Would it be possible for a medical non-professional to properly collect and interpret a pap smear?

Possible? I guess it is possible. As an RN, I have prepared the slides after the physicians perform pap smears, maintained the chain of custody, and delivered them to the lab to be evaluated. You propose to function in all of these capacities based on having completed some undergrad courses and having read some guides? I ume you have not been trained in obtaining the sample cells either? A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. If you care about your friend, don't propose to use her as a guinea pig for this nonsense.