Blackwood Memorial Scholarship For Nursing

When my family and I moved to the United States, my older brother was diagnosed with autism at the age of 14. That moment became the foundation of my desire to pursue nursing. During his hospital visits, I witnessed the compassion, patience, and dignity the nurses and healthcare providers showed him. They took the time to explain procedures, respected his needs, and supported our family during a challenging transition. Their care not only helped my brother feel safe and understood, but it also brought comfort to us as a family. Seeing how meaningful, patient-centered care could truly shape a patient’s experience inspired me to pursue a career where I could provide that same comfort, advocacy, and reassurance to others. To gain hands-on experience, I began working as a nursing assistant at Sea Mar Cannon House. In this role, I assisted residents with daily living activities, including mobility, hygiene, nutrition, and safety, while helping create a comfortable and supportive environment. As I grew in confidence and clinical skill, I became a certified medication technician. My responsibilities expanded to administering medications, monitoring vital signs, checking blood glucose levels, providing wound care, administering insulin injections, and following individualized treatment plans. Over time, I also took on leadership responsibilities by training new nursing assistants and overseeing an entire floor of up to 30 residents. I regularly assessed residents during incidents, communicated with physicians and pharmacies regarding medication changes and refills, and kept families informed about changes in their loved ones’ health. These experiences allowed me to care for vulnerable populations, including older adults and individuals with chronic conditions, cognitive impairments, and complex medical needs. Through these roles, I learned the importance of staying calm under pressure, communicating clearly, and advocating for patient safety. They have shaped my philosophy of care, which centers on compassion, dignity, and treating each patient as a whole person rather than just a diagnosis. I believe effective nursing care requires empathy, cultural awareness, and collaboration with both patients and their families. At this point in my journey, I am especially interested in community and public health nursing. I am drawn to roles that allow me to work closely with underserved populations and address health beyond the bedside, including prevention, education, and access to care. Now is the right time for me to pursue nursing because I am grounded in my purpose, prepared for the responsibility, and committed to advancing my education so I can continue providing equitable, patient-centered care to those who need it most.

My journey toward nursing was shaped by observing how powerful a nurse’s presence can be. Beyond clinical skill, it was the nurses who listened, advocated, and treated people with dignity who made the most lasting impact. I was inspired by the idea that nursing allows you to care not only for the body, but for the person as a whole. At this stage in my education, I am particularly interested in hospice, oncology, forensic nursing, and mental health. While these specialties may appear different on the surface, they are united by the need for deep empathy, trust, and the ability to look beyond the chart to truly see the individual. These are areas where patients often carry fear, grief, trauma, or stigma, and where nursing care extends far beyond physical treatment. Hospice nursing speaks to my belief that comfort, dignity, and presence are just as important as cure. Supporting patients and families at the end of life requires emotional intelligence, patience, and the ability to hold space during moments of profound vulnerability. Oncology nursing similarly demands both technical expertise and compassion, as patients navigate uncertainty, loss of control, and long-term treatment. I am drawn to the opportunity to build meaningful relationships and support patients through some of the most challenging periods of their lives. My interest in forensic nursing and mental health stems from a desire to advocate for individuals whose stories are often complex or silenced. These fields require nurses to approach care without judgment, to recognize the impact of trauma, and to provide safety and support during critical moments. I am motivated by the role nurses play in restoring a sense of agency, trust, and dignity to those who have experienced violence, crisis, or psychological distress. My philosophy of care is grounded in empathy and presence. I believe that healing begins when patients feel heard and understood. This means approaching each individual with curiosity and compassion, recognizing how social, emotional, and environmental factors influence health, and adapting care to meet patients where they are. I strive to practice with cultural humility and an awareness of my own biases, understanding that every patient’s experience is shaped by their unique background and circumstances. Through my nursing education and experiences serving others, I have learned that meaningful care often occurs in the small moments: taking time to explain a procedure, sitting with someone in silence, or advocating for their needs when they cannot speak for themselves. These moments have reinforced my desire to work in specialties that require emotional presence and resilience, as well as strong clinical judgment. Now is the time for me to pursue nursing fully because I feel prepared to meet the emotional and professional demands of these fields. As healthcare continues to evolve, nurses are essential advocates for compassionate, trauma-informed, and patient-centered care. I am committed to becoming a nurse who not only delivers excellent clinical care, but who consistently looks beyond the chart to see the person, their story, and their humanity.

If you looked inside my purse right now, you would probably find three things: a half-scribbled prayer, at least one stray Band-Aid, and a notebook full of reminders that hope is still worth choosing. I’ve always been this way, a little sentimental, a little scrappy, and deeply drawn to caring for people. Even when I was seven, I carried a first-aid kit everywhere, secretly waiting for the chance to be useful. Caring for others has never felt like something I do, it feels like who I am. My path to nursing has been beautiful, heartbreaking, and stubbornly persistent. In early 2020, after years of summer coursework and preparation, I was accepted into the nursing program at Concordia University–Portland. I remember sending the acceptance letter to my sisters, feeling their pride fill my chest across state lines. Weeks later, the university announced its permanent closure due to bankruptcy, the same year the world shut down for a pandemic. Overnight, the nursing program I had worked toward disappeared, but the student loans remained. I am still carrying that financial burden today and continue to advocate for forgiveness, often without answers. The loss was not only academic or financial, it felt like a dream collapsing. Still, the calling never left. I worked as a CNA for several years, caring for patients during some of the most vulnerable transitions of their lives. I quickly learned that my philosophy of care is rooted in reverence. These are not “cases.” They are people with histories, heartbreaks, families, and hopes. When I heard healthcare workers speak unkindly about patients, it pierced something tender in me. Many of these individuals had lived full, independent lives, and now relied on strangers for how many sugars they could put in their coffee. That level of vulnerability deserves gentleness. I promised myself I would never forget the humanity in the room. Today, I work as an ophthalmic technician for an ophthalmologist. My favorite moments are when time slows down enough to simply be present. Recently, a patient apologized for being emotional; she had just lost her husband and her grandson faced major surgery. Instead of hurrying through the appointment, I listened. I prayed with her. Because healing does not stop at the flesh, it moves through the spirit too. The field that calls to me most is oncology. Earlier this year my mother, the strongest and most selfless person I know, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is an immigrant who built a life from almost nothing, working multiple jobs, earning advanced degrees, and ensuring my sisters and I always had food and stability. She continues to work full time through treatment, determined not to be a burden, though to us, she never could be. Walking beside her through this journey has deepened my compassion and strengthened my commitment to treat patients as family. Now is the right time for nursing because I am grounded, healed, and unwavering. My journey has included detours, faith, grief, growth, and yes, lingering financial strain from a closed university that failed its students. But what remains is resilience, empathy, humor, and quiet strength. I live simply and work full-time while preparing for nursing school, determined to carry my part of the load. Nursing is not just a career goal. It is the steady thread stitched through every season of my life, calling me back, reminding me that love, presence, and dignity can change the way someone experiences fear or illness. I hope to be the kind of nurse who stands beside people when they are most fragile and reminds them gently: you are not alone.

The moment I realized I might not survive, I prayed not for comfort, but for purpose. Lying in a hospital bed after a sudden medical emergency that nearly took my life, I understood that service was not something I could walk away from. It was something God had written into me long before I had the words to name it. At sixteen, I felt called to become a firefighter, inspired by family members in fire service and healthcare. However, I was discouraged from pursuing that path and instead focused on marriage and raising my children. Years later, in my thirties, I refused to let fear or regret define my future. I entered the fire academy and spent three years preparing to serve my community. Just two weeks before graduation, I experienced a life-threatening hemorrhage and was diagnosed with cancerous cells, requiring emergency surgery. I was released from the program immediately. Though devastating, I now see this moment as God’s redirection, not His denial. During my recovery and later hospitalizations, including a two-month stay this past year and a recent spinal surgery, I encountered nurses whose presence reflected Christ’s compassion in action. They were calm and attentive. Through them, I began to understand that nursing is a ministry as much as it is a profession. It is service at the bedside, advocacy for the vulnerable, and hope offered in moments of fear. I am currently enrolled in one of Washington State’s BSN programs, pursuing nursing with a clear sense of calling. My primary interest is in caring for patients facing complex medical conditions and extended hospital stays. Having been a patient myself, I am deeply aware of how illness affects the whole person, body, mind, and spirit. I am drawn to nursing because it allows me to meet people at their most vulnerable and remind them, through care and presence, that they are not alone. My philosophy of care is grounded in faith, dignity, and advocacy. I believe every patient is created in God’s image and deserves to be treated with respect, patience, and compassion. I strive to be the kind of nurse who listens carefully, speaks honestly, and stands firmly for those who cannot advocate for themselves. Serving others has been a constant in my life, both inside and outside of healthcare. As a mother of four, including children navigating significant academic journeys, I have learned resilience, leadership, and unconditional love. My children are my greatest motivation. My oldest attends college on a full scholarship, and my daughter is preparing to do the same at Baylor University studying kinesiology. I choose to lead them by example, showing them what perseverance, faith, and obedience to God’s calling look like in practice. Now is the right time for me to pursue nursing because every trial has strengthened me. The past four years have been marked by illness, loss, and uncertainty, yet God has remained faithful. Since my illness I have not been approved for disability so this has added a tremendous amount of added stress. This scholarship would allow me to continue my education with stability and focus, preparing me to serve the others with skill, humility, and compassion. Nursing is not simply my career path. It is my calling, refined through hardship and sustained by faith. Thank you for your time and consideration.

I am currently 30 years old , in my senior year of my nursing program . When I’m not juggling work and school full time , I enjoy running , as well as lifting weights . I knew I wanted to work in healthcare from the time I was about 15 years old . I spent the first 6 months of my life in and out of the NICU in Spokane,WA because I was born 3.5 months early . Nursing to me is so much more than another job, It’s my calling . I’ve spent 7 years working in emergency services , with the last few months working in CVICU in southern Idaho . I’m interested in pediatric nursing as well as critical care because I enjoy getting the opportunity to think critically, and ensure I’m 10 steps ahead for my patients . I want to bring back the hope we use to see in healthcare . This job makes me happy , and this profession I’m looking to step into is all I could dream of a more . My philosophy for healthcare that I live by is one I learned in my first few months of healthcare . Treat every patient like you would want your family to be treated. Our everyday can be someone’s worst day. We never know what a person is truly going through , and they deserve our compassion , love , and commitment to going above and beyond for them just as we would want for our family members. This allows me to take a step back and break before I walk into a room to ensure I am giving my 110 percent to my patients 100 percent of the time . I first started in healthcare in 2019 as an EMT in northern Colorado . There I ran high acuity calls , as well as spent a lot of sleepless nights doing transfers to ensure patients were taken to where they meed d to go . Amongst that, I had the opportunity to work with lifeline which is UCHLEATHS flight team . I saw a lot of critical patients , and learned so much simply by being present in their calls . I also spent another year in southern Wyoming working as an er tech and then moved to Boise in 2022 and have work in the emergency room up until October 5th of this year . I Chose to transfer to Cardiovascular ICU to expand my knowledge and allow myself to step out of my comfort zone and learn more . To end, I would love nothing more than to go back to Spokane and work with and along side those serving the community I grew up in . I’m looking forward to the experience and what my future has in store.

My name is Danielle, and caring for others has always been at the heart of who I am. What inspired me to pursue nursing was a combination of life experiences and a powerful desire to be effective. Years ago, I cared for my Nana during her battle with end-stage COPD, and later for my maternal grandmother. Those moments taught me the importance of compassion, patience, and dignity in healthcare. They also sparked a passion that led me to become a Certified Nursing Assistant and eventually work in hospice care. Over the years, I have supported patients and families through their most vulnerable times, and these experiences confirmed that nursing is not just a career for me, it is a calling. The area of nursing that interests me most right now is hospice and palliative care. I have seen firsthand how much comfort and emotional support matter at the end of life. It is not just about managing symptoms; it is about listening, understanding, and being present. I want to be a nurse who advocates for patients and families, making sure they feel heard and cared for during these difficult moments. Why now? Because timing is important. My daughter is growing up, and I want to show her that even when life gets tough, you can still follow your dreams. I have spent years putting others first, and now is the time to invest in my future so I can provide stability for her and fulfill my purpose. My care philosophy is simple, treat every person with dignity, respect, and compassion. Healthcare is not about physical needs, but also about emotional and spiritual well-being. I believe in listening to patients, understanding their fears, and supporting their families. Everyone deserves to feel valued, regardless of age, condition, or circumstances. I approach care with empathy and patience because I know how much those qualities matter when someone is vulnerable. I have extensive experience working with vulnerable populations, both in and out of healthcare settings. As a hospice CNA, I have cared for patients with ALS, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and other serious illnesses. I have provided comfort, assisted with daily tasks, and supported families through grief. Outside of work, I have volunteered for Alzheimer’s walks and helped neighbors during tough times. These experiences have shown me that vulnerability is not a weakness, it is a reminder of our shared humanity. Being able to offer kindness and support in those moments is what motivates me every day. Nursing is more than a profession, it is a way to live my values and make a lasting impact. I am ready to take this next step because I know it will enable me to serve others in a deeper, more meaningful way. Thank you for considering my application and for giving me the opportunity to share my story. Danielle