Get to Know a BHC Nurse

Lacey Clark, RN

Surgical Specialties

I am from a small, rural town in northeast Missouri called Memphis. My husband, Justin, and I both originate from there and we both still have families there. I moved to Columbia for school and have been living here for more than 10 years. I graduated from Moberly Area Community College with my associate’s degree in nursing. Justin and I have two little red-headed boys, 3-year-old Weston and 5-month-old Reed.

Why did you get into the health care field?

My mom is a nurse, so I was familiar with the profession growing up. My sister spent some time in the hospital when I was a junior in high school, and that experience solidified my love of nursing. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in that field. The awesome staff at Boone Hospital who delivered such great care to my sister inspired me to start my nursing career at the same place.

What interested you in your particular specialty?

In nursing school, I was always interested in either trauma or surgery. I started on a general medicine unit as a new nurse and decided to transfer to a surgical unit to dive into that specialty. I love the variety of patients, the opportunities to use my skills, and learning about new procedures and surgeries.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

I feel rewarded just knowing that I possibly made a difference in a person’s life with the care that I delivered. Getting to know my patients and forming a connection with them is pretty special.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

I think the demand for nurses, supplies, and equipment — and the availability of all three — will always be a challenge.

What has changed in your field since you started practicing?

In the 10 years I have been at Boone Hospital, I have worked with three different electronic medical record systems, each one different from the last. When I was a brand-new nurse, I remember two nurses had to verify a paper copy of the home medication list for discharged patients to ensure it was correct. Now, with a simple click of a button, a patient’s new prescriptions can be electronically sent to their pharmacy.

What do you see changing in the next five to 10 years?

I think nursing will see big changes through the integration of new technology in the years to come. Everything nowadays is so tech-driven, so I think we’ll see changes in communication and the ways we deliver health care.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I love to play slow-pitch softball during the summer months. I also enjoy having get-togethers with friends and family and traveling to old and new places!

What advice would you give someone looking to become a nurse?

My advice would be to stick with it and to always remember why you wanted to be a nurse, especially during the hard times.