Lauren Sweeney is a senior in UMSL’s BSN program. She also plays on the women’s tennis team. (Photo by Derik Holtmann)
Lauren Sweeney will never forget the first time she was able to witness a live birth as a nursing student at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.
Now in her third semester of the BSN program in the College of Nursing, Sweeney has started completing her clinical rotations across several major regional healthcare systems in St. Louis. She’s been able to gain robust hands-on nursing experience in a variety of different environments, from obstetrics at Mercy Hospital to pediatrics at St. Louis Children’s Hospital to adult health at Christian Hospital. Such experiences have opened up a new world of possibilities for what she might be able to do with her nursing degree.
“It’s really been eye-opening and super interesting because it’s just a whole different playing field of what we have been learning,” she said. “It’s very interesting, and it’s very exciting to see the possible opportunities after graduation.”
Sweeney, who is originally from Topeka, Kansas, has known she wanted to pursue a career in healthcare since she was in high school. During her senior year, as she started looking into different programs, she connected the dots and ultimately landed on nursing.
“I just love the environment of working with a team and knowing that I’m a part of helping to take care of people and just being there for them,” she said.
That team mentality is also a major part of what she loves about playing on the UMSL women’s tennis team. Being able to play tennis – which she has played competitively since seventh grade – while also pursuing her nursing degree was a big factor in her decision to come to UMSL.
“I love the team atmosphere,” Sweeney said. “All my teammates are very close, so I enjoy being able to be with them every day, and I love the ability to compete.”
In her four years on the tennis team, she’s been able to experience some memorable moments. In May, the team made UMSL history when it captured its first Great Lakes Valley Conference championship, defeating the University of Indianapolis 4-2 in the championship match at Center Grove High School in Greenwood, Indiana.
Balancing nursing classes, exams and clinical work with tennis practice and matches is no easy feat, but Sweeney said faculty in the College of Nursing – including Assistant Teaching Professor Paula Linden and Assistant Teaching Professor Laurie Vining, who work with her tennis schedule – have been especially supportive.
“It’s definitely tough,” Sweeney said. “A lot of time management is very important, and my calendar is very helpful. I like to be busy, so I don’t mind the busy aspect of it, but it can definitely be tough with exams and practice and being up early.”
Now in her third semester of the BSN program, Sweeney can see a light at the end of the tunnel with graduation just a few months away. Getting hands-on experience through her clinical rotations has reaffirmed that nursing is the right path for her, and she’s particularly enjoyed having meaningful interactions with patients and building connections with the nurses working at those hospitals.
After graduation, she plans to stay in town and start her nursing career in St. Louis, which she notes is rich with several prominent regional and national hospital systems. At some point, she might consider going back to school for her master’s or Doctor of Nursing Practice, but for now, she’s excited to get out into the field and gain real experience working as a nurse. She’s considering working in OB or pediatrics but is also drawn to the fast pace of the emergency department.
Whichever path she chooses, Sweeney feels her education in the College of Nursing, from coursework in the classroom to practical experience in the Nursing Simulation Lab and clinical rotations, has prepared her well to take that next step.
“The BSN program, it’s been awesome,” she said. “I’ve learned so much, and I’ve gained so much knowledge. The people I’ve met in the BSN program have been awesome, and I’ve made a lot of great friends through nursing. All of the professors are wonderful – they’re so kind, helpful and very knowledgeable. So, that has been awesome.”
