Getting to Know a Nurse Practitioner - Lauren O’Brien

Lauren O’Brien, AGACNP-BC

Neurosurgery, Boone Health Neurosurgery and Spine Center

I was born and raised in Springfield, Illinois. I am the second of three children, and both of my parents were in the medical field before they retired. I got my Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Illinois State University; then married my high school sweetheart, Tyler. I worked in a Surgical/Trauma/Neuro ICU for approximately 5 years before deciding to return to pursue my master’s degree as an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner through Goldfarb School of Nursing in St. Louis. We then had our first daughter. From there, my husband’s job took us to midMissouri and I began working at University of Missouri in the neurosurgery department, where I fell in love with the specialty. I did that for about 5 years, but later took a job in orthopaedics to better accommodate our growing family. I worked in that specialty for about 5 years but ultimately felt drawn to return to neurosurgery. I have been lucky to be at Boone for the last 1 1/2 years.

Why did you get into the health care field? I have always felt drawn to medicine. Even as a child, I was fascinated by how the body worked and I enjoyed learning about what could be done to help it. My parents were always a wealth of knowledge and encouragement. In college, I began volunteering in a local emergency department and immediately felt fulfilled by helping others both physically and emotionally, which solidified my career plans in nursing.

What interested you in your particular specialty? Neurosurgery has always been a fascinating and challenging field for me. I enjoy coordinating people’s symptoms with their pathology and have always been in awe by how our body functions and adapts. I also love that the field provides opportunity for learning and growth. Out of all my experiences in many parts of medicine, Neurosurgery has always left me feeling both personally and professional satisfied.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? I love many parts of my job including assisting in surgery, helping people to better understand their medical condition and feeling appreciated by my collaborating physicians Drs. Ryan and Bondurant; but the most rewarding part of my job is seeing patients improve after both surgical and non-surgical interventions.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job? The most challenging part of my job is helping people with multiple complex medical issues navigate their neurosurgical challenges.

What do you see changing in health care in the next 5 to 10 years? Without a doubt, the next major change in healthcare will be the incorporation and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence into medicine.

What advice would you give someone looking to become a nurse practitioner? I advise everyone to first get experience as a bedside nurse, to shadow an advanced practice provider and to prioritize lifelong learning. It is also important to choose a program that fits where you want your career to go.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Outside of work, when I am not spending time with my husband and 2 daughters (Harper and Hayden), I enjoy exercising, cooking, gardening, caring for my house plants, leading two Girl Scout troops and cuddling with our wonderful dog Roxie.

What advice would you give to someone who is going to be a patient in a hospital for a period of time? Do not be afraid to advocate for yourself! Ask clarifying questions, take notes and repeat back what you are understanding. Also, bring a pillow and blanket from home.