Hi! My name is Ella Hardesty, and I am a rising sophomore Nursing student at the University of Pittsburgh! I have a younger brother named Logan and two dogs back home in Cincinnati, Ohio. I am also involved in Young Life, which is a youth group I participate in during college. In my free time I love playing ultimate frisbee, which has built my passion for fast-paced and team-driven environments. I also love adventures with my friends, like  traveling to new places or just going for ice cream. At Pitt, I am excited to continue getting involved in different organizations, meeting people, and growing within the nursing program.

My goal for the future is to become a sports medicine or orthopedic nurse. I am interested in working in a fast-paced environment where I can help people recover and get back to their lives. Growing up with a mom who is a teacher influenced me to choose a path where I can continue to help others and learn simultaneously, which is why nursing felt like the perfect fit. It allows me to combine my interest in healthcare and learning to better support patients.

This summer, I am super excited to travel to Birmingham with the Plus3 program! I chose this program because I want to experience new perspectives on different systems. I’m excited to step outside of my comfort zone and experience healthcare/education in a new setting. Overall, I see this as a chance to grow, meet new people, and gain perspectives that I can carry with me throughout my nursing career.