MJ Strength in Care Scholarship

I was very young when I first realized how powerful nurses can be. I remember sitting outside a hospital room after my brother’s selective dorsal rhizotomy surgery. The hallway felt overwhelming with machines beeping, voices echoing, people rushing past, and I sat there nervously waiting to see him. I was so young I had no idea what was going on. A kind nurse noticed me and came over, crouching down to my level. She talked with me, explained what was happening, and eased so many of the fears I couldn’t put into words. In that moment, she made me feel comforted and safe in a place that felt frightening. I didn’t know it then, but that experience planted a seed in me: I wanted to be that nurse someday. My brother has cerebral palsy, and over the years he has gone through many surgeries and medical challenges. Each time, nurses were the ones who stood by not just him, but our entire family. They gave us reassurance when things were scary and celebrated the little victories right alongside us. Later down the road, my grandpa needed open-heart surgery during the COVID pandemic, and I once again witnessed the courage and dedication of nurses. Even in the face of so much uncertainty, they showed up every day to care for their patients. Because of brave health professionals like them, my grandpa’s surgery was successful, and we got more time with him. Seeing their bravery and compassion during such a difficult time only deepened my desire to follow this path. Over the past two years, I’ve been able to live out some of that calling while working as a Certified Nursing Assistant. I’ve cared for residents through moments of joy and sadness, comforting them when they were lonely, celebrating when they were happy, and simply listening when they needed someone by their side. Some of the most profound experiences have been sitting at the bedside as residents took their last breath. Being able to hold their hand, comfort them, and care for them in their final moments changed me. It opened my eyes to what it really means to be there for another person. Those moments taught me that nursing is not just about skill or knowledge, it’s about presence, dignity, and compassion through every stage of life. I’ve also been blessed with nurses who have mentored me along the way. They’ve answered my endless questions, modeled patience and resilience, and shown me that being a great nurse means combining knowledge with heart. Their example has inspired me to grow into the kind of nurse who not only provides excellent care, but also makes patients and families feel supported and understood. Outside of nursing, I find joy and balance in my family’s purebred cow-calf operation. Whether it’s early mornings doing chores, late nights checking calves, or simply sitting in the pasture surrounded by the peacefulness of nature, that work grounds me. Growing up showing 4-H animals taught me responsibility and instilled in me a strong work ethic that carries over into my studies and my caregiving. Out there, away from phones and distractions, I’m reminded of the importance of slowing down and being present, something that also shapes the way I approach caregiving. I also love staying active. Golfing, playing sports with family and friends, or just finding ways to move keeps me happy. And I have found meaning in volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House, preparing rooms and helping create a welcoming space for families. It might seem like small tasks, but I know how important that sense of comfort can be when a family is going through a crisis. Volunteering there reminds me why I chose this path in the first place. For me, nursing is more than a career, it’s a calling born out of the kindness of a nurse who sat with me when I was scared, the dedication of those who saved my grandpa’s life, and the compassion I’ve both witnessed and practiced as a CNA. I want to be that nurse for someone else: the one who comforts a family member in the hallway, who celebrates victories big and small, and who brings dignity and presence even in life’s hardest moments. At the same time, I am grounded by the things that bring me peace, family, animals, sports, and service. Together, these experiences make me who I am, and they are what will guide me as I grow into the nurse I aspire to become.