A wedding is typically considered to be one of the most important days of someone’s life. For some though that day may not look exactly as planned, something Galen College of Nursing graduate Lexi Christensen witnessed firsthand while working in labor and delivery.

Christensen, who graduated from the Salt Lake City campus, was on shift one of her patient’s water broke preterm. The bride-to-be originally had planned to get married only a few days later but knew they were going to have to push it back.

“They were no longer going to be able to keep their wedding plans like they originally hoped because the patient was going to have to stay in the hospital until she delivered,” Christensen said.

That’s when her patient came to her with the only option they saw, get married inside of the hospital.

“They were planning to just do a quick ceremony in her room, but we knew we needed to give them a bigger wedding than that,” said Christensen.

Christensen and her coworker took that idea and ran. During her lunch break, Christensen went to the store and bought streamers, flowers and vases to make the day as special as possible for the couple.

“We asked her what colors she wanted, and she said she really liked purple, so I grabbed the prettiest purple flowers I could find along with the balloon arch and any other decor pieces I could find that would match,” said Christensen.

She was also able to call in for a little extra help. Her mom, who used to work in the wedding business, gathered additional decorations she had stored away. With the support from a few other nurses and technicians, they were able to have cake, flowers and even make the happy couple a guestbook so they could remember their day.

“It was a beautiful day to be a part of, and I will never forget it,” said Christensen.

Even when life doesn’t go according to plan, meaningful memories can still be created in the most unexpected places.

Stories like this are at the heart of what it means to be a nurse. If you’re looking for a career where you can make a real difference in people’s lives, even in the most unexpected moments, come to Galen College of Nursing!

Pre‑licensure program options at Galen include a Practical Nursing (PN/VN) program, Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), an ADN Bridge pathway for licensed practical or vocational nurses ready to advance their careers, and a three‑year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Apply now to start on your nursing path at Galen!