Kelsey Hansen’s days full of activities

CEDAR RAPIDS - Kelsey Hansen's days usually consist of running to class, doing homework and participating in a slew of activities from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day.

She doesn't complain. Instead, she finds enjoyment in the mild chaos that has been her day-to-day life over the past four years while pursuing a nursing degree at Mount Mercy University.

“Being dedicated and having confidence in myself has allowed me to do everything I have,” said Hansen, 21, of Alton in western Iowa. “But it hasn't necessarily been easy - you have to be really organized and always work ahead.”

Hansen enjoys nursing because she is able to help people in their times of need. Hansen describes her experiences as a nursing intern at St. Luke's Hospital Heart Center and the Hospice House of Mercy as being “eye opening” and “really rewarding.”

Aside from her academic successes, Hansen has had a highly visible presence on campus. She has served as class president, secretary of student government, and “women in wellness” resident assistant.

Hansen has also become a school record-breaking track and field athlete, participating in shot put, disk, hammer and weight track and field events. Later in the month she will be competing in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Outdoor National Championships in Marion, Ind.

“I'm currently ranked No. 12, but I'm really hoping to finish in the top six, a personal best,” Hansen said.

For the next month, Hansen will be preparing to take an exam to become a certified nurse. In the fall she will travel to the University of Indianapolis to work as a residence hall director, overseeing resident assistants in a dormitory on campus.

Hansen also plans to earn her master's degree while at the school.

“I'm not really completely sure what I want to do with my degree yet,” Hansen said. “But I'm definitely a people person and would love to work as a nursing educator to help other students in the types of classes I struggled with at first.”