Losing my mother changed the direction of my life in ways I could have never imagined. At the time of her passing, I was enrolled in a mobility bridge program transitioning from respiratory therapy into nursing. I was excited about finally stepping into a role I had dreamed about for years. My mother had always been my biggest supporter, she believed in my potential even when I doubted myself. When she passed, the grief was overwhelming. I found myself trying to balance school, work, and heartbreak, and eventually, I reached a point where I had to step away from the program. My mother was more than just a parent to me: she was my safe place, my encourager, and my example of resilience. She had once started nursing school herself, earning a 4.0 GPA before becoming pregnant with me in her first semester. As a single mother, she put her dreams on hold to raise me and worked in healthcare as a CNA for many years. Watching her sacrifice shaped my work ethic and my desire to care for others. When I lost her, I felt like I lost my anchor. My mental health declined, and there were moments when I questioned my purpose and even why I was still here without her. Stepping away from the mobility program felt like another loss. I struggled with guilt and disappointment, feeling as though I had failed her and myself. However, in that season of grief, my faith became my lifeline. I leaned into God, my church family, and close friends who refused to let me drown in my sorrow. Through prayer and support, I slowly began to heal. I came to understand that pausing my journey did not mean my purpose was over it simply meant I needed time to grieve and grow. Eventually, I found the strength to return to nursing through the traditional route. Coming back was not easy. I was older than many of my classmates and carried the weight of loss with me, but I also carried resilience, empathy, and a deeper understanding of suffering. Losing my mother reshaped how I view patients and families. I know what it feels like to sit in uncertainty, to hope for healing, and to grieve deeply. That experience has made me more compassionate, patient, and present at the bedside. My mother’s passing did not end my dream it refined it. I now feel called to be a nurse who shows up not only with clinical skill, but with genuine compassion for patients and families walking through some of the hardest moments of their lives. My faith reminds me that even in loss, purpose can grow. Though my journey into nursing was delayed, it was not denied. I carry my mother’s strength with me in every step forward, and I am committed to honoring her legacy by serving others with the same love and selflessness she showed me.

One of the most significant times I relied on my faith to overcome a challenge was after the sudden loss of my mother. She was not only my parent, but my closest support system, my encourager, and the person who believed in me when I struggled to believe in myself. Losing her unexpectedly shattered my sense of direction and stability and forced me to navigate grief while trying to continue pursuing my education and calling in healthcare. At the time of her passing, I was enrolled in a mobility program transitioning my career from respiratory therapy to nursing. When my mother died suddenly from a saddle pulmonary embolism, my world stopped. I felt lost, overwhelmed, and emotionally paralyzed. My mental health declined, and there were moments when I questioned my purpose and whether I should even continue without her. The pain was so heavy that I withdrew from the program, unsure if I would ever be able to return to school or find my footing again. During that season, my faith became my lifeline. When I had no words to express my grief, prayer gave me a place to release my pain. When I felt abandoned and confused, my faith reminded me that God was still present, even in my suffering. I leaned on scripture, worship, and my church community, who surrounded me with encouragement and support when I felt like I was drowning. One verse that carried me through was “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). On days when getting out of bed felt impossible, this verse reminded me that perseverance still mattered, even when I could not yet see the outcome. Relying on my faith did not remove the pain, but it gave me the strength to keep moving forward. Two months later, I made the difficult decision to return to school through a traditional nursing program. That decision was rooted in faith, not confidence. I trusted that God was not finished with my story and that my mother’s sacrifices were not meant to end with her. Each step back into the classroom felt heavy, but I carried the belief that God was guiding my path, even when I could not see the full picture. Since then, my faith has continued to sustain me through financial strain, academic pressure, and moments of self-doubt. It reminds me that setbacks do not define failure and that strength is often built through adversity. My faith has also shaped the way I care for others encouraging me to lead with compassion, patience, and empathy, especially for those facing loss, fear, or uncertainty. Overcoming the loss of my mother through faith has strengthened my resilience and deepened my sense of purpose. It taught me that faith is not about having all the answers, but about trusting God through uncertainty. That trust carried me back to my goals and continues to guide me forward with hope, determination, and gratitude.

My “pie in the sky” dream is to become a provider who helps change the trajectory of maternal health for women especially Black women while honoring the legacy of my mother and the resilience I witness in women every day. It is a dream that feels both inspiring and just out of reach, not because I doubt its importance, but because I understand how much growth, sacrifice, and courage it will require to achieve it. This dream was first sparked by my mother. She was a single parent who carried the weight of two roles with strength and grace. She dreamed of becoming a nurse and excelled in nursing school before life redirected her path. Even without completing that goal, she devoted her life to caring for others while raising me, showing me what it meant to be resilient, selfless, and purpose-driven. Watching her persevere planted the belief that women especially those navigating hardship possess an extraordinary strength that often goes unrecognized and unsupported. As I entered healthcare myself, that belief deepened. Working closely with women, particularly in vulnerable moments, has shown me how powerful and fragile these seasons of life can be. I have seen women endure pain, fear, and uncertainty with incredible resilience. At the same time, I have learned the alarming reality that Black women face the highest rates of maternal mortality in the United States. These are not statistics to me they represent mothers, daughters, and families whose stories deserve better outcomes and better advocacy. My dream is to become a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner or Certified Nurse Midwife who not only provides clinical care, but also listens, educates, and advocates. I want to be a provider who recognizes when concerns are dismissed, who understands the impact of bias, and who empowers women to trust their voices. I envision myself working in spaces where women feel seen and protected where their pain is believed and their lives are valued. Getting there requires intentional steps. First, I must complete my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, despite being a nontraditional student navigating financial limitations and personal loss. From there, I plan to gain continued experience in women’s and maternal health, strengthening both my clinical skills and understanding of health disparities. Graduate education will be essential, as advanced training will allow me to provide comprehensive care and play a larger role in improving outcomes. Along the way, I plan to remain engaged in mentorship and community outreach, particularly for young women of color who may not see themselves reflected in healthcare leadership. This dream feels just out of reach because it asks me to keep going when the road is long—but it feels possible because it is rooted in purpose. My mother’s strength, the resilience of women I care for, and the urgent need to address maternal health inequities fuel my commitment. I may not yet be where I want to be, but every step forward brings me closer to a future where women especially Black women are safer, heard, and supported. That is the dream I am chasing, and it is worth everything it asks of me.

This opportunity is deeply meaningful to me because my journey toward success has been sustained by faith especially during seasons when continuing felt impossible. My faith in God has been the anchor that carried me through profound loss, uncertainty, and moments when I questioned my purpose, and it continues to guide me as I pursue a calling rooted in service and compassion. I was raised by my mother, who served as both my parents and my greatest source of strength. She believed in hard work, education, and faith, and she modeled perseverance even when life was difficult. During her first semester of nursing school, she earned a 4.0 GPA, but her dream was interrupted when she became pregnant with me and chose to withdraw from the program as a single mother. Though she never returned to nursing school, she continued working in healthcare as a certified nursing assistant, caring for others while sacrificing her own goals to ensure my well-being. When my mother died suddenly from a saddle pulmonary embolism, my world collapsed. Losing her the person who prayed for me, encouraged me, and believed in me—left me feeling lost and broken. There were moments when my grief was so overwhelming that I questioned why I was still here while she was gone. My mental health was at its lowest point, and I struggled to see a future without her presence. I withdrew from school and felt disconnected from the purpose I once held so tightly. What saved me during that season was my faith in God. When I had no strength of my own, I leaned on prayer. When my heart was heavy with unanswered questions, my church family and faithful friends surrounded me with love, reminding me that God’s plans are greater than what we can see. Through faith, I learned that grief does not mean God has abandoned us it means He is walking with us through the pain. Slowly, He restored my hope and gave me the courage to keep going. Returning to school was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made, but I did so trust that God was not finished with my story. Each step forward became an act of faith. My academic achievements, my progression in healthcare, and my resilience are not mine alone they are the result of God’s grace sustaining me when I felt weak. Looking ahead, I plan to continue using my faith as a guiding force in my education and career. As a nurse and future advanced practice provider, I want to be a light to others who feel hopeless, overlooked, or afraid. I want patients to see that compassion, purpose, and healing are possible even in the darkest moments. My faith reminds me daily that with God, all things are possible, and I am committed to serving others with humility, strength, and love. This scholarship represents more than financial support; it represents belief in the power of faith to transform pain into purpose. With God as my foundation, I will continue reaching for greater heights not only for myself, but for those I am called to serve.

The most significant loss I have experienced is the death of my mother the only parent I ever truly knew and the person who shaped every part of who I am today. My father was not present in my life, and from the very beginning, my mother carried the weight of two roles with quiet strength and unwavering love. She was my protector, my encourager, and my sense of stability in a world that often felt uncertain. My mother was deeply committed to education and service. During her first semester of nursing school, she earned a 4.0 GPA and was well on her way to achieving her dream of becoming a nurse. That dream was interrupted when she became pregnant with me and made the selfless decision to withdraw from the program as a single mother. Although she never returned to nursing school, she continued working in healthcare as a certified nursing assistant, providing in-home care to patients while raising me on her own. I watched her sacrifice daily her time, her energy, and her dreams so that I could have opportunities she never had. Years of physically demanding work took a toll on her body. She suffered from chronic back and knee problems, underwent multiple surgeries, and spent increasing amounts of time in hospitals. Watching my once-strong mother become a patient was painful and humbling. Still, she remained my backbone, constantly reminding me to keep going, even when life became heavy. While I was enrolled in a mobility program bridging my career from respiratory therapy to nursing, my life changed forever. My mother died suddenly from a saddle pulmonary embolism. Losing her shattered me in ways I was not prepared for. My mental health declined, and grief consumed me. There were moments when I questioned my purpose and wondered how I was supposed to exist in a world without the one person who had always been there for me. I withdrew from the program, unsure if I would ever find my footing again. What saved me during that season was my faith, my church, and a small circle of friends who refused to let me drown in my grief. Through prayer, support, and time, I found the strength to return to school two months later through a traditional nursing program. Continuing without my mother without her voice, guidance, or reassurance has been the hardest journey of my life. Her loss reshaped how I view life. I no longer take time, relationships, or opportunities for granted. I move with greater purpose, empathy, and urgency, understanding how fragile life truly is. I strive to be present, to lead with compassion, and to honor her sacrifices by living intentionally. Although losing my mother changed me forever, it also strengthened me. Her dream lives on through me not only in my career goals, but in the way I treat others and the way I choose to persevere. I carry her with me in everything I do, and her legacy continues to shape the person I am becoming.

Every experience we endure shapes who we become, and my journey into healthcare has been forged through profound personal challenges, loss, and resilience. My decision to pursue a career in medicine was not born from a single moment, but from a lifetime of navigating hardship while witnessing both the strengths and shortcomings of the healthcare system. I was raised by my mother, who carried the responsibility of two parents after my father was not present in my life. She was my foundation, my motivation, and my example of perseverance. During her first semester of nursing school, she earned a 4.0 GPA and was well on her way to fulfilling her dream of becoming a nurse. That dream was interrupted when she became pregnant with me and chose to withdraw from the program to raise me as a single mother. Although she never returned to nursing school, she continued working in healthcare as a certified nursing assistant, providing in-home care to patients while sacrificing her own aspirations to ensure my stability. Years of physically demanding work eventually took a toll on her body. She developed severe back and knee issues, underwent multiple surgeries, and experienced frequent hospitalizations. Watching my mother transition from caregiver to patient exposed me early to the realities of illness, chronic pain, and vulnerability. It also revealed gaps in communication, advocacy, and compassionate care lessons that would later shape my own approach to healthcare. While I was enrolled in a mobility program bridging my career from respiratory therapy to nursing, my life changed abruptly. My mother died suddenly from a saddle pulmonary embolism. Her death was unexpected and devastating. Losing my only parent shattered my sense of stability, and my mental health declined significantly. There were moments when the grief was so overwhelming that I questioned my purpose and my ability to continue without her. I withdrew from the program, uncertain if I would ever regain my footing. What kept me from drowning during that period was my faith, my church, and a small group of friends who surrounded me when I had very little family left. Two months later, I returned to school through a traditional nursing program not because the pain had disappeared, but because continuing meant honoring the sacrifices my mother made for me. Navigating education without my greatest source of encouragement has been the hardest challenge of my life, especially as a nontraditional student facing financial limitations and diminishing aid. These experiences have shaped the healthcare professional I strive to be. I bring empathy to patients who feel unseen, patience to families facing uncertainty, and advocacy to those navigating care alone. My background in respiratory therapy and nursing allows me to combine scientific knowledge with lived compassion. I understand grief, vulnerability, and resilience not as abstract concepts, but as realities. Because of my experiences, I am committed to making a positive impact in healthcare by providing patient-centered, compassionate, and culturally aware care. My challenges did not deter me from medicine; they gave it meaning. They taught me that healing extends beyond treatment plans and technology it begins with understanding, presence, and humanity. Through my career, I hope to be the provider my mother needed and the support patients deserve.

I chose to pursue a degree in STEM because healthcare sits at the intersection of science, technology, and human impact. Nursing is a STEM-based discipline grounded in scientific knowledge, clinical reasoning, and the use of advanced technology to assess, treat, and advocate for patients. From anatomy and physiology to pharmacology, pathophysiology, and evidence-based practice, nursing demands critical thinking and technical competence while maintaining a strong human connection. For me, STEM is not abstract it is lived daily at the bedside. My journey into STEM was shaped early by my exposure to healthcare through my mother, who worked as a certified nursing assistant providing in-home care. Although she dreamed of becoming a nurse, life circumstances prevented her from completing nursing school. Watching her care for patients while managing her own physical decline showed me both the power and limitations of healthcare. Those experiences planted the seed for my own pursuit of a STEM career focused on healing, advocacy, and innovation. I began my professional path in respiratory therapy, where I gained hands-on experience with complex medical technology, including ventilators, oxygen delivery systems, and critical monitoring equipment. Working in high-acuity environments strengthened my appreciation for the science behind patient care and deepened my desire to expand my scope of practice through nursing. Transitioning into nursing allowed me to integrate my respiratory background with broader clinical decision-making, reinforcing my commitment to STEM-based healthcare. As a person of color in STEM, I am deeply aware of the disparities that exist within healthcare systems. I have seen how implicit bias, communication barriers, and lack of representation can negatively affect patient outcomes particularly for women, infants, and underserved communities. My goal is not only to succeed within STEM but to help reshape it. I strive to provide culturally competent, evidence-based care while advocating for patients who may feel unseen or unheard. My long-term goal is to continue my education as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner or Certified Nurse Midwife. In this role, I hope to address maternal and neonatal health disparities by combining advanced clinical knowledge with patient education, preventative care, and advocacy. I am particularly passionate about empowering women through health literacy and ensuring that clinical decisions are informed by both science and compassion. Beyond patient care, I aim to mentor and support future students of color pursuing STEM careers. As a nontraditional student who has navigated loss, financial hardship, and rigorous academic pathways, I understand the importance of representation and encouragement. By sharing my journey and remaining engaged in mentorship, I hope to inspire others to pursue STEM fields they may not initially see themselves reflected in. Pursuing a STEM degree in nursing allows me to merge science, technology, and service. As a person of color, my presence in STEM is both a responsibility and an opportunity to innovate, to advocate, and to help build a more equitable healthcare system for future generations.

My mother was the foundation of my life and the reason I am able to stand where I am today. She carried the weight of two parents, as my father was not present, and she embraced both roles with strength, sacrifice, and unwavering love. She believed deeply in education and service, and during her first semester of nursing school, she earned a 4.0 GPA. Her dream was to become a nurse, but that dream was put on hold when she became pregnant with me and made the difficult decision to withdraw from the program as a single mother. From that moment forward, her life became about survival, sacrifice, and doing whatever it took to give me a better future. Although she never returned to nursing school, my mother remained in healthcare, working as a certified nursing assistant providing in-home care. She spent years caring for others while raising me on her own, often exhausted but never complaining. Watching her balance work, motherhood, and responsibility taught me resilience and compassion long before I understood their meaning. She was my backbone, my encourager, and my safe place in a world that often felt uncertain. Over time, the physical demands of her work began to take a toll on her body. She suffered from severe back and knee problems, underwent multiple surgeries, and experienced repeated hospitalizations. Seeing my strong, independent mother transition from caregiver to patient was heartbreaking. Still, she continued to encourage me to pursue my education and to chase the dreams she had once held for herself. While I was enrolled in a mobility program bridging my career from respiratory therapy to nursing, my life changed forever. My mother died suddenly from a saddle pulmonary embolism. Her death was unexpected and devastating. Losing her shattered my world, and my mental health quickly declined. There were moments when the grief was so heavy that I questioned why I was still here without her. I withdrew from the program, unsure if I would ever be able to return to school or regain my sense of purpose. What kept me from drowning during that time was my faith, my church, and a small circle of supportive friends who refused to let me disappear into my grief. Two months later, with trembling faith and determination, I returned to school through a traditional nursing program. Continuing my education without my mother’s voice, guidance, and encouragement has been the hardest journey I have ever walked. As a nontraditional student with limited family support and diminishing financial aid, every step forward has required strength I did not know I possessed. This scholarship represents more than financial support it represents belief in students like me who have experienced profound loss yet continue to push forward. My mother’s dream did not die with her; it lives on in my commitment to complete my education and serve others with compassion and purpose. Despite grief, financial hardship, and moments of doubt, I continue because she carried me for so long. Now, I carry her legacy forward.

My academic and career goals are rooted in a commitment to lifelong learning, clinical excellence, and service to women, infants, and families. I am currently completing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, with my final semester scheduled for Summer 2026. Successfully earning my BSN is my immediate academic priority, as it represents not only the culmination of years of dedication but also the foundation for my long-term professional goals. Throughout my academic journey, I have balanced full-time work in demanding clinical environments with rigorous coursework. These experiences have strengthened my time-management skills, resilience, and determination to succeed academically despite financial and personal challenges. As I complete my undergraduate education, I remain focused on maintaining strong academic performance while continuing to grow clinically through hands-on patient care, precepting opportunities, and evidence-based practice. Following graduation, my short-term career goal is to continue working as a registered nurse in women’s and neonatal health. With a background in critical care nursing and respiratory therapy, including experience in high-acuity settings, I bring a unique skill set that allows me to manage complex patients while maintaining a compassionate, patient-centered approach. I am particularly drawn to caring for women and newborns during vulnerable and life-changing moments, whether that involves supporting safe deliveries, managing complications, or providing emotional reassurance to families. My long-term academic and professional goal is to pursue graduate education as either a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner or a Certified Nurse Midwife. I aspire to advance my education so I can provide comprehensive care to women across the lifespan, including reproductive health, pregnancy, postpartum care, and health education. I am especially passionate about advocacy, patient education, and reducing disparities in maternal and neonatal outcomes. By obtaining advanced practice training, I hope to expand my ability to serve as both a clinician and a trusted resource for women navigating complex healthcare decisions. Beyond direct patient care, I aim to be a mentor and advocate within the nursing profession. As a nontraditional student who has progressed through multiple healthcare roles, I understand the value of perseverance, mentorship, and representation. I hope to support future nurses especially those from underserved or nontraditional backgrounds by modeling professional growth, resilience, and compassionate leadership. Ultimately, my academic and career goals are centered on providing high-quality, evidence-based care while honoring the human connection at the heart of nursing. Completing my education will allow me to continue building a career dedicated to improving outcomes for women and families while making a meaningful and lasting impact within the healthcare system.

Personal Inspiration for Nursing My inspiration for pursuing a career in nursing is deeply rooted in my family and personal experiences. My mother worked in healthcare as a patient care technician, providing compassionate in-home care to patients. She always dreamed of becoming a nurse, but her journey was interrupted when she became pregnant during her first semester of nursing school and had to withdraw as a single mother. Growing up, I watched her selflessly care for others while placing her own dreams on hold to provide for her family. Her strength and compassion left a lasting impression on me. Almost four years ago, I experienced the most painful moment of my life when I watched my mother take her last breath. In that moment, I felt helpless—not only as her daughter, but as someone witnessing uncertainty and gaps in care during a critical time. That experience profoundly changed me. It solidified my desire to become a nurse and shaped the kind of provider I strive to be: attentive, compassionate, and prepared to advocate for patients and families when they are most vulnerable. Since then, I have dedicated my life to healthcare, gaining experience across multiple roles and settings. Each step of my journey has reinforced my passion for nursing and my commitment to providing patient-centered care rooted in empathy, skill, and advocacy. Nursing allows me to combine clinical knowledge with human connection, and it gives me the opportunity to honor my mother’s legacy through meaningful service to others. Pursuing nursing is more than a career choice for me, it is a calling shaped by love, loss, and purpose. I am committed to using my education and experiences to make a lasting impact on the lives of patients and families, just as my mother inspired me to do. Human Touch To me, “human touch” represents presence, compassion, and connection, especially in moments when words are not enough. It is the quiet reassurance that someone is seen, valued, and not alone. In healthcare, human touch has the power to comfort, ground, and heal patients in ways that medicine alone cannot. My understanding of human touch became deeply personal almost four years ago when I watched my mother take her last breath. I remember holding her hand and feeling the coldness settle in, realizing that this would be the final physical connection I would ever have with her. That moment stays with me. It taught me that touch is not just physical, it carries emotion, memory, and meaning. In those final moments, a gentle hand, a warm presence, or reassurance can make an immeasurable difference for both patients and their loved ones. As a nurse, I carry that lesson with me every day. I have cared for patients who had no family present, especially during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when isolation became the norm. Many patients faced fear, uncertainty, and loneliness while separated from their loved ones. In those moments, I often became their only source of comfort. Holding a patient’s hand during difficult news, offering a reassuring hug, or simply sitting at the bedside provided a sense of connection when the world felt distant and overwhelming. Human touch also plays a vital role in building trust. A comforting hand on the shoulder, helping a patient sit up, or offering a hug when emotions spill over can restore dignity and ease anxiety. I have seen patients visibly relax when they realize someone truly cares—not just about their diagnosis, but about them as a person. These small acts often give patients the encouragement they need to continue fighting, healing, and believing in themselves. Human touch reminds us that healthcare is ultimately about humanity. While technology and clinical skills are essential, it is compassion that defines meaningful care. By offering presence, warmth, and connection, nurses can profoundly impact patient experiences, ensuring that no one feels alone even in their most vulnerable moments.

I’m a Sophomore at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville majoring in Nursing. I graduated from high school back in 2011 and went on to attend college at the University of Montevallo. I knew I always wanted to be in healthcare from a little girl but let others influence me into majoring in teaching due to being pressed into scholarship associated with it. I hated it and changed to different majors trying to find something I loved. Nothing stood out to me and it led me into depression. This ultimately resulted in me failing out of the University of Montevallo and having to move back home. I tried to pick up the pieces and landed a PCT job I was led back to healthcare. I attended two nursing programs and did not progress because of financial issues and a bad car accident. I felt defeated and fought my way back and came to Wallace State and graduated with Respiratory Therapy. After graduating I received my certification in CRT and RRT. The one person that got me interested in the health field was my mother. Before my mother got pregnant with me, she was in nursing school but unfortunately after starting she had to withdraw because of her pregnancy. That didn’t stop her, and she was a caretaker who went into homes and helped the elderly. Watching her work and help others and love her job motivated me to want to go back to school to help others. My mother gave up a lot to take care of me as a single mother and my number one goal is to make her proud and finish what she didn’t get to. My mother passed away this past November from surgical complications linked to heart failure. I watched my mom pass and the negligence of nurses who didn’t know what to and it also fueled my fire to do nursing and become a competent nurse. I don’t want any families to experience what I experience. My plan after graduating is to go on to 4-year university to get my bachelor’s and master’s in nursing. I want to become a nurse practitioner and specialize in pulmonary to use both backgrounds. I would love to also hold health summits in my hometown and surrounding areas and educate them on their health and preventing respiratory diseases. More importantly, help others to get better and save lives. I have an uncle who has COPD, and I just don’t think he understands the importance of taking care of himself. My mother was recently diagnosed before her death with CHF which contributed to her death. People with these diseases need to be educated more and know the importance of managing their diseases and the disease process. I have had to cut back on working to manage to be in nursing school. I have no financial aid left to help offset the cost of school. With being in school so long and unfortunately not finding my purpose too late I have no aid left. Nursing school is expensive, and I will have to try to juggle working and school to manage to pay for it. With my mom passing, I was left with expenses from her funeral because her life insurance didn’t cover the whole cost. My mother also was a major contributor to my grandmother and uncles. My grandmother has dementia, and my uncles have various health issues. Getting this scholarship would help me to continue school. I could continue to help support my family and have one less worry.

I’m a second-semester nursing student at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, AL. I’m currently a registered respiratory therapist with two years of experience and also have six years plus of experience as being CNA/PCT. It has always been a dream to go back to school for nursing but God had a different path for me to take to that dream. I began my undergraduate career as an education major with the thought I would teach. Part of me knew I wanted to do something to help give back and help others. I tried it but it just never clicked for me and actually, I became very depressed because I didn’t feel fulfilled. I left school and took a break which lead me to the hospital. I tried to be PCT and couldn’t immediately get a job so I started as housekeeping and worked hard till I was able to impress the managers and get a job as PCT. I worked as PCT and got my CNA license. I returned to school and took classes in nursing. I got into nursing school but ended up having financial issues and got into a bad car accident and lost my car and job. I got discouraged and took classes to raise my GPA. After working more, I was introduced to respiratory therapy applied to school attended and graduated in 2021. I have been working since but knew I wanted to learn and do more. Got into a mobility program in August 2022 but tragically lost my mom in November 2022 due to complications of surgery. I was an only child and the only one capable of pulling off a funeral. My mom was responsible for my grandmother and uncles so I had to pause school to take care of them and bury my mom. Returned in January 2023 and finished this first semester strong with B working full-time, managing my bills, and taking up responsibility my mom covered. My mom was a nursing major before having me but had to put her plans on hold to raise me as a single parent. My mom never got to live out her dream as a nurse but worked as a caretaker till her death. She prided herself in helping others and was a very selfless person. She is my main motivation for wanting to be a nurse. I also unfortunately watched her take her last breath and code. What made it worst was watching the nurses freeze up and I have to be one of the ones to call the code. This fueled my fire, even more, to want to be a nurse but not only a good nurse but be able to critically think in the hardest and life-or-death situations. I want to go on to work in ICU, where I would be able to bring my respiratory experience and experience with the vent. In ICU, you need to be able to be familiar with the vent because a lot of the time patients are ventilated through the ventilator. I bring in the experience of managing ETT tubes and being in ICU settings as a respiratory therapist. As continue to go through school, I make sure to devote the time and extra time to prepare. I keep my eyes open and use my strengths but also understand my weaknesses and where I have room to learn. With the help of this scholarship, I can continue on with my education. I am currently maxed out on financial aid and everything is on me to pay for school and support my family.

I am 30 years old Freshman at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, AL with a major in Nursing. I graduated from high school back in 2011 and went on to college at the University of Montevallo. I knew I always wanted to be in healthcare from a little girl but listening to others I majored in teaching due to being pressed into a scholarship associated with it. I absolutely hated it and changed to different specialties which lead me to depression. I was at the point I stopped going to class and stayed in the house because I didn’t feel fulfilled. This ultimately resulted in me failing out of the University of Montevallo and having to move back home. After leaving and getting a job as PCT I went back to what I loved. I attend two nursing programs and did not progress because of financial issues and a bad car accident. I felt defeated and fought my way back and got into Respiratory Therapy school and graduated. I feel like God took me down a different path that led me back to nursing. My mother was a big key in my desire to major in nursing. Before my mother got pregnant with me, she was in nursing school but unfortunately after starting she had to withdraw because of her pregnancy. Watching her work as a caregiver, while helping others along with her love for the job motivated me. I watched my mother take her last breath, but unfortunately, watching nurses not know what to do gave me the motivation. I want to have the knowledge and skills to be able to think critically and fast because people’s lives are in your hands. I want to be able to bring comfort to families to know everything was done to help their family members. After completing the program, I want to work on the floor as a full-time RN and Flexi RRT. Using my knowledge of respiratory and ICU will help and bring me into nursing with an edge up. I will be able to relate to different fields of study. I want to help educate and help with the relationship with RN to RT relationship. Bringing in experience with both I can educate both about the need to work together and how essential we both are. I also want to contribute my knowledge and educate people about respiratory diseases like COPD, CHF, and asthma. I would love to have health summits in my hometown and grow into other states to educate them on their health and prevent respiratory diseases. More importantly, help others to get better and save lives. I have an uncle that has COPD that is struggling and just doesn’t get the importance of managing the disease. It saddens me because I see the disease can cause long-term issues and death. My mother was diagnosed with CHF before her death in November 2022, which helped lead to her unexpected death. There is just not enough information out there locally or resources for low-income people. People with these diseases need to be educated more and know the importance of managing their diseases and the disease process. I just want to help with the healthcare field to bring all divisions together and educate others about different disease processes. I may save someone from preventable loss and diseases. The loss of my mother made me want to help others and carry on with what she did. I feel like God called me to help in the way I know I can.

I am 30 years old Freshman here at Wallace State with a major in Nursing. I graduated from Wallace State in May 2021 as Respiratory Therapist. I had a long journey to get to this point, from having to withdraw from nursing school for bad wrecks and the loss of my mom. I felt defeated and fought my way back and came to Wallace State and now I am here to accomplish my dream to go back to school to do nursing. I feel like God took me down a different path that led me back to nursing. My mother was a big key in my desire to major in nursing. Before my mother got pregnant with me, she was in nursing school but unfortunately after starting she had to withdraw because of her pregnancy. Watching her work as a caregiver, while helping others along with her love for the job motivated me. I watched my mother take her last breath, but unfortunately, watching nurses not know what to do also gave me the motivation to be a highly educated and capable nurse. I want to have the knowledge and skills to be able to think critically and fast because people’s lives are in your hands. I want to be able to bring comfort to families to know everything was done to help their family members. There are two other major keys I want to be able to help in healthcare and for the better of patients is helping with RN and RT relationship and education. After completing the program, I want to work on the floor as a full-time RN and Flexi RRT. Using my knowledge of respiratory and ICU will help and bring me into nursing with an edge up. I will be able to relate to different fields of study. I want to help educate and help with the relationship with RN to RT relationship. Bringing in experience with both I can educate both about the need to work together and how essential we both are. There is some division between the two and I want to help to educate and correct it. I think sometimes they forget we are a team, and we need each other. I also want to contribute my knowledge and educate people about respiratory diseases like COPD, CHF, and asthma. I would love to have health summits in my hometown and grow into other states to educate them on their health and prevent respiratory diseases. More importantly, help others to get better and save lives. I have an uncle that has COPD that is struggling and just doesn’t get the importance of managing the disease. It saddens me because I see the disease can cause long-term issues and death. My mother was diagnosed with CHF before her death in November 2022, which helped lead to her unexpected death. There is just not enough information out there locally or resources for low-income people. People with these diseases need to be educated more and know the importance of managing their diseases and the disease process With this scholarship, I could focus on completing the coursework and studying. I have no extra funds due to being maxed out of financial aid along with paying the remaining balance of my mom’s funeral and taking up the responsibility of my family that my mother was handling. My mother took care of my grandmother who has dementia and my uncles who have various health issues. This would help not only my family but be able to achieve my goal of reaching others and educating them.

I am 30 years old Freshman here at Wallace State with a major in Nursing. I graduated from Wallace State in May 2021 as Respiratory Therapist. I had a long journey to get to this point, from having to withdraw from nursing school for bad wrecks and the loss of my mom. I felt defeated and fought my way back and came to Wallace State and now I am here to accomplish my dream to go back to school to do nursing. I feel like God took me down a different path that led me back to nursing. My mother was a big key in my desire to major in nursing. Before my mother got pregnant with me, she was in nursing school but unfortunately after starting she had to withdraw because of her pregnancy. Watching her work as a caregiver, while helping others along with her love for the job motivated me. I watched my mother take her last breath, but unfortunately, watching nurses not know what to do also gave me the motivation to be a highly educated and capable nurse. I want to have the knowledge and skills to be able to think critically and fast because people’s lives are in your hands. I want to be able to bring comfort to families to know everything was done to help their family members. There are two other major keys I want to be able to help in healthcare and for the better of patients is helping with RN and RT relationship and education. After completing the program, I want to work on the floor as a full-time RN and Flexi RRT. Using my knowledge of respiratory and ICU will help and bring me into nursing with an edge up. I will be able to relate to different fields of study. I want to help educate and help with the relationship with RN to RT relationship. Bringing in experience with both I can educate both about the need to work together and how essential we both are. There is some division between the two and I want to help to educate and correct it. I think sometimes they forget we are a team, and we need each other. I also want to contribute my knowledge and educate people about respiratory diseases like COPD, CHF, and asthma. I would love to have health summits in my hometown and grow into other states to educate them on their health and prevent respiratory diseases. More importantly, help others to get better and save lives. I have an uncle that has COPD that is struggling and just doesn’t get the importance of managing the disease. It saddens me because I see the disease can cause long-term issues and death. My mother was diagnosed with CHF before her death in November 2022, which helped lead to her unexpected death. There is just not enough information out there locally or resources for low-income people. People with these diseases need to be educated more and know the importance of managing their diseases and the disease process With this scholarship, I could focus on completing the coursework and studying. I have no extra funds due to being maxed out of financial aid along with paying the remaining balance of my mom’s funeral and taking up the responsibility of my family that my mother was handling. My mother took care of my grandmother who has dementia and my uncles who have various health issues. This would help not only my family but be able to achieve my goal of reaching others and educating them.

I am 30 years old Freshman here at Wallace State with a major in Nursing. I graduated from Wallace State in May 2021 as Respiratory Therapist. I had a long journey to get to this point, from having to withdraw from nursing school for bad wrecks and the loss of my mom. I felt defeated and fought my way back and came to Wallace State and now I am here to accomplish my dream to go back to school to do nursing. I feel like God took me down a different path that led me back to nursing. My mother was a big key in my desire to major in nursing. Before my mother got pregnant with me, she was in nursing school but unfortunately after starting she had to withdraw because of her pregnancy. Watching her work as a caregiver, while helping others along with her love for the job motivated me. I watched my mother take her last breath, but unfortunately, watching nurses not know what to do also gave me the motivation to be a highly educated and capable nurse. I want to have the knowledge and skills to be able to think critically and fast because people’s lives are in your hands. I want to be able to bring comfort to families to know everything was done to help their family members. There are two other major keys I want to be able to help in healthcare and for the better of patients is helping with RN and RT relationship and education. After completing the program, I want to work on the floor as a full-time RN and Flexi RRT. Using my knowledge of respiratory and ICU will help and bring me into nursing with an edge up. I will be able to relate to different fields of study. I want to help educate and help with the relationship with RN to RT relationship. Bringing in experience with both I can educate both about the need to work together and how essential we both are. There is some division between the two and I want to help to educate and correct it. I think sometimes they forget we are a team, and we need each other. I would love to educate different hospitals and hold summits to bring the two groups together. I also want to contribute my knowledge and educate people about respiratory diseases like COPD, CHF, and asthma. I would love to have health summits in my hometown and grow into other states to educate them on their health and prevent respiratory diseases. More importantly, help others to get better and save lives. I have an uncle that has COPD that is struggling and just doesn’t get the importance of managing the disease. It saddens me because I see the disease can cause long-term issues and death. My mother was diagnosed with CHF before her death in November 2022, which helped lead to her unexpected death. There is just not enough information out there locally or resources for low-income people. People with these diseases need to be educated more and know the importance of managing their diseases and the disease process. I want to help save as many people as possible and educate them. With this scholarship, I could focus on completing the coursework and studying. I have no extra funds due to being maxed out of financial aid along with paying the remaining balance of my mom’s funeral and taking up the responsibility of my family that my mother was handling. My mother took care of my grandmother who has dementia and my uncles who have various health issues and can’t work and need reminders about appointments and help financially because they can’t work. This would help not only my family but be able to achieve my goal of reaching others and educating them.

I am 30 years old Freshman here at Wallace State with a major in Nursing. I graduated from Wallace State in May 2021 as Respiratory Therapist. I had a long journey to get to this point, from having to withdraw from nursing school for bad wrecks and the loss of my mom. I felt defeated and fought my way back and came to Wallace State and now I am here to accomplish my dream to go back to school to do nursing. I feel like God took me down a different path that led me back to nursing. My mother was a big key in my desire to major in nursing. Before my mother got pregnant with me, she was in nursing school but unfortunately after starting she had to withdraw because of her pregnancy. Watching her work as a caregiver, while helping others along with her love for the job motivated me. I watched my mother take her last breath, but unfortunately, watching nurses not know what to do also gave me the motivation to be a highly educated and capable nurse. I want to have the knowledge and skills to be able to think critically and fast because people’s lives are in your hands. I want to be able to bring comfort to families to know everything was done to help their family members. After completing the program, I want to work on the floor as a full-time RN and Flexi RRT. Using my knowledge of respiratory and ICU will help and bring me into nursing with an edge up. I will be able to relate to different fields of study. I want to help educate and help with the relationship with RN to RT relationship. Bringing in experience with both I can educate both about the need to work together and how essential we both are. There is some division between the two and I want to help to educate and correct it. I think sometimes they forget we are a team, and we need each other. I would love to educate different hospitals and hold summits to bring the two groups together. I also want to contribute my knowledge and educate people about respiratory diseases like COPD, CHF, and asthma. I would love to have health summits in my hometown and in my home state to educate them on their health and prevent respiratory diseases. More importantly, help others to get better and save lives. I have an uncle that has COPD that is struggling and just doesn’t get the importance of managing the disease. It saddens me because I see the disease can cause long-term issues and death. My mother was diagnosed with CHF before her death in November 2022, which helped lead to her unexpected death. There is just not enough information out there locally or resources for low-income people. People with these diseases need to be educated more and know the importance of managing their diseases and the disease process. I want to help save as many people as possible and educate them. With this scholarship, I could focus on completing the coursework and studying. I have no extra funds due to being maxed out of financial aid along with paying the remaining balance of my mom’s funeral and taking up the responsibility of my family that my mother was handling.

I am 30 years old Freshman here at Wallace State with a major in Nursing. I graduated from Wallace State in May 2021 as Respiratory Therapist. I had a long journey to get to this point, from having to withdraw from nursing school for bad wrecks and the loss of my mom. I felt defeated and fought my way back and came to Wallace State and now I am here to accomplish my dream to go back to school to do nursing. I feel like God took me down a different path that led me back to nursing. My mother was a big key in my desire to major in nursing. Before my mother got pregnant with me, she was in nursing school but unfortunately after starting she had to withdraw because of her pregnancy. Watching her work as a caregiver, while helping others along with her love for the job motivated me. I watched my mother take her last breath, but unfortunately, watching nurses not know what to do also gave me the motivation to be a highly educated and capable nurse. I want to have the knowledge and skills to be able to think critically and fast because people’s lives are in your hands. I want to be able to bring comfort to families to know everything was done to help their family members. After completing the program, I want to work on the floor as a full-time RN and Flexi RRT. Using my knowledge of respiratory and ICU will help and bring me into nursing with an edge up. I will be able to relate to different fields of study. I want to help educate and help with the relationship with RN to RT relationship. Bringing in experience with both I can educate both about the need to work together and how essential we both are. There is some division between the two and I want to help to educate and correct it. I think sometimes they forget we are a team, and we need each other. I would love to educate different hospitals and hold summits to bring the two groups together. I also want to contribute my knowledge and educate people about respiratory diseases like COPD, CHF, and asthma. I would love to have health summits in my hometown and in my home state to educate them on their health and prevent respiratory diseases. More importantly, help others to get better and save lives. I have an uncle that has COPD that is struggling and just doesn’t get the importance of managing the disease. It saddens me because I see the disease can cause long-term issues and death. My mother was diagnosed with CHF before her death in November 2022, which helped lead to her unexpected death. There is just not enough information out there locally or resources for low-income people. People with these diseases need to be educated more and know the importance of managing their diseases and the disease process. I want to help save as many people as possible and educate them. With this scholarship, I could focus on completing the coursework and studying. I have no extra funds due to being maxed out of financial aid along with paying the remaining balance of my mom’s funeral and taking up the responsibility of my family that my mother was handling.

I am 30 years old Freshman here at Wallace State with a major in Nursing. I graduated from high school back in 2011 and went on to college at the University of Montevallo. I knew I always wanted to be in healthcare from a little girl but let others influence me into majoring in teaching due to being pressed into scholarship associated with it. I hated it and changed to different specialties which lead me to depression. This ultimately resulted in me failing out of the University of Montevallo and having to move back home. After getting a PCT job I was led back to healthcare. I attend two nursing programs and did not progress because of financial issues and a bad car accident. I felt defeated and fought my way back and came to Wallace State and graduated with Respiratory Therapy. It has always been a dream to go back to school to do nursing. I feel like God took me down a different path that led me back to nursing. My mother was a big key in my desire to major in nursing. Before my mother got pregnant with me, she was in nursing school but unfortunately after starting she had to withdraw because of her pregnancy. Watching her work as a caregiver, while helping others along with her love for the job motivated me. I watched my mother take her last breath, but unfortunately, watching nurses not know what to do also gave me the motivation to be a highly educated and capable nurse. I want to have the knowledge and skills to be able to think critically and fast because people’s lives are in your hands. I want to be able to bring comfort to families to know everything was done to help their family members. After completing the program, I want to work on the floor as a full-time RN and Flexi RRT. Using my knowledge of respiratory and ICU will help and bring me into nursing with an edge up. I will be able to relate to different fields of study. I want to help educate and help with the relationship with RN to RT relationship. Bringing in experience with both I can educate both about the need to work together and how essential we both are. There is some division between the two and I want to help to educate and correct it. I think sometimes they forget we are a team, and we need each other. It is for the better of the patient that the team works together. I also want to contribute my knowledge and educate people about respiratory diseases like COPD, CHF, and asthma. I would love to have health summits in my hometown and in my home state to educate them on their health and prevent respiratory diseases. More importantly, help others to get better and save lives. I have an uncle that has COPD that is struggling and just doesn’t get the importance of managing the disease. It saddens me because I see the disease can cause long-term issues and death. My mother was diagnosed with CHF before her death in November 2022, which helped lead to her unexpected death. There is just not enough information out there locally or resources for low-income people. People with these diseases need to be educated more and know the importance of managing their diseases and the disease process. I want to help save as many people as possible and educate them.

I am 30 years old Freshman here at Wallace State with a major in Nursing. I graduated from high school back in 2011 and went on to college at the University of Montevallo. I knew I always wanted to be in healthcare from a little girl but let others influence me into majoring in teaching due to being pressed into scholarship associated with it. I absolutely hated it and changed to different specialties which lead me to depression. This ultimately resulted in me failing out of the University of Montevallo and having to move back home. After getting a PCT job I was led back to healthcare. I attend two nursing programs and did not progress because of financial issues and a bad car accident. I felt defeated and fought my way back and came to Wallace State and graduated with Respiratory Therapy. It has always been a dream to go back to school to do nursing. I feel like God took me down a different path that led me back to nursing. My mother was a big key in my desire to major in nursing. Before my mother got pregnant with me, she was in nursing school but unfortunately after starting she had to withdraw because of her pregnancy. Watching her work as a caregiver, while helping others along with her love for the job motivated me. I watched my mother take her last breath, but unfortunately, watching nurses not know what to do also gave me the motivation to be a highly educated and capable nurse. I want to have the knowledge and skills to be able to think critically and fast because people’s lives are in your hands. I want to be able to bring comfort to families to know everything was done to help their family members. My plan after graduating is to go on to 4-year university to get my bachelor’s and master’s in nursing. After completing the program, I want to work on the floor as a full-time RN and Flexi RRT. Using my knowledge of respiratory and ICU will help and bring me into nursing with an edge up. I will be able to relate to different fields of study. I want to help educate and help with the relationship with RN to RT relationship. Bringing in experience with both I can educate both about the need to work together and how essential we both are. There is some division between the two and I want to help to educate and correct it. I think sometimes they forget we are a team, and we need each other. I want to become a nurse practitioner and specialize in pulmonary to use both backgrounds. I would love to also hold health summits in my hometown and surrounding areas and educate them on their health and preventing respiratory diseases. I have an uncle that has COPD and struggling. My mother was diagnosed with CHF before her death which contributed to her death. There is just not enough information out there locally or resources for low-income people. People with these diseases need to be educated more and know the importance of managing their diseases and the disease process. With the help of the scholarships available here, I could focus more on school and be able to back off work. I have now had to take on the responsibility of covering the cost of my mother’s funeral and the family expenses that my mother covered. I have no financial aid left to help offset the cost of school, no help from family, and no current scholarships

I'm 30-year-old a non-traditional student at Wallace State Community in Hanceville, AL with a major in Nursing. I have been working in the medical field since 2015 and got my certification as Nursing Assistant in 2016 and obtained my registered respiratory therapist certification in 2021. I have experience in settings: nursing homes, rehab, ICU, and L-Tach. It has always been a dream to go back to school to do nursing. I feel like God took me down a different path that led me to respiratory therapy. I currently work as Respiratory Therapist at LTACH. My mother was a big key in my desire to major in nursing. Before my mother got pregnant with me, she was in nursing school but unfortunately after starting she had to withdraw because of her pregnancy. That didn’t stop her, and she is a caretaker in goes into homes and helps the elderly. Watching her work and help others and love her job motivated me to want to go back to school to help others. I watched my mother take her last breath, but unfortunately, watching nurses not know what to do also gave me the motivation to be a highly educated and capable nurse. I will continue to work as a respiratory therapist as I pursue my dream. After completing the program, I want to work on the floor as a full-time RN and Flexi RRT. Using my knowledge of respiratory and ICU will help and bring me into nursing with an edge up. I will be able to relate to different fields of study. I want to help educate and help with the relationship with RN to RT relationship. Bringing in experience with both I can educate both about the need to work together and how essential we both are. There is some division between the two and I want to help to educate and correct it. I think sometimes they forget we are a team, and we need each other. Within ten years, I want to go back and get my Nurse Practitioner and specialty in Pulmonology. I want to contribute my knowledge and educate people about respiratory diseases like COPD, CHF, and asthma. I would love to have health summits in my hometown and in my home state to educate them on their health and prevent respiratory diseases. More importantly, help others to get better and save lives. I have an uncle that has COPD, and I just don’t think he gets the importance of taking care of himself. It saddens me because I see the disease can cause long-term issues and death. My mother was diagnosed with CHF before her death in November 2022, in which helped lead to her unexpected death. There is just not enough information out there locally or resources for low-income people. People with these diseases need to be educated more and know the importance of managing their diseases and the disease process. With the help of the scholarships available here, I could focus more on school and be able to back off work. Getting this scholarship would get me one step closer to my goals and focus on completing coursework.

I'm sophomore here at Wallace State with a major in Nursing. I have been working in the medical field since 2015 and got my certification as Nursing Assistant in 2016 and I’m RRT 2021. I have experience in settings: nursing homes, rehab, ICU, and L-Tach. It has always been a dream to go back to school to do nursing. I feel like God took me down a different path that led me to respiratory therapy. I currently working as Respiratory Therapist in NICU. My plans at Wallace this fall are to pursue nursing through the mobility program RT-RN program. I will continue to work as a respiratory therapist as I pursue my dream. After completing the program, I want to work on the floor as a full-time RN and Flexi RRT. Using my knowledge of respiratory and ICU will help and bring me into nursing with an edge up. I will be able to relate to different fields of study. I want to help educate and help with the relationship with RN to RT relationship. Bringing in experience with both I can educate both about the need to work together and how essential we both are. There is some division between the two and I want to help to educate and correct it. I think sometimes they forget we are a team, and we need each other especially in hospitals in Alabama. I want to go back and get my Nurse Practitioner and specialties in Pulmonology. I want to contribute my knowledge and educate people about a respiratory disease like COPD and asthma. I would love to have health summits in my hometown and in my home state to educate them on their health and prevent respiratory diseases. More importantly, help others to get better and save lives. I have an uncle that has COPD, and I just don’t think he gets the importance of taking care of himself. It saddens me because I see the disease can cause long-term issues and death. My mother also has just recently been diagnosed with CHF and needs help with treatment. There is just not enough information out there locally or resources for low-income people. People with these diseases need to be educated more and know the importance of managing their diseases and the disease process. I can impact the community by education through my knowledge with both career paths. With the help of the scholarship, I can focus more on my studies because I won't have to work as much. I have no financial aid left and could use the help.

I'm sophomore here at Wallace State with a major in Nursing. I have been working in the medical field since 2015 and got my certification as Nursing Assistant in 2016 and I’m RRT 2021. I have experience in settings: nursing homes, rehab, ICU, and L-Tach. It has always been a dream to go back to school to do nursing. I feel like God took me down a different path that led me to respiratory therapy. I currently working as Respiratory Therapist in NICU. My plans at Wallace this fall are to pursue nursing through the mobility program RT-RN program. I will continue to work as a respiratory therapist as I pursue my dream. After completing the program, I want to work on the floor as a full-time RN and Flexi RRT. Using my knowledge of respiratory and ICU will help and bring me into nursing with an edge up. I will be able to relate to different fields of study. I want to help educate and help with the relationship with RN to RT relationship. Bringing in experience with both I can educate both about the need to work together and how essential we both are. There is some division between the two and I want to help to educate and correct it. I think sometimes they forget we are a team and we need each other. Within ten years, I want to go back and get my Nurse Practitioner and specialties in Pulmonology. I want to contribute my knowledge and educate people about a respiratory diseases like COPD and asthma. I would love to have health summits in my hometown and in my home state to educate them on their health and prevent respiratory diseases. More importantly, help others to get better and save lives. I have an uncle that has COPD, and I just don’t think he gets the importance of taking care of himself. It saddens me because I see the disease can cause long-term issues and death. My mother also has just recently been diagnosed with CHF and needs help with treatment. There is just not enough information out there locally or resources for low-income people. People with these diseases need to be educated more and know the importance of managing their diseases and the disease process. The one person that got me interested in the health field was my mother. Before my mother got pregnant with me, she was in nursing school but unfortunately after starting she had to withdraw because of her pregnancy. That didn’t stop her, and she is a caretaker in goes into homes and helps the elderly. Watching her work and help others and love her job motivated me to want to go back to school to help others. My mother gave up a lot to take care of me as a single mother and my number one goal is to make her proud and give her this degree. Another big motivator has been my job and watching the lives that have been saved and the people that have been helped. I want to learn more and be able to bring my RT experience to nursing. My goal would be to be a nurse practitioner and specialize in pulmonary. With the help of the scholarships available here, I could focus more on school and be able to back off work. I will have to cut back on working and I still must manage a household. I have no financial aid left to help offset the cost of school. Getting this scholarship would get me one step closer to my goals.