Nurse-Led Advocacy for Education, Justice, and Wellbeing

Welcome — I’m glad you’re here.

I’m Melissa Ozmore, RN, BSN, PMH-BC, BCPA, HNB-BC Certified Holistic Mental Health Nurse, Consultant, Advocate, and Founder of Pieces of Your Life Nursing, LLC

Are you ready to connect the Pieces of Your Life and harmonize your world?

What I do

I provide holistic nursing, advocacy, and case management support for individuals and families navigating complex transitions. This includes those related to education, healthcare or other significant life changes. My work bridges gaps in care and communication, offering trauma-informed, person-centered guidance during life’s challenging moments.

My why

I have personally experienced the kinds of disconnects that can leave someone feeling unseen, overwhelmed, or excluded. Navigating systems can be exhausting and isolating, especially for people with disabilities or those affected by trauma. I do this work to provide an option, so people don’t have to face transitions alone.

Mission

At Pieces of Your Life Nursing, my goal is to empower individuals by helping them reclaim their voice and explore their options. I offer care planning and advocacy that honor each person’s unique experiences and strengths. I am passionate about working to dismantle systemic barriers in education, healthcare, and justice, to improve community care outcomes. The aim is for people to move forward with clarity and dignity. Every person’s unique path, perspective, and needs deserve to be honored.

Vision

Pieces of Your Life Nursing envisions a world where everyone feels recognized, empowered, and valued —a universe where relationships deepen through mutual understanding, with each person supported in their efforts to tap into their unique strengths, and a world where unfair systems are rebuilt with inclusivity.

Services

  • Individual Advocacy/Case Management: examples include: support in communicating with healthcare providers, navigating systems, and assisting with aging in place
  • Holistic Nurse Coaching: life balance, empowerment, care planning, stress reduction, navigating transitions
  • Education Advocacy: may involve assistance with communication about special educational needs, planning/attending IEP meetings, education to understand your rights and those of your students.
  • Legal Nurse Consulting: Attorney consultations on legal-medical issues, preparing medical chronologies, and record reviews.

  • Support for Young Adults: Transitioning to independence.

  • Public Speaking & Workshops: conferences, classrooms, university, special events, wellness or group activities, and more.

My Approach to Care

My style is highly collaborative and grounded in a trauma-informed, strength-based approach. I meet you where you are — with empathy, curiosity, and the aim of holding a non-judgmental space. I believe in holistic care that considers your mental, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual well-being.

Rather than offer a one-size-fits-all model, I focus on co-creating a path with you. I hope to develop a plan that aligns with your values and priorities. I carry a deep passion for breaking down barriers that contribute to oppression and inequity, and for supporting individuals and families as they claim their agency and confidence.

Complementary Alternative Modalities

Believing in whole-person care, I integrate a variety of complementary and holistic modalities tailored to each person’s needs and preferences. These may include guided imagery, reflective journaling, simple creative practices, or mindfulness-based tools. Currently, I’m deepening my understanding of Ayurvedic principles, a holistic system of health that originated in India over 3,000 years ago. Ayurveda derives from the Sanskrit words “ayur” (life) and “veda” (knowledge or science). “The science of life.” At its core, Ayurveda emphasizes living in harmony with your surroundings. It highlights the importance of balancing the mind, body, and daily rhythms.

Why a Nurse?

Most advocates aren’t nurses. Every nurse is responsible for being an advocate. Choosing to work with me means partnering with someone who finds advocacy as the most rewarding aspect of a nurse’s role. I understand the deep connection between health, behavior, and learning. I understand how physical, emotional, and environmental factors influence care throughout the lifespan, from early childhood to aging. As a registered nurse (RN), I bring clinical expertise and a whole-person perspective to
every situation and maintain three additional board certifications in Patient Advocacy, Psychiatric Mental Health, and Holistic Nursing.

Your Care Investment

Pieces of Your Life Nursing operates as a direct care practice, meaning services are provided on a private-pay basis and are not billed through insurance. This model allows us to create a flexible, personalized care plan that is not limited by time constraints or insurance-driven restrictions.

Some services are available on an hourly basis, while others may be purchased as a package.

Pieces of Your Life Nursing, LLC cannot guarantee reimbursement. A statement will be provided, allowing you the option to submit to your insurance carrier if you choose to seek reimbursement independently. If you have access, consider using a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), as this may enhance your chances of reimbursement.

For those in need, I maintain a limited “Karma List” for pro bono services. I support one person at a time, so please understand that it will not be able to address time-sensitive needs.

My Professional Journey

After practicing as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) for ten years, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) in 2012. During nursing school, I held leadership roles in the Student Nurses Association of Portland (SNAP), including Fundraising Chair (2009–2010), Vice President (2010–2011), and President (2011–2012).

In 2011, I received the Helene Fuld Health Trust Scholarship from NSNA and authored a resolution supporting mandated SUD screening, assessment, and treatment for inmates, which passed at Oregon and National nursing conventions. In 2012, I received several awards from OHSU, such as the “Educator” and “Leadership” awards from the Student Council, the Jean E. Boyle Award for distinguished service, and the Sigma Theta Tau Outstanding Leadership and Scholarship Award.

I was also selected to attend the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Student Health Policy Summit in Washington, D.C., organized by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). There, I learned about federal policy issues in nursing education, research, and advocacy.

I had the honor of being the commencement speaker for the 2012 OHSU Portland nursing graduation at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Afterward, I worked in OHSU’s trauma center ED and was Secretary of the Mental Health Emergency Nurse Committee (2013–2016). In 2019, I co-developed the De-escalation Theory & Skills module with the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA), part of a broader adult behavioral health curriculum, while serving on the American Psychiatric Nurses Association Board of Directors (2018-2019).

I aim to effect change through individual encounters, supporting those who are often unheard or require assistance. While establishing Pieces of Your Life Nursing and building one-on-one relationships, I aim to foster connections with the community to raise awareness of gaps and provide education on care needs, striving to inspire change and make a meaningful difference.

To support goals, I have obtained the following additional advocacy, coach and consultant training:

  • SEAT 2.0 Graduate, Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), Spring 2025
  • Nurse Coach & Consultant Certificate, Canadian Institute of Integrative Nursing Development & Education (CIINDE), August 2024
  • Legal Nurse Consultant Certificate, Louisiana State University, May 2024
  • “Activate Your Advocacy” Graduate, FACT Oregon Parent Leadership Program, Spring 2024

Awards

  • Jean E. Boyle Award “For Distinguished Service to Student Government, the Community, and Humanity” (OHSU)
  • Outstanding Leadership and Scholarship Award (Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing)
  • OHSU Student Council Leadership and Educator Awards (OHSU Student Council)

Leadership & Advocacy

  • Passionate about ending exclusive disciplinary practices that fuel the school-to-prison pipeline and advocating for trauma-informed, inclusive, equitable systems (2017-Present)

  • American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) 

    • Board Member – Oregon Chapter 2018-2019 

  • Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) – Member 2011 – 2019

    • Behavioral health coursework committee member
    • Co-author of the De-escalation Theory & Skills module

  • Mental Health Emergency Nurse Department Committee (MHEND), OHSU 2013-2016

    • Secretary, 2016

  • National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA)

    • Helene Fuld Health Trust Scholarship Recipient, 2011
    • Authored resolution on substance use disorder screening (Passed at state and national House of Delegates, 2012)

  • American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), 2012

    • Selected participant for student health policy summit in Washington D.C. to learn how to advocate for and study federal policy issues in nursing education, research.

  • Commencement Speaker, OHSU Nursing Class of 2012

  • Student Nurses Association of Portland (SNAP)

    • President (2011–2012)
    • Vice President (2010–2011)
    • Fundraising Chair (2009–2010)

Testimonials

Charge Nurse

“As a diligent patient advocate in psychiatry, Melissa strives to avoid restrictive interventions and enhance patient care and trauma-informed practices. Her skills are “outstanding,” “contagious,” and “inspiring.”

Mentor

“Melissa brings energy, enthusiasm, and spirit that touch those around her in positive ways.”

Family member

“Melissa’s energy, skill, compassion, and gentle care for my husband during his most difficult times did not go unnoticed.”

Regional Nurse Manager

“Melissa displays abundant common sense, analyzes superbly, thinks brilliantly on her feet, and is unaffected by ambiguity and complexity. She treats her patients with dignity, honor, and respect.”

County Sergeant

“Melissa is a person of integrity who sets her own high level of standards. She can build rapport and gain cooperation from some of the most obstinate individuals, demonstrating patience and respect while maintaining a firm command presence.”

RN Case Manager

“Advocacy is Melissa’s true calling. She can absorb a tremendous amount of complex information, provide a clear understanding, and formulate a pathway in a remarkably short period. Her ability to truly understand a patient’s needs from an emotional, social, financial, or medical standpoint is outstanding.”

Emergency Department Colleague

“While some may consider patients’ social state hopeless or self-inflicted, Melissa sees opportunities to do good for someone needing help.”

Case Manager Cascadia Behavioral Health

“Melissa demonstrated dedication and compassion. She was able to connect with people facing significant trust issues and paranoia effectively. Her innovative and creative approach helped residents feel comfortable and supported in improving their health.”

Your journey with Pieces of Your Life Nursing follows the nursing process.

It starts with a complimentary 20-minute consultation. Within five business days, I will reach out to arrange a follow-up. If we choose to work together, you’ll sign a
contract. We will then collaboratively establish realistic goals, outline steps for a personalized plan, and determine how often to check in. We will review progress and adjust the plan as needed, using an approach tailored to your unique situation.

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