Samuel Smedley

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A North Las Vegas woman finds fulfillment in a new career after returning to school during her adult
years.
Laurie Smedley, a 49-year-old mother of four, thought she would never find herself back in school or
starting a successful business just a few years ago.
The recession hitting hard a few years ago caused the career market to become much more competitive
which in turn caused many middle-aged and near-retirement people to return to school to pursue their
interests and gain valuable career advantages. Laurie was one of those people.
Laurie was born and grew up in Bellevue, WA, near Seattle, knowing that she wanted to be a successful,
learned person since her birth November 26, 1964. Her dad, McKay, had an amazing career as a
corporate lawyer and always loved learning. Her mom, Linda, taught piano and attended different
classes the local community college to increase her knowledge and skills. She always knew that
education was important and found joy in learning.
Throughout her young-adult life, she continued this passion. She attended Sammamish High School
where she graduated with the class of 82. She played on the basketball team and was known for her
skills both on and off the court. She graduated with honors and afterward attended Brigham Young
University.
It was there that she really fell in love with learning. When I stepped into my first college classroom, I
was in awe. I could feel the energy of minds all around me. I loved being challenged and I felt like I
would finally be able to find that here. I took all of the classes I could about anything I could. It was an
awesome and wonderful time of my life, she recalled.
Upon settling on the major of Nursing, she pursued that degree until she was awarded a Bachelor of
Science in Nursing degree in the spring of 1986. Later that year she was married to Kevin Smedley of
Bountiful, UT.
She worked as a nurse during the beginning of their marriage, supporting their small family of two while
Kevin went to school. Three years later, they were blessed with their first baby boy, Atkin.
Within six years of Atkin being born, they had four little kids running around the house. She found
fulfillment in her work, but felt that it was more important for her to be at home with her children. I
loved nursing. There was always a challenge to be had. I loved trying to figure out what was wrong with
the patient before the doctor could. I was often right. I also loved serving all of those people. Yet, I knew

that I just couldnt be away from my children anymore. They needed their mom, she recounts of
choosing to quit her job as a full-time nurse to be a full-time stay-at-home mom.
Fast-forward 15 years from when she quit. All of her children were either out of the house or in high
school and she was itching to get back into doing something. She looked at nursing, but didnt really
have a desire to go back. She wanted to be able to fulfill her desire to learn and achieve while still
helping other people. Thats when she started realizing that families and marriages all around her were
crumbling or having serious issues.
I knew that I wanted to study marriage and family therapy after seeing all of the broken families all
over. I wanted to be able to help them. I have this gift of being able to connect with people and help
them with their problems. I soon realized that even families that didnt seem broken had real issues too.
After that it was a no-brainer. I knew thats where I needed to be, Laurie told me of deciding to pursue
being a marriage and family therapist.
She applied to the University of Nevada Las Vegas in the spring of 2009 and was immediately accepted
into their marriage and family therapy masters program. She started there that fall. I loved returning
to school. It was so invigorating. My mind was finally being challenged again instead of my parental
authority, she laughed.
While she did love the challenge of a masters program, it did come with its drawbacks. I wasnt around
for my last two kids as I wish I couldve been. I also wasnt around to see my husband much either, she
told me somewhat regretfully. She further explained to me that because it was a masters program most
students participating had full-time jobs, so almost all of the classes took place in the evening time when
her husband was home from his full-time job as a Land Use Planner for Clark County.
It was kind-of hard at first, but I got used to it pretty quickly. It was something that she really wanted to
do, so I supported her in it. Looking back, the sacrifice has been worth it. Plus, Ive been able to get done
all of the projects I havent had time for, Kevin, her husband, told me.
She also agrees that the sacrifice has been worth it. Looking back, if I wouldve have started the
program and completed it, I dont know what I would do with myself. Id be a bump on a log and nobody
wants that, she chimed in.
Since completion and graduation of the program in December of 2012, she has found her new career
and lifestyle very rewarding. She runs a private counseling service out of Summerlin. She has many
clients including families, couples, and individuals.
I wouldnt trade my job for the world. I saw all of these older people going back to school and it has
been one of the best decisions of my entire life. I get to help save families and marriages. I feel like Im
doing something even better than nursing. I used to save peoples lives physically, now I do it
emotionally and spiritually. Plus, I dont have a doctor telling me what to do, she concluded.

Laurie wanted me to let all those reading know that if they ever were or are contemplating going back
to school to make the decision and do it. The way she spoke about her life pre-masters and postmasters seals the deal for me.