Grace Heitzmann, a junior nursing student at the Indiana University School of Nursing’s Fort Wayne campus, is driven by her passion to make a difference.
Hailing from Leo, Indiana, Grace’s inspiration to pursue nursing came from her grandmother, a dedicated nurse of 50 years.
“My grandmother has always been one of my biggest inspirations,” Grace shares. “Seeing the lives she touched as a nurse made me want to follow in her footsteps.”
Grace’s journey through nursing school has been filled with growth and discovery. After starting her college experience at IU Bloomington, she transferred to the Fort Wayne campus to pursue nursing.
“The transition was challenging at first,” she admits, “but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made. I’ve found a great community of friends and supportive instructors at IUFW.”
For Grace, nursing school has not only been about learning the technical skills but also finding balance in life.
“Nursing school is demanding, but it’s also incredibly rewarding,” she explains. “Balancing school and work has taught me resilience and time management. The experiences I’ve had with patients, even as a student nurse, remind me why I’m here—to help people and make a difference in their lives.”
Grace has found support in her professors and clinical instructors at IUFW.
“The faculty here are amazing. They truly care about us as students and future nurses. Their encouragement keeps me going, especially on tough days,” she says. “They remind us that nursing school is just one phase, and soon we’ll be out in the world, making an impact.”
Looking ahead, Grace dreams of becoming a forensic nurse, with a focus on working in emergency departments as a SANE (sexual assault nurse examiner) nurse.
“I want to be a voice for survivors of violence and help people on some of the hardest days of their lives.”
To learn more about becoming a SANE nurse, visit https://nursing.iu.edu/continuing-edu/sane-training