- Education: Associate of applied science in nursing, bachelor of science in nursing and master of science in nursing from Purdue University Northwest
- Years in nursing: 38
- Current role: Director, Medical-Surgical, Behavioral Health & Cancer Center Services, Franciscan Health
- Leadership philosophy: “Mentorship, empathy and intentionality in onboarding”
- Biggest leadership challenge: “Navigating staffing and resources during COVID”
- Greatest reward: “Watching new nurses grow into confident professionals”
Purdue Northwest alumna demonstrates immense care for patients, nurses
Laura Fuller’s career as a health care professional is marked by curiosity, initiative and resilience in the face of challenges. From high-stakes cases in intensive care units to the height of the pandemic, she has sought to impact her patients and colleagues with empathic and quality health care experiences.
Growing up in Michigan City, Fuller’s first glimpse into health care came through a career-based learning opportunity at Rogers High School in Michigan City. She also worked for a local pediatric dentist, finding joy and connection in working with children.
“I just loved it — being around kids, helping them and seeing their smiles,” she recalled
Although Fuller started her Purdue University Northwest college career as an accounting major, she found nursing to be her true calling. She earned her associate of applied science in nursing in 1987.
Her early professional career was marked by constructive, hands-on experiences. She started at the former St. Anthony’s Hospital in Michigan City, first on a step-down unit before moving into the intensive care unit.
Fuller eventually transitioned to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where she spent 14 years in the pediatric ICU. The work was intense, deeply rewarding and life-changing — not just professionally, but personally. During this time, she adopted two children, aged 9 and 11, and balanced the demands of motherhood with a return to graduate education at PNW.
“My classes and instructors provided a very well-rounded nursing and college experience,” Fuller said. “I felt as prepared as I could have been at the time that I graduated with my associate degree in nursing. This great experience impacted my decision to return to PNW for my bachelor’s and master’s degrees.”
Midway through pursuing her master’s degree in nursing, Fuller had to pause her studies to focus on family. When she called her adviser in 2005, she learned that her previous credits were about to expire — so she returned just in time, earning certification as a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) and becoming board certified.
Fuller’s career has since evolved from the bedside to leadership. She returned to Franciscan Health to ease the commute from Chicago and found herself drawn toward leadership roles — first as a clinical nurse specialist, then as a director of medical-surgical, behavioral health and cancer center services.
Today, Fuller oversees managers and bedside staff. Her leadership style is informed by empathy and firsthand experience.
“I’ll never forget what it was like being a brand-new nurse,” she says. “That fear, that uncertainty — it stays with you. That’s why I’m so intentional with how we onboard people now.”
Rather than randomly assigning new nurses to preceptors, she carefully vets experienced nurses to ensure they are not only skilled but also willing to teach and support. “Mentoring and shaping the next generation is one of the most important parts of my job,” she says.
The pandemic tested every aspect of health care leadership. Fuller recalls how staffing was uncertain, expenses skyrocketed and only certain units could handle the inflow of infected patients. Her team had to adapt quickly to ever-changing CDC guidelines, all while battling the realities of burnout, workforce shortages and rising costs.
“It was one of the most frightening and defining moments of our careers,” she reflects. “We had to fight to attract and retain talent. The competition with travel nurse salaries was tough.”
Now, as the health care system stabilizes post-pandemic, Fuller has focused on sustainable staffing, operational resilience and rebuilding morale.
With 38 years in nursing, Fuller brings unmatched perspective and empathy to her role. It’s not just about managing systems — it’s about developing people, advocating for better care and leading with purpose.
“The reason I stayed in clinical nursing, the reason I moved into leadership — it is because I never stopped caring,” she says. “If I can make the experience better for nurses and patients, then I’ve done my job.” •
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