By Sarah Morgan Johnson
As Katie Purdy BSN, RN, OCN (BSN 2013), reflects on hardships that characterized her early life, she is grateful for how they shaped her current career as an oncology nurse. After graduating from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing, Purdy began working in UAB Hospital’s Hematology/Oncology Specialty Unit, where she currently works as an Assistant Nurse Manager.
For the past 11 years, Purdy has found a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment working on the Hematology/Oncology Specialty Unit. She considers it a privilege to walk with patients and their families through some of the most challenging times.
“I love being able to be there for patients and their families throughout the entire journey. Our patients typically stay 30-45 days, so we really get to be an integral part of their lives. It is not an easy position, but it is so worth it,” Purdy said.
Thomas Watts is one of the many patients Purdy has left a lasting impact on. In 2022, he was unexpectedly admitted to the Hematology/Oncology Specialty Unit while battling Stage Four Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and an autoimmune condition called Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Watts said Purdy did everything in her power to support him and his family during his stay on the Hematology/Oncology Specialty Unit.
“Katie was my nurse for several days and really stood out to me and my family. She immediately showed great bedside manner, making us feel at ease during a tough time. We had a lot of questions and uncertainties about HLH, and Katie went above and beyond to give us the best and safest care while actively looking for answers and explanations. Even when she didn’t have all the answers, she quickly took action to find them and put our minds at ease,” Watts said.
Watts went on to say that Purdy’s compassionate, calming presence made a difference as he navigated his health challenges.
“When Katie was my nurse, I felt like she was really looking out for me and treating me with the utmost respect. She was kind, caring and reassuring during one of our most difficult weeks. We are so grateful to have met Katie and know that she’s a blessing to many,” Watts said.
Purdy first considered a career in nursing after undergoing brain surgery in 2005. The nurses she encountered left a permanent mark, as they encouraged Purdy and her family in a stressful time. Later in high school, she became interested in oncology after watching her best friend battle cancer.
“It was a journey I walked with him through. After that, I absolutely knew I wanted to be an oncology nurse,” Purdy said.
After applying to nursing school, Purdy waited expectantly to hear if she had been selected to receive any scholarships. UAB School of Nursing was her dream school, but she and her family were unsure if this would be her next step. Just four days before high school graduation, Purdy received a life changing phone call. She was selected for a full tuition scholarship through the Smith Scholarship Foundation, and her trajectory was quickly changed.
The Smith Scholarship Foundation is a third-party scholarship bestowed upon high school students who are the first in their family to graduate and have shown a dedication to community service and academic excellence despite challenging circumstances. In 2007, Purdy’s mother passed away after battling addiction. She recalls how this felt as a 15-year-old.
“It was a very tough time in my life, and I didn’t understand at the time how things were going to work out. My grandparents took me in and saved my life. I know I would not be where I am without them,” she said.
This scholarship allowed her to choose any four-year undergraduate program in the state of Alabama, and for Purdy, the choice was easy.
“That scholarship allowed me to go to the school of my dreams and be able to pursue a career and make incredible connections where I wanted to be. It set the tone for me to be able to pursue my dreams—to go to the UAB School of Nursing and get the career in oncology I had always wanted,” Purdy said. “My experience at the School was wonderful, and it was a journey that I would recommend for anyone.”
Purdy notes that her time at the School has opened countless doors for her, and she encourages current BSN students to take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way.
“Don’t give up and pursue your dreams. Connections are everything, so shadow in every unit you think you’re interested in. There are so many different aspects of nursing. Being here at the UAB School of Nursing, you can shadow and get to know different units. Nursing school is hard—it’s a very challenging time, but it’s very rewarding and very worth it,” Purdy said.
