By Sarah Morgan Johnson
Resilience is the common thread throughout the life and nursing career of Lauren Smith, BSN, RN (BSN 2021). While her educational trajectory has been anything but a straight line, the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing alumna and Doctor of Nursing Practice student has overcome personal challenges in pursuit of her lifelong dream to be a nurse. Today she uses her experiences to relate to nursing students in her current role as a graduate teaching assistant.
From a young age, Smith knew she wanted to be in the health care field. As a middle and high school student, she volunteered as a “candy striper” with UAB Volunteer Services. Teenage volunteers typically served for one month, but Smith extended her commitment to two months each year because she found so much purpose in working with patients. During those summers, she was drawn to the hands-on aspect of nursing.
“Seeing how hands-on nurses were with patients made me want to be a nurse. I gained experiences I would have never had otherwise. Now that I am a nurse myself, I see how valuable it was to practice those clinical skills from such an early age.”
Smith’s childhood dream became a reality when she enrolled in the UAB School of Nursing’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program. During her time as a BSN student, she was part of the UAB Golden Girls dance team. She juggled a busy practice schedule with an 18-hour course load and part-time job.
After a change to her financial situation forced Smith to pivot, she transferred to a local community college where she earned an Associate Degree in Nursing. During this time, Smith cared for her grandfather, who was like a father to her. Her days revolved around studying, going to class and helping her grandfather navigate his diabetes and dementia. After he passed away from a heart attack, Smith took a break from school before finishing her degree.
While circumstances forced Smith to adapt, her goal of graduating from the UAB School of Nursing and becoming a nurse never wavered.
“There was never any question in my mind—I always wanted to graduate from UAB and I always wanted to be a nurse,” Smith said.
She came back to the School, graduating from the RN to BSN Pathway in 2021. After working for several years as a travel nurse, Smith returned to the School again, this time enrolling in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program. Today, her grandfather remains her source of motivation.
“I have a picture of my grandfather on my lock screen alongside my UAB graduation photo. He is my inspiration—I look at him every day and he reminds me to be resilient,” Smith said.
Beyond her own determination, Smith credits her strong support system with her success. Her mother’s encouragement has been a constant source of strength.
“I couldn’t have done it without my mom instilling in me that hard work doesn’t come easy,” Smith said. “She has been my rock, motivating me through every test, every failure and cheering me on to get back up and try again. My mother plays a big part in my success, and I can’t stress enough how important it is to have a strong support system.”
Outside of her family, she also is thankful for the support she has received at the School. She is especially grateful for Assistant Professor Lindsey Harris, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, FAAN (MSN 2011, DNP 2016), who has served as a mentor and seen Smith’s perseverance first-hand.
“Lauren is such a resilient and determined individual. Once she sets her mind on a goal she is going to achieve it, and if one door closes, she goes to the next open door. When her grandfather passed away, Lauren became even more motivated to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. She is so compassionate, and she truly cares for her patients. Lauren is such a jewel to nursing,” Harris said.
As a graduate teaching assistant, Smith tutors students in the BSN Program and Accelerated Master's in Nursing Pathway. She is thankful for the opportunity to encourage and relate to students.
“I love working with students and I love giving back. Because I’m not an actual professor, I can relate to students a little more. They share their struggles, and I share my story. It wasn’t a straight road for me—it was a roller coaster. I tell my students it might not be a straight road, but they must be resilient. Being able to give them that perspective gives me purpose,” Smith said.
Watching Smith pay it forward and connect with the next generation of students has brought Harris joy, because it is a model of a mentor and mentee relationship.
“I've been mentored throughout my nursing career, and I've been able to mentor Lauren and other individuals. Now Lauren is also giving back, and I think that is extremely important for students to see,” Harris said. “She is truly impacting the next generation. She still remembers the adversity she faced and can relate to students in a way that professors sometimes forget. Her role as a GTA is invaluable.”
As she reflects on her experiences thus far, Smith knows her grandfather would be proud of where she is today. Throughout the ups and downs of her nursing career, Smith's resilience and determination have been her guiding lights.
“It is so important to know what you want to do and to stand firm in that. I know I was put on this earth to care for people as a nurse, and so even when people encouraged me to consider another career I kept going after my goal,” Smith said.