Learning, growing, and saving lives: Meet two new ICU nurses at IU Health Ball

Starting a career in nursing is never easy, but stepping into an intensive care unit as a brand-new nurse brings a whole new level of challenge. For Tierra Person, RN, and Genesis Maust, RN, two new nurses at IU Health Ball’s intensive care unit (ICU), the past few weeks have been a whirlwind of learning, growth, and resilience.

Both started as patient care assistants (PCAs) at Ball while completing Ivy Tech’s nursing program, gaining hands-on experience before stepping into their current roles as registered nurses. Now, just weeks into their careers, they are navigating the fast-paced world of critical care: learning from their mentors, leaning on their team, and discovering what it truly means to be an ICU nurse.

Different paths, same passion

Neither Person nor Maust initially saw themselves in healthcare.

Person first pursued a career in personal training, driven by a desire to help people improve their health. But something was missing.

“I loved my job, but it wasn’t as rewarding as I wanted it to be,” she says. “One day, I was driving down the road, just thinking, ‘What am I supposed to do?’ And then I saw this Ivy Tech billboard about nursing. It felt like a sign, so I decided to try.”

For Maust, the journey to nursing started at Ball State University as a psychology major.

"I knew I wanted to help people, but I realized I was looking for a different path than becoming a therapist,” she says. “Everyone kept saying, ‘Nursing opens so many doors.’ So, I took a chance and switched to nursing school.

"Both eventually found themselves at Ivy Tech, where they met and earned spots in a competitive clinical program that allowed them to work directly in the hospital while still in school. That experience gave them insight into the intensity and teamwork that define critical care nursing, making their transition to full-time critical care nurses both exciting and daunting.

The reality of the ICU

Person and Maust knew critical care nursing would be tough, but nothing quite prepared them for the emotional weight and rapid decision-making they’d encounter.

"I expected to be busy, but I didn’t expect how much I’d learn about the bigger picture of patient care," says Person. “At first, it just felt like constant tasks. Then, after a few weeks, I started seeing why we do things, how every step we take helps support the patient’s recovery. That realization changed everything for me.”

Maust’s first week was a crash course in the emotional and mental demands of critical care. She remembers a particularly tough moment with a patient who wasn’t expected to survive.

"On one of my first days, my preceptor told me, 'This patient isn’t going to make it through the week,'” she says. "I watched as they prepared the family for what was coming, coaching them through something they weren’t ready to hear. It hit me that as nurses, we sometimes see the trajectory before the patient does. We know what’s coming, and part of our job is helping families process that reality.”

Despite the tough moments, they’ve both found immense support from their team.

"Everyone has been cheering us on,” Person says. "Even on the hardest days, we have people backing us up.”

Lessons learned: Growth, trust, and advocacy

In just a few weeks, both nurses have learned critical skills that extend beyond medical procedures.

For Person, the biggest lesson has been accepting that she won’t know everything right away.

"I like to be in control but on this unit, you can’t always do that,” she says. “I’ve had to be okay with asking questions, trusting my team, and taking things one step at a time.”

Maust, meanwhile, has learned the importance of advocating for her patients.

"As a brand-new nurse, it can feel like you’re at the bottom of the hierarchy, but we have a responsibility to speak up for our patients even when it’s uncomfortable,” she says.

Looking ahead

Both nurses are focused on becoming strong, well-rounded clinicians in the next few years.

"I want to be the kind of nurse that people are happy to see when they walk in,” Maust says. "Someone my team trusts, who can handle tough situations, and who makes a real difference for patients.”

"For me, it’s all about growing and leaning,” Person says. “I plan to earn my BSN, and eventually, I’d love to become a CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist). For now, I’m focused on learning everything I can and becoming the best nurse possible."

When asked what advice they’d give to nursing students or aspiring ICU nurses, they shared:

"You are capable of more than you think.” – Person

"Just take the leap. You’ll figure it out along the way.” – Maust

For both, nursing has already been a journey of unexpected twists, tough lessons, and rewarding moments. But one thing is clear: they’re right where they’re meant to be.