Karen Borden received her bachelor of science in nursing degree from Towson State University in Towson, Maryland. She went on to receive a master of science in nursing degree from the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions.

She is board certified as an adult nurse practitioner by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Prior to dermatology, her clinical experience had been in oncology, working in MGH Cancer Center. Professional affiliations include the Massachusetts Coalition for Nurse Practitioners, the Oncology Nursing Society, and the Dermatology Nursing Association.