Your support ensures that Barnes-Jewish Hospital has the people, equipment, and resources to provide exceptional care — from the routine to the complex — for every person. Your generosity creates a seamless pathway from the classroom to the hospital for compassionate caregivers like Lexi.
Lexi wanted to be a nurse when she grew up. She looked up to the nurses who cared for her mother — and for her entire family — when her mother was in the hospital for severe health problems related to rheumatoid arthritis.
“Watching the nurses left a lasting impression on me,” Lexi says. “They were not only clinically skilled but also deeply compassionate, and that combination inspired me. I realized I wanted to be someone who could bring both comfort and care to families during some of their hardest moments.”
Caring in the Classroom
Excited to follow in the footsteps of the nurses who inspired her, Lexi enrolled at Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing. A scholarship, funded by generous donors through The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital, enabled her to be a full-time student through all five rigorous terms of her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.
“Receiving a scholarship played a major role in my decision, as it allowed me to fully invest in my education and take advantage of leadership and service opportunities without financial stress,” Lexi says.
Throughout the BSN program, Lexi and her classmates were challenged by Goldfarb’s curriculum and supported by its staff. She was particularly impressed by Goldfarb’s teaching technology.
“One of the most impactful parts of my education was the simulation lab experiences, which felt incredibly realistic and pushed me to think critically in high-pressure situations before entering clinicals. My educators truly cared about my growth and success, and that support made a lasting difference.”
The simulation lab, which includes virtual reality equipment, gives students hands-on experience in simulated environments that mirror rooms at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Donor generosity enabled Goldfarb to invest in this leading-edge educational technology.
Caring in the Community
Lexi’s gratitude for her scholarship inspired her to give back to the St. Louis community in her free time. She spent more than 200 hours organizing food drives, collecting toys for children in local hospitals, and participating in tornado relief efforts.
“Nursing goes beyond the bedside,” she explains. “It is about serving your community, stepping up when people need you most, and using your opportunities to make a real difference.”
Lexi’s commitment to caring for others while pursuing her BSN was recognized by Goldfarb leadership, and she was honored at graduation with the Dean’s Honor for Service, an award made possible by generous donors.
Caring in the Hospital
Now, thanks to her hard work and the financial support of her scholarship, Lexi has transitioned from classes at Goldfarb to caring for patients as a nurse in the emergency room at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Like the nurses who inspired her, she’s a dedicated caregiver — assessing and reassessing her patients frequently, administering medications, and assisting with procedures while working closely with other health care team members.
“Barnes-Jewish Hospital felt like the best place to continue growing,” Lexi says. “A day in the emergency room is fast-paced and constantly evolving. I get exposure to every system of the body due to the wide variety of traumas and illnesses we see — no two days are the same. I also value the ability to care for patients during difficult moments, knowing that both teamwork and compassion are what truly shape the care we provide.”
Earning her BSN was just the beginning of Lexi’s nursing career. After she gains more professional experience in her current role, she plans to return to Goldfarb to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), which will expand her ability to care for her patients, their loved ones, and the community.
Lexi’s journey demonstrates the profound impact of donor generosity. She says, “Supporting nursing students is truly an investment in nurses who will go on to care for and advocate for others.”