Winona Daily News: Southeast Tech grad profile - Building a life of caring for people

Jerome Christenson
May 11, 2016

It isn't always pretty growing old.

Eyes fail. Muscles weaken. Memory fades. Caregivers become the cared for.

Someone's mother. Someone's father, uncle or brother. "Each patient is somebody's family," Lauren said. "They deserve the best possible care."

Wednesday, as she steps up to claim her R.N. degree at Southeast Technical College, Lauren Flanagan is better prepared to give her patients the care they deserve.

For nearly two years, Lauren has worked at Winona Manor as a Licensed Practical Nurse. "Being a registered nurse will let me take on more responsibility, care for more difficult cases, tasks I'm not able to do as an LPN," she said.

For Lauren, it's another step on a path she's followed since she was a young girl. Her mother, Pam Pelowski, has had a 30-year career in nursing and has been a model and inspiration for her daughter. "So many people come up and tell me how great my mother was at her job," Lauren said. "I have big shoes to fill and I want to live up to that."

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