I am a single mom of two boys and a full time mental health nurse, as well as a full time RN student. To say I am stressed out is an understatement. In addition to these stressors, I also have ADHD and struggle with depression and anxiety. I have to make my mental health a priority on a daily basis. For me, this means making an effort to eat well and exercise, remain vigilant with my mental health medication, and reach out when I need help. One thing in particular makes managing my mental health along with all of the other things I am trying to keep organized, and that's my ADHD. My hyper-focus, a symptom of my ADHD, causes me to start a project with a high level of enthusiasm, spend all my time, focus, and energy on it, and then many times, lose interest on it just as fast. Last term, I was laser-focused on pharmacology and dosage. I could almost hear the instructor's voice in my head saying things like "corticosteroids" and "opiates cause respiratory depression" and "ACE inhibitors cause angioedema, which is a medical emergency". I started study groups. I gave other students pop quizzes they never asked for via text message at 12am. I would wake up in the morning after being in class until late at night, and immediately start thinking of dosage calculation formulas and repeating them to myself like a mantra. Like a chant. I got a 95 in both dosage and pharmacology and was put on the dean's list. At the beginning of the second term, my personal relationship ended and my mom had a stroke. Both of these things put me in a horrible mood and I lost my initial mania-like motivation. I struggled to even go to class. I failed the first test and quiz in Fundamentals of Nursing and the same for Contemporary Nursing. As I had also recently ghosted my therapist, I didn't have too much in the way of structure for my mental health. I started to seriously consider dropping out. At a certain point, I was able to identify this pattern of thinking as a sign of depression and I reached out to a nurse practitioner for help. She prescribed me some medication and after a couple of weeks, I noticed some improvement in both my mood and my motivation. I am now feeling confident that I can finish the RN program. I am feeling better but I'm far from cured. I guess the most important thing is, no matter what happens, I don't give up. I reach out and ask for help. A big motivator for me is my kids. I want to be a good example to them. And when Im feeling really down and hopeless, I know that help is just a phone call away.

I am a single mom of two boys and a full time mental health nurse, as well as a full time RN student. To say I am stressed out is an understatement. In addition to these stressors, I also have ADHD and struggle with depression and anxiety. I have to make my mental health a priority on a daily basis. For me, this means making an effort to eat well and exercise, remain vigilant with my mental health medication, and reach out when I need help. One thing in particular makes managing my mental health along with all of the other things I am trying to keep organized, and that's my ADHD. My hyper-focus, a symptom of my ADHD, causes me to start a project with a high level of enthusiasm, spend all my time, focus, and energy on it, and then many times, lose interest with it just as fast. Last term, I was laser-focused on pharmacology and dosage. I could almost hear the instructor's voice in my head saying things like "corticosteroids" and "opiates cause respiratory depression" and "ACE inhibitors cause angioedema, which is a medical emergency". I highlighted the whole book. I started study groups. I gave other students pop quizzes they never asked for via text message at 12am. I would wake up in the morning after being in class until late at night, and immediately start thinking of dosage calculation formulas and repeating them to myself like a mantra. Like a chant. I got a 95 in both dosage and pharmacology and was put on the dean's list. At the beginning of the second term, my personal relationship ended and my mom had a stroke. Both of these things put me in a horrible mood and I lost my initial mania-like motivation for school. I didn't want to read anything. I overslept and overate to keep my feelings under control, or at least anesthetized with carbs. I struggled to even go to class. I failed the first test and quiz in Fundamentals of Nursing and the same for Contemporary Nursing. As I had also recently ghosted my therapist, I didn't have too much in the way of structure for my mental health. I started to seriously consider dropping out. At a certain point, I was able to identify this pattern of thinking as a sign of depression and I reached out to a nurse practitioner for help. She prescribed me some medication and after a couple of weeks, I noticed some improvement in both my mood and my motivation. I am now feeling confident that I can finish the RN program. I am feeling better but I'm far from cured. I guess the most important thing is, no matter what happens, I don't give up. I reach out and ask for help. A big motivator for me is my kids. I want to be a good example to them. And when Im feeling really down and hopeless, I know that help is just a phone call away.

For almost 2 decades, I have worked as an LPN in South Florida, caring for patients in a variety of settings. The things I've seen and the people I've helped have shaped me in many ways. When I turned 40, I've came to the realization that my current financial capabilities as an LPN wasnt enough for myself and my kids to have good quality of life and financial stability. It's been a challenge, balancing work, finances, and family, and I made the decision to go back to school and obtain my RN license. As a single parent, every action I take effects my family. When I thought about accumulating more student loans and struggling through 2 more years of school in my 40s, I was overwhelmed. But the financial fear and strain were front and center for me and I knew I had to do something different if I wanted a different outcome. Becoming a registered nurse will allow me the opportunity to work in areas of medicine that LPN generally don't have access to. My motivation for finishing this program isn't just for me, but it's for my children. They deserve stability and a promising future. Currently, I am teaching sex education to at risk youth in my community and it's been one of the most interesting experiences of my career. I also help ensure that severely behaviorally challenged children get the medication and treatment they need.I see those kids as clients, but also as the future, and prevention is the key that is going to allow them to pursue their own dreams. It feels amazing to hear them repeat back to me things that we've discussed because that is evidence that the information is retained. That they can use those tools to build a foundation for themselves and maintain their health and independence. Serving the Pediatric population has made me understand that there is an overwhelming amount of kids in our community who need education, and services. It has also made me feel very grateful to be in a position to provide my children with a safe, loving home. This is a privilege. Small actions can create major changes in the lives of these kids. My role is more than just practicing nursing care. It's also about offering support and encouragement, and connecting kids to community resources. I'm looking forward to applying my experience in mental health with skills I will learn during the nursing program. I have 10 months left of this program and they will not be easy. Full-time school, a clinical schedule, studying, 2 jobs and parenting, is a lot to manage. There have been moments where I wanted to give up. But my kids are watching me and I feel the need to give them a good example. The example is this: If you want something, you need to make the effort. Even if you're tired, and even if it's hard. It's never too late to go back to school. I want them to know that with a willingness to get things done, they can improve their life and achieve financial stability. As I continue in school, I feel excited and hopeful for the future. There are many opportunities ahead of me. I will be able to help people and make a difference.

For almost 2 decades, I have worked as an LPN in South Florida, caring for patients in a variety of settings. The things I've seen and the people I've helped have shaped me in many ways. When I turned 40, I've came to the realization that my current financial capabilities as an LPN wasnt enough for myself and my kids to have good quality of life and financial stability. It's been a challenge, balancing work, finances, and family, and I made the decision to go back to school and obtain my RN license. I've worked in different areas of medicine, from long-term care to hospice to substance abuse. I've gained experience over this period of time. About two years ago, I started working with children in the area of mental health and learned that it was something I was passionate about. I always derived joy from helping people, especially vulnerable populations, and I find that doing for others is very rewarding. Currently, I am teaching sex education to at risk youth in my community and it's been one of the most interesting experiences of my career. I see those kids as clients, but also as the future, and prevention is the key that is going to allow them to pursue their own dreams. It feels amazing to hear them correctly repeat back to me things that we've discussed because that is evidence that they can use those tools to build a foundation for themselves and maintain their health and independence. Serving the Pediatric population has made me understand that there is an overwhelming amount of kids in our community who need education, and services. Nearly 100% of the clients I meet have experienced trauma, and I've learned so much about trauma informed care in such a short time. Small actions can create major changes in the lives of these kids. My role is more than just practicing nursing care. It's also about offering support and encouragement, and connecting kids and their families to community resources. I'm looking forward to applying my experience in mental health with skills I will learn during the nursing program. I have 10 months left of this program and they will not be easy. Full-time school, a clinical schedule, studying, 2 jobs and parenting, is a lot to manage. There have been moments where I wanted to give up. But my kids are watching me and I feel the need to give them a good example. The example is this: If you want something, you need to make the effort. Even if you're tired, and even if it's hard. It's never too late to go back to school. I want them to know that with a willingness to get things done, they can improve their life and achieve financial stability. As I continue in school, I feel excited and hopeful for the future. There are many opportunities ahead of me. I will be able to help people and make a difference.

For almost 2 decades, I have worked as an LPN in South Florida, caring for patients in a variety of settings. The things I've seen and the people I've helped have shaped me in many ways. When I turned 40, I've came to the realization that my current financial capabilities as an LPN wasnt enough for myself and my kids to have good quality of life and financial stability. It's been a challenge, balancing work, finances, and family, and I made the decision to go back to school and obtain my RN license. As a single parent, every action I take effects my family. When I thought about accumulating more student loans and struggling through 2 more years of school in my 40s, I was overwhelmed. But the financial fear and strain were front and center for me and I knew I had to do something different if I wanted a different outcome. Becoming a registered nurse will allow me the opportunity to work in areas of medicine that LPN generally don't have access to. My motivation for finishing this program isn't just for me, but it's for my children. They deserve stability and a promising future. Currently, I am teaching sex education to at risk youth in my community and it's been one of the most interesting experiences of my career. I also help ensure that severely behaviorally challenged children get the medication and treatment they need.I see those kids as clients, but also as the future, and prevention is the key that is going to allow them to pursue their own dreams. It feels amazing to hear them repeat back to me things that we've discussed because that is evidence that the information is retained. That they can use those tools to build a foundation for themselves and maintain their health and independence. Serving the Pediatric population has made me understand that there is an overwhelming amount of kids in our community who need education, and services. Small actions can create major changes in the lives of these kids. My role is more than just practicing nursing care. It's also about offering support and encouragement, and connecting kids to community resources. I'm looking forward to applying my experience in mental health with skills I will learn during the nursing program. I have 10 months left of this program and they will not be easy. Full-time school, a clinical schedule, studying, 2 jobs and parenting, is a lot to manage. There have been moments where I wanted to give up. But my kids are watching me and I feel the need to give them a good example. The example is this: If you want something, you need to make the effort. Even if you're tired, and even if it's hard. It's never too late to go back to school. I want them to know that with a willingness to get things done, they can improve their life and achieve financial stability. As I continue in school, I feel excited and hopeful for the future. There are many opportunities ahead of me. I will be able to help people and make a difference.

For almost 2 decades, I have worked as an LPN in South Florida, caring for patients in a variety of settings. The things I've seen and the people I've helped have shaped me in many ways. When I turned 40, I've came to the realization that my current financial capabilities as an LPN wasn't enough for myself and my kids to have good quality of life and financial stability. It's been a challenge, balancing work, finances, and family, and I made the decision to go back to school and obtain my RN license. As a single parent, every action I take effects my family. When I thought about accumulating more student loans and struggling through 2 more years of school in my 40s, I was overwhelmed. But the financial fear and strain were front and center for me and I knew I had to do something different if I wanted a different outcome. Becoming a registered nurse will allow me the opportunity to work in areas of medicine that LPN generally don't have access to. My motivation for finishing this program isn't just for me, but it's for my children. They deserve stability and a promising future. I've worked in different areas of medicine, from long-term care to hospice to substance abuse. I've gained experience over this period of time. About two years ago, I started working with children in the area of mental health and learned that it was something I was passionate about. I always derived joy from helping people, especially vulnerable populations, and I find that doing for others is very rewarding. Currently, I am teaching sex education to at risk youth in my community and it's been one of the most interesting experiences of my career. I see those kids as clients, but also as the future, and prevention is the key that is going to allow them to pursue their own dreams. It feels amazing to hear them correctly repeat back to me things that we've discussed because that is evidence that they can use those tools to build a foundation for themselves and maintain their health and independence. I am a nontraditional student because I am significantly older than the average college student. I also have more financial responsibilities. I am enrolled in my nursing program full time, and I work two jobs to support myself and my two children. This scholarship will help me pay for my living expenses so I can continue with my studies, finish this program, and get a better job. I have 10 months left of this program and they will not be easy. Full-time school, a clinical schedule, studying, 2 jobs and parenting, is a lot to manage. There have been moments where I wanted to give up. But my kids are watching me and I feel the need to give them a good example. The example is this: If you want something, you need to make the effort. Even if you're tired, and even if it's hard. It's never too late to go back to school. As I continue in this process, I feel excited and hopeful for the future. There are many opportunities ahead of me. I will be able to help people and make a difference. I cant wait to see what positions are available when I graduate.

For almost 2 decades, I have worked as an LPN in South Florida, caring for patients in a variety of settings. The things I've seen and the people I've helped have shaped me in many ways. When I turned 40, I've came to the realization that my current financial capabilities as an LPN wasnt enough for myself and my kids to have good quality of life and financial stability. It's been a challenge, balancing work, finances, and family, and I made the decision to go back to school and obtain my RN license. As a single parent, every action I take effects my family. When I thought about accumulating more student loans and struggling through 2 more years of school in my 40s, I was overwhelmed. But the financial fear and strain were front and center for me and I knew I had to do something different if I wanted a different outcome. Becoming a registered nurse will allow me the opportunity to work in areas of medicine that LPN generally don't have access to. My motivation for finishing this program isn't just for me, but it's for my children. They deserve stability and a promising future. I've worked in different areas of medicine, from long-term care to hospice to substance abuse. I've gained experience over this period of time. About two years ago, I started working with children in the area of mental health and learned that it was something I was passionate about. I always derived joy from helping people, especially vulnerable populations, and I find that doing for others is very rewarding. Currently, I am teaching sex education to at risk youth in my community and it's been one of the most interesting experiences of my career. I see those kids as clients, but also as the future, and prevention is the key that is going to allow them to pursue their own dreams. It feels amazing to hear them correctly repeat back to me things that we've discussed because that is evidence that they can use those tools to build a foundation for themselves and maintain their health and independence. Serving the Pediatric population has made me understand that there is an overwhelming amount of kids in our community who need education, and services. Nearly 100% of the clients I meet have experienced trauma, and I've learned so much about trauma informed care in such a short time. Small actions can create major changes in the lives of these kids. My role is more than just practicing nursing care. It's also about offering support and encouragement, and connecting kids and their families to community resources. I'm looking forward to applying my experience in mental health with skills I will learn during the nursing program. I have 10 months left of this program and they will not be easy. Full-time school, a clinical schedule, studying, 2 jobs and parenting, is a lot to manage. There have been moments where I wanted to give up. But my kids are watching me and I feel the need to give them a good example. The example is this: If you want something, you need to make the effort. Even if you're tired, and even if it's hard. It's never too late to go back to school. I want them to know that with a willingness to get things done, they can improve their life and achieve financial stability. As I continue in school, I feel excited and hopeful for the future. There are many opportunities ahead of me. I will be able to help people and make a difference.

For almost 2 decades, I have worked as an LPN in South Florida, caring for patients in a variety of settings. The things I've seen and the people I've helped have shaped me in many ways. When I turned 40, I've came to the realization that my current financial capabilities as an LPN wasnt enough for myself and my kids to have good quality of life and financial stability. It's been a challenge, balancing work, finances, and family, and I made the decision to go back to school and obtain my RN license. I've worked in different areas of medicine, from long-term care to hospice to substance abuse. I've gained experience over this period of time. About two years ago, I started working with children in the area of mental health and learned that it was something I was passionate about. I always derived joy from helping people, especially vulnerable populations, and I find that doing for others is very rewarding. Currently, I am teaching sex education to at risk youth in my community and it's been one of the most interesting experiences of my career. I see those kids as clients, but also as the future, and prevention is the key that is going to allow them to pursue their own dreams. It feels amazing to hear them correctly repeat back to me things that we've discussed because that is evidence that they can use those tools to build a foundation for themselves and maintain their health and independence. Serving the Pediatric population has made me understand that there is an overwhelming amount of kids in our community who need education, and services. Nearly 100% of the clients I meet have experienced trauma, and I've learned so much about trauma informed care in such a short time. Small actions can create major changes in the lives of these kids. My role is more than just practicing nursing care. It's also about offering support and encouragement, and connecting kids and their families to community resources. I'm looking forward to applying my experience in mental health with skills I will learn during the nursing program. I have 10 months left of this program and they will not be easy. Full-time school, a clinical schedule, studying, 2 jobs and parenting, is a lot to manage. There have been moments where I wanted to give up. But my kids are watching me and I feel the need to give them a good example. The example is this: If you want something, you need to make the effort. Even if you're tired, and even if it's hard. It's never too late to go back to school. I want them to know that with a willingness to get things done, they can improve their life and achieve financial stability. As I continue in school, I feel excited and hopeful for the future. There are many opportunities ahead of me. I will be able to help people and make a difference. I cant wait to help more kids, and possibly continue my education after the RN program. My long-term goal is to become a nurse practitioner and work with children.

For almost 2 decades, I have worked as an LPN in South Florida, caring for patients in a variety of settings. The things I've seen and the people I've helped have shaped me in many ways. When I turned 40, I've came to the realization that my current financial capabilities as an LPN wasnt enough for myself and my kids to have good quality of life and financial stability. It's been a challenge, balancing work, finances, and family, and I made the decision to go back to school and obtain my RN license. As a single parent, every action I take effects my family. When I thought about accumulating more student loans and struggling through 2 more years of school in my 40s, I was overwhelmed. But the financial fear and strain were front and center for me and I knew I had to do something different if I wanted a different outcome. Becoming a registered nurse will allow me the opportunity to work in areas of medicine that LPN generally don't have access to. My motivation for finishing this program isn't just for me, but it's for my children. They deserve stability and a promising future. I've worked in different areas of medicine, from long-term care to hospice to substance abuse. I've gained experience over this period of time. About two years ago, I started working with children in the area of mental health and learned that it was something I was passionate about. I always derived joy from helping people, especially vulnerable populations, and I find that doing for others is very rewarding. Currently, I am teaching sex education to at risk youth in my community and it's been one of the most interesting experiences of my career. I see those kids as clients, but also as the future, and prevention is the key that is going to allow them to pursue their own dreams. It feels amazing to hear them correctly repeat back to me things that we've discussed because that is evidence that they can use those tools to build a foundation for themselves and maintain their health and independence. Serving the Pediatric population has made me understand that there is an overwhelming amount of kids in our community who need education, and services. Nearly 100% of the clients I meet have experienced trauma, and I've learned so much about trauma informed care in such a short time. Small actions can create major changes in the lives of these kids. My role is more than just practicing nursing care. It's also about offering support and encouragement, and connecting kids and their families to community resources. I'm looking forward to applying my experience in mental health with skills I will learn during the nursing program. I have 10 months left of this program and they will not be easy. Full-time school, a clinical schedule, studying, 2 jobs and parenting, is a lot to manage. There have been moments where I wanted to give up. But my kids are watching me and I feel the need to give them a good example. The example is this: If you want something, you need to make the effort. Even if you're tired, and even if it's hard. It's never too late to go back to school. I want them to know that with a willingness to get things done, they can improve their life and achieve financial stability. As I continue in school, I feel excited and hopeful for the future. There are many opportunities ahead of me. I will be able to help people and make a difference.

I am a single mom of two boys and a full time mental health nurse, as well as a full time RN student. To say I am stressed out is an understatement. In addition to these stressors, I also have ADHD and struggle with depression and anxiety. I have to make my mental health a priority on a daily basis. For me, this means making an effort to eat well and exercise, remain vigilant with my mental health medication, and reach out when I need help. One thing in particular makes managing my mental health along with all of the other things I am trying to keep organized, and that's my ADHD. My hyper-focus, a symptom of my ADHD, causes me to start a project with a high level of enthusiasm, spend all my time, focus, and energy on it, and then many times, lose interest on it just as fast. Last term, I was laser-focused on pharmacology and dosage. I could almost hear the instructor's voice in my head saying things like "corticosteroids" and "opiates cause respiratory depression" and "ACE inhibitors cause angioedema, which is a medical emergency". I started study groups. I gave other students pop quizzes they never asked for via text message at 12am. I would wake up in the morning after being in class until late at night, and immediately start thinking of dosage calculation formulas and repeating them to myself like a mantra. Like a chant. I got a 95 in both dosage and pharmacology and was put on the dean's list. At the beginning of the second term, my personal relationship ended and my mom had a stroke. Both of these things put me in a horrible mood and I lost my initial mania-like motivation. I struggled to even go to class. I failed the first test and quiz in Fundamentals of Nursing and the same for Contemporary Nursing. As I had also recently ghosted my therapist, I didn't have too much in the way of structure for my mental health. I started to seriously consider dropping out. At a certain point, I was able to identify this pattern of thinking as a sign of depression and I reached out to a nurse practitioner for help. She prescribed me some medication and after a couple of weeks, I noticed some improvement in both my mood and my motivation. I am now feeling confident that I can finish the RN program. I am feeling better but I'm far from cured. I guess the most important thing is, no matter what happens, I don't give up. I reach out and ask for help. A big motivator for me is my kids. I want to be a good example to them. And when Im feeling really down and hopeless, I know that help is just a phone call away.