Nursing Student: Balancing Clinical Rotations and Championship Tennis

Lauren Sweeney is completing her third semester of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Missouri, St. Louis, while balancing a competitive athletic schedule. Her coursework requires extensive clinical rotations across major regional healthcare systems, a demand that coincided with a historic season for her university's tennis team.

Sweeney, a native of Topeka, Kansas, has played competitively since seventh grade. In May 2026, the UMSL women's tennis team secured its first Great Lakes Valley Conference championship. The team defeated the University of Indianapolis 4-2 in the final match held at Center Grove High School in Greenwood, Indiana.

Simultaneously, Sweeney began completing clinical placements in diverse medical environments. These rotations included obstetrics at Mercy Hospital, pediatrics at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and adult health at Christian Hospital. She stated that these experiences were eye-opening and expanded her view of potential career paths after graduation.

Sweeney cited the team atmosphere as a primary factor in her decision to attend UMSL. She noted that she values working within a group to care for patients, a dynamic she finds in both her clinical work and her sport. She described her teammates as close and enjoyed the daily opportunity to compete with them.

Managing the dual workload required careful time management, particularly during exam periods and early morning practice sessions. Faculty in the College of Nursing supported her schedule. Assistant Teaching Professor Paula Linden and Assistant Teaching Professor Laurie Vining worked with her to coordinate tennis commitments with academic requirements.

Sweeney plans to begin her nursing career in St. Louis after graduating in a few months. She is considering positions in obstetrics, pediatrics, or the emergency department. While she may pursue a master's degree or a Doctor of Nursing Practice in the future, her immediate goal is to gain practical experience in the field. She credited the BSN program, including coursework and simulation lab work, for preparing her for this transition.