Nurse at Texas Health Rockwall talks about her roles through the years
Lauren Britton, B.S.N., R.N., RNC-OB, has been a nurse for 20 years and spent 10 of them in labor and delivery at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, beginning in 2007.
After working in day surgery/special procedures at Texas Health Hospital Rockwall for two years, she joined the labor and delivery team there in January and has now stepped into a leadership role as manager of labor and delivery and mother-baby.
“Lauren’s quick rise to her new role has been a testament to her strong support and modeling of relationship-based care in addition to her strength as a clinician in the women and infants’ specialty,” said Catherine Johnson, B.S.N., MBA, CLNC, RNC-OB, C-EFM, NEA-BC, director, labor and delivery, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), mother-baby unit and lactation services. “She has quickly established trust and confidence with the entire care team and always strives to improve processes that support the most memorable birth experiences for our patients and families.”
Britton recently shared her thoughts on nursing, leadership and her great love: helping women give birth.
What did you want to be as a kid, and how did you ultimately choose healthcare?
I had childhood ideas of many different careers — singer/performer and marine biologist, to name two. In high school, I became very interested in science and biology. My mom, a nurse, is my role model. It is no surprise that I followed in her footsteps to become a registered nurse.
Describe your job. What is your workday like?
With the growth we have had in women’s services, my job/role/day-to-day has changed quite a bit over the last 1.5 years since I came to Texas Health Rockwall. I started as a night shift staff nurse in labor and delivery, working three 12-hour shifts per week at the bedside. I became a charge nurse within a few months. I was then promoted to night shift supervisor, which has been my role for the past year.
I was given the incredible opportunity to grow in my nursing leadership career as nursing manager for labor and delivery and mother-baby.
My primary role up to this point has been in labor and delivery staffing and supporting my team from a leadership perspective at the bedside. As I move into the management position, the nursing work at the bedside remains the most important part of my job.
What is your favorite part of your job, and what is the biggest challenge?
Birth is an incredible, dynamic process and will always be my absolute favorite part of my job. We have to be ready for anything in labor and delivery, because women of all types and health conditions can become pregnant and give birth.
Nursing leadership was not a specific career goal for me, but I have been pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoy supporting, guiding and leading my fellow nurses in their careers.
The biggest challenge in my job up to this point has been being at the bedside while also having leadership tasks. It can be difficult to balance and prioritize “office” work.
What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?
My daily driver vehicle is a 12-passenger van. My husband and I have been married 21 years and have five kids ages 19, 14, 13, 11 and 10.
How do you do your life’s best work at Texas Health?
Coming to Texas Health Rockwall has been one of the best career decisions I have made. My work-life balance is the best it has ever been because I work in the same community where we live.
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