Dr. Paton is an APRN, Director of Advanced Practice at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, and an Assistant Professor for the College of Nursing at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. She obtained a Doctor of Nursing Practice at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in 2017. Prior to that, she received her Bachelors degree in Biology in 1990 and in Nursing in 1992. She proceeded to earn a Masters of Science degree in 1999. She is certified as a pediatric nurse practitioner in both primary and acute care. She is also a Certified Pediatric Nurse, Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse, and a Fellow of the Academy of Emergency Nursing. She continues her clinical practice with the Division of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatric Urgent Care. 
Dr. Paton is active in local and national organizations including the Emergency Nurses Association, American Pediatric Surgical Nurses Association, and the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. She has given lectures on various pediatric topics both locally and nationally for over 20 years. The most recent presentation was at the 2021 NAPNAP National Conference. The topic was titled “Be the Bridge Builder: A How-To Guide for Creating Your Own Role as an Advanced Practice Provider​”.  In addition, she has published several articles in peer-reviewed journals and co-authored 2 book chapters. One of her most recent publications was “Journey to a New Era: An Innovative Academic-Practice Partnership” published this year in the Journal of Professional Nursing.