Lauren McBride is an advanced practice nurse in the Bariatric & Metabolic Institute Clinic at Arkansas Heart Hospital, working alongside bariatric surgeons Dr. Samuel Bledsoe, Dr. J.D. Fuller, and Dr. J.J. Tucker. She began her nursing career as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 2011 working at Christus St Michael’s Hospital in Texarkana, Texas. While working there, she furthered her education graduating with an Associate’s of Applied Science Nursing degree in 2012. She worked as a Registered Nurse, providing community home health care in her hometown, Hope, Arkansas, from 2013 until graduating with her Master’s of Science in Nursing from Walden University in 2018. Shortly after graduation, she relocated to central Arkansas where she began her career at the Arkansas Heart Hospital.

Get to know Lauren

What do you enjoy about being a APN in the BMI clinic?

I truly believe God led me to the bariatric clinic, and I am so thankful he did. The doctors and our wonderful staff are all such a blessing to work with. It is a rewarding role to get to watch patients’ lives change so drastically in such a short time. I’ve watched patients struggle with severe diabetes, cardiac disease, respiratory complications,  mobility limitations and so much more. For almost a decade prior to coming to the bariatric clinic, I cared for all types of very sick patients and simply managed their health conditions the best we could but here, at the Arkansas Heart Hospital, we see patients’ health issues resolved, and patients get a second chance to take control of their health. As a medical provider there is nothing more rewarding than that.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? 

I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, going to church, reading and being outdoors.