Three years of Honors Peer Mentorship captured in a full circle moment with mentees at a Student Nurses' Association meeting.
I discovered early in my college journey that meaningful healthcare extends far beyond clinical settings. Healthcare is experienced in the everyday realities of patients and families. Through challenging coursework, immersive study abroad programs, and leadership opportunities in the Honors College, I learned to navigate complex environments while maintaining focus, empathy, and adaptability. Each experience, from leading research projects to collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, strengthened my resilience and confidence. Indiana University Indianapolis provided the mentorship, community, and resources that allowed me to translate these challenges into growth. Ultimately, this has shaped me into a capable, reflective, and purpose-driven nursing professional.
When I began my Honors journey, I described myself as motivated, empathetic, and committed to making a difference in the world. I aimed to maximize my experiences in research, study abroad, and service. I also wanted to connect these opportunities to a health administration minor to better understand healthcare systems. At that stage, I was learning to see challenges as growth opportunities and to bridge my past experiences with my academic future. I hoped to make an impact, but had not yet developed the confidence to do so.
My Honors research project focused on cervical-vaginal self-collection for HPV testing, particularly among populations disproportionately affected by cervical cancer. Leading a team of three Honors nursing students, I conducted data synthesis, statistical modeling, and developed a PRISMA flow diagram under faculty mentorship. This multi-semester project strengthened my skills in research, attention to detail, and leadership while shaping my understanding of health equity and evidence-based nursing practice. Guidance from my Honors faculty mentor also emphasized applying evidence-based practices with attention to equity, which connects directly to the patient-centered care and preventive strategies I observed during my study abroad. This experience is evidence that my work achieves the Honors College goal of engaged learning.
During my study abroad in Norway and Sweden, I explored universal healthcare systems and cultural practices supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. I visited hospitals, universities, and public health facilities, observing patient care, preventive strategies, and population health outcomes. At Angered Medical Center and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, I noticed how healthcare teams prioritize building trust with diverse patient populations and integrate patients into decision-making, which is a practice that enhances communication, collaboration, and safety. I also observed how Sweden and Norway emphasize prevention and digital health records to support coordinated care, which contrasted with the fragmented approach I have seen in the United States. Experiencing cultural norms such as Sweden’s fika breaks and Norway’s patient-centered home care highlighted how environment and social practices can influence well-being and teamwork. These experiences broadened my understanding of healthcare systems, cultural competence, and interdisciplinary collaboration, and have reshaped how I approach patient-centered care, communication, and team dynamics in the United States.
Listening to Jan Frich, CEO of Diakonhjemmet Hospital, discuss patient-centered care and governance in Norway’s healthcare system.
Study abroad group discussion in Oslo, Norway.
Documenting post-anesthesia recovery in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit hallway at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
In my Summer III Student Nurse Internship at Mayo Clinic, I provided care for post-anesthesia patients recovering from surgery while collaborating with nurses, physicians, anesthesiologists, and other professionals. This high-acuity environment strengthened my clinical judgment, communication skills, and ability to work effectively within interdisciplinary teams. Preceptors and unit nurses shared insights about patient needs, safety priorities, and effective team communication, while patients’ perspectives on their care helped me refine my empathy and advocacy. I also observed multiple specialties, including Trauma ICU, Pediatric ICU, Neonatal ICU, and the Emergency Department, further enhancing my understanding of complex patient care. Overall, this experience was where I learned how to communicate and think critically in high-pressure clinical settings.
Through my Honors Contract on conflict resolution, I examined how communication strategies impact teamwork in healthcare. Drawing on insights from Dan Griffith, Director of the Office of Conflict Resolution and Dialogue Programs at IU Indianapolis, I learned how leadership approaches, active listening, and emotional intelligence help navigate interpersonal challenges and maintain professional relationships. In combination with my clinical experiences and nursing organization involvement, this project highlighted how communication, adaptability, and collaboration are critical to effective nursing. Overall, this taught me that clear and respectful communication is essential to both teamwork and patient safety.
Above: Fall 2025 Executive Board Members for Student Nurses' Association at IU School of Nursing, Indianapolis.
Below: SNA volunteers at the IU Student Outreach Clinic providing care and support to underserved neighbors, helping bridge gaps in healthcare access.
Executive Board Members, Advisors, and Keynote Speaker for 2026 Indiana Association of Nursing Students Annual Convention at Indiana University Indianapolis.
Indiana Association of Nursing Students (IANS) Membership Director and Treasurer at 2026 IANS Annual Convention.
Student Nurses' Association volunteers packing medical supplies to support underserved communities worldwide.
Together, my research, study abroad, clinical, and communication experiences demonstrate that nursing requires cultural competence, adaptability, and collaboration. My work with interdisciplinary teams, global healthcare systems, and underserved populations emphasizes patient-centered care and prepares me to contribute meaningfully to healthcare systems. A key takeaway from all these experiences is that impactful nursing extends beyond clinical knowledge.
Over the course of my Honors journey, I have evolved from a quiet, observant student into a resilient, reflective leader. Peer mentoring, student organization leadership, and scholarship recognition reinforced my ability to guide others, advocate for equity, and lead with empathy. I now approach learning and patient care with confidence, adaptability, and purpose. I am no longer only aspiring to make an impact. I am actively doing so.
Serving as a state delegate representing Indiana participating in national convention discussions and voting on proposed healthcare policy resolutions at in Seattle, Washington, April 2025.
Indiana Association of Nursing Students Executive Board Members at National Student Nurses' Association Convention in Orlando, Florida, April 2024.
2026 Jagathon Dance Marathon representatives displaying $126,851.19 raised for pediatric healthcare research.
Attending the IU Health 360 Symposium: EMS, Trauma, and Critical Care in March 2026, gaining insights into advanced emergency care and trauma management.
As I prepare to graduate, I am confident in my ability to transition into the nursing profession. My experiences have provided a foundation in clinical expertise, research, leadership, and service that will guide me in the ICU/OR and beyond. I am committed to lifelong learning, equity in healthcare, and delivering patient-centered care that impacts both individuals and communities.