At just 11 years old, Hannah Schmitt sat in a hospital, anxious as her grandfather underwent open-heart surgery. In the middle of that uncertainty, Hannah took notice of her grandfather’s nurses. Their calm presence, their attentiveness, and the compassion they showed her grandfather brought a sense of comfort. In their care, Hannah saw something powerful: not just clinical skill, but humanity. It is how she realized she wanted to be that source of reassurance for others.
“After that, I knew I wanted to take care of people’s loved ones with great care. The nurses’ actions brought peace to our family. I knew I could someday bet that person.”
Today, Hannah is on her way to becoming exactly that kind of nurse.
For Hannah, nursing has always been about making a difference in people’s lives. Her passion deepened through hands-on experience working at a long-term care facility. There, she witnessed firsthand the profound impact of compassionate care. She learned that sometimes the most important care isn’t clinical, it’s human.
“I have really fallen in love with caring for people. It can even be a little task like sitting and talking, combing their hair for church, or helping them pick an outfit to wear for the day.”
That perspective defines Hannah’s approach today. She is committed to caring for the whole person, not just the illness. She believes healing happens best when patients feel heard, respected, and emotionally supported. Her clinical rotations in nursing school have reinforced this philosophy. Caring for patients from diverse backgrounds and working alongside health care teams has shown her the importance of communication, collaboration, and individualized care. Each experience has strengthened her belief that nursing is not one-size-fits-all.
Like many students, however, Hannah faced the very real challenge of balancing the demands of nursing school with financial pressures.
“Before receiving my scholarship from The Research Foundation, I was worried about how I was going to pay tuition by having to work extra shifts and managing nursing school simultaneously.”
That’s where support from The Research Foundation’s donors changed everything.
This scholarship has allowed Hannah to focus more fully on her education. She shares her gratitude wholeheartedly: the generosity from donors has lifted stress and created opportunity.
“With this support, I can dedicate more time and energy to learning and performing to the best of my ability. I am beyond blessed to receive this scholarship.”
Because of the support, Hannah is preparing to make a meaningful impact as a nurse. From the frightened granddaughter in a waiting room to a future nurse offering comfort and care, her journey is a powerful reminder of why investment in nursing matters.
“Your investment in nursing students not only supports our education but also helps strengthen the future of health care and the patients we will care for.”
One day soon, it will be Hannah sitting beside a patient or family member, offering the same compassion that first inspired her. And it will be because of the support from The Research Foundation and its donors.
