By Olivia Talley
Starting the morning in green scrubs in the nursing skills lab and ending the day in a University of Alabama at Birmingham Golden Girls uniform performing in front of thousands of fans is a typical schedule for Kennedy Leonard. The fifth-semester Bachelor of Science in Nursing student has embraced the transition from scrubs to sparkles many times during her nursing school experience.
“Balancing the dance team and nursing school was not easy,” Leonard said. “This required late nights studying, early morning workouts and reviewing timeout routines during lecture breaks. Many times, I had to remember my why. Why do I want to be a nurse? Why did I choose UAB? Why did I try out for the dance team?”
When Leonard questioned her “why,” she remembered the dreams she had as a girl growing up in Helena, Alabama. At the age of 3, Leonard fell in love with dance—the performances, the dedication and the friendships formed in the studio. When Leonard decided to attend UAB, she knew she would find her community with other dancers.
“Dance is something I love and am very passionate about,” Leonard said. “The main motivation for me trying out was to create a safe place as I entered college. My teammates turned into my family and support system.”
Managing the pace of nursing school while also being a UAB Golden Girl takes commitment, and BSN student Kennedy Leonard rises to the challenge. Follow her through a packed schedule of early workouts, practice, nursing classes, check‑offs and an AAC rivalry game performance!
Watch on InstagramOpens an external link.The UAB Golden Girls perform at home football games, women's and men's basketball games, and volleyball games. They also compete at the Universal Dance Association College Nationals competition every year. Leonard served as co-captain for the team this season.
Leonard also knew from an early age that she wanted a career where she could help people, and nursing was the perfect fit.
“I want to be that nurse who, when someone looks back on their hospital stay, remembers the positive impact I made on them,” Leonard said. “Choosing the UAB School of Nursing was simple—it's one of the best nationally ranked programs. I wanted to go to a school that will prepare me to be the best nurse that I can be. A nurse that will be able to not only handle challenging tasks but also do so with empathy and accuracy.”
The School’s BSN Program is ranked No. 13 nationally and No. 1 in Alabama by U.S. News & World Report. Leonard also embraced a unique opportunity for BSN students, the Student Nurse Internship Program, a partnership between the School and Children’s of Alabama that allows nursing students an opportunity to work alongside a bedside nurse at the hospital. Students gain work and learning experiences that can accelerate their transition to professional nursing practice upon graduation.
“My experience with the SNIP program has been amazing,” Leonard said. “I knew I wanted to work in pediatrics, and this program gave me the opportunity to shadow nurses on several units at Children's of Alabama, including the Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit and Medical-Surgical Unit. Experiencing each unit firsthand helped me discover where I could truly see myself working after graduation. Beyond building my clinical skills, the program strengthened my confidence, allowed me to learn from incredible nurses and confirmed that pediatrics is where I'm meant to be.”
Now, Leonard has accepted a position at Children’s, and as she looks toward graduation, she plans to build upon everything she has learned throughout her time at UAB.
“Being able to be in nursing school and on the dance team has meant so much to me during my college experience,” Leonard said. “Both have taught me the importance of dedication, teamwork and perseverance. I'm grateful for the friendships, memories and opportunities I've gained from both experiences.”