Our People

Cassandra Barnes brings a rare combination of prehospital and clinical expertise to her role as an OCFA Nurse Educator. Her career began as an EMT with Care Ambulance, where she thrived on the challenge of thinking quickly, working creatively with limited resources, and forming the first bond with patients in the field. After earning her nursing degree, she spent nearly a decade at CHOC in pediatrics before transitioning to emergency care at St. Jude, earning her Mobile Intensive Care Nurse (MICN) certification, and later returning to pediatric emergency medicine in a Level 1 trauma setting.

She says nursing has always been her calling:

“I’ve always loved helping people—easing their pain, calming their fears, and letting them know they aren’t alone.”

Cassandra joined OCFA in September 2024 after learning about the Nurse Educator position from a former coworker. She quickly fell in love with the role, especially the trust she’s built with crews.

“Getting a call from someone in the field who trusts you enough to ask for input—that’s the best feeling.”

Her advice for others pursuing a similar path: gain diverse experience, understand the “why” behind your skills, and build strong relationships wherever you work.

“I think I have one of the best jobs in the world, and no two days are ever the same.”