being a taxi driver for my kiddos in Las Vegas, NV. Balance is key in life.

Jy Black

My younger son, Jy, suffered from encephalitis and Guillain-Barre Syndrome post the flu mist at the end of 2015. He was in a coma for about three weeks and quadriplegic. He had to learn how to talk, walk, eat, go to the bathroom, etc. all over again. He continues to heal and is a constant inspiration to me. I talk about him often in my posts. I hope he inspires you too.

Initials I have accumulated:

BSN- Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
MSN/PNP- Masters of Science in Nursing, Specialty: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner / Clinical-Nurse Specialist in primary, acute, and chronic care, Stony Brook State University of New York,
PhD- Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing: Sustainable Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Research Articles

Feng, D., Song, H.,, Esperat, C., & Black, I. (2015) A multicomponent intervention helped reduce sugar-sweetened beverage intake in economically disadvantaged Hispanic children. American Journal of Health Promotion. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4278/ajhp.140801-QUAN-384

Black, I. E., Menzel, N. N., & Bungum, T. J. (2015). The Relationship Among Playground Areas and Physical Activity Levels in Children. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 29(2), 156-168. doi: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2014.10.001

Black, I. E. (2014). Health promoting school. Spaces and Flows: An International Journal of Urban and ExtraUrban Studies, 4(2), 27-36.

Black, I. E., Keele, S., & White, R.M. (2013). Using geographic information systems to identify obesity risk factors. Spaces and Flows: An International Journal of Urban and ExtraUrban Studies, 3(3), 79-94.

Mauscripts in Progress

EMPTY GIFTS. Pitch Wars 2017 entry. YA Contemporary.

LIV. YA contemporary with magical realism.