Margaret A. Briller Memorial Nursing Scholarship

Firstly, I want to acknowledge the gift of scholarships and the blessing that they provide in achieving educational goals. I am very humbled and grateful for the opportunity to be considered for financial assistance, and I do not take the opportunity to be considered, lightly. In reflecting on my financial circumstances, I find myself solely responsible for sustaining my livelihood, diligently balancing two jobs while keeping an eye out for any additional work opportunities, all to ensure I can cover my basic needs here in Texas. I made the move from North Carolina by faith, without the cushion of family support. It’s just me, guided by my faith in Jesus, navigating this new journey, endeavoring to meet all of my financial obligations. And like many others, I’m not untouched by financial struggles. I’m carrying a significant debt load of over $40,000, stemming from loans for essentials such as my car, previous undergraduate education, and credit cards. But despite these hurdles, my heart is set on pursuing graduate studies. Why? Because I have this burning desire to contribute something meaningful to the mental health field. I want to extend support to veterans and under-served minorities who are wrestling with mental health issues, because I recognize the significant barriers they often confront in accessing adequate care. Getting financial support through scholarships wouldn’t just lift a weight off my shoulders; it would be the boost I need to turn my dreams into reality. It would mean I can throw myself into the work that’s so close to my heart, making a real, tangible difference in the lives of those in need. I have always been an individual who has had a deep, unfailing love and appreciation for patient care. Nursing aids my purpose, shepherded by my faith in Jesus, to serve others. It is not just a pursuit, it is a calling; a form of ministry that provides service to the individual, advocating selflessness, and promoting the well-being of others first. In alignment with Ms. Margaret's passion for nursing, I exemplify core values of integrity, team work, excellence, and diversity because of my passion for service and health, my zeal for attaining knowledge, and my enthusiasm to work with, inspire, and educate others, no matter the background, to the best of my ability. In addition, displaying level-headedness under pressure and in high stress situations. I have authentically developed and embodied all of these qualities over time, through my experiences in volunteering within various communities such as in my church, working with the homeless, and North Carolina Central University's COVID clinic in addition to attaining an accelerated clinical and scholastic nursing education in the adversity of the COVID-19 pandemic. Post-pandemic, increased mental health awareness underscores the imperative intention to combat disparities. Researching U.S. disparities, I discovered that darker ethnic groups, like African Americans, have elevated risks for disorders but frequently hesitate to seek treatment due to cultural stigmas, limited awareness, financial constraints, and inadequate resources. I aim to pursue the role of a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner through UT Tyler’s graduate program, driven by the desire to tackle mental health disparities, notably among African Americans and Veterans in the United States. My objective is to play a part in bridging these gaps by championing initiatives centered on affordability, collaboration, patient advocacy, and education. I am convinced that with my prior experience in intensive care and emergency nursing, pursuing higher education will further equip me with the tools to acquire and maintain competency with the most recent evidence based practices while ensuring safe and effective patient care. I am committed to further broadening my knowledge and regularly attending any continuing education courses and/or seminars in order to learn methods for providing superior healthcare. As an aspiring advanced practitioner and incoming graduate nursing student, my goal is to learn and provide holistic care for future patients, treating mind, body, and spirit. As I plan to evolve alongside each patient, I will consistently strive to inquire about their needs and deliver personalized care accordingly. For some, this may involve providing educational support, while others would benefit from access to previously unknown resources in their community. Additionally, there are those who would simply require a compassionate listener and a comforting presence to navigate challenging times. By offering personalized education and resources to individuals one by one, I hope to contribute to a ripple effect of change while advancing efforts to address and reduce mental health disparities within minority communities as I develop in this new leadership role. While I acknowledge that progress toward positive outcomes and stability for each patient may not always follow a linear path, I possess qualities of diligence, patience, and compassion that will support them throughout their journey. I believe that through servant leadership, excellence, accountability, and diversity, all patients can and will be served with inclusivity and equity. And if given this scholarship, I will ensure to do this every opportunity that I am fortunate enough to meet.