Courtney Clardy awoke before her alarm clock. All five of her children were still sleeping, but there was another child who needed her. She quietly settled into the dining room chair and reviewed the chart she’d brought home from the Vanderbilt Urgent Care Clinic (VUCC). Clardy always dreamed of having a large family, and though this child that now filled her with concern was not her own, that detail didn’t matter to her mother’s heart.
Clardy’s uncle worked at a large hospital in Nashville as a nurse anesthetist, and the stories he shared sparked her interest in becoming an advanced practice nurse. This led her to earn a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Middle Tennessee State University and a Master of Science in nursing from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, focusing on family medicine.
A typical day at the VUCC is nothing short of chaotic, especially during the peak seasons. Treating 50 patients a day or more, she thrives in a fast-paced environment, ready to tackle the challenges waiting for her inside the next examination room.
“I arrive at the clinic at least 30 minutes before we open to review lab results and send messages to patients and staff. We treat as many people as we can in the morning — then I typically complete morning charts while I grab a quick bite to eat midday. We hit the ground running after lunch. We never know how many patients will show up or what problems we will be treating. I enjoy the hustle and bustle. I’m not one to sit still.”
Balancing her professional and personal life is her greatest struggle, yet she manages it with grace and a strong support system.
“My kids call my dad ‘Bops,’ and he is a huge help with them. He is always willing to take someone to practice or watch them all so we can have a date night. My sister, Ashley, is also one of my greatest blessings. I often say I couldn’t function in this world without her. She is always willing to lend a listening ear and a warm shoulder. She isn’t afraid to give me the advice I need to hear, and she loves my babies like they are her own. Like they say, ‘It takes a village.’”
Clardy’s husband, Drew, whom she started dating her senior year in high school, has been her rock, encouraging her to continue her education and offering help every step of the way.
“Drew is my greatest supporter. We married in 2010 after I completed my Bachelor of Science in nursing. For the first two years, I worked full time as a registered nurse in Nashville while attending school in Huntsville full time. He never complained and did all he could to help me push through. For the last 20 years, [he] has owned Clardy Trucking and Excavating, and he is one of the hardest workers I know. We work together to pick up the slack at home. My kids are my greatest motivators. Everything I do is for them — to provide for them, to help them become better humans, to hopefully leave this world a little bit better than I found it — for them.”
Working in critical care right out of nursing school taught Clardy about the fragility of life and strengthened her resolve to live each day to the fullest.
“I think the losses affect you the most,” she reflected. “I learned there are fates worse than death. Those experiences helped strengthen my faith and lit a fire inside me to really live and make the most of every single day.”
Traveling with her family is Clardy’s absolute favorite activity. Together, they have explored magnificent destinations and at the top of their family’s lists are Maui, Hawaii; Yellowstone National Park; and Lake Tahoe.
“I love exploring God’s beautiful creations with my people. I would love to take my children to all fifty states. My husband and I really enjoy sports and spending time outdoors. When the kids were little, we didn’t give them a choice. We just took them on our adventures, and thankfully, they loved them too. They all started snow skiing at age 3 and were riding dirt bikes on the farm by age 5. We spend a lot of time camping and at the lake.”
With a heart full of gratitude and a spirit of resilience, she continues to navigate the challenges of her career and family life, making a positive impact on everyone she meets.
“I thank the Lord for my job every single day, and I wouldn’t change a thing. I know it’s rare to have that sort of job satisfaction, so I don’t take it for granted.”
