Laura works with seriously ill patients each day as part of her nursing career, but she takes a lot of pride in being able to help improve their quality of life.

Laura works on the hematology/oncology unit at a major St. Louis area hospital, where most of her patients are older adults and those who have cancer. “There are a lot of challenges we face, but the biggest one for me is the fact that you always get to know the patients and their families on a personal level, versus working someplace like the operating room,” she says.

“We do face losing patients. And when a patient first gets diagnosed, it’s a huge life change for them and their families, emotionally and physically. You have to know their family dynamics and be supportive of them in all the right psychosocial aspects. It’s hard to leave your work at work.”

Still, Laura says, she derives strength from the strong coworker support system she is part of at the hospital. “We’re all in the same boat,” she says. “It’s hard, but it’s rewarding because your work is appreciated by so many people. You get to reach out to patients and families, and make a real difference.”

Laura plans to return to school eventually for an advanced nursing degree, but that’s still a couple years down the road. “I’d like to stay in oncology and become a clinical nurse specialist and educator,” she says.

Leisure time for Laura includes suspense novels, day trips, craft shows and antiquing with her family. She also enjoys scrapbooking, shopping, trying new restaurants and foods, and making memory albums for friends.

She is getting married next year, so wedding plans take up a good deal of her time as well. Laura and her new husband will honeymoon in Maui, and she hopes to make long-distance sightseeing a more frequent part of her life. “I’ve never been out of the country before,” she says. “A goal of mine is to travel more.”

Laura, a native of Florissant, performed with a small dance studio as a little girl and eventually captained her high school dance team. She has traveled to New York City to appear in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and also served as captain of the dance team at Saint Louis University during her time there. Along with some of her current cheerleading teammates, Laura performs at area events with the locally based Ashley Liane Dance Company.