“Fearlessly in Pursuit of Better”: A Nurse’s Journey at IU Health

In this inspiring spotlight, IU Health nurse Ben shares his powerful “why”—from a life-changing NICU experience to finding belonging through IU Health’s commitment to inclusion. With heartfelt advice for new nurses and a deep appreciation for IU Health’s unique support systems like Professional Governance and research opportunities, he highlights how the organization empowers caregivers to grow, advocate, and lead.

• Why do you choose to work at IU Health? (what is your “why”?)
1. NICU clinical experience - I remember my NICU day so well. It was a turning point. I was able to watch caring and excellent professionals at IU Health Arnett care for a child whose age was measured in mere minutes as he was struggling to breathe. As that baby was flown to Riley for life saving surgery, I remember while watching the helicopter get smaller, my desire to work in critical care grew bigger and I knew IU Health was the place I wanted to do it.
2. Commitment to inclusion - As a gay man I was very concerned, and still am, that I will not always be welcome at every institution. I remember looking up IU Health’s inclusion policy and saw their firm policy to include every person who wished to care for others. I knew I would not be discriminated against at IU Health and that has truly been my lived experience over the last 5 years. I also love that more recently as these issues are in the news that IU Health and unequivocally reaffirmed these principles are part of their core values.
3. Methodist being one of the best hospitals in the country. I have had a great experience working with many many competent clinicians and it is so wonderful to work at a teaching hospital with so many resources!

• What advice would you give to a new nurse?
1. Remember that you are interviewing the facilities, not just them interviewing you. Do your research on specialties and hospital policies to see if it is a good fit for you.
2. It’s ok to be afraid. I have learned that the fears we have never truly go away. We just work to get better at our jobs and to feel more comfortable with the fear.
3. Nurses are strong advocates and if you can't advocate for yourself how can you advocate for your patients? You need to remember to take care of yourself. Remember to take your PTO. Once you start, plan a self care vacation! Remember to bring snacks to work; it took me way too long to learn that a well placed snack can save your day!

• How does IU Health uniquely support team members – with growth, development, wellness resources, and more?
1. Professional Governance structures are an incredible and unique offering of IU Health. PG work has truly been the career changing force I needed. I have nurses from other hospital systems shadow me and ask me about our PG structures, because they do not have them. IU Health Methodist Hospital has a robust PG structure that has empowered me to be able to make changes hospital wide. This was a personal and professional empowerment that I needed! Nothing is more empowering as a nurse than seeing your ideas put into proactive and IU Health is that kind of place where that can happen!
2. IU Health actively helps nurses build strong research skills. They help with abstracts, idea development, and even pay for bedside nurses to present their findings at local and national conferences! I have been to conferences across the country directly because of this support! I could not have done it on my own!

• Is there anything specific you would want to mention to a nurse considering a role at IU Health?
1. Don’t let a search for perfection get in the way of finding something good. Organizations are made up of people who are imperfect. However, from my five years at IU Health, I have been able to observe team members from the bedside to the c-suites and I have been honored to meet so many people who are passionate about making this place a great hospital and a great place to work. IU Health is the kind of place where if you make a case for improvement, it is not dismissed but encouraged. This type of culture is quite rare among healthcare organizations. I would recommend working at IU Health not because it is perfect, but rather because they are fearlessly in pursuit of better!