Claëlle Condestin plans to graduate IU Indianapolis with her BSN and become more confident and knowledgeable as a registered nurse. She shows interest in critical care and gaining more experience in an ICU setting after graduation. ​In the future, Claëlle hopes to continue her education and pursue a career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Claëlle's goal is to increase representation of black women as well as encouraging other students to pursue ambitious goals regardless of where they begin. ​

 

Claëlle enjoys volunteering at the student outreach clinic, attending campus events, traveling, listening to music, watching movies, spending time with family and friends, Pilates, long walks and participating in activities that allows her to connect within her culture.​ Her involvement in these activities outside of nursing has helped her maintain balance and reminds her that college is also about creating meaningful experiences and relationships.

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EDUCATIONAL GOALS AND RESEARCH: WHAT LEAD YOU TO IU INDIANAPOLIS?
 

I chose IU Indianapolis because of its strong nursing program and the opportunities it provides students to grow both academically and professionally. I also wanted to attend a university where I could become involved in the Indianapolis community while gaining real-world experience in healthcare. Working at IU Health since my senior year of high school has also helped me build a strong connection to the IU Health and IU Indianapolis community.

PROFESSIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL INSPIRATIONS
 

I chose nursing because I want to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and their families. My experiences in healthcare have shown me how important knowledgeable, compassionate, and culturally aware care can be. But one of the deepest reasons I chose nursing comes from someone I will carry with me throughout my entire career: my little cousin, Kajah.

 

Kajah was a sickle cell warrior who lived with incredible strength from the day she was born until she passed away at only five years old. She was such a light. She was bold, confident, vibrant, full of personality, and truly a little diva. Watching her face challenges from such a young age while still being so full of life changed me. Losing her was heartbreaking, but it also lit a fire in me.

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Pursuing nursing is one of the ways I hope to carry her legacy forward. I want to become the kind of nurse who sees the person beyond the diagnosis, who advocates for patients and their families, and who can bring compassion into moments that may be some of the hardest of their lives. Kajah will always be one of my reasons, and every step I take in this profession is a way of honoring the light she brought into my life.

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I chose to minor in French because French is already a part of my life and my Haitian heritage. Since I already speak the language, I wanted to continue practicing it, strengthen my skills, and keep it as an important part of my education. I also appreciate that being bilingual can help me communicate with and connect with more patients and people from different backgrounds throughout my career.

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EDUCATION VALUES AND IMPORTANCE

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Pursuing an education is important to me because I know that having access to an education is a privilege that should never be taken for granted. I come from a place where opportunities are not always easily accessible, so being in an environment where I have access to higher education, resources, mentorship, and opportunities for growth is something I deeply value. I do not take that opportunity lightly.

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As a first-generation Haitian college student, I understand that my education represents more than a degree. It represents the sacrifices that allowed me to get here, the perseverance it took to reach this point, and the responsibility I feel to make the most of every opportunity I have been given. I want to use my education to build a life that I am proud of, but also to create opportunities and open doors for others.

 

Every challenge I face in college reminds me why I started. I am not pursuing an education simply to have a title behind my name. I am pursuing it because I want to become someone who can make a difference in the lives of others, advocate for communities that are often overlooked, and show other young people that their circumstances do not have to define the limits of their future. 

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For me, earning my degree is a representation of possibility. It is proof that when given the opportunity, I can turn ambition into action and use what I have learned to make an impact far beyond myself.

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WHAT RESEARCH OR PROJECTS ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON?
 

I am currently an intern working with Dr. Tiffany Williams on a project focused on supporting postpartum mothers throughout their postpartum journey, particularly women who have experienced unexpected, difficult, or traumatic birth experiences. Through this experience, I am learning more about the importance of emotional support, patient-centered care, and helping mothers feel heard and supported after birth.

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I am also working on founding a Haitian Student Association at IU Indianapolis. My goal is to create a space where Haitian students can connect with one another, celebrate our culture and heritage, and build a sense of community on campus. I also hope to create opportunities for the broader IU Indianapolis community to learn about and celebrate Haitian culture.

 

Alongside these projects, I continue to work on nursing-related projects through my coursework, including patient care plans, clinical assignments, and health promotion projects that allow me to apply what I am learning in the classroom to real-world healthcare experiences. 

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND LEADERSHIP​

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My involvement outside of the classroom has been an important part of my college experience. I serve as the Marketing Director for the Indiana Association of Nursing Students (IANS) and the Marketing Director for Collegiate 100. I also serve on the Student Advisory Board for the Dedicated to Enrichment, Achievement, and Persistence (DEAP). In addition, I am involved with the Student Nurses Association, Black Student Union, and African Student Association.

 

I was also honored to participate in Regatta Royalty, which gave me the opportunity to represent my campus community and connect with students in a different way.These experiences have helped me develop my leadership, communication, marketing, organization, and teamwork skills, but they have also taught me lessons that extend far beyond the classroom. Through working with different personalities, managing responsibilities, navigating disagreements, and collaborating toward common goals, I have developed conflict-resolution skills, adaptability, professionalism, and confidence in using my voice.

 

I have learned that leadership is not simply about holding a position or having a title. It is about knowing how to listen, advocate, navigate challenges, bring people together, and use your skills and experiences to create opportunities and make a positive impact.

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WHAT MAJOR WOMEN INSPIRE YOU?
 

Several women inspire me, especially women who have broken barriers and created opportunities for others. Dr. Patricia Bath inspires me because she became the first Black woman physician to receive a medical patent and used her career to improve healthcare for underserved communities.

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Kajah inspired me to challenge myself, to keep going when things become difficult, and to pursue a life of purpose. She showed me a kind of strength that I can only hope to have a fraction of. Her life reminded me that strength does not always look like overcoming something yourself. Sometimes it looks like continuing to show up, love deeply, and bring light to the people around you despite what you are facing. 

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I am also inspired by Mary Eliza Mahoney, the first Black woman to become a licensed nurse in the United States. Her determination and perseverance are especially meaningful to me as a Black woman pursuing nursing.​ While also i am 

inspired by the women in my family who have supported and encouraged me throughout my education. Their strength reminds me that my accomplishments are not only for myself, but can also help inspire the people who come after me