MEET THE AUTHOR
Patricia A. Woods, RN, MSN
A retired public health nurse, author, and educator who spent her career helping people through some of life’s hardest moments — and now writes stories that help children and adults find the opportunity inside every challenge.
27 years
Public health and tuberculosis nursing
Master of Science in Nursing
Registered Nurse, RN, MSN
Adjunct Professor
Taught nursing students at Kean University
Past President
National TB Nurses Coalition
My story
Patricia A. Woods, RN, MSN, is a retired public health nurse, author, and educator with 27 years of experience in tuberculosis and public health nursing. She served as President of the National TB Nurses Coalition and taught nursing students as an adjunct professor at Kean University. Throughout her career, Patricia was committed to education, compassion, and helping individuals and communities navigate difficult circumstances.
After retiring from full-time public health nursing, Patricia began a new chapter focused on writing, education, creativity, and giving back.
Her journey as an author began when she revisited a middle-grade story she had first written more than 25 years earlier. That story became When Opportunity Knocks, a book centered on memorable characters who represent the opportunities, obstacles, optimism, and hope we encounter in everyday life. That book also became the foundation for The Op Stop, a growing world of stories, characters, and resources designed to encourage children to recognize their strengths, navigate challenges, make thoughtful choices, and discover opportunities for growth.
Patricia brings her experience as both a nurse and educator to every Op Stop story. Through When Opportunity Knocks and the Op characters, she supports children in developing important social-emotional skills such as hope, resilience, empathy, perseverance, relationship-building, and positive decision-making. Her goal is to create stories and tools that spark meaningful conversations at home, in classrooms, and throughout the community.
Patricia continues to expand her writing beyond children’s literature. Her book Tales of a TB Nurse draws upon real experiences from her public health career to increase awareness and understanding of tuberculosis while sharing the human stories behind the disease.
Today, Patricia and her husband enjoy life near the Delaware beaches, where she continues to write, develop new Op Stop characters and educational resources, and pursue her lifelong passion for storytelling.
Sharing hope with audiences
Patricia is an experienced speaker and presenter, drawing on her background in TB nursing, education, storytelling, and community engagement to connect with audiences on topics including resilience, public health, and recognizing opportunities within life’s challenges.
Watch Patricia on DelmarvaLife
Hear the story and inspiration behind When Opportunity Knocks.
Giving back
Giving back has always been an important part of Patricia’s work. Through The Op Stop, she supports organizations and causes that are meaningful to her, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
For Patricia, The Op Stop is about more than books. It is about helping children and adults recognize that life will bring both opportunities and obstacles — and that hope, optimism, resilience, and thoughtful choices can help us determine what happens next.