<span>Barbara Nichols graduated from the Massachusetts Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Boston. In 1966, she earned a B.S. in Nursing from Case's Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, and an M.S. in Behavorial Disabilities from the University of Wisconsin. Over the course of her career, Ms. Nichols has held 23 offices in professional associations including President of the American Nurses Association (1978-82) and President of the American Society for Health Care Education and Training. She served as a </span><span>member of the Board of Directors of the International Council of Nurses and as the Chairperson of the American Journal of Nursing Company. Ms. Nichols also served as Visiting Professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Nursing in Madison and Milwaukee. Prior to this, she was the Secretary of the Department of Regulation and Licensing for the Wisconsin State Government. In this cabinet position, she was responsible for licensing and regulations for 26 diverse occupations ranging from boxing to nursing.</span>