For me, empathy is more than just acknowledging someone else's pain; it's being able to put myself in their shoes, experience what they're going through, and respond with compassion and understanding. This is not only a good quality in healthcare; it is also necessary. Empathy closes the gap between patient and provider, turning a medical visit into a personal connection. It makes patients feel heard, respected, and cherished, even when they are at their most vulnerable. As I have worked in emergency medicine, I have learned more and more how important it is to be kind to others. I have worked as a paramedic for five years and as an EMT and ER technician for six years before that. I have seen patients at some of their most terrifying times, such when they are gasping for air, waiting for important test results, or dealing with the loss of control that disease brings. Technical skill saved lives, but empathy made people believe you. I found that when patients knew I really cared about them, they were calmer, more willing to work with me, and often stronger. Families also took solace in the fact that I could not only explain what was going on, but also acknowledge their dread and sadness. These events showed me that empathy and clinical brilliance are not two different things; they work together to make each other better. I know that empathy will be the most important part of my nursing practice as I work toward my BSN and look forward to a career in nursing. Nursing is not just about doing things; it's about caring for the full person—body, mind, and spirit. Patients are not defined solely by their diagnosis or condition; they are persons with unique histories, cultures, and values that influence their experience of sickness. A practitioner who doesn't care about their patients runs the risk of only treating their symptoms and not the person behind them. When you care with empathy, your care becomes whole and healing goes beyond the body. To make sure my job stays focused on people, I promise to be there and listen carefully. This means that you shouldn't speed through conversations; instead, you should take the time to listen to a patient's worries, fears, or inquiries, even if you're busy. It entails respecting cultural differences and changing how you talk to patients to fit their needs. This means knowing that my patients know more about their own lives than I do and taking their values and preferences into account when making decisions about their care. I will try to find a balance between the need for efficiency and the duty of compassion, remembering that even small acts of kindness can have a big effect. I am deciding to become a nurse since it requires both technical skill and emotional intelligence. Empathy helps me remember why I went into healthcare: to care for individuals when they are at their most vulnerable with respect, compassion, and dignity. It is not simply an ideal; it is how I want to see every patient, family, and encounter.

As a future nurse, I want to make a difference in the lives of individual patients and the nursing profession as a whole by providing compassionate care, mentoring others, and speaking up for communities that don't get enough help. I've worked in emergency medicine for more than ten years, first as an EMT, then as an ER tech, and now as a paramedic. I have real-world experience, a strong grasp of frontline care, and a desire to keep learning. I've seen what good nursing can achieve, especially when the pressure is on. Nurses are frequently the ones who are always there for a patient, comforting, teaching, advocating, and taking action when no one else can. I want to take on that responsibility with dignity and professionally, providing empathy and strong clinical abilities to every patient I see. I have learnt how to handle stress, talk to people from other fields, and give care with honesty. I will keep building on these skills as a nurse. Mentoring is one of the most important things I aim to do for the profession. I've had the honor of working with rookie EMTs and paramedics, assisting them through tough calls and helping them get better. As a nurse, I want to do the same thing: help new nurses get started by giving them support, perspective, and encouragement. Nursing is hard work, therefore it's important that we support one other and create a strong feeling of community and shared purpose. I also care deeply about making healthcare fair for everyone. Working in Los Angeles County has showed me the genuine differences that many patients experience, not just in getting care but also in how they are treated and understood. As a nurse, I will speak up for those whose voices are frequently ignored. I will do this by teaching patients, reaching out to the community, or just treating everyone with the respect they deserve. Becoming a nurse is more than just a job; it's a promise to serve, grow, and raise the profession as I move up.

As a child in a working-class Mexican-American household, I learned early on how important it is to work hard, stick with it, and help others. These ideals became even more essential to me when I started working in emergency care more than ten years ago. I started off as an EMT answering 911 calls in Los Angeles County. Later, I worked as an ER Technician in two different hospitals. These jobs let me see the real, unvarnished world of healthcare up close. I saw the mayhem of trauma bays, the heartbreak of chronic sickness, and how strong both patients and providers are. My desire to become a nurse started to take shape in these intense, unpredictable situations. The clinical side of nursing wasn't the only thing that drew me to it; it was the human connection. I often encountered people when they were at their most vulnerable, afraid, and in pain as an EMT and then as a paramedic. I found significance in being the calm in the storm and giving comfort while giving care. But I also realized what I couldn't do in my capacity. I wanted to do more: follow a patient's path, be a constant advocate, and have a wider range of practice that would let me have an effect on outcomes outside of the hospital. Nursing was the way to go. The many nurses I've worked with in emergency rooms have also helped me decide to become a nurse. I was really impressed by how they could combine knowledge, competence, and compassion. Nurses often stayed with patients long after other staff members had left. They fought for their needs, managed complicated care, and taught families. I knew I wanted to be a part of that field, which requires expertise, sensitivity, and ongoing growth. Going to Chamberlain College of Nursing's Irwindale campus has been both hard and rewarding. Working full-time as a paramedic while doing clinical rotations and taking classes has been hard on my body, but it has also made me appreciate the nursing profession more. Nursing school has changed the way I think, making me more analytical and holistic. It has also renewed my love for medicine in new and important ways. Becoming a father may have been the most life-changing thing that has made me want to be a nurse. Two months ago, my son Oliver was born, and his birth has given me a new sense of purpose. I want to develop a job that not only supports my family but also provides an example for him by teaching that service to others, resilience, and compassion are the keys to a happy life. I do Brazilian Jiu Jitsu when I'm not at work or school. It has taught me to be patient, humble, and mentally strong, which are all things I use in my work as a healthcare professional. Jiu Jitsu teaches me that improvement often comes from hard work, which is something that both nurses and patients go through. In every part of my life, from being a father to working in emergency medicine to growing as a person, I've always wanted to help others. Nursing is the road that lets me accomplish so fully and meaningfully, and I am proud to walk it.