UMSL Student Balances 4-2 Tennis Victory with Nursing Clinical Rotations

Lauren Sweeney completed her third semester in the BSN program at the University of Missouri St. Louis while serving as a member of the women's tennis team. Her schedule required balancing academic coursework and clinical rotations with competitive athletic duties. This dual commitment culminated in May when the team secured the Great Lakes Valley Conference championship. The squad defeated the University of Indianapolis with a score of 4-2 in the final match held at Center Grove High School in Greenwood, Indiana.

Sweeney, a native of Topeka, Kansas, has been enrolled in the College of Nursing since her freshman year. She selected nursing after evaluating various healthcare programs during her senior year of high school. Her decision was influenced by the collaborative nature of the profession. She values the team dynamic required in patient care, a structure that mirrors the atmosphere she experiences on the tennis court. She has played competitively since seventh grade and chose UMSL specifically because it allowed her to continue her athletic career while pursuing a degree.

The nursing curriculum includes practical components that Sweeney began this semester. She completed clinical placements at three major regional healthcare systems. These sites included Mercy Hospital for obstetrics, St. Louis Children's Hospital for pediatrics, and Christian Hospital for adult health. These rotations provided direct patient interaction and exposed her to different medical environments. She described the experience as eye-opening, noting that the practical side of the job differs from classroom instruction.

Managing the workload required coordination between the athletic department and the college. Assistant Teaching Professors Paula Linden and Laurie Vining in the College of Nursing assisted Sweeney with scheduling conflicts. Sweeney noted that time management was a primary challenge, particularly during exam periods that coincided with early morning practices. She utilized a detailed calendar to track her obligations across both domains. Despite the pressure, she maintained a positive outlook on the busy schedule.

Graduation is scheduled for the coming months, concluding her time as a student athlete. Sweeney plans to begin her nursing career in the St. Louis metropolitan area. She is currently evaluating potential specialty areas, including obstetrics, pediatrics, and the emergency department. She may pursue a master's degree or a Doctor of Nursing Practice in the future, but her immediate focus is on entering the workforce. The College of Nursing's simulation lab and clinical rotations prepared her for these next steps.

The team's championship run in May marked a historic moment for the university program. The 4-2 victory over Indianapolis was the first conference title in the program's history. For Sweeney, the achievement validated her decision to compete at the collegiate level while studying nursing. She cited the close-knit nature of the tennis squad as a key factor in her satisfaction with the dual career path.