Erin received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Massachusetts in Lowell. While pursuing her degree, she worked as a mental health counselor at McLean Hospital on a unit specifically geared towards persons diagnosed as having bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. During this time, Erin was involved in developing Nursing Students Without Borders at UMass Lowell. In January 2009, she traveled with a group of nursing students to Ghana, Africa, to deliver medical supplies and work in hospitals, clinics and orphanages. Following graduation, Erin continued to work as a registered nurse at McLean Hospital on the same unit, as a member of multidisciplinary teams in an inpatient setting. For this work, Erin was awarded the Partners in Excellence award, “Entry into Nursing Psychiatric Practice” in 2010.