UD nursing alumna cares for Delaware’s tiniest patients—and trains future nurses

Cat Lawless remembers stepping into the familiar hallways of Nemours Children’s Health, where she was once treated for scoliosis as a child. 

Now, she walks those same hallways as a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse, sometimes passing her former spinal surgeon on her way to care for the hospital’s tiniest patients.

“It’s like I never left,” she said with a smile.

Lawless graduated from the University of Delaware School of Nursing in 2021 and is proud to be a Delaware native who stayed to work in the state to help combat the ongoing nursing shortage. 

“I knew I wanted to work in pediatrics, so landing my first job after graduation in the NICU at Nemours was a perfect fit,” she said. 

She loves the critical care environment.  

“There are far more happy days in the NICU than sad days,” she said. 

Her favorite days are discharge days.

“The families are so excited for the cords to come off and to hold their baby and put them in their favorite outfit, and finally take their bundle of joy home,” she said. “We give the babies little graduation caps and take photos. It’s such a special moment.” 

But even the hard days have meaning. 

“It might not have been the perfect day, but we worked as a team. I’m fortunate to work on a unit where our providers, nurses, nurse practitioners, and respiratory therapists work well together and appreciate each other. That’s a win on a tough day.” 

Working in the NICU takes a special kind of vigilance. 

“You have to be very observant because things can change instantly,” said Lawless. “NICU babies don’t always present when there’s a problem, so something as small as a fever can require a full work-up.” 

Lawless said her education at UD gave her the foundation to thrive in such a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.

“I loved the Simulation Lab—it was my favorite place to be,” she said. “The tactile, hands-on clinical experience helped me develop critical thinking skills that I use daily on the job." 

She spent three years as a teaching assistant in the Simulation Lab and later returned as adjunct faculty. While at UD, she also worked at the Nurse Managed Primary Care Center and became involved in the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, where she now serves as president of the Beta Xi Chapter.

“Lawless is a shining example of a homegrown nurse—a Delaware native, educated at UD, committed to the First State and making a real impact on the state’s ongoing nursing shortage,” said Elizabeth Speakman, chief nurse administrator and senior associate dean of the SON. 

Lawless’ advice to current nursing students: Work hard and make connections. 

“Study and take your classes seriously, but definitely network,” she said. “I worked hard for the opportunities I had, but I also made connections with my professors and fellow nurses that opened doors I didn’t even know were there.”

Those relationships led to presenting at conferences and getting published—things she didn’t imagine were possible for an undergraduate.

“I thought that was just for Ph.D. level students,” said Lawless. “But my mentors, Drs. Jennifer Graber and Jennifer Saylor were instrumental in showing me I was capable as a student and as a working professional.”  

Graber said Lawless’ dedication and leadership continue to make a meaningful impact. 

“Cat’s journey from student to nurse leader is an inspiring reminder of the potential within each emerging nurse to shape the future of our profession,” said Graber. “We are honored to have her as part of our Beta Xi and UD community and grateful for her continued commitment to advancing nursing excellence.”

Graber’s and Saylor’s impact sparked Lawless’s desire to inspire aspiring nurses, leading her back to UD to teach. 

“It was such a rewarding experience,” Lawless said. “I remember being so anxious as a student, and I wanted to create a safe space for learning. Watching students get it and master the material was such a special moment.” 

She brings that same compassion and energy to the NICU, where she’s seen her confidence soar over the past four years. Now a preceptor and charge nurse, Lawless is climbing the clinical ladder and mentoring the next generation of nurses.

“I see the fear in new nurses’ eyes, and I used to be just like them. I was scared to make a mistake,” she said. “But it passes in time, and you must give yourself grace to learn. So, I have a passion for helping them through the transition.”  

Lawless has been nominated for Delaware Today’s Top Nurses for the past three years. She was also nominated for a coveted DAISY Award in 2024. The international recognition program honors nurses for their extraordinary compassion and clinical skills.

“They were first-time parents who got a diagnosis they weren’t prepared for,” recalled Lawless. “To have a patient’s family tell you, ‘We’re so glad you were here, and you made a difference in our care,' is so impactful.”