Abby Whipple, a third-semester BSN student hailing from Kendallville, Indiana, always knew she was destined for a career in healthcare. From an early age, her drive to help others guided her academic choices.
“I’ve always wanted to make a difference in people’s lives,” she said. “When a nurse I know shared an 11-minute video detailing her experiences as a charge nurse, it struck a chord with me. The way she described her work, balancing patient care with leadership, made me realize this was the kind of purpose I wanted in my own life.”
Abby’s journey to nursing school hasn’t been without its challenges. Born with sensorineural hearing loss, a condition that affects the inner ear and the auditory nerve, Abby has had to navigate the complexities of a learning environment that often relies heavily on sound. This type of hearing loss not only diminishes the clarity of sounds but can also make it difficult to distinguish spoken words, which poses unique challenges in a field where accurate communication is critical.
“I had to adapt in ways that others might not have to think about,” Abby explains. “Finding the right stethoscope for someone with profound hearing loss was a major step. It’s not just about having the equipment; it’s learning how to use it effectively in clinical settings. On top of that, I had to develop study techniques that helped me process information in ways that fit how I learn.”
Despite these obstacles, Abby remains undeterred, thanks in part to the support system she’s found at the IU School of Nursing in Fort Wayne. “The professors here are incredibly understanding,” she says. “They recognize when someone faces challenges and go out of their way to ensure students feel supported.”
When offering advice to those considering a similar path, Abby is clear: “If your gut tells you nursing is the right choice, trust that instinct. There will always be opportunities, no matter where you go. Nursing is a profession with endless possibilities, and the clinical rotations allow you to explore different areas of care.”
For Abby, success in nursing school is about more than just academic achievement—it’s about resilience and finding ways to thrive in the face of adversity.
“Nursing school isn’t easy,” she admits. “But with the right people around you and the right motivation, anything is possible."
