Bonnie Blachly

Bonnie is a wife, mother and grandmother.  Born and raised in Seattle, Bonnie grew up in the Scandinavian Community of Ballard.  Her desire to serve and her mother’s urging toward a nursing career led Bonnie to this caring profession.

​

Initially in 1970, Bonnie started working in skilled nursing as a stepping stone to build experience.  However, she fell in love with the long-term care residents and committed her nursing practice to the skilled nursing specialty until she returned to school in 2004. 

​

Bonnie has been able to share her knowledge by offering clients a comprehensive and thorough approach to care planning.  She facilitates the care of residents and patients that reflects their wishes and desires and improves their quality of life.

Bonnie graduated from St. Elizabeth School of Nursing diploma program in 1970.  She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in 1994 and later earned her Master of Nursing (MN) degree in 2004 from the University of Washington, Bothell.

​

She received her End-of-Life Doula training through Lifespan Doulas in Ann Harbor, Michigan and the Conscious Dying Institute in Boulder, Colorado. Bonnie has attended workshops on Death and Dying through the End of Life Nursing Education Consortium (Core and Geriatric curriculum) as well.

​

Additionally, Bonnie completed her training to work as a Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC) from the Legal Nurse Consultant Institute in 2002.

Early in Bonnie’s nursing career, she chose to focus on caring for older adults and assisting with their end of life care. While working in Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF’s) Bonnie advanced into a leadership role as a Director of Nursing and then eventually served as a Nursing Home Administrator.

​

She started her faculty position at the University of Washington, Bothell and her consulting services in 1996; both of which she continues today.

​

In 2005 Bonnie launched her own consulting business, BLB Nurse Consulting, to provide agencies with a variety of services like systems review, regulatory support, and education/training.  Her passion for caring for older adults and assisting with end of life care led her to become an End of Life Doula.

​

To see Bonnies extensive CV and career experience, click here. (PDF)

Family is one of Bonnie’s core values.  As a child, she was the first-born of 7 children in her family.  This instilled a strong appreciation for family connection early on in her life.  Now, as a mother of 4 grown sons and a loving spouse of 50 years, Bonnie knows what it means to embrace life transitions and change.

​

Bonnie is also deeply passionate about music.  Playing piano is one of Bonnie’s favorite pastimes.  She finds relaxation in classical melodies as her fingers dance across the keys.  She fills what little spare time she has left with reading and believes learning is a lifelong process which she enjoys immensely.

​

As an advocate for doing good, Bonnie applies these words to her life and nursing practice, “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love." - Mother Theresa.