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Gridiron fame

Kimberly Lawrence, RN, is another example of a nurse with a showbiz background. Lawrence began dancing when she was 8. In 1998, she entered nursing school with a dual career. Each day, she attended school and, most evenings, she rehearsed with her squad: the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

"Being a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader was prestigious and a dream of mine since I was 5 years old," Lawrence said. Although cheerleading was physically rigorous, it prepared her for nursing. "Cheering before a crowd of 65,000 people makes you realize you can do anything."

Balancing a nursing career with cheerleading was challenging, though. In addition to nursing, Lawrence attended cheerleading rehearsals five times a week, games each weekend and made public appearances with little pay. But the occupation was rewarding, especially when her patients found out about her "second job."

"When the children discovered I was a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, their faces lit up with bright smiles," said Lawrence, who remembers her patients joining her and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in a holiday parade.

"That was one of my greatest Christmas gifts," she said.

Lawrence uses her same "cheerleading" communication and performance skills as a nurse at the Center for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition at Children's Medical Center. A team leader of the GI lab (gastrointestinal), she creates a feeling of trust and camaraderie among her staff of 12 RNs and their clinical support. In addition, she assists physicians in endoscopy procedures, such as an EGD, a colonoscopy, liver biopsy, DH probe placement and rectal section biopsy.

Lawrence also instructs parents in the area of procedural teaching and sedation education. "It's important for parents to understand and be aware of what their child is going through," she said. "I believe that knowledge decreases anxiety."

A natural go-getter, Lawrence is drawn to the intensity and complexity of GI disorders.

"The treatment interests me," she said. In her practice, she works with young people, from birth to age 20, who exhibit digestive disorders affecting the pancreas, stomach, esophagus, small intestine, colon, liver and spleen. "Each patient is different, depending on their developmental level," she said. "In my work, nothing stays the same."

Although no longer a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, Lawrence continues to seek challenges in life. This fall, she will pursue an MBA degree, so she can become a nurse administrator.

A marathon runner, Lawrence never lets hers dreams die. Her latest goal is to join the Rockettes, the famous dance team in New York City. How will she achieve this?

"I'll move to New York and work as a nurse-with the nursing shortage, it should be easy," she said, laughing.

Pamela Stone's articles about women's isssues are distributed by the New York Times and Los Angeles Times Syndicates. Her latest book, A Woman's Guide to Living Alone: 10 Ways to Survive Grief and Be Happy, is available at national chain bookstores and online. Contact her at pamstone3@aol.com.