Growing up in a low-income household, I watched my family struggle throughout my childhood. Between finding jobs and trying to provide for our home, I witnessed the many sacrifices my parents made for my brother and me. These experiences shaped my desire to pursue higher education; so I can build a stable life for myself and my future family. Even from a young age, I was determined to create a plan for my future and learn as much as I could along the way. I’ve always loved school and actively sought out opportunities to expand my knowledge and experiences. More specifically, I chose to pursue a nursing degree because of the care and compassion I witnessed from nurses during my father’s cancer treatments. Their ability to provide comfort in such a frightening time left a lasting impression on me. I want to be that same source of strength and calm for others, helping patients through their darkest moments with both compassion and knowledge. Nursing is not just a profession to me; it’s a calling rooted in empathy, purpose, and personal experience. Another reason I chose nursing is the stability and versatility it offers. Nurses are essential in every stage of life, and the demand for skilled, compassionate healthcare professionals is constant. What excites me most is the wide range of opportunities within the field. Whether it's working bedside in a hospital, joining a medical aesthetics practice, serving in private clinics, or even advancing my education to explore areas like legal nurse consulting or medical malpractice law, nursing provides a dynamic path that can evolve with my interests and goals. Preparing for college as a first-generation student has been more difficult than I anticipated. In high school, I felt overwhelmed and unsure of how to apply for colleges or navigate the financial aid process. With no one around me who fully understood the system, it felt like I was learning a completely foreign language. I decided to start at a community college to complete my general education courses, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I was able to save money and surround myself with a community of students facing similar challenges. Through that experience, I connected with college counselors and mentors who guided me and helped me gain confidence in the college process. Now, as I enter nursing school, I continue to face new challenges, like preparing for entrance exams, transferring credits, and figuring out how to fund my education. The most difficult part has been understanding loans, scholarships, and financial aid without guidance. Still, I’ve learned to rely on my support system, ask questions, and stay organized. I’ve come a long way, and I’m determined to keep moving forward, prepared to face each new challenge with resilience and purpose.