When asked what draws her to psychiatric nursing, Eleanor replied, “People are like jewels. I love learning about their facets, finding their strengths, and providing the support they need.”
Born and raised in Taiwan, Eleanor Lee was naturally drawn to learning from a young age. At 16, she became interested in “the science of mind” and decided to study nursing after her college exam. She earned her BSN “at the best school in Taiwan” in 1988.
After emigrating to the US, she pursued graduate studies at Oregon Health Sciences, earning her M.S. in Psychiatric Mental Health in 1992. She transferred to the University of Washington, where she added a Ph.D. to her credentials in 1999.
She worked in home health, hospice, and community settings before taking her ANCC psychiatric mental health CNS in 2005, with a focus on geropsychiatry. She later enrolled at Seattle University, earning a postgraduate certificate in gerontology as an ARNP in 2010.
Jumping forward to 2024, Eleanor is tireless in her dedication to the elderly population of the Seattle-Bellevue region in the Pacific Northwest. She alternates her work week between community mental health in the Asian Counseling and Referral Service and her private practice, providing primary care for AFH and skilled nursing facility clients.
In addition, she precepts the University of Washington DNP students and volunteers at farmers markets, her church, community health ministries, Bellevue Network on Aging, and dementia projects – and, of course, AAPPN, for whom she served on the Education Committee for two years.
She says of her work: “I really enjoy working with older people.” She loves incorporating lifestyle interventions, nutrition, and essential oils as part of her approach to treating individuals with unique challenges. “There are many ways to achieve remission. When medications are not suitable or desirable, I meet patients where they are.”
It might seem that little time is left after her busy workweek, but she manages to carve out time for her self-care. She is married and has two adult sons who still live at home. Outside of family time, she enjoys traveling, reading, getting involved in local government, and hiking and gardening when her knees can manage it.
A love for learning and people drives Eleanor’s passion for nursing. Thank you, Eleanor, for finding the sparkle in the jewels and for all the gifts you bring to the profession and the community.