Balance is the prescription

"The Mount Marty nursing faculty has been nothing but accommodating for me in my busy life," Jacob Kueny '26 said. "They have always been understanding that I am not the usual college student and have supported me in this journey. I love how the staff at Mount Marty are interested in parts of my life other than school."

Kueny arrived at Mount Marty from his hometown of Rembrandt and decided to join the nursing program because of its reputation. "Even in Northwest Iowa, Mount Marty had a great reputation for being one of the top nursing schools in the Midwest. I liked the small atmosphere of the school as well, and with that, it helps you to really know your professors and classmates." 

Nursing wasn't always the goal for Kueny. He knew from a young age that he wanted to do something in the medical field after high school, but he wasn't sure what that looked like. Kueny's mother was the one to recommend nursing as a career. She advised him to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA) to gain insight into what the nursing profession might be like. Kueny said, "At first, I was uncertain about nursing. But as it turns out, my mother was right — like usual." He said his time as a CNA helped expose him to basic nursing skills and cultivated his bedside manner. "I found my calling to be a nurse. I found out that I really enjoy taking care of people who need your help." 

This past summer, Kueny interned at the Avera Sacred Heart Hospital — which is next door to Mount Marty's Yankton campus — rotating between the medical/surgical, obstetric and intensive care units. "What I loved most about the medical/surgical and intensive care units was that you really get to see everything," Kueny said. "In just one summer, I saw everything from post-operative patients to severe gastrointestinal bleeds. I'm very thankful for all of the Sacred Heart nursing staff for giving me so many opportunities to grow as a future nurse." 

Kueny isn't just a nursing student at Mount Marty. Apart from his responsibilities to his nursing studies and patients, Kueny ran for the cross country and track and field teams until his senior year of college. 

"What I loved about being on the Mount Marty distance team was the camaraderie around us," Kueny explained. "It always felt that we were in it together, whether it be in training, losing, struggling or winning." Kueny's favorite memories from his time with the track and field team were the trips the team would take to faraway meets. His favorite trip was to a meet in Wichita, Kansas. "I had lots of fun memories from just this trip alone. It allowed us to be present in the moment, not having to worry about school or anything else. The memories I made on the track during this week are insignificant to the ones we made being with each other." 

Kueny said Head Men's and Women's Track & Field and Cross Country Coach Dan Fitzsimmons was great to work with during his time as an athlete. "There was never a time when I felt that he didn't have my best interests at heart," Kueny said. It was Fitzsimmons who impressed upon Kueny the importance of prioritizing God and family. "That has and will forever stick with me." 

Before Kueny stopped competing, he was balancing nursing school, two collegiate sports, CNA work for the Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton, and his family responsibilities. In December 2023, Kueny married his high school sweetheart, Elise. They have two children together: a 2-year-old son, Luke, and a 1-year-old daughter, Abby Jean. "Balancing nursing school, athletics, family and work is not an easy task," Kueny said. "For the most part, every hour of my day is planned out, whether that be studying, working or spending time with my children." Kueny said concentrating on his values when prioritizing is essential. "In my life, Christ and my family come first. After that, school and work come second. In my experience, prioritizing things in your life will help to make your life clearer." He also makes a point to not focus on the future or worry about what hasn't taken place yet. Instead, he puts his trust in Christ. "I like to think that He wouldn't give me anything more than I can handle." 

When Kueny arrived at Mount Marty, his faith was a little stagnant. It took his first Benedictine Leadership Institute (BLI) class, taught by Associate Professor of Theology Jason Heron, Ph.D., to revive his faith life. "This first BLI class was all about our search for meaning or purpose," Kueny said. "My professor was Jason Heron, and he started opening my eyes to new ways of thinking. After having a few conversations with him about meaning and about God, I felt like it was Christ trying to pull me back into the church." Kueny began putting his faith at the forefront by praying regularly, attending Mass with the intention "of giving the Lord my all" and attending adoration once a week. "I don't think it would be an understatement to say that professor Heron's teachings played a big role in my return to the church." 

Kueny’s faith and values have been an integral part of his college experience and will continue to be a part of his nursing journey after graduation. After passing his nursing boards in May, Kueny plans to work at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton as a medical/surgical nurse. "The biggest reason for my decision to stay in Yankton and work on the med/surg floor was the familiarity that I now have with both the facility and procedures, as well as the staff," Kueny said. "Throughout all the different places that we go for clinicals, I would say that the med/surg unit always felt the most comfortable." 

Kueny mentioned a passage in "The Rule of St. Benedict" that inspired him during his nursing school years and will continue to inspire him in his nursing practice: "Care of the sick must rank above and before all else, so that they may truly be served as Christ." Kueny said, "Christ also calls us to care for the sick, and St. Benedict emphasizes that we should not only care for them, but care for them as if it is Christ himself. I try to carry this teaching with me to each patient that I encounter. I like to believe that it will make me a better nurse."

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About Mount Marty University

Founded in 1936 by the Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery, Mount Marty University is South Dakota's only Catholic, Benedictine institution of higher education. Located along the bluffs of the Missouri River in Yankton, with additional locations in Watertown and Sioux Falls, Mount Marty offers undergraduate and graduate degrees focusing on student and alumni success in high-demand fields such as health sciences, education, criminal justice, business, accounting, recreation management, and more. A community of learners in the Benedictine tradition, Mount Marty emphasizes academic excellence and develops well-rounded students with intellectual competence, professional and personal skills and moral, spiritual and social values. To learn more, visit mountmarty.edu.