When Lauren Franks was choosing where to go to college, she didn’t have to look far. Born in Bristol, Virginia, she knew that King University, practically in her backyard, was the perfect choice for her.
“I wanted to be a part of a program where I would be recognized as more than just a number,” she said. “King University stood out to me personally because I believe it offers a strong program in nursing education, and with the University offering flexibility and great educational opportunities, I felt that it would allow me to build upon the foundation to learn advanced practice roles to serve our community better.”
Franks earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from King in 2022 and currently works at a local memory care and assisted living facility while also serving as an office manager at Healing Hydration. She’s also getting married in October and has returned to King this fall to pursue a master’s degree in nursing, focusing on becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner.
To say she likes to stay busy is an understatement.
“I definitely take one day at a time, but being able to prioritize between work, school, and personal life helps me achieve my goals,” said Franks.
Nursing, she says, is something she’s always been drawn to.
“I wanted a career where I could make a direct impact on someone’s life in some of their most vulnerable moments,” said Franks. “For me, it’s about helping people feel that they are heard and supported in all different aspects and scenarios.”
While nursing is her first love, she also enjoys her time at Healing Hydration, which has offices in Bristol and Abingdon. She helped launch the business and loves her role there, which specializes in IV therapy tailored to each individual.
“Healing Hydration specializes in IV infusions and vitamin injections to support overall wellness,” said Franks. “I feel that with my educational and career experience, I was able to bring both clinical expertise and leadership to the business.”
As she continues to pursue her goal of becoming a nurse practitioner, Franks feels that King has prepared her well for that role.
“I love that King is so very welcoming,” she said. “I also love that the faculty is supportive in all aspects and that everything feels so close-knit.
“I also feel that King prepared me for my current nursing roles, especially in leadership and nursing management. I assist in managing and training a diverse group of individuals with various skills. I have learned professional communication, critical thinking, and decision-making skills through King University.”
And now that she’s walking the halls of King again, she’s excited about where her journey at the university will lead her.
“I am looking forward to continuing my education and stepping into more advanced roles in my career,” Franks said. “And I feel that King University has really given me a great foundation to build upon to be the best Family Nurse Practitioner possible.”