Each year, IU Indianapolis honors 100 outstanding undergraduate students who demonstrate excellence in three categories—academic excellence, campus leadership, and community engagement. These Top 100 Jags represent everything that makes IU Indianapolis exceptional.
Haley Grace Hedgecock, who is pursuing a Traditional BSN at the IU School of Nursing, has been chosen as one of IU Indianapolis' Top 100 students for 2025. Below, learn more about Haley Grace’s journey at the IU School of Nursing at Indianapolis and the organizations and groups she's chosen to volunteer with during her time at IU Indianapolis.
What has been your favorite or most memorable class or educational opportunity while studying at the IU School of Nursing? Why?
One of the most memorable classes or educational opportunities for me was my community health clinicals completed at the Indianapolis VA Medical Center. I had the opportunity to spend the day with a home health nurse, an area of nursing I would have never considered for myself. I went into this day incredibly nervous, not knowing what to expect, and left with a renewed sense of purpose. I was able to see the pride these individuals take in their work and the extraordinary lengths they are willing to go to for their patients, often with limited resources and time. The work these individuals do for their patients inspires me in every patient interaction I have in my clinicals and will continue to inspire me in my future work. Additionally, every simulation experience, from Nursing Fundamentals to Medical-Surgical to Mental Health, has been incredibly educational and important for my growth through this program.
What activities or organizations are you involved in, and why did you choose these groups?
I engage with many activities and organizations. The organizations I spend most of my time with primarily focus on the underserved and disenfranchised populations in the Indianapolis area. I spend time volunteering with Wheeler Mission, working to serve unhoused women and children. I am annually involved in the Wheeler Mission Drumstick Dash, a Thanksgiving 5K raising money for Wheeler Mission’s services. I am looking forward to working in the race’s first aid tent this year. I also spend my time working with and volunteering for domestic and sexual assault victims and their children at The Julian Center. This semester, I also began volunteering at the Damien Center. Additionally, I am a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta and Phi Eta Sigma national honor societies.
Why was it important to you to take on extra activities and leadership roles while studying at IU Indianapolis and the IU School of Nursing?
My lifelong passion for community service is deeply rooted in my upbringing. I am incredibly fortunate to have had parents who not only instilled this value in me but also provided a childhood where giving back was an option. The desire to advocate for and support the vulnerable and underprivileged is a fundamental part of who I am as a person. These values helped form me as a caregiver long before discovering nursing as a potential career path. I feel that continuing this work during nursing school has made me a better student in the clinical setting and has helped improve my confidence, communication and interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities.
Who has inspired you during your nursing school journey?
Clinical instructors like Molly Auletta, Lexi Anspach, and Natalie Slagle have been some of my biggest inspirations in my nursing school journey. These instructors provided an open and supportive learning environment where communication and collaboration were encouraged. These individuals have widened my breadth of knowledge, guided me in establishing my ability to perform nursing skills, and profoundly improved my confidence in myself in the clinical setting. I draw daily inspiration from the dedication and support of my peers. Nursing school is not an individual journey but a shared adventure where we can lean on each other in times of stress or need and look to one another for motivation.
What are your plans after completing your Bachelor of Science in Nursing?
Following the completion of my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, I hope to gain a position in the ED, working towards my SANE certification. I plan to continue my education by gaining my Doctor of Nursing Practice, to eventually become a Forensic Nurse Practitioner. In forensics, I aim to work in death investigation, working closely with a coroner or medical examiner. I am passionate about this field as the dead are no longer able to speak for themselves, but through this work, I can help to tell their story by being a voice for them.
What does the recognition of being a Top 100 student mean to you?
I was honored just to be nominated so the idea of being a Top 100 student still feels unreal to me. IU Indianapolis has such a talented student body with many competitive programs. I am humbled by the recognition and will continue to strive to be a student worthy of the honor.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I want to extend my thanks to all my instructors and professors throughout the program for their dedication to creating a challenging learning environment and enriching educational experience, which has profoundly impacted me as a student and a future nurse. Additionally, I want to extend my deepest thanks to my parents for their unwavering love and support. Your belief in me has been a source of strength in times when it felt as though I had none.
