By FHSU University Communications
Madison Hanzlick has known for many years that she wanted to go into nursing, and this weekend she will see the culmination of her years of hard work and determination pay off when she receives her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from Fort Hays State University during the FHSU spring commencement event.
Originally from Hoisington, Hanzlick graduated from high school, moved to Hays, and began to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse in 2017. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in 2020, applied, was accepted, and began her doctorate program in June 2021. Along with her degrees, Hanzlick has completed the requisite programs, clinical hours, and passed exams for certifications, including Registered Nurse (RN) and Family Nurse Practitioner-Certified (FNP-C).
“I’ve always had a caring personality, and healthcare fit with who I was,” Hanzlick said. “When I was little, I thought I might want to be a pediatrician, but the path to nursing made more sense for me.”
After graduation, Hanzlick is looking forward to working for Heart of Kansas Family Health, a federally qualified health center. They are in the process of opening a new satellite campus in St. John, where she plans to work, which is not too far from her current residence in Hoisington. Previously, she worked in critical care and case management in both Hays and McPherson, but her time at Heart of Kansas while working on her clinicals was a deciding factor in what she chose to do next.
“I was able to do clinicals through there during school and enjoyed the patient population, the team, and the atmosphere, and it was a great fit,” Hanzlick said.
Coming from a smaller town and understanding the need for healthcare, particularly in rural western Kansas, Hanzlick was positive that she wanted to eventually practice in that type of setting. It is also one of the reasons she chose Fort Hays State, as the nursing program has an emphasis on rural care.
“I visited several schools with my parents while in high school, some larger than FHSU, and I preferred the smaller setting,” Hanzlick said. “Also, being able to visit with some of the faculty, I could already tell it was going to be comfortable, and a good fit.”
Hanzlick’s time both on campus during her undergraduate work and online while working on her doctorate made a distinct impression on the FHSU faculty. While she worked closely with many faculty members, Dr. Michelle Van Der Wege, associate professor of nursing and the DNP program coordinator, was one of the professors that Madison credits with helping her not only complete all her program requirements but also excel.
“I had the privilege of working with Madison both as an undergraduate nursing student and later as a DNP student, and it has been an honor to watch her grow--first as a registered nurse, and now into a nurse practitioner,” Van Der Wege said. “Madison is intelligent, compassionate, and deeply committed to helping others. Whether in the classroom with her peers or at the clinical site with patients, she is always looking to lend a hand.”
As with many transitions, graduation can be a little bittersweet, especially when facing the change from a familiar, comfortable present into an exciting, if potentially uncertain, future. Hanzlick is taking this change in stride, but already feels nostalgic for this time in her life.
“I love Fort Hays State, and not just the campus, I love the town, the hospital where I worked - I love the Hays community,” Hanzlick said. “When people ask, I tell how much I enjoyed FHSU and the nursing program – I’m always advocating for FHSU.”
While the feelings of loss and change are mutual, everyone looks forward to Hanzlick’s bright future.
“I am excited that [Madison] will be serving rural, western Kansas after graduation,” Van Der Wege said. “She is an outstanding example of how FHSU graduates positively impact rural health!”