Many years ago, I went through a time where I was just working and not really enjoying what I was doing. I had lost my joy in the healthcare field. While I worked for an in-home hospice company, I had 3 different patients tell me that God spoke to them and they all had the same message 'Finish school and become a nurse." After hearing it once, I honestly just blew it off. Once I heard it 3 times in one week, I knew there was a higher being interfering in my life to say 'wake up, here is your sign'. Since then, I have been working hard to learn and developed into a better nurse. I have worked in the field for over a decade and with each new patient or interaction, I learn new things and improve my skills. I honestly feel that I can help many more people once I obtain my nursing degree and practice more in the field. Having the knowledge and training in the field I have obtained this far has helped not only my family but my loved ones as well. In 2019, My skills, knowledge and limits were tested. Early in the year, I took my aunt on a vacation as a last wish before she passed. While I was on the trip I managed her PEG tube, proper medication distribution, dressing changes and assisting her with basic activities of daily living. Later in 2019, my mom was diagnosed with a rare type of breast cancer. I educated her on some treatment options, what to expect and how it may make her feel. I would not of been able to do that without first being educated myself. Although I do not have all the answers, i was knowledgeable about her situation thanks to already being in the field and the nursing education I have received thus far from the nursing program. With this scholarship I plan to apply it to my tuition for the next terms class and help me get one step closer to becoming a registered nurse. After obtaining that degree, I would like to become O.C.N. certified to continue to help the patients and their families as I have done my own. Having my own experience of not only helping those who are ill but also to be able to see where the family is coming from and experiencing, has and will help me be a better nurse to those I care for.

Caregiving for me has been a rollercoaster. I first started taking care of my mom while trying to obtain my C.N.A. license in 2009. My mom woke up one morning and could not move. She became instantly frozen. There I was, 19 and suddenly found myself taking care of my mom. I learned skills and combined them with what I learned in school. I tried to understand where she was coming from and the things she felt. I searched for effective ways to help her with what she was going through and this fueled my desire to do more in the medical field. Not only did I take care of my mom, but over the years I took care of many people. It started with my mom, and then I started working in a long term care facility. I took things I learned there and shared them with her and the family. I fell in love with caring and assisting people that could not do this them selves. I switched gears and began doing hospice and end of life care. This was the structure of care that helped shape me into a better caregiver. I learned that its not just about getting better and conquering the world. It is about the quality of life given to someone in their special time and the family during the transitioning process. Over the past year I have had baby, changed positions and had 2 sudden unexpected deaths to people very close to me. I realized that I can not continue to work 2 jobs and try to accomplish my dreams. I need time to focus on school and actually learn the materials. This scholarship will help me achieve that. I will be able to work my job at the hospital and continue to go to school full time all while being a mom and caregiver. I have been told by many people that I have a passion for my work and that I seem genuine about it. That is one thing I can honestly say is true, I care for others as if it was my family member. I also take note on the family and offer ways to help them with help in the situation they are going through. Losing a loved one is not easy, but having a caring nurse/caregiver makes the world of a difference between a tough time to a time they made it through a tough time in their life. With this scholarship, I can continue to do just that on a wider scale.

I am at my second nursing school because I flunked out of the first one. During my first year at nursing school, my aunt died, my dad had 8 heart attacks in 2 months, my brother committed suicide, my other aunt died from diabetes complications and my mom was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. All while I was undiagnosed with attention-deficit-hypersensitivity-disorder. This was a difficult time for me, and I was told to speak to a therapist because it is a lot to handle just for one person. Especially in just a small-time frame. After being kicked out, I talked to a therapist who told me to get tested for attention-deficit-hypersensitivity-disorder. She believed this may have been why I struggled memorizing and staying focused. Having attention-deficit-hypersensitivity-disorder also meant having anxiety, depression and some bipolar. So, I finally did it, and got tested and I found out I scored high in all three categories of ADHD. I found out I have struggled with all of it since I was a child and self-medicated/self-soothed. This all added up and after 32 years, I found out I have a severe case of attention-deficit-hypersensitivity-disorder. So going through all that plus having the issues I did, made it hard for me to even be in school. After being diagnosed, I applied to another college and have been doing well. I recently had a baby and have not been medicated for my attention-deficit-hypersensitivity-disorder, so I took off 2 semesters and return soon to finish my nursing degree. During my maternity leave, all I thought about was finishing school. I have been told by many patients that I need to finishing getting my degree because being a nurse is what I am meant to be. Others have told me I have patience, compassion and even great with the patients. I just know that I love working with my coworkers and helping others. Being an advocate and sometimes a leader. I would not have made it this far in my current nursing program if it was not for me failing out of the first. That time I learned I have a medical issue where I do need medication to better function and pay attention. Now, I pass most of my exams and even am able to help other students study because I am using my ability (some call it a disability) to look at things differently and achieve the goal.

Over the years, I have observed people. What people say, do, and even their body language. In my lifetime, there have been numerous school shootings, public killings and undocumented massacres. Instead of looking a just the victims, I look at the suspects. Why did they do those things? Were there signs or cues that something was going on in their personal life where if someone would of just stopped and listened to them, maybe things would be different. In school, there are discussions of "how could they of done that" and "what were they thinking". I like to add in my own thoughts of what drove them to it. Often times, I found that people cry for help and others ignore it. People are looked at as weird or disturbing. When in reality, they are just wanting attention. I also work at a hospital and occasionally I sit with suicidal patients, and they like to tell me their problems and what brought them to this point. No all of them want to talk, which is fine, that is their choice. There are those that I can give advice to and help change their opinions on life. There is one situation where a patient was going through a divorce and found out they were a diabetic and something else happened. They felt the best thing to do is end it. After talking with them, I found of they like to take walks and cook. During my break I printed out a list of walking trails near them and I even printed some recipes for them to look at so they had something to look forward to when they were released. On the other spectrum, there are those that are just mean to others and do not understand why people are different. I try to explain this to them when I can in a manner that they can understand. This is not always easy because some people do not have the mental compacity to grasp not everyone is like them. There are those who do understand after i explain things to them and they show more compassion for others. They see that not everyone has it as easy or difficult as they do. This also applies to myself. There are situations where I honestly did not understand why a person felt the way they did or only saw things a certain way and a friend or another coworker would explain it to me. This is why I also encourage people to ask when they are unsure because things are not as easily understood.

I found out I was pregnant with the guy I had been with and left him immediately. I knew he was not a good person for my child to be around. By doing this, I knew I would be a single mom. I have had my baby for 3 months now and being a single mother is extremely hard but it let me know I need to continue my education and not just give up. For years I have been working to become a registered nurse and I feel that being a nurse is what I am meant to be. Things that come naturally for me are things that other people have to learn. I am thankful i have these qualities because they have paid off while taking care of my son and myself. Things have been tough but there was a lot of learning that happened. I learned that I need to explain things for patients that go through surgery. I would like to look into setting up a program for single moms so that they can get some relief. Even offer home cooked meals that they can pop in the microwave. I know there was a day I did not eat all day because I was exhausted and needed sleep. Everything I had required cooking and prepping. Another time I was trying to cook, and my blood pressure plummeted and I had to sit down and could not finish making dinner. Thankfully I do not have blood sugar issues like some women do during pregnancy or else this would of been a real problem for me. Going through this experience, I have learned that I want to finish my education so that I do not have to depend on anyone and also have more time with my son. Most hospitals have twelve-hour shifts which means I can work my three days in a row and then have four days off to spend with my son. There is so much I would like to show him and teach him while he's young. Hopefully I can talk to other single moms and help them the best I can. I also hope to learn from others too so that I can share that knowledge with those who need to hear it. I know we all come from different walks of life, and we all need someone to talk to. If I cannot give them anything, I can at least offer them a shoulder to cry on and a ear to listen.

I am the type of person who sees people behind the mask. So many people hide behind fear, shame and just not wanting to share their feelings. From the smallest person to the CEO, I treat everyone the same. If I see someone is going through something and they do not want to talk about it, I offer my ear or give them a little treat to make their day. For example, I work on an oncology unit, I am not a nurse yet but when I see one of my coworkers struggling, I offer help. Even if it's the smallest thing such as getting tape or running to the blood bank for them, that little thing helps them save time and one less thing to worry about. Things get hectic and often times people need another perspective, so they come to me. I do not leave it at giving them the advice or instructions. I help them or at least walk with them so that I can be there if help is needed. I enjoy working at the hospital I do because I get to work not only on my home unit, but other units when they need help. By doing this, I gain knowledge from other fields like nephrology, gerontology, cardiology and sometimes, neurology. I also get to meet other workers in the hospital and learn from them. This helps me later in my career so that I can use what I learned when a similar situation happens to me. I would like to work in the oncology field because I feel this is a field I am excelling in. I tend to have things come naturally on how to handle situations. I have learned how to give therapeutic responses while still hearing what the patient needs. Although every patient is different, everyone needs a good nurse that can work effectively and efficiently. I know I will struggle the first few months of being a new nurse, but I do not want to give up on being the best I can be. This is not just for me but for my patient's sake. They deserve a good nurse and a good human being to just be their advocates. Another field I have considered is hospice. Being a hospice caregiver, I have enjoyed doing the little things to make others happy before they pass. Whether it be doing their hair and makeup or sitting on the floor and giving them a pedicure. I enjoyed knowing that the small things I did for them meant the world to them. Things we take for granite, I would not hesitate to do because I know that if this were my parents, I would want someone to do these small things for me.

When people ask me why I want to be a nurse, I tell them "Nursing chose me". Most people, decide on a career path at a young age and follow it through. For me, I was working and was told by three people that did not know each other that I needed to be in nursing. The better part was they all claimed God told them to tell me I needed to continue my nursing education to become a nurse. After the third person said it, I looked up and said "ok god, I heard you loud and clear". I enrolled in college and have been working towards that career since. Along the way, life showed me I am heading in the right direction. I had to take care of my dad when he had a heart attack and hit his head which caused a brain bleed. Then take care of my aunt when she was diagnosed with cancer. Then again when my mom was diagnosed with cancer. I learned to have patience, be an advocate, a listen to what they were and were not saying. I was only able to do these things because of my experience taking care of other family members. Through my experience, I was able to give my loved ones the same care and attention. I have become a better caregiver because of the years of experience I have gained through long-term care, hospice, home health and oncology. These all showed me the different levels of care and how to treat everyone differently. I also learned to be efficient, time management, and the importance of watching body language. I hope by continuing my education through the help of scholarships, I will be able to take care of more family members and care for them as I do in my everyday job. Caring for others comes naturally for me and I have been told it is a gift. I am a giver so I would like to continue giving that gift to others. I would like others to have the same opportunities as I have to become a better version of themselves. I also hope that my journey can encourage others to keep persuing their dreams and never give up. There may be rough spots in the road, and a few detours, but keep on going because the end is going to be all worth it.

Being in healthcare comes naturally for me. When I began my journey, I did not know what I wanted to do. Caring for people came so easy and having a gut feeling that how to address situations was a part of me. Over the past 10+ years, I have learned that becoming a nurse is where I am meant to be in not only my life but the lives of those I have touched. I currently work on an oncology unit and have been there for 7 years. I love being able to lend an ear, a comforting touch or a simple smile to my patients. I have taken care of people who came in with a small lump but left in a body bag. I have had difficult patients where I had to remind myself I am at work. There are always patients that are completely clueless and I sat with them and just let them express their feelings. My years on the unit have had its ups and downs but the lessons learned were valuable to my personal life. In 2020, My aunt was diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer. I took care of her during her dying days. I had to be a niece and caregiver which seemed easy on the outside, but I was struggling on the inside. Educating my uncle and cousins on what needed to be done and how to properly take care of her was an eye-opener for me. If I can teach my family, then I can educate others about how to properly care for their loved ones. Later that year, my mom was diagnosed with a rare kind of breast cancer. Cancer runs in that side of the family so I took many precautions when it came to my mom's diagnosis. I explored all the options I knew about, explained the treatment options and educated her on the side effects of the potential medications. This is where I learned to be an advocate for my patient. I spoke up when she couldn't explain her feelings or emotions. I pushed her to try to stay active and eat healthier. This experience plus the one with my aunt allowed me to see things through my patient's family's eyes. Being the person who is being educated and taking care of their loved ones instead of the nurse who already knew what to do. I cherish this because the empathy I have gives me a better understanding and can anticipate their needs based on my experience.

Mental health is a new topic in the community lately. Television, social media and even radio, there is talk about individuals who have performed acts of violence against themselves or others. Their reasoning may be depression, schizophrenia or an anger outburst. The signs of mental illness is not always present but if noticed early, can be treated. Gun control will always be a controversial topic in society, but while one side is debating gun regulation and the other on if citizens need access to a gun, I have noticed that it is not guns we should be focused on. While I was in high school, there was a young man who strapped a bomb to himself and walked into school intending on killing and hurting other students including myself. Thankfully he was talked out of it and no one was harmed. It was discovered that he had a horrible home life and was suffering from depression. He needed someone to talk to and he felt like he was not being heard. While awaiting trial, he was prescribed antidepressants, given access to a therapist and even explored his interests. It was discovered he had a chemical imbalance and a lack of access to therapy. More schools and businesses are being faced with individuals with mental issues. I would like to be able to educate people that their feelings are validated and what their actions will do in the long run. Working in the hospital, I have come across many suicidal patients. Suicidal patients get one on one care and this provides me an opportunity to talk to them. Often I find out that they were going through a tough time, had not been taking their medication or it was merely an accident. I give them ideas on what to do differently, and explain that the moment is temporary and better days are coming. I have even gone as far as printing out a list of places to hike near a patient so that when they return home have places to explore and do the thing they enjoy doing.

My career goals as a nurse are to be a patient advocate, teach others and work in an environment I can thrive in. Time and time again I hear that "the doctor is not listening to me". People know when something is not right within their bodies. I want to be able to stop the cycle of frequent doctor visits due to a lack of care from a doctor. Getting the patient's what they need to feel better and not be on a list of medications is something I seek to do. I also enjoy teaching others in a way that they can understand. Through all the courses I've taken, I have had my fair share of poor teaching. I want others to enjoy the material and see that nursing is not tedious. The environment that I thrive in is one where I can take the next level and be challenged by new things. This will ensure I am engaged and willing to learn more to make myself a better nurse. Nursing chose me, more specifically, oncology nursing chose me. I have had many patients tell me over the years that God told them to inform me that nursing is where I need to be and that the clients I take care of a need that special touch I give. The first few times I heard this, I thought it was all talk. After hearing it time and time again, I realize that I have a gift and need to embrace it. Nursing comes easy to me and I have realized that not everyone can take care of patients and critically think. In 2019, my desire to be a nurse was truly tested. At the beginning of that year, my aunt was diagnosed with stage IV esophageal cancer. I asked her what was something she wanted to experience before she passed and she said "Mardi Gras", so I booked the hotel and we left for Biloxi, Ms. She had a PEG tube, and oxygen and needed medication and food given through her PEG tube. I was the one for the job. She had the best of time and passed 3 days after returning home from the trip. During this time, my dad was also in the hospital because he had a heart attack and when he hit the floor, he hit his head so hard that it caused bleeding in the brain. After my dad healed and returned home, my oldest brother committed suicide. This was too much for me to handle and I began questioning my desire to be a nurse. Only 3 months after my brother committed suicide, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. She only found out because I pushed her to get a second opinion because her primary doctor said it was nothing to be worried about even though my grandmother died of breast cancer when my mom was only 5 years old. After all the events in 2019, I did some soul-searching and talked to God about his decision for me to become a nurse. I learned from my experiences how to listen to your patients when they say there is something wrong. Think critically in a split second because that split second can be the determining factor of life and death. Most importantly, I learned there are many resources available not only for the patient but for the family as well. The world does not need another pill pusher or someone who is just there for a paycheck.

Nursing was not what I thought my career would be. I wanted to join the military and see where that would take me in life, but God had different plans for me. I started working as a CNA at my local retirement home in 2011. I then left there and worked in a long-term care facility. I gained skills and knowledge but I had a gut feeling I was meant to do more with my life. 2012 I started working part-time at the long-term care facility and then started full-time with a home hospice company. Spring of 2015, I had 3 clients that did not know each other, tell me in one week that God told them that I needed to know that nursing is where I am meant to be. God wanted me to do what it takes to be a nurse. After the first 2 clients, I thought it was just odd, but when the third client said almost the same thing, I looked to the sky and said "ok God, got the message loud and clear." I applied to college over the weekend and started taking classes again. I have not stopped pursuing my nursing degree over the years, but I have doubted myself and questioned if being a nurse is my true calling. I started working with oncology patients and have been at the same hospital for 6 years. Patients' needs and anticipating outcomes have become second nature. Knowing the types of medications and what to expect is nothing I have to think twice about. I have seen many things and had life-changing experiences. When things became personal, my love for nursing was challenged. In 2019, my life was changed completely in a way I was not prepared for. My aunt was diagnosed with stage IV esophageal cancer. I asked her what is something she wants to do before she dies and she wanted to experience Mardi Gras. I booked a hotel, made all the reservations and made sure her medical needs were met while she was away from home. I had to use critical thinking and use the nursing process multiple times during the trip. I planned my day and night around her medication schedule to ensure she received a dose of hydromorphone so she would not feel much pain. Although I am sad she has left this world, knowing I made her smile and let her live one last time was worth the adventure. During that time, my dad had a heart attack and a brain bleed. I was tested on my trust in other nurses. I learned what I did not want to do and ways I could be there for someone else. I experienced empathy for myself and the things I went through as the family of the patient. My dad got better and was able to return home, but then 6 months later, my oldest brother committed suicide. Then 3 months later, my mom is diagnosed with breast cancer. I wanted to give up on nursing then. Working with patients who have cancer and taking care of 2 loved ones with cancer in a year hit me harder than I thought. I pushed through all of that and instead of letting it stop me from becoming a nurse, I learned from my experience and use the knowledge I gained to help others. I can be a better nurse knowing what not only the patient is experiencing but the family as well.

Recovery is something thought of related to those who struggled with addiction. Recovery means so much more. In 2019, I went through many tragic events. In early 2019, my aunt died, then my dad was hospitalized for three months having multiple heart attacks, then in July my brother committed suicide and I ended that year finding out my mother has breast cancer. So in 2020, I tried to recover from all those traumatic events. I began to find myself again and spent more time with the siblings I had left. I tried to do more with my parents so they could recover too. Recovery is finding yourself and becoming a better version of yourself. It is finding what you enjoy doing and doing it at your best. recovery does not always involve a rehabilitation facility, sometimes it's spending days in bed only eating marshmallows until you can function again. It can also be going on a trip with no return date so you can cope with things before starting recovery.

Growing up, I always had a dog in the house. My mom worked for the local animal control and any dogs she liked, she would bring home. This ensured I always had a best friend at home. This was until I got out on my own. All the places I lived in, did not allow pets. This was a weird time for me because I was so used to having dogs to play with when I came home. I went about 6 years without a dog in my own home. In 2019, my life changed forever. I went through my aunt dying, my dad being hospitalized due to several heart attacks, my brother committing suicide, and finding out my mom has breast cancer. This all took a toll on me, so one day. I woke up and went to the animal shelter and decided today is the day I get a dog. This pup has been my best friend since. She has been through a lot with me, many nights crying over my hardships that year. When I was sad, she would curl up next to me. She makes sure I wake up in the mornings and loves to play with me when I get on the floor for anything. Cheyenne gave me purpose again. I had a reason to work and come home. I could enjoy going to the park and playing with her. Watching her run around and greet other people and dogs is something that brings a smile to my face. I'm not sure I could have made it living another year if I didn't have my wonderful pup.

Growing up, eating healthy was not a big thing in my house. My family is obese and struggles with health issues and so did generations before them. I took the opportunity at a young age to start eating healthy. I discovered I have PCOS which needs healthy eating habits. I noticed eating healthier made me more awake and able to focus on things better. I started losing weight once I started eating healthy, so I started to work out. I started with walking and increased that to about an hour a day. I started adding different exercises like squats and arm curls. Before I knew it, I was feeling better and looking better. I told my family about it and they all wanted to know what I have been taking. I told them I started eating healthier and snacking on things like strawberries and watermelon. Then when I started to feel better, I added walking into my day. My mom started eating healthier and noticed she has lost weight and had more energy. Eating healthier and working out has changed my life. I make sure to make healthy meals and stop drinking so many sodas. My cholesterol levels have dropped since I started living a healthier lifestyle. My blood sugar has gone down and my blood pressure is within normal range. Living a healthier lifestyle is like getting a second chance in life.

I did not know I wanted to be a nurse. I just knew nursing things came easy to me. I just knew I liked doing the things involved and it came easy for me to do. I knew I am a good caregiver, but it was not until I got 3 signs above to finish nursing school. Nursing school in itself is not as enjoyable as being on the floor. Over the years, I have found my passion in nursing. I know my strengths and I know areas where I need work. Working with several wonderful and not-so-wonderful nurses over the years, I have developed the kind of nurse I would like to be. A nurse that anticipates the patient's needs. A nurse that is not afraid to help the tech with anything. The kind of nurse that brings joy to her patients and coworkers. So far, I take extra steps like stalking the cups or making sure there are blankets in the warmer for the next shift. I would like to be that kind of nurse as well. Have my cart stocked for the oncoming nurse. Stay behind because the tech needed help cleaning a patient. These are small things that can make a big difference to someone. In my career, I hope to inspire others to achieve their dreams. Whether it is finishing a project or going cross country, I would like to be the person to inspire to do those things to bring joy in their life. I hope to become a manager and be the kind of manager that helps out on the floor. I understand being a manager is difficult, but I want to be able to work on the floor a little as well. I would like to be the kind of manager that people feel comfortable with to come to with their problems. I also hope to gain insight into what is working on the floor from the nurses and techs and see what I can do to change that. I would like to create a work environment the employees want to be. This in the long run will create better patient care because the staff is taken care of. I hope to carry out Cindy's values and traits. She worked in different environments and also enjoyed nature. She related to her patients which helped the patients feel more comfortable around her. Cindy is the kind of nurse I aspire to be.

I have a friend that is always in need of something. We have been friends for 3 years, she has 2 beautiful children that I love to hang out with as well. One day, my gut told me to go visit her. I drove to her house, opened the door, and found her crying on the floor. This woman who seemed to have it all and be doing so well is on her floor crying. When I asked her why she is crying, she explains to me that she feels like a terrible mother, daughter, and person altogether. She tells me how she feels like she is not doing enough for her kids. She explained she wants them to have a good childhood, but being a single mother made that hard. She then began to tell me how she has not had time to visit her mom due to the kid's activities and work. My friend and I were going to start nursing school together, but she had children so it made it hard for her. I thought she had it all, but apparently, she was hiding emotions not only from me but from her family. I just did what I would want any friend to do for me, I sat with her on the floor. I listened to her feelings and even things in her past that she regrets. At one point she started to clean her room, so I got up and cleaned with her. I started with her laundry that was on her bed as she was cleaning her bathroom. This moment was a big deal for me because sometimes we are not meant to fix things. When a problem arises, we as humans feel that we need to fix it. I learned at this moment that not every moment is a happy moment. Sometimes we need to just listen. This moment was also big for my friend as well. She stated that the people she opened up to, never just listened to her. She did not realize it but all this time people have been trying to fix her problems. All she needed was a listening ear. This allows her to vent and get things off her chest that has been bothering her. Now when she needs to vent, she will call me and say "I need to vent". If things are more serious, I go to her house and clean with her as she vents to me about any of her problems.

I would like to work in an underserved community so that i can experience more in others life. This will broaden my horizons and allow me to grow in my medical career. Working in an underserved community will open my eyes to new situations and problems that the privileged communities do not see. I have worked in a top hospital where everything is readily available and all walks of life are treated the same and get a nice bed, brand name sodas, and a decent meal 3 times a day. Working in an underserved area will allow me to grow as a healthcare worker on how other communities are working. During the times of COVID, i realized how privileged I am to work where i work and have access to everything i need to protect myself as well as others. There are some communities where they were reusing their N95 masks and sanitizing their PPE.

I anticipate patients needs , which in the long run, helps patients heal. By anticipating certain needs, the patients are able to heal better which in the long run, helps the recovery time speed up. This allows hospitals stays to be shortened and prevents hospital acquired injuries. Hospital acquired injuries can lengthen their stay and in some cases, hinder their healing process. In many cases that i have seen, I noticed those that i anticipated their needs, had a better healing rate as well as a quicker healing time. The things i anticipate are some times so minor such as a warm towel after a shower. This can help a patient be more willing to wash off daily if they didnt have to feel as if they were freezing every time they bathed.