A six-foot-three, 260-lb. Offensive lineman, Dan McHale ’19 wasn’t your typical student at the University of Indianapolis School of Nursing. In fact, his path to the neurotrauma progressive care unit at IU Health Methodist Hospital was anything but typical.
If you are willing to put in the work, there’s no reason you can’t have success.
Daniel McHale ’19
An All-Conference two-year starter on the offensive line on the University of Indianapolis football team, McHale was the only student-athlete under former Coach Bob Bartolomeo to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree while playing football.
“Other schools wouldn’t even allow you to try that,” McHale said. “The coaches and professors were totally supportive and I am indebted to them for that.”
McHale credits his experience in the UIndy School of Nursing, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, for preparing him to pass his boards upon graduation.
“Smaller class sizes and accessible professors made it so easy to succeed,” he said. “If you are willing to put in the work, there’s no reason you can’t have success.”
For McHale, the supportive environment at UIndy played a role in his success inside and outside of the classroom.
“I was either at football, in class, or studying—but the professors helped make it easy,” he said. “I surrounded myself with good people who had the same priorities as I did, and that made things easier.”
When McHale finally began his career at Methodist, he knew all his hard work had paid off.
“The biggest thing I noticed was how prepared I was compared to students coming from other programs,” he said.
“It’s all about preparing yourself for your future, no one else’s,” McHale said, giving advice to prospective students. “Someone told me that these four years set you up for the next forty years and that stuck with me.”
“There are so many opportunities and scholarships at UIndy. I had tons of fun, made lifelong friends and was prepared for my career. I’d do it all over again the same way if I had the chance.”
