Lauren Anne Bresina
November 2015 Cohort
St. Peters, Missouri
Valuing the “Dignity of a Patient” — RN’s Path From Bedside Nurse to Primary Care Provider
I am originally from Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and have lived there for the majority of my life. I recently moved to St. Peters, Missouri, after living in Georgia for two years. I am engaged and have two Labrador retrievers that I adore. I love being outdoors, spending time with my family and friends, and cheering on my favorite teams (the Green Bay Packers and the Wisconsin Badgers)!
At a very young age, I knew I wanted to be a nurse so that I could help alleviate pain and suffering. I currently work as a Registered Nurse (RN) in a float pool position at a hospital in St. Charles, Missouri.
I decided to pursue my Master of Science in Nursing because I want to be able to prevent common diseases and educate families on the importance of their health. I am determined to be part of a medical team that can help patients understand what they can do to live a healthier life. Bedside nursing has taught me a lot about the dignity of a patient, and I want to be the professional my patients can depend on for help — both mentally and physically.
Nursing@Simmons was an easy choice for me. The program is very versatile and functions similarly to a traditional classroom with the advantage of being able to attend class at home. Like any nurse, I have a busy schedule and a lot to balance on my plate. Nursing@Simmons makes learning accessible through an online platform and live sessions. As a Nursing@Simmons student, I am provided with support and encouragement from professors and classmates while preparing to be a successful Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). I also have an outstanding student support specialist who always checks in to see how I am doing and provides the reassurance I need to get through this program.
There is a wonderful feeling of community in the program. Students and professors interact closely and collaborate to make the best learning environment possible. I have met classmates from all over the country, and we each bring different experiences to the classroom. I feel honored to study with intelligent, compassionate, and driven nurses who I know will make a positive impact on health care.
I loved being able to meet my fellow classmates in person during immersion weekend. The most challenging part of the immersion weekend experience was the health assessment class, but it was so rewarding to be able to demonstrate a head-to-toe physical assessment. On the last day, we were ready to embark on a new journey and begin working in the clinical setting as FNP students.
So far, my favorite Nursing@Simmons course has been pharmacology, as it has helped me understand how medications work in the body and how certain medications affect different disease processes. The first study group I attended was for the pharmacology class, and it helped me transition from thinking like an RN to thinking like an FNP. I have enjoyed learning from Professor Posani, Professor Cardaci, and Professor Cohen. They have all shared their experiences of what they see in clinical practice and have pushed me to better understand pharmacology, health assessment, and women’s health.
After graduation, I would like to start in family practice and gain experience taking care of patients across the life span. My goal is to work with underserved patients and be able to provide primary care to those who need it most. I am proud to say that I will be a Simmons University graduate. Nursing is my calling, and I am excited to further my career as an FNP.