Hannah Buescher

Nursing Major

Becoming an Indiana State University Sycamore sometimes is a family affair. Senior nursing student Hannah Buescher knew Indiana State was the right school for her because of the stories she heard from her older sister (also a nursing alumna) and her grandfather.

The Charleston, Illinois native had heard Indiana State was a close-knit community, and she couldn’t wait to see if the stories were true.

Spoiler alert: They were.

“Indiana State is everything I hoped it would be. It’s a friendly atmosphere. You see people you know on campus. When you’re walking to class, you see someone you might have met in another class, and you can strike up a conversation [with them]. It’s the perfect campus size to feel like you have a place to belong,” Buescher says.

As she has advanced in her education and become involved in the School of Nursing, she has come to appreciate the mentorship she receives from her professors. Each faculty member in the School of Nursing provides quality, hands-on learning through clinical experiences, medical research, and service-learning projects. They also provide advice based on their personal experiences in the nursing profession, and Buescher has leaned on them for support as she decides on her own career path.

“I have so many questions about my future. I know I want to eventually continue my education to become a nurse practitioner or a certified registered nurse anesthetist, but many of my professors have encouraged me to work for a few years as a nurse before going back to school so I can have practical experience in the profession. I appreciate their advice. They have helped me so much,” Buescher explains.

As a nursing major, Buescher has participated in numerous clinical experiences and hands-on learning opportunities at Terre Haute’s Union Hospital. This summer, she worked in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Room. Indiana State’s nursing program prepares students for all aspects of the profession, including such areas as pediatric care, emergency room nursing, labor and delivery nursing, oncology care, and home care nursing.

“There’s so much to explore in nursing,” she expresses, noting that she has taken advantage of every opportunity to learn about different facets of the nursing profession to determine her future career plans. For example, she has also considered a career as a travel nurse.

“You have your options. There are so many opportunities,” Buescher says. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions.”

The mentorship continues in job-shadowing experiences in which Buescher meets with practicing nurses. For example, Buescher previously worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant [CNA] in a nursing home, and she completed additional clinical experiences in which she witnessed liver transplant surgeries. She hopes to complete her capstone semester at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis in the ER or cardiovascular ICU unit.

“I fell in love with the caregiving aspect of nursing and working with patients,” she explains. “These experiences showed why I have a passion for nursing. I’ve had the pleasure of participating in some really cool opportunities that broadened my perspective in nursing.”

One of those fascinating experiences occurred when Buescher job-shadowed flight nurses at the Terre Haute Regional Airport. These nurses work with other emergency medical technicians and travel in helicopters to treat trauma cases and other patients – some who need to be airlifted to Riley Hospital for Children. Buescher was able to join the nurses on these helicopter flights.

“I had no idea this was a field we [nurses] could work in. It was exciting to learn about something new while receiving advice from nurses,” Buescher says.

The Sycamore also feels supported on campus as a member of Indiana State’s Honors College. An immersive academic unit, the Honors College offers unique learning experiences in a collaborative environment for students. With smaller class sizes, individualized and group research projects, and powerful experiential learning opportunities, the Honors College is an integral part of Indiana State’s strong academic foundation.

“The Honors College is warm and friendly. I usually get first choice when registering for classes, and I have the opportunity to complete extra projects that relate to my nursing major,” Buescher explains.

For example, she has been able to convert required nursing courses into Honors College classes. For a pharmacology class, Buescher job-shadowed a nurse who works with diabetic patients. Supported by the School of Nursing, she participated in a service-learning trip to Peru, where she assisted nurses in healthcare clinics. She also visited Peruvian universities to compare the healthcare systems and nursing education in Peru to those in the United States.

“It was really interesting to learn more about nursing in another country. I’m thankful Indiana State provides resources and learning opportunities for me to learn as much as possible about nursing and my career opportunities,” she says.

Outside of her studies, Buescher has discovered numerous ways to become involved in campus life. She joined Indiana State’s women’s club volleyball team and other intramural sports, and she is a member of Delight, a nationwide ministry for college women. In the School of Nursing, she is active in the Student Nurses Association.

It’s safe to say that Buescher quickly realized her family was right: Indiana State is a close-knit community, and now she cannot imagine attending any other school.

With personal attention, dedication, and support from her professors and peers at Indiana State, Buescher feels more than ready to care for patients as a confident, compassionate caregiver – wherever her future may take her. She appreciates her educational opportunities, and if anyone wants to listen to her own stories—like those she heard from her family—she’s happy to sit down over a cup of coffee and share her Sycamore experience.