When I applied to this scholarship last year, I remembered reflecting on a calling to the field of nursing back in Flagstaff. Writing down my thoughts and looking back at moments that led me to nursing: Early morning debriefs with my mom after she got off her night shift as a nurse, my love for children with whom I worked closely in the church, and a deep spiritual confirmation I had from my faith. It seems like it was long ago that I wrote about what called me to be a nurse. A year later, I write this with only one block left to go in my nursing program. If I could, I would like to tell myself a year ago that I am exactly where I need to be. Sure, I probably had a heavily romanticized version of Nursing and what it means to be a nurse. Nothing could have prepared me for assuming the role of a nurse or nursing student, for now. I feel emotions deeply, and what feels like all the time. I take pride in my ability to feel others' pain, grieve with them, smile, and laugh all in one sitting. But for me, it doesn't end there. It stays with me on my drive home, where I'm not listening to my playlist or thinking about what I'll make for dinner that night. But in the silence, I think about my patients I took care of that day, who unknowingly helped me to think about the life I'm leading. My first ever clinical was at an assisted living center. I remember my hands were shaky the first time my preceptor nurse instructed me to get a glucose blood stick from a patient. I had never touched another person before in a medical setting. Something that was so second nature to me today really did feel like a big deal in the moment. Throughout my medication passes and nursing care of that day, I felt drawn to three rooms. Three different patients with three different stories. All had one thing in common. They felt alone in a building that was at capacity, filled with tens of others. I felt particularly drawn to one patient whom I spent a considerable amount of time helping throughout my clinicals there, as I delegated myself to help him feed. This patient was an older gentleman who was blind. They say eyes are the window to the soul, but for this man, you could feel his spirit radiate throughout his entire being. As I carefully took spoonfuls of his mechanically soft breakfast, I was enthralled with his stories of his family and how he ended up here at the Assisted Living facility. He was so hopeful that he was going to get better and get out and be back on his own two feet. He didn't have family or friends there to support him or check up on him, but his soul determination to regain independence is what kept a smile on his face. Towards the end of my clinicals, things took a turn, but not for the better. I noticed he started deteriorating in his energy, overall demeanor, and a noticeable decline in his physical appearance. I had a feeling something was wrong. On my last clinical, I went to his room to bring in his breakfast tray and do our usual routine, but I learned that he had gone septic from a wound he had and passed away earlier that week. I would be lying if I didn't say I walked around the unit with my head down so that no one could see that I had tears welling in my eyes. But it hurt. It hurt to hear that the little care I provided for him, while working as a nursing student there, meant so much to him because he hadn't received it at that point. In the nursing field, nurses are believed to take everything on the chin and do as they're told. A quick yet thorough Medication pass, ADLS, effective teaching, progressive discharge planning, using critical thinking skills while charting to create a care plan, and making time to do assessments. There's a demand for prioritization, yet so little time and support for these nurses to provide exceptional care, without the support of additional staff. This realization has become a new driving light in my motivation to pursue nursing as I want to be the nurse that every patient of mine feels deeply cared for, heard, supported, and feels as if I'm their biggest cheerleader who is rooting to see the day they are discharged and on the road to recovery. Although I can't go back in time and find the possible ways that could have been intervened to help that sweet old man who was the first patient to ever remember my name and look forward to seeing me, alongside my nurse. I know that once I graduate and hit the floor, I will bring these experiences with me to every room I enter, and for that, I am so grateful to have an opportunity to make a meaningful connection and provide compassionate care. Receiving the scholarship would be a deeply appreciated blessing as I continue to acquire loans to help pay for my education. I intend to continue to use loans to obtain a master's degree after I graduate to further my knowledge in patient care within the clinical setting. As imagined, I have many tuition payments ahead of me before I get to my goal. So receiving the scholarship would truly relieve me when making my monthly payments. Reading Nancy's story last year stayed with me, and I'm so honored to be able to apply this year. Thank you to those who took the time to read through my story, and thank you to such a loving and caring family who look to support the next generation of nurses.

Like many children, when asked what I wanted to be, I exclaimed, “I want to be a doctor!”— a dream fueled by my love for science and caring for others.. That passion stayed strong through middle and high school. But while researching the path to becoming a doctor, I kept encountering one common medical school interview question: Why not become a nurse, NP, or PA instead? That made me stop and reflect—why hadn’t I ever considered nursing? The variety of healthcare paths was overwhelming. Community college or university? Certificate or degree? I turned to someone I trusted: my mom. She’s been a nurse in adolescent psychiatry for over 20 years. After each night shift, she would come home and share stories—about scared, angry, or hurting teens, and how she showed up with compassion and resilience. She never gave up on any patient, even during the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, when heavy PPE irritated the skin on her face. Watching her quiet strength and selflessness gave me my first real glimpse into the heart of nursing. The COVID-19 pandemic also opened my eyes to the nursing shortage and the essential role nurses play. I realized: in the next crisis, I want to be there—on the front lines—bringing warmth and comfort in uncertain times. Earning my BSN will also allow me to be part of the less than 10% of African American nurses in patient care. Representation matters. If I can show just one little Black girl that she belongs in healthcare, then I’ll know I’ve made a difference. This desire to support vulnerable children also led me to volunteer at Billy’s Place. My love for working with kids began at Billy’s Place Arizona, where I volunteered as a peer facilitator for children grieving the loss of loved ones. In that small office space every Tuesday night, I sat with elementary-aged children as they expressed complex feelings. We shared laughs, tears, and long hugs. Over nearly two years, I discovered that children—despite grief—are deeply compassionate, creative, and inspiring people. What surprised me most was how much I learned from them. They remember who listens. I want to be the nurse they remember—not just for providing care, but for seeing and honoring their feelings in every moment. I am set on becoming a pediatric nurse for this exact reason. I believe advocating for every child in my care is an urgent cause. A push for an extra test, charting every symptom and crucial information, and actively listening to each word and those which will go unspoken. Today, I am preparing to start the Nursing program. If all goes to plan, I will graduate in August 2026. From there, I intend to pursue a Master in Nursing Practice where I will be able to expand my clinical knowledge and autonomy. I have a long road until I reach my end goal and that means lots of expenses and fees will place a financial burden on me for the foreseeable future. Having the privilege to be awarded this scholarship would help me greatly. This scholarship would help ease the financial burdens I am facing, but help to put my full focus on continuing to progress through nursing school and serve children. I would like to say Thank You to the generous persons of Wieland Healthcare that are sponsoring this opportunity. Your financial support and encouragement for the next generation of nurses is greatly appreciated. I found this scholarship opportunity on bold.org.