Her nursing career spans 33 years. Prior to her career in academia, she worked in numerous critical care areas, in outpatient services, on infusion therapy teams, and in specialty clinics, in particular urology and dermatology. Dr. Spencer earned a nursing degree from Charity School of Nursing at Delgado Community College in New Orleans, an MSN in health care systems management from Loyola University (New Orleans), and a DNP from UAH. She is a 2018 recipient of the NLN Alabama League of Nursing Lamplighter award for innovation in teaching with students, faculty and community partners. Her research interests include clinical practice issues such as infusion therapy. She is a member of Sigma and Phi Kappa Phi Honor societies.