Nursing student earns scholarship through Hillsdale Hospital

Meet Icelyn Trumble, a Jackson College nursing student and recipient of the 2026 Doris Whorley Nursing Scholarship.  

Hillsdale Hospital awards the scholarship, which provides $10,000 per year for up to five years.  

“That was a great opportunity. I really felt like I was seen with that scholarship. That scholarship guarantees me a job immediately once I pass my NCLEX so it’s a great opportunity,” she said. “It’s definitely financial stability for tuition assistance.”  

A Hillsdale native, Icelyn is in her second year at Jackson College. Her college journey began earlier. She enrolled through the Hillsdale County Early Middle College at the Jackson College LeTarte Center giving her the opportunity to begin earning college credits while still in high school. She started in the nursing program in January 2026. 

“That was an amazing experience for me. It was an opportunity for me to jumpstart my college career while I was still in high school and it felt like a great opportunity,” she said.  

Icelyn chose the nursing pathway because she genuinely enjoys helping people. A quality she believes will serve her well in the profession. 

“I would consider myself very empathetic,” she said. “I tend to cry just seeing another person cry. I really enjoy being there for people on their worst days and just trying to help any way I can.” 

She is circling December 2027 as her graduation date and has been able to focus fully on her studies without having to balance a job.  

“I am super excited about that,” she said. “I just keep grinding with my classmates. Study groups are really helpful along with the group chats. Depending on your classmates is very helpful.” 

Icelyn credits her first clinical instructor, Kylie Schilling, with helping her navigate the challenges students have early on in their studies.  

“She was very supportive and very encouraging when in times of doubt and especially in that first semester it’s super scary,” she said. “You sometimes are not completely sure what you are doing, and she was very encouraging to just keep going.” 

Graduation is still more than a year away. Icelyn is looking forward to gaining more hands-on experience and beginning her nursing career.  

“I still have a lot of experiencing to do,” she said. “I don’t have a lot of experience with the hospital because I spend most of my time working in a skilled nursing facility, so I’m really excited to just get the experience in the hospital in general. Right now, my plan is to work at Hillsdale Hospital when I’m done.”  

Transcript for video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSEeFkA_7j0