"Kindness in Action" At one of the events in the church, I could see a mother of three who was very struggling to control her kids in addition to taking care of her baby. She appeared distressed, attempting to feed the baby, preserve her older children and do other chores simultaneously. I chose to intervene and give my assistance. I kept the baby quite a long time, I was playing with the older children and helped her in sorting out her things. This would allow her time to get her breath and get down to what she had to do. This experience was significant since it demonstrated to me how influential small gestures of assistance can be in the life of a person. The mother was relieved and grateful, which made me know that kindness does not necessarily need to be big to be effective, but the smaller and thoughtful gestures often seem to be the most important. As I spent a few minutes to assist her, I was in position to alleviate her tension and bring some sunshine to her day. The lesson, gained when helping this family, was also important concerning empathy and awareness. It helped me to be more attentive to the fact that someone around me could be in trouble and do it without doubting. In my church, community, or future profession, I would like to keep giving a helping hand when one feels overwhelmed and remind him/her that he is not the only one. The incident of that day made me stronger in my opinion that kindness is not only a choice, but also in such a way that it is obligatory to take care of others whenever a possibility. "Creating Connection" When I was at high school, I observed that newly arrived students would feel out of place or they would be clueless as to how to fit into the school life. Being in a situation when I have to adapt to a new school because I moved to Florida, I was able to see how isolating this could be. I also made an initiative to assist in making the place a little less hostile by arranging peer study groups, getting new students acquainted to organizations such as Latinos in Action, and letting their fellow student involve them in lunchtime and community activities. I also assisted in organizing activities in school that embraced diversity and it was necessary to make sure that people can hear and feel that they are appreciated. Such experience made me understand that connection is not only about social events it is also about the establishment of a sense of belonging and respecting each other. I assisted students in making friends, collaborating and feeling noticed by the school; thus, making it a more inclusive and supportive environment. It also sharpened my leadership and communication skills, demonstrating how it is possible to make a difference even in the course of making small efforts to include other people. These experiences influenced my ambition to keep on developing communities where empathy, respect, and collaboration are treasured and are the ones that affect my future career in the healthcare field.

I have gone through hardships as I grew up and this is what makes me what I am. Personal diagnosis of epilepsy implied visits to the hospital quite often, consultation with doctors and fear that is so alien to a child. Nevertheless, my experiences also provided a strong feeling of empathy, strength, and appreciation of those who care about others. Compassion is a strong force that I knew about at a very young age and this is what made me have a dream to seek a career in pediatric nursing. During my high school life, I have worked on the importance of striking a balance between academics and community affairs and extracurricular activities. I also belong to an active group called Latinos in Action where I mentor other members and also do service projects which benefit our local community. I volunteer in my church as well, assisting in children programs and community activities. Such activities have taught me the skills of leadership, teamwork, and communication as well as reminding me of how I can help others. My interest in assisting people and the idea that even minor gestures may bring a positive change is quite strong. I would like to become a pediatric nurse and, in the long run, a pediatric nurse practitioner. I would like to leave a positive imprint in the world by attending to the children and their families in some of their most vulnerable times with care, comfort, and support. I personally understand that medical experiences can be terrifying, and I would like to be a nurse who will treat only physical needs but also support, motivate, and assure a person. My interest to assist children and promote their welfare makes everything I do towards this purpose. I expect college to be challenging, with increased demands of studying serious courses, balancing the clinical rotations and settling in new environments without being at home. As well, I will need discipline and time management by undertaking a challenging area of study such as nursing. To address these challenges, I intend to have a structured approach, resort to mentors and colleagues, and continue to be highly focused on my long-term objectives. My life with epilepsy already taught me to be strong, persistent, and seek help when necessary, which will help me overcome hardship in my college years. On the one hand, I have a passion to engage in volunteer activities, community service and to mentor younger students beyond nursing. I like assisting people in achieving their objectives and empowered to make good decisions. These passions have no disconnect with my career- these are a part of how I intend to make a difference in the world. In my nursing profession, community, or personal life, I desire to imprint a positive lasting impression in the lives of children and families by expressing compassion, care, and hope to them. Conclusively, my experiences have been influenced by struggles, empathy, and a need to assist others. I would apply my studies and work to ensure that I transform the world as a better place by offering care, support, and guidance to individuals most in need. College is going to be a challenge, but I am prepared to push through and commit all my time and effort to realize my dream of becoming a pediatric nurse and giving back to my community with compassion and intent.

I have been raised to understand that compassion, service and determination are amongst the strongest attributes that an individual may be blessed with. During the period in high school, I have worked on challenging myself both in terms of academics and in terms of giving back to the individuals surrounding me. These have been the experiences that have made me what I am now and made me more determined to choose a career in the field of healthcare. I have participated in a number of extra-curricular activities at the Harmony High School which have involved the leadership as well as service. Among the organizations that have had the biggest influence on me is the organization of Latinos in Action where I have worked as a tutor and also in community outreach activities. It is through this group that I have found that I really like to see younger students succeed and as well as being a role model to others. Another area that I am engaged in is my church where I volunteer and help in the various church activities including children programs and community services. Such duties have made me patient, work as a team, and be kind in all my activities. The reason why service is important to me is due to the fact that I can understand the feeling of being helped through a challenging situation. I was brought up experiencing health issues and those who took care of me had an indelible impression on me. I aspire to work as a pediatric nurse and their compassion was the main factor behind my dream of becoming one and I will be enrolling at AdventHealth University to have a degree in nursing after high school. I intend to offer this comfort, support, and hope that I experienced as a child through the nurses. Given a chance to establish my own charity, I would establish a group that will take in children with chronic illnesses- and more so those who feel overpowered, lonely, or scared. The purpose would be to make sure that no child goes through a medical process alone. This is a charity that would provide support to children and families in form of emotional support as well as teaching materials and other little acts of happiness in difficult moments. Volunteers would be very critical in terms of visiting children in hospitals, preparing care packages, reading to patients, and organizing distractions and comfort activities to the patients. They would also assist the families to make their way through medical information, refer them to resources and offer some companionship to them during long visits to the doctor or any hospital. I would like this organization to look like the one that I got kind treatment as a child, and children in the hospital will know that they are not alone and are loved. The reason I would find it in my heart to remain grateful, empathize, and create a charity that helps others is the start of my future career as a pediatric nurse and the charity I would like to develop in the future. In my opinion, even the smallest acts of kindness could transform life of a person, and I am determined to carry on that task in the future.

The development of trust between law enforcement agencies and the African American population is the necessary improvement of the relationships between the two parties to guarantee the safety of the population and their fairness in the United States. African Americans have had years of inequalities, misunderstandings and lack of trust in the policing systems, which are supposed to protect them. The change can only be achieved through purposeful work, openness and a dedication to fairness on the side of the law enforcement and the communities within which they operate. Enhanced communication is one of the most significant measures that law enforcing bodies can implement. Open communication is beneficial in the reduction of fear, misunderstanding and assumption. Regular community forums should be conducted by the agencies where residents are allowed to raise the concerns, ask questions and have personal experiences. Such discussions have to be taken in a manner of respect, patience, and the willingness to listen. Listening to the voice of the community demonstrates that their voices are heard and that their safety is one of the priorities. The other important area of enhancement is investing in meaningful cultural competency and anti-bias training. Although most officers are being trained, there is a tendency that most of them are not trained in depth or in real life scenario. Proper training is expected to make officers comprehend the historical injustices African Americans have endured, educate them to realize that they have biases too, and provide them with the means of de-escalating the situation in a manner that is empathic and understandable. By learning about the cultural and historical background of the communities that the officers operate in, the interaction between the officers and the communities becomes safer, respectful, and more efficient. A better relationship can also be achieved by the law enforcement agencies recruiting officers who are representative of the community. The issue of the representation is important as it creates trust and makes residents feel heard. The African American officers will be able to provide a cultural perspective and play their role in making a reasonable decision in the department. Also, the mentoring programs which motivate young individuals in minority groups to choose the law enforcement as their career can be a long-term transformation. Another necessary part is transparency. It is impossible to create trust when communities believe that errors or inappropriate actions are concealed. To make law enforcement agencies fair, effective accountability mechanisms that can be applied include the publicity of complaints, use of body-cameras, and independent review boards. When the departments express that they uphold high standards among the officers, it is an indication of a promise of justice and equality. Lastly, police department must invest in community based programs and youth outreach. Sports team coaches, school volunteers, neighborhood attendees, and officers who foster relationships outside of emergencies are officers that are able to break negative stereotypes on both sides. This good rapport makes the youths view officers as human beings and not as threats and vice versa. The relationship between the law enforcement and the African American communities can be improved without overnight, but it can get better. Law enforcement agencies can regain people's trust and build safer and more cohesive communities with communication, training, transparency, diversity, and authentic interaction with the community. The true development starts when both parties are willing to understand, respect and do justice to everybody.

My religion influences my lifestyle in every single day and it provides the way I understand the worth and the dignity of all human beings. I was raised in the belief that all human beings regardless of their age, capacity or situation have the value bestowed by God. Due to this reason, I do my best to be kind, patient and respectful towards others. I am not just a believer in the Pro-Life but I attempt to practice it in my life. In my opinion, I believe in preserving life throughout its entire process- before birth, during illness, throughout childhood phase and into old age. This is manifested in the way I treat those around me and the ambitions I have in my future. Being able to live my faith every day also includes engaging in what is good when it would have been simpler to do the opposite, speaking kindly to people, and helping them when they feel alone. My personal experiences with epilepsy made me realize how precarious life could be and how critical it is to defend the person that has not so strong voice. I am reminding myself through prayer, reading the Scripture, and being close to my family that I am meant to love people the same way God loves us through grace, humility, and serving. In my opinion, to represent life is not to just take a stand but to be caring to mothers, children, families and anyone who is at a difficult or uncertain place. My religiousness is also one of the reasons why I decided to become a nurse, more so, a pediatric nurse. I encountered nurses when I was a child in hospitals who showed me a certain amount of care that displayed compassion and humanity. The mellowing influence of theirs had a moulding power on my own vocation. I would also like to become a nurse who does not only heal the physical but also instills hope and emotional comfort. This has been fortified by my faith since it makes me remember that all of the children under my care are precious and they should be given protection, safety and dignity. Nursing also enables me to practice my Pro-Life values by contributing to life one of the most vulnerable times including sickness, medical crisis, fear and uncertainty. In the future, I will leverage my education to positively impact my society. I would like to defend children, encourage families with a challenging situation in the medical field, and offer support that takes into account the worth of every individual. Regardless of my comforting a sick child, supporting a parent in a medical diagnosis, or just listening to someone who feels overwhelmed in life, I will be living my belief that life has to be preserved with compassion and love. I also aspire in the long term to provide education and resources to families that have chronic illnesses, special needs, or emotional stress. I would also like to help young mothers, families facing crisis and those who might feel disappointed or lonely. I aspire to be a pediatric nurse who does not only deliver quality medical services to the patients but also lets the love of God shine through all her interactions with the patients. My personality, my ambitions, and my vocation are based on my religion. It motivates me to save lives, to serve and to inject hope in situations of terror. I intend to honor God through my nursing education and future practice where I meet every person I come across with dignity, respect, and compassion.

Since my early years, I had to understand the strength of caring nursing. Being a child of epilepsy was like spending most of my childhood days in hospitals, being surrounded by machines, tests and long nights of not knowing what is happening. What was endurable was the presence of nurses who took care of me. They did not simply address the symptoms of mine, but made me a full person, with fears, hopes, and feelings. Their kindliness and power made me into a person who desires to bring the same comfort to others. The experiences were the basis of my career objective, which is to be a pediatric nurse, and, in the future, a pediatric nurse practitioner. I would like to be a pediatrician since I have the idea of how it is to be a frightened child at the hospital bed. I recall how the nurses would sit beside me and clarify things calmly and assure me that I would be safe whenever it seemed too much. They provided the warmth in times when I was in need of it the most. The influence was so strong that it made me want to do something where I could be of the same reassurance to sick children. I am not just a nurse who wants to deliver a high-quality of medical care but support the emotional side of the patient as well, and this is to be a provider of hope, encouragement, and compassion in the times when kids and families need it the most. I intend to be a change agent in my neighborhood as a nurse who treats and promotes nursing within the community. Children have no words to express their pain or fears, this is why I want to become the one who pays attention, observes the little details, and advocates their needs. I would like to be employed in local hospitals and clinics with a large number of families who have a problem with the lack of access to a consistent and understanding healthcare. I will be able to establish trust between families and the healthcare system by providing patient-centered care, effective communication, and cultural sensitivity. Also, I will use my personal experiences to train the community on childhood diseases, particularly epilepsy. A lot of these families feel isolated when addressing the chronic medical conditions and the outreach programs, support groups and community health education will change it. My vision is to assist in constructing programs that will take care of the families in terms of emotions and offer guidance in a manner that they will not be lost and confused. My grandfather was in the military and his service has helped me in shaping my values. I was brought up in his line of thought in terms of his discipline and service, a lesson that taught me that dedication, toughness, and service are important. These values deepened my motivation to help my community via healthcare, and in particular, helping military families who can experience medical or emotional difficulties during deployments or transitions. Ultimately, it is not a career objective of mine but a mission to be a nurse. I would like to provide comfort, healing, and hope to children who are experiencing a vulnerable situation as nurses did to me. I will combine my skills and pass them on to help improve the lives of families in my community through education, compassion and advocacy.

Epilepsy diagnosis is a personal health condition that gained me a lot of initial memories. I was used to hospital visits, regular check-ups, and medical visits. Although these experiences have been tough to a child, I have been able to find solace in the kindness of the nurses who attended to me. One of them was an indelible nurse in Puerto Rico. I referred to her as Chupi, which was the name that my own family called me and when she said it, I felt safe and understood. Her kindness made one of the most scary visits to the hospital a time of intimacy, comfort, and warmth. I did not forget how kind, patient, and really loving she was with me. The initial experiences made me have the first seeds of a dream to become a pediatric nurse and, later, a pediatric nurse practitioner. I would study nursing with a pediatric focus in AdventHealth University as I have a feeling of how it feels to be a frightened child in the hospital bed and wish that someone would help to make the fear disappear. My aspiration is to become a type of nurse who will be able to provide such comfort and empathy to children who require those the most. My decision to become a nurse was further boosted when I had a medical experience in Florida, and needed to spend three days in the hospital undergoing a medical procedure to have an EKG. In the same period, another nurse was attending to me, and I felt safe being in a new surrounding. She would chat with me when I was alone, could bring me teddy bears to cheer me up, and she always monitored me to ensure that I was alright. Her treatment reminded me of Chupi, and it proved to be something significant: nurses can transform the overall experience of a patient. Having epilepsy was not only an experience that made me become a future nurse, but also a human being. The events that I encountered made me become self-reliant, tough, and tenacious. I was taught to be able to defend myself, to keep eyes on the goal despite the pressure and to continue moving despite the seemingly daunting prospects. These obstacles developed strength and rigidity- attributes that lead me to date as I pursue my academic and career objectives. The nursing school will not be easy, and I am prepared. Nursing is not only my profession, but also my mission that is based on my past and my mission. The award of this scholarship would be much greater than financial features. It would assist in achieving my lifetime objective. I will be in position to focus on classes, lab work, and clinical rotations with great dedication without the worry of the financial pressure. This scholarship would help me a step further towards the goal of becoming the type of pediatric nurse that I needed once myself, the one that takes care of both the emotional and physical health of all children. Thank you that you have listened to my story, my objectives and the journey which has brought me to this point. I will strive to become a nurse who help children feel comfortable, secure, and hopeful just like the Florida nurse and “Chupi” did me.

My fourth-grade teacher, Ms. Christian was the one that had the greatest impact on my life. She was the initial instructor I had when I moved to Florida and at the time, all the things in my life seemed strange and frightening. I had to acclimatize to a new school, new faces, and a new environment, and at the same time, deal with epilepsy. I usually felt out of place with everyone around me, and, despite my efforts to conceal it, I had a lot of fear with me. However, as soon as I entered the classroom of Ms. Christian something happened. She was the warmest person I badly needed and since that time, she was one of the greatest forces in my life. It was unusual that Ms. Christian was caring, but the manner in which she did this was what was special. She was everything as kind and patient as a person is to his own child. She did not make me feel a burden or inconvenience. Rather, she never failed to ensure that I felt noticed, secure and at ease. When I was anxious about my health or about making friends in a new school, she would say everything would be okay and in a very powerful but kind manner. She also made me remember that my struggles did not render me inferior or undeserving compared to others. Listening to my heart and remaining down to Earth to the things that were the most important to me, that is, family, my beliefs, and the person I was destined to become in this world, was one of the largest lessons, that she taught me. She used to tell me that I should never consider myself inferior whatever others said or thought. She used to say to me, we are all different, but in our different ways and she said this to someone whose kindness seemed to come naturally. Rather than dwelling on what was different about me, she emphasized to me to dwell on what was strong about me. Thanks to her, I began to feel that what I was (interior) was more important than any obstacle that I encountered. Her voice lingered in my mind when those kids made remarks or I was discouraged. She taught me that you do not have to be flawless in order to be confident, it comes as you understand your value and deny anyone the ability to define you. I did not stop being affected by Ms. Christian after I got out of fourth grade. The things that she taught me have continued to influence me on how I go about my life today. I always remember her support and how she believed in me whenever it is a time of need. She made me realize that empathy is an influential tool, and how we treat others may alter their life trajectory altogether. I will never stop appreciating Ms. Christian. And she was not a teacher in a hard time, she was a source of strength and comfort and hope. Her empathy made me discover the courage in myself, and her trust in my individuality still continues to mentor me. It is thanks to her that I got to know that I am not my hardship, and that my voice, my heart, my identity have a say.

I attempt to give back in my every day life, though on small but significant ways. At this current stage, the primary method of contributing back is through attending to the people in my life, particularly my friends, classmates and the young children in my neighborhood that might require additional assistance. I have learned that you do not have to give back with money or any significant accomplishments but that you can be kind, spend time to explain to a person some task or assignment, or listen to someone when he or she is feeling down. These are the little moments that may not appear much but create trust and make people remember that they are not alone. My other form of giving back is by participating in school and community action. When I have an opportunity to volunteer that is, assisting with activities within the school, assembling supplies, or cleaning the community, I will strive to join it. These lessons have made me realize how important the aspect of responsibility is and how necessary cooperating with other people to achieve a common purpose is. I can also relate to what it is like to be undergoing difficulties and in my case, with my own health experiences when I was a younger age. That is why I am always eager to be more compassionate towards other people that may be experiencing a hard time. I would like others to experience a sense of acknowledgment and importance and motivation just as the teachers and mentors in my life did. The methods I use to make a positive contribution will increase in the future, and I will do that not only to my career ambitions but also to serving people in my personal life. I would like to choose the career in the medical or health-related sphere, where I will be able to assist people directly and assist in the improvement of their quality of life. Health issues might be intimidating and disorientating, particularly among the youth and I would be a person who offers treatment, information and reassurance. A career in medicine would enable me to merge my love of science and my wish to make people feel secure and comprehended. I also desire to serve my community in ordinary type of ways beyond a career. I will educate younger students, volunteer in local organizations, and remain engaged in projects that help in motivating struggling people. It can be the campaigning of improved healthcare access, the outreach programs, or merely lending a helping hand where I could, I would like to lead a life based on the principle of compassion. I would also like to guide others to pay back by demonstrating that anyone regardless of his or her backgrounds and difficulties can make a difference. Giving back is something that as a whole develops with you. My current activity is the best I can do with what I have, and in the future, I would like to make a greater difference using my education, my career, and everyday activities. I want to lead a life that will encourage others to feel encouraged and optimistic. Although I may only be able to transform the life of one person at a time, that would make a difference to a better world.

I am Amandalisse Varela, and I am eager to serve people, study, and make my profession in healthcare. My family background and life experiences, being raised in Puerto Rico with personal health challenges, such as epilepsy, helped me to form my recognition of the significance of compassionate care. I had a lot of experience in the hospital during my early years, and the nurses who showed me compassion and sympathy made an impression on me. These experiences motivated me to pursue my dream of being a pediatric nurse, as I will be able to offer physical and emotional support to children and their families. At the moment, I am benefiting my community in a number of ways. I am volunteering at my church, which is Iglesia Roca de Refugio Orlando, assisting with the back-to-school activities and the Market. I have tutored kindergarten students and after school students via the school programs and assisted them in academics as well as giving them confidence. I have also volunteered in Renaissance Charter School at Hunters Creek helping in arranging paperwork and also helping in school activities. I have also assisted in my aunt's restaurant in Puerto Rico where I had to rely on customer orders and got to know the value of responsibility, teamwork and service. The experiences have reinforced my leadership, communication, and organizational skills as well as educating me on how to engage people irrespective of their walks of life. In case I receive this scholarship, I would utilize it to advance my education and make my dream of becoming a pediatric nurse come true. With the financial support, I would not have to worry about the burden of financial stress because I would instead concentrate on my coursework, clinical rotations, and my volunteer experiences. More so, it would allow me to go on with my growth as a caring healthcare provider who is dedicated to making a change in the lives of children and their families. I would always have a long-term aim of caring for patients in a way that is not only medically focused, but also emotionally and mentally level, so that each patient does not feel overlooked, neglected or unwelcome. Such a scholarship would not just keep my education going, but would also assist me in advancing what I have learned in life in terms of empathy, dedication and service. It would enable me to use my own experiences to make a career that would beneficially impact my community and leave a significant impact on the lives of the people I attend to.

Prompt 1: I am a person who has been molded by my strength, belief, and passion to help others. Being born in Puerto Rico and then moving to the U.S. I was taught at an early age how to adapt, work hard and love people who surround me. Childhood epilepsy has taught me to be compassionate and emotionally mature, however, the loss of my grandpa, who was my best friend and the person that has provided me with some foundation, transformed me the most. His death caused me to face my anxiety, rely on my religion, and realize the need to take care of the mind and body. I have been still anchored to his advice, which is to take life in small steps. It influenced my interest in human health and wellness since I personally had to feel that emotional, spiritual and physical health are tightly linked. The volunteer activity I performed with the children, being a tutor, church activities, and assisting my aunt in her restaurant helped me to enhance my communication skills, leadership, and the desire to make people feel better like my grandpa used to make me feel better. I want to spread kindness and compassion to everything I do whether I am mentoring kids, serving in church, or involving myself in honor societies. This experience has given me a desire to have a health-related profession where I am able to make others feel secure, heard and nurtured as I did. Prompt 2: Empathy, in my case implies that one really feels and shares the emotions of another person and reacts with compassion. It is not just about sympathy, it is more about knowing what someone is experiencing, what he/she is afraid of, and what he/she needs and basing my care on that knowledge. Empathy fosters trust in the healthcare sector, promotes communication and encourages healing not only physically, but also emotionally. The practice of empathy was taught to me through my experiences with epilepsy as a child. I was afraid to visit the hospital, but nurses who treated me in a humane way made it all work out. One of the nurses in Puerto Rico, whom I referred to as Chupi, which is my childhood nickname, gave me the immediate feeling of intimacy. Subsequently, when I was hospitalized in Florida, a different nurse provided the comfort by talking to me, making small gestures, and listening to my emotional requirements. These activities allowed me to feel perceived, secure and appreciated and this influenced my perception of meaningful care. I am seeking a career in pediatric nursing as I would like to offer the same human-centered care to the children. Kids and families become defenseless and nervous and humanitarian care may help to erase their fears, improve trust, and achieve better outcomes. To make my work human-oriented, I will make sure that I listen attentively, treat every child as if it were me in their position, and take into account physical, emotional, and mental health. Empathy plays a critical role in health care as it is what will turn care into a healing process instead of a treatment plan. Through empathy in all my engagements, I would like to help the children and their families feel heard, secure and loved the way I used to feel when I was under the care of the nurses who led me to become what I am today.

The reason why I would like to pursue a nursing degree is that the first impressions of healthcare that I made in my life were not associated with fear, but with the kindness of the nurses who treated me during my treatment of epilepsy as a child. Visits to hospitals, tests, and even staying over may have been too much, but the nurses surrounding me ensured that I felt comfortable when I needed it the most. They were here, and they demonstrated the true healing appearance to me such care that embraces an individual mentally and spiritually more than the body. There was one Puerto Rican nurse that I fondly referred to as Chupi and she made a remarkable impression on me. Exchanging my childhood nickname developed an immediate connection that helped me feel secure and empathized. She provided comfort and support when I was too immature to realize everything that was being done to me. In Florida later, another nurse kept on influencing my vision of what nursing might be. Throughout the three days EKG stay, she had spent time conversing with me, brought me teddy bears, and ensured that I never felt lonely. Her tenderness transformed a painful experience to one that made me feel that I was taken care of and appreciated. Those experiences gave an insight into the type of nurse I would like to be, someone who supports, comforts, and even bonds with patients on a personal level. My personal experience in medicine helped me to learn that I should be resilient and independent, yet it also taught me that a great deal of empathy is needed in situations when a child is experiencing fear and confusion or pain. My journey of giving back and, hopefully, achieving my goals is a nursing degree, starting with AdventHealth University to provide me with the support that I needed to overcome the difficult times. Later on in my life as a pediatric nurse and one day a pediatric nurse practitioner, I would wish to make a contribution to my community by providing care beyond clinical treatment. My vision is to be an agent of peace to families when they are under stress to act as a listening partner without judging and be able to explain to them in a patient manner. Some children are unable to articulate what they believe or are scared of and I would like to speak on their behalf- to be listened to, understood and treated with decency. Outside the hospital, I would wish to engage in community outreach and education where the families would learn about childhood health, preventive healthcare, and chronic illnesses. I can contribute to improving the general well-being of the community by providing parents with knowledge power. In the end, nursing to me is not all personal but also purposeful. The kindness that I got influenced my life and I am now determined to bring the same kindness to the children that I will be serving in the future.

I have always wanted to become a part of the medical field ever since I was very young and did not even know what medicine was. Hospitals became the home environment as a child who was diagnosed with epilepsy and all those rooms with the bright lights, machines, and procedures can easily overwhelm a child at a tender age. However, the thing that I find most significant is the nurses who made those moments of my life comfortable and comprehensible. The fact that they were there instilled the initial feeling of security that I received during my medical experience, and those initial recollections gave me the basis of my wish to help other people through healthcare. Among the greatest influences in my life was one of the nurses in Puerto Rico whom I fondly referred to as Chupi. The friendship we developed was quite unique not only due to her similarity in the name that was used when I was a child but also because she treated me with the compassion that was personal and heartfelt. I realized how significant it was to be taken care of even at a tender age by a person who actually looked beyond a patient in me, but rather, treated me as an individual. My calling was reaffirmed by another nurse several years later when I had moved to Florida. In one of the three days EKG procedure, she made me feel safe and appreciated. She talked with me, brought me teddy bears, and always checked on me to ensure that I was okay. These signals might have been insignificant, but they formed my vision of how healthcare can be. She made me remember that being healed is more than using medicine, it is human touch, human sympathy, the awareness that someone is by your side going through a vulnerable moment. These were not merely experiences that had the effect of comforting me; they also shaped the individual I am today. Epilepsy has taught me to be resilient, independent and have the strength to speak up. It encouraged me to work, be focused, and persist in difficulties, which I now bring into my chase of the nursing career. I have realized that I view nursing as not only a profession, but also my mission. My future profession is to be a pediatric nurse practitioner, to be someone whom the children can look to, and feel stronger in their own medical difficulty. My career will see me make a difference by providing the care similar to the one that helped me. I have a desire to practice compassion in all interaction with patients, to be close to families in stressful situations, and to offer emotional support and clinical skills. Children are unable to articulate their fears or comprehend their diagnoses and therefore require medical practitioners who are able to look beyond the symptoms and into their heart as well as their bodies. I would like to be the nurse who does not rush to listen, who introduces warmth to the intimidating atmosphere, and who will make young patients feel courageous even when they are frightened. After all, my mission is to use my medical expertise and my sincere human interaction. The same nurses who used to take care of me defined my path in life and I wish to extend the same comfort to others. With the help of my hard work, empathy, and what can be learnt throughout my life, I will make a significant difference in the lives of the children and families I will be serving sometime in my life.

Personal Inspiration (prompt 1): The reason I decided to take a career in the nursing profession can be traced back to my very youthful days as a patient with epilepsy. Hospitals, examinations, regular checkups became a regular occurrence in my childhood. It was the nurses who made all of that uncertainty less terrifying in the middle of it all. Their kindness turned into my comforter, and one of them, a nurse in Puerto Rico, whom I so fondly called “Chupi,” marked my heart. I shared my childhood nickname and it formed a connection that made me feel safe, visible and cared about in a manner that I could not forget. When I became older, I began to see how these experiences affected my passion to help people, in particular, children, who are struggling with medical issues possibly beyond their comprehension. This calling was reinforced by another nurse who later on I moved to Florida. On one of the three days in my EKG, she was chatting with me, giving me teddy bears, and ensuring that I was secure at all times. Her compassion reminded me that nursing has the power to do good not only as a career, but as a form of helping others soar when they are at their lowest point. It is because of these nurses that I was motivated to join the pediatric nursing profession, and someday become a pediatric nurse practitioner. My personal experiences led me to understand that I could survive on my own, that I was a strong person, and that I should defend my interests, which today makes me motivated to support my future patients. Nursing is not only my career, but the mission which developed as a continuation of my story. I would like to provide children with the same level of compassion, support, and optimism that I had in the past. "Human Touch" (prompt 2): What the human touch phrase means to me is the capability of reaching a patient beyond the medical treatment. The compassion, gentleness and presence is what conveys, you matter and you are safe with me. Human touch does not just involve physical contact but also involves the tone of your voice, the patience you offer to the person, the way you listen and your readiness to actually know what someone is going through. It comes out as a healing that cannot be given by medicine. My concept of human touch was determined by the nurses who attended me when I was in hospital seeking treatment of the condition, epilepsy. At the time when I met “Chupi” at Puerto Rico, the hospital felt less overwhelming due to her positive character. Not only was she treating me as a patient, she was treating me as a child and one that needed a comforting touch. That relationship made me less afraid and also provided me with the strength in an hard situation. I later had the same human touch demonstrated by another nurse in Florida during a EKG exam stay. She gave me teddy bears, stayed by my bedside and kept on talking to me, and did not leave me alone. Her kindness did not heal my situation, but rather made the situation no longer frightening, but hopeful. Human touch has the power to transform patient care due to the fact that it addresses emotional needs of a person besides assisting in physical recovery. When patients will feel cared about, they will become more open, more trusting and more willing to participate in their treatment. It helps to ease anxiety, induce a feeling of comfort and restore dignity, at least to a child who may not have the right words to convey his/her feeling. In the medical field, technology may diagnose and monitor, however, it will never be able to replace the real compassion. Human touch fills that gap. It reminds patients of the fact that they are not just their diagnosis. I would like to bring the same warmth and bond my nurses provided to me as a future pediatric nurse. I would like all the children under my care to feel important, comprehended, and emotionally encouraged just like I used to be.