Catherine's work in the university sector includes leadership and management (including executive roles), teaching, scholarship, curriculum design, and research. She has taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses, written extensively on related professional and education matters, and led and/or supported the development of four undergraduate and six postgraduate courses, including accreditation. over the years, her roles in various universities have included Head of Course (various), Head of College (Nursing and Midwifery), and Head of School (leading and managing multiple disciplines and campuses). 

In research, Catherine has led and supported large, funded studies of funded research related to mental health recovery and nurse practitioner models of care. She has also supervised students enrolled in higher degrees to completion.

Catherine studied at the University of New England, Charles Sturt University, and the University of Queensland. She completed her PhD at the University of Queensland on an APA scholarship. 

Catherine has worked at various universities, including Central Queensland University, Charles Sturt University, Federation University, the University of Canberra, and Victoria University. She is currently an Adjunct Professor at Federation University.

In practice-based settings, Catherine has extensive experience working clinically as a registered nurse, mental health nurse, and nurse practitioner; and also as a front-line manager, project manager, and area manager. 

Catherine undertook consultancy work with the Australian Public Service in 2020-2021, including Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling, undertaking reviews in preparation for the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.