Full circle: Nursing graduate embarks on career helping children

Madison Witt always knew she wanted a career where she could make a difference every day.

As a teen, Witt spent four years battling a chronic pain disorder, including a lot of outpatient treatment and a program at Children’s Mercy in Kansas City, Missouri. The care she received during that challenging time cemented her goal of making a difference by someday becoming a nurse.

“Of all the medical professions that I saw, I really loved nursing and the patient interaction that was a part of it,” she said. “I wanted to be a nurse at the bedside and be with the patient throughout the whole health care process.”

This month, Witt will receive her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Kansas School of Nursing, joining more than 260 fellow nursing students in the class of 2025. Graduates from the schools of Medicine, Nursing and Health Professions at KU will celebrate the milestone with hooding and recognition ceremonies May 17 in Kansas City and at KU’s university-wide commencement May 18 in Lawrence.

This summer — in a “full-circle” development — Witt plans to begin her nursing career at Children’s Mercy.

“It feels really exciting. I know nursing school is a hard experience,” Witt said. “I’m proud of the work that I’ve accomplished, and I’m glad to be joining the nursing field.”

In addition to her bachelor’s degree, Witt also is earning a minor in health care management. For the past year, Witt has worked a part-time job as a nurse technician on the cardiac floor at Children’s Mercy. When she starts as a full-time nurse, she will be working in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Witt said she’s always liked working with children and infants. She looks forward to working in a fast-paced intensive-care setting where she will be challenged and there will always be something new to learn. Also, she looks forward to working not only with babies but with their whole families too, an important aspect of the NICU.

Witt, who grew up in Wichita, said that while she has fellow Jayhawks in her family, she will be the first to pursue a career in health care.

Witt completed her first two years of undergraduate work on KU’s Lawrence campus. Once at KU School of Nursing in Kansas City, she served as president of the school’s Association of Undergraduate Students in Nursing. From clinical experience and simulations to professors who are former pediatric nurses, Witt believes KU School of Nursing prepared her well for the career she’ll soon be starting.

“I love that you can truly make a difference in people’s lives,” Witt said. “I feel like what’s special about nursing is that you can be there for patients in their darkest moments, or moments where they are struggling, and be a sense of support.”