Laura-Jean Siggens MSN, RN, CPN
Area of specialty: Clinical Nurse Coordinator - Hemophilia & Coagulation Disorders Program
" In 1976 I had just lost my job ... I remembered how wonderful the nurses were that took care of my daughter... I began to think I wanted to be like them. I went back to night school, worked two jobs - all the while being the single parent of four children"
In 1976 I had just lost my job through lay off and outsourcing at General Motors. I was going through a divorce and had four children. I was also a high school drop out. I began looking at what could I do to better myself and to set a good example for my children. I needed a job. After finding out how much I would make as a waitress or working in the field of fast food I knew that I could not care for my children. Then the UAW and GM offered a fully paid program called TRW to retrain and provide education for those who had lost their jobs.
I remembered how wonderful the nurses were that took care of my daughter, who had almost died from spinal meningitis and encephalitis. They were awesome. The compassion and caring that they showed was so inviting. I began to think I wanted to be like them. I went back to night school worked two jobs, all the while being the single parent of four children. I then enrolled into the nursing program at Washtenaw Community College and first completed my LPN degree and then went right into the RN program.
Once that was completed (under the auspices of the TRW grant I had to complete the full program in 108 weeks, which meant that several semesters I carried 18-22 credit hours), I took my first job at The University of Michigan - Mott Children's Hospital. I still remember what a feeling that was and what a privilege it was to be there. I never thought of working anywhere else.
After two years of working I received a friends scholarship. While working full time I completed the BSN program at the University of Michigan School of Nursing. During this time, I earned the A. Josephine Brown Award in Community Health nursing.
I worked in the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT unit for my first ten years here at the University of Michigan Health System. Then I took a job in the Cancer Center's pediatric procedure area and was the lead nurse. I worked for three years before transferring into the Hemophilia & Coagulation Disorders program which is a comprehensive program that addresses the needs of families with genetic clotting problems from birth throughout a person’s life span.
After being in my present position for about a year and having the empty nest syndrome, I became eager to get involved with something new. I got to talking to my friend Debby who is also a Nurse and we decided to pal together and get our Master’s degree in Nursing. It took us another two years to complete the program. I since decided to get my certification as a pediatric nurse. I took one of the courses offered through the Retention and Recruitment department. I have since passed that test and am now certified through the pediatric nursing certification board (PNCB).
In my present position I am blessed at having multiple opportunities from the local and state level as well as belong to and participate with national programs that support our patient population. I participate in presenting to women and girls programs regarding women and bleeding disorders. I spend time at "Camp Bold Eagle" (a camp for children with bleeding disorders), each July as the camp nurse. We teach children about their diagnosis and promote self-infusion. I also do school and home visits providing education for parents, families and teachers.
At times, especially on a sunny day, I am still in awe when I drive up the hill and see this wonderful place in which I work in. I am proud to be a part of Nursing at the University of Michigan and in the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.
