About me.

Hi, I'm Lauren!

Thanks for stopping by and being curious about the nurse life:) I am extremely personable and I would rather have a conversation over coffee or a good taco Tuesday, but since we're online, here's the quick 411. As much I love my story, I want to hear yours too!! Please email me and say hi and tell me all about yourself as well, at harrelllaurene@gmail.com :)

Things people usually ask me:

Why did you become a nurse?
When I was about twelve years old, I watched a family friend fight cancer at the age of three years old. Seeing his oncology nurses care for him so well while giving him chemo, managing his symptoms, and taking care of his family lit something up in my soul that propelled me all the way into a nursing degree. Sadly, he passed away in 2016 but his influence in my life will impact others for as long as I'm alive.

What types of nursing have you done?
My background includes pediatric hematology/oncology/bone marrow transplant, general pediatrics, pediatric endocrinology, pediatric gastroenterology, and pediatric eating disorder treatment nursing. I am currently cross-training to pediatric emergency medicine as well!

How long have you been nursing?
I'm currently a certified pediatric registered nurse and I've been a nurse for about 2.5 years. I finished my BSN and earned my nursing license when I was nineteen years old and haven't looked back since.

How did you become a nurse so young? 
As you read above, I was inspired by pediatric oncology nurses when I was about twelve years old and that vision was extremely motivating to me. I printed off a BSN program and made a plan from that 8th grade year on how I could become a nurse ASAP. With help from my mom and nurse mentors, I ended up taking extra classes and graduating from high school when I was sixteen. During my junior year of high school, I completed my classes for my senior year of high school and my freshman year of college through dual enrollment. When I graduated from high school, I went to Grand Canyon University and finished all my science pre-reqs during the year that would've been my senior year of high school. What would have been my freshman year of college was when I started an accelerated nursing program, which I finished sixteen months later.

What's next in your career?
I'm currently working on my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner emphasis from Arizona State University. I'll graduate in 2021 and launch into the world of primary care pediatrics and I cannot wait to help kids be their healthiest!

What's the best part about being a nurse?
The best part about being a nurse is that I get to build a life be design. Nursing has given me a life that serves me so well while serving others to the best of my capability. I get to work 3-4 twelve hour shifts a week and love people to the absolute best of my capability, and then enjoy the other 3-4 days a week loving the people in my life, traveling, hiking, working out, and just being free.

For a long time I didn't want to publicly share my story like this, because it isn't about achievements and perfection or bragging rights. I'm not perfect and life isn't perfect and we're all learning and growing. If my story could be any sort of inspiration to you in your journey to love others well, that would be my greatest honor and that's why I have made my story public.