Susan Rita Murray Nursing Scholarship

From a young age, I found myself drawn to the quiet moments of care the ones that often go unnoticed. I remember sitting beside my mom’s hospital bed as a nurse gently explained her medications, pausing to hold her hand when she seemed overwhelmed. That nurse didn’t just administer treatment; she offered dignity, reassurance, and humanity. I didn’t know it then since I was still young and scared if anything happens to my mom. So, I would spend the rest of my life chasing that same standard of care. My name is Chija Gurung, and I’m currently a sophomore pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. I identify as female, and I hold a cumulative GPA of 4.0. I am also the first person in my family to attend college, and the only one to pursue my studies abroad. As a girl from a middle-class family, choosing to leave home and study nursing in a foreign country was not an easy decision but it was one I made with purpose. Despite the challenges, I am ready to face anything that comes my way, because I believe that meaningful goals require meaningful sacrifice. My journey toward nursing began long before I stepped into a college classroom. Growing up in a medically underserved rural community, I saw how access to healthcare or the lack of it could define someone’s quality of life. I also saw how nurses became advocates, educators, and lifelines for patients who felt forgotten. That inspired me to become someone who could provide both clinical excellence and compassionate care. I chose nursing not only because of the science and challenge it offers, but because it allows me to be present in some of the most vulnerable moments in a person’s life. There is an intimacy in nursing that few professions share: we hold hands through diagnoses, translate complicated medical terms into human language, and show up day after day for those who feel alone. Like Susan Rita Murray, whose legacy I deeply admire, I aspire to be the kind of nurse whose presence brings calm, whose dedication inspires trust, and whose compassion remains long after the shift ends. After graduation, my goal is to work in acute care or an CRNA, ideally in a hospital that serves low-income populations. I am especially passionate about improving outcomes for patients with chronic kidney disease. Inspired by Sue’s career in dialysis, I’ve begun shadowing nephrology nurses at my local clinic. What strikes me most is not just the technical expertise required, but the emotional resilience and empathy needed to support patients through long and often painful treatments. I want to be that support system. Long term, I plan to pursue a nurse practitioner degree and bring specialized care to rural communities like the one I grew up in. Many of my neighbors have to drive hours just to see a specialist, which often leads to skipped appointments and unmanaged conditions. I want to change that reality not just by treating illness, but by educating patients and building trust within the community. Receiving this scholarship would be more than financial support; it would affirm my journey and potential as a future nurse. Inspired by Sue’s legacy, I strive to bring compassion, dedication, and purpose to every patient I serve. I’m committed to continuing her impact; one patient at a time.