Assistant professor of nursing Lyndsay Curran, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, began her undergraduate nursing career at the University of Indianapolis. While in school, Curran found her calling in communication and crisis resolution. Curran decided to work in chronic mental illness after graduation, helping to reduce the stigma of mental illness. Alongside teaching nursing courses, Curran works at Hendricks Therapy in Plainfield, Indiana where she conducts psychotherapy and manages medications of individuals with perinatal mood disorders and chronic mental illness.
Outside of nursing and teaching, Curran is a stand-up comic and typically performs in the Indianapolis area at open mic nights, like the 10@10 Open Mic Night at the ComedySportz Indianapolis theater. Curran won a competition at Morty’s Comedy Joint and will be performing in the semi-finals in a few months. On Saturday, January 16, Curran is headlining the 13th Annual Girls Night Out FUNdraiser to benefit Allie Koesters in St. Henry, Ohio.
Q & A with Lyndsay Curran
Q: What classes do you teach?
A: I teach Mental Health Nursing 335 and 430 along with their clinical components.
Q: How did you get started in stand-up comedy?
A: I was asked by a former colleague to participate in a charity event called The Gong Show for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. She was desperate for acts, and I agreed to try comedy. I instantly fell in love with making other people laugh and smile while being able to help out a much needed charity.
Q: Has doing stand-up comedy helped with teaching and nursing at all, and vice versa?
A: Oh my, oh my, stand up has helped me realize that we are struggling, and life is really hard. My stand up focuses on the challenges of marriage, weight, and motherhood. Because I put in all out there, I have a greater compassion for my students and patients. I have always felt laughter helps patients and students feel more comfortable and makes therapeutic communication so much more meaningful.
Q: If your life was made into a movie, who would you choose to play the role of Lyndsay Curran?
A: I would have to play me. No one is more me than me.
