SLL Scholarship

I chose to attend the Arizona College of Nursing because I realized I needed a program that would genuinely prepare me for the responsibilities and complexities of becoming a nurse. Before enrolling here, I attended another nursing school that was primarily online. Although I put in my best effort, I felt that the lack of hands-on experience made it difficult to build the clinical confidence and practical skills required in nursing. Nursing is a profession rooted in human connection, observation, and direct care, things that cannot be fully developed through virtual learning alone. When I researched the Arizona College of Nursing, I was immediately drawn to its immersive, in-person approach. The program’s structure, skills labs, and strong instructor involvement made me feel like I would finally have the foundation I needed to succeed. Since starting my journey here, I have truly thrived, not just scholastically, but with an extracurricular activity like being elected Recording Secretary for Arizona College’s Student Nurses’ Association. One aspect that has exceeded my expectations is the quality of the faculty. Every professor I have had, from general education to my core nursing courses, has been supportive, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in my success. Their passion for teaching and their dedication to helping students understand complex material have made an incredible difference in my confidence and learning experience. Their encouragement has reaffirmed that choosing Arizona College of Nursing was the right decision. My path to nursing was not a straight line. For a long time, I wanted to become a physical therapist. I was drawn to rehabilitation and the idea of helping patients regain strength and independence. However, while working closely with patients and listening to them describe their surgeries and recovery journeys, I found myself becoming deeply interested in the nursing roles that supported them throughout those experiences. Many shared stories about nurses who prepared them for surgery, monitored them in the PACU, or worked with them during rehabilitation. Hearing how impactful nurses were during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives made me reconsider my career path. I chose nursing because it combines compassion, clinical expertise, education, and advocacy. It allows me to be present with patients in ways that are meaningful and life-changing. Nursing feels like a natural fit for me because I am someone who is empathetic, patient, curious, and motivated by the opportunity to care for others. I hope to one day become an OR, PACU, or rehabilitation nurse so that I can support patients during critical moments while applying advanced skills in a high-acuity environment. This scholarship would significantly reduce the financial strain of attending a private accelerated nursing program. Because the workload is intense and requires full-time study, I am not able to work right now, which adds another layer of stress to managing tuition and living expenses. Receiving this scholarship would ease that burden and allow me to focus fully on my coursework and clinical preparation without the constant worry of finances. It would also provide the stability I need to continue progressing confidently toward graduation. Ultimately, this scholarship would not only support my education but it would help shape the kind of nurse I will become. It would allow me to remain fully dedicated to my training, to show up for my patients with confidence and compassion, and to honor the commitment I have made to this profession. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to apply, and I hope to continue this journey with the support of your investment in my future.

Caring for others is fundamental to who I am. I have wanted to be a nurse since I was a little girl, and my career path so far has solidified this dream. I began as a Personal Care Attendant (PCA), where I realized my love for hands-on care and felt a powerful clarity about my future in nursing. I later served as a Direct Support Professional, caring for individuals with disabilities. This role taught me how to connect with people from all backgrounds and reaffirmed my goal: I eventually plan to open a group home that caters specifically to this demographic, building on what was one of the most rewarding jobs I’ve ever had. My experience as a PCA also brought me to a hospice client who lacked a strong support system. My duties went beyond physical care, extending to cooking, cleaning, and companionship. We spent hours talking about her life, her family, and her current feelings. In those final days, I made sure she felt joy, deep compassion, and cared-for company. It was this experience that revealed my true calling: hospice nursing. Providing comfort, empathy, and dignity during a person's final moments is the most rewarding feeling. Death is frightening, and no one should face it alone or uncared for. I chose Arizona College of Nursing because of its excellent reviews and my commitment to obtaining the best education possible. I am a single mother of four children, pushing through school and managing significant financial and personal hardship. I have faced having my car stolen and experiencing homelessness, yet I continue to fight and maintain a strong GPA. I want to show my children that when you want something badly enough, you will fight for it. I will be the first person in my family to graduate from college, and I strive to be the inspiration my kids deserve. This has been one of the most challenging, yet rewarding, times of my life, and I am incredibly proud of my ability to persevere while maintaining my commitment to school. This scholarship would allow me to finish my education with the ease of bringing down my balance owed to the school and significantly lighten my already full load. Nursing is my dream, and I am determined to reach the finish line so that I can dedicate my career to bringing empathy, compassion, and joy to the lives of others. I appreciate the opportunity to share my journey with you.