Dr. Gorton presently serves as an assistant professor in the College of Nursing at the University of Colorado (CU). Dr. Gorton held the role of Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs at CU for four years prior to returning to a faculty role in June 2018. Dr. Gorton joined the University of Colorado College of Nursing in 2013. During her time at CU, she has taught in the undergraduate program and graduate program in addition to being a committee member for graduate students in the MS and DNP programs. She serves on several advisory boards related to Nurse Residency Programs in the Denver metro area. Prior to her time at CU, Dr. Gorton was at the University of Northern Colorado School of Nursing for five years. During her time there, she held a Doctoral Fellowship with the National Institute for Nursing Education and Scholarship as well as that of Assistant Professor and one year as the Assistant Director for Undergraduate Programs. Prior to working at the University of Northern Colorado, Dr. Gorton was at Carroll College serving for five years as an assistant professor, taking on the positions of (a) Interim Director of the Nursing Program for one year and (b) Director of the Nursing Program for two years. Dr. Gorton is an active member of Sigma Theta Tau International, serving as an elected member of the Board of Directors for the 2017-2019 biennium. She also engaged in NLN where she serves as a NLN ambassador.

Dr. Gorton earned a BS degree from Wheaton College, an MS degree from Indiana University, a BSN degree from Carroll College/Columbia College of Nursing, an MS-Nursing degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and finally, her PhD from the University of Northern Colorado.