Inspiring the next generation of nurses
Ashlyn (left) with Lauren during graduation weekend at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn.
Nearly six years ago, Addison (Addie) Koegle was rushed to Providence Holy Cross Medical Center after a student opened fire at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California.
On an unforgettable day in the emergency room, nurse Lauren Hawk never left Addie’s side, going above and beyond her role as a bedside nurse. Lauren became a source of strength and comfort for Addie, her sister Ashlyn and their parents.
Addie’s sister Ashlyn remembers the day vividly. At age 16, seeing her younger sister in the hospital with bullet wounds was her worst nightmare. Lauren brought light to this dark moment, and it changed Ashlyn’s life.
Although her mind was set on law school, Ashlyn’s plan changed that day. After meeting Lauren and seeing how she cared for her sister at Providence Holy Cross, she knew she wanted to be a nurse. This change in career path felt like a calling, and Addie looked up to her sister for doing it, saying that she is great at working under pressure.
“I was so proud of her and understood what a big change this was for her because her whole life she wanted to be a lawyer. She (Lauren) completely changed my entire life in ways she doesn’t know,” shares Addie.
Ashlyn shares the moment that stuck with her most, “I remember a moment when Addie was in the trauma room and nurse Lauren had braided her hair. She said, ‘“I feel pretty.” My sister had four bullet wounds, two entry and two exit, and when Lauren took the few extra minutes to fix her hair and make her feel special, I knew at that exact moment it was what I wanted to do for people. I wanted to make these awful chaotic situations a little bit better and a little more tolerable for people going through them. That’s exactly what she did for my family in that situation,” said Ashlyn.
In early May, Ashlyn graduated from Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn. with a Bachelor of Science in nursing. In addition to her family, Lauren was invited to attend the graduation events where Ashlyn spoke to the graduating class during a senior luncheon and shared her “why.” The “why,” was Lauren.
“When Ashlyn started nursing school, she was asked to put on a notecard the reason why she wanted to become a nurse, and she wrote down my and Addie’s names. She gave me that notecard at her graduation, and now it’s one of my most prized possessions,” says Lauren.
Throughout nursing school, Ashlyn always kept her “why” in mind. “It’s been a very hard four years, but I know the outcome is worth it. Especially if I can be a fraction of the nurse Lauren is,” shares Ashlyn.
Lauren reflects on what this experience meant to her. “I feel so fulfilled, more than words can describe. Ashlyn reminded me why I became a nurse. Caring for her sister and her family after the shooting forever impacted me, my career and my family. But I never knew the impact I had on them — I didn’t even know that Ashlyn knew my name,” shares Lauren.
Ashlyn (center) after her pinning ceremony posing with Addie (left) and Lauren (right).
Since reconnecting, Lauren, Ashlyn, Addie and family plan to keep in touch. Addie has since made a full recovery and attends Oklahoma State University, studying communication sciences and disorders. She hopes to become a pediatric speech and language pathologist.
