The people they encounter through mental illness and substance abuse make them who they are now. Being depressed and bipolar affected my decision making at a key time in my life and that of me as an individual. These diseases had a hard time for me to grasp for a long time, and without the proper tools to cope for a long the way I did, all I found myself resorting to unhealthy responses. This phase of life was a hard time for me and I sometimes made difficult choices, I was pushed to make difficult choices but it was the root of everything I stood for.” I was often left looking forward to depression and feeling helpless and unmotivated, and isolated by what I was missing. It was only amplified in the case of bipolar disorder, which escalated emotional highs and lows and further led to impulsive activity. During those years I started using drugs to numb out the pain, and for a bit of a sense of that controlled life. What began as an effort at numbing my emotions turned into a substance habit. The drugs sold in the community that I came from also turned me on to these kinds of things that caused me to lose touch with my values, my education, and the life I wanted to create. As my mental health deteriorated, so did my sense of purpose. I knew it was harmful, but I was stuck in spiraling instability, ineffective coping, and self-doubt. We got a lesson in that during that time: Untreated mental illness and addictions can pile on top of one another, making it very hard to break free when you don’t have support. I eventually got to where I was no longer able to look the other way. It’s the light bulb when we get that. Taking responsibility for my past, and getting help, is one of the hardest but the best steps I have ever taken. With professional mental health help, education on my diagnoses, and a focus on recovery I was finally able to rebuild my life. I also discovered that substance use was not the problem, but that it was an outlet for deeper emotional issues that needed to be handled with more balance and with treatment. Recovery taught me self-awareness, discipline, and accountability all skills that guide me daily. Personal development did not just unfold overnight. I had to become more aware of triggers, learn how to handle stress, and navigate psychological shifts more healthily. Gradually, I established routines that serve as a basis for stability and health over time. This shift toward adulthood helped me reconnect with my education, re-engage in my education again, and create purposeful goals that kept me focused on my goals, which I could finally return to school.” I now tackle a challenge as a result of that. My plan for further education is to be a licensed health care professional as an RN, I was diagnosed with mental illness and addiction, which has made me have profound empathy for clients who believe they cannot reach them, and fear being stigmatized. I want to be in healthcare, because I realized how powerful compassionate, well informed care was. My education is vital in achieving scientific knowledge, critical-thinking abilities, and professional discipline so that I may effectively perform public support tasks. Keeping up recovery on the part of society is an ongoing task. I plan to remain on top of mental health treatment and to go to therapy regularly where necessary, as well as keep a line of communication open with those who provide healthcare. I’ve chosen routine, so that in the case of the ‘emotional balance I put importance on such habits that do not just include frequent sleeping, good coping, good coping and good stress management. I am also supported system of family, mentors, and trusted adults who are strong bonds of camaraderie and provide me with guidance and accountability. I do much more self reflection and identify my signs I use what signs and symptoms of early warning, so that I can go to the experts before I get into things fall into a slip and it becomes clearer I have to seek help before they catch me. I have known hard times in the past not to be afraid of but they are not what drives my plans for the future.

My pursuit of higher education encountered various obstacles and challenges that both academically and personally challenged me. Nonetheless, with each challenge, my resolve strengthened. Balancing academic goals: One of my most serious challenges is to marry educational aspirations with financial limitations and personal responsibilities. However, my college education is not only both tough and financially stressful but I must also navigate through this pressure with endurance, good character and a commitment to work hard. Coming from a hard pressed milieu in which things were limited and resource based, I quickly realized that my aims would be hard work but would involve trying hard and never giving up. I have had to take care to save my time and money, and I have had to keep my studies at the top of mind. Not only was there no easy path, but I stuck with my education a pillar of purpose and independence and helping others. Self doubt was another challenge that came my way. It is daunting to start studying more difficult than most professions especially in the healthcare field. For science and math courses, I worked consistently and felt confident. I second guess my abilities at times; did I have enough stamina for the demanding program? But with continued determination, encouragement, and dedication, I figured out how to move past those concerns. Whether it was the small achievement or something great, every academic achievement reinforced my belief that I was capable of achieving it. Besides the academic successes, I also started volunteering at Mission Arlington and helped with the Back to School supply drives. These experiences prompted me to remember why I want to pursue higher education in the first place to serve others and effect positive change. Watching people and families suffer from food insecurity, homelessness, and limited access to healthcare motivated me to push ahead even when things seemed insurmountable. In the future, I aim to provide my education and return the education with benefits that I receive and to serve my community by working as a Registered Nurse and educating underserved groups. I want to be a compassionate, high quality provider to someone who may get patchy medical care. I hope to join community outreach programs geared toward health education, preventive care, and wellness outside of direct patient care. Teaching people about disease prevention, drug treatment, or healthy lifestyle changes helps them gain responsibility for their health. The last thing that I am going to do is mentor students who have struggled with obstacles to higher education. So my goal is simply to help others realize that their past does not determine the future. I have learned from my hardships that barriers can be part of the solution, and I am determined that my education will enable me to not only live better, but also serve my local people.

The family member that I lost who had the greatest impact on my life was my grandmother. She was someone who was strong and hardy and her narrative continues to stay with me for days on end. Her absence has come to a great loss but as one of her teachers and mentors I have learned so much from her and her life that I rely upon to be part of who I am. My grandmother was a Marine, which takes discipline, courage and resilience. At a time when women were discouraged from serving or leading, she stood her ground and cared about her country. She carried that strength far beyond her military service termination. She eventually became a laundromat owner herself by grafting away and her determination worked wonders. I was looking at the way she got something constructed and saw for myself what perseverance is all about. She didn’t wait for an opportunity to be given to her; she created it. She also raised my mother by herself, juggling responsibility, sacrifice, and unconditional love. She made sure, no matter her circumstances, that a stable, guiding, and strong value system was in place for my mother. I learned about independence, accountability, and taking care of family through her example. She showed me that success is not about how easy life is but about how you react when life is hard. A good supporter of those I love, I dealt with loss when my grandmother passed away. What an empty page, but it just made me think about how I want to live. I wanted to remember her work and my past because she died for me every day, and I learned that it’s important to walk this path and to show others that no matter the trials, as long as you live with tenacity and compassion, that’s what truly made you special. I am grateful for her life, because that was my first reminder I can still come out of a bad period in life with hope and have a purpose. I learned so much because of the experience leading me to work harder. I still strive to work harder in my further study and future professional career. Whenever I struggle or lack confidence, I remind myself of everything she overcame and a power that runs in my family. Her story inspires me to continue pushing, helping others, and never giving up on my goals. Losing my grandmother has been one of the toughest things in my life, but her inspiration to reach my goals is still strong. She illustrated the strength, selflessness and will to do what I need to do, and I aim every single day to live out that testament.

Having already undertaken these steps I want to use my future career in health care to positively affect the lives of others through care that is patient centered, compassionate and to advocate for those who sometimes feel neglected. Symptom management isn’t the problem alone; it’s the treatment when I understand that patients have physical, emotional and social challenges. As an aspiring Registered Nurse, I seek to positively impact patients in some of the most vulnerable periods of their lives. They face complex diagnoses, long term treatment plans, and uncertainty about their futures. Lung diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pulmonary fibrosis can have a significant impact on someone’s quality of life making even trivial activities of daily living practically impossible. As a nurse I would give the hands on care, I would monitor respiratory status, administer medicines like inhalers or oxygen therapy, and educate patients on how to safely manage symptoms at home. Patient education is key to enable individuals to comprehend their disease and to be involved in their care. The patients with rare diseases tend to experience more late diagnoses, inadequate treatment options, and social isolation. Many have few available providers familiar with the condition. I want to advocate for these patients to be the person someone with empathy listens to, questions, guarantees that they get appropriate care, get referrals out and that they’re being helped in a meaningful manner. Nurses coordinate care among specialists, interpret health information, and assist patients and their families as they navigate complex healthcare systems. I can assist with this by educating them on current research and treatment progress, allowing them to feel stronger in their care process. Apart from the work on the floor, I hope to do in the future, I'd like to concentrate on the emotional well being. Chronic and rare illnesses are very emotionally fraught, and can result in anxiety, depression and fear. By being empathetic, encouraging and communicating clearly, one can enhance a patient’s experience and dignity. At times, just being there and listening can go a long way. Eventually, I want to practice within a hospital, pulmonary unit and community health facility where I work with various, and less served populations. I also would like to get involved in health education and outreach that educates on lung health, early recognition of symptoms and preventive care. Utilizing scientific knowledge, empathy and advocacy, I want to use my career in healthcare to advance not only physical health results, but the quality of life of patients living with lung disease and rare medical conditions.

Math I love for it sets a clear pattern and order in a world that is constantly unpredictable. Math gives us a sense of order and that there is a rational solution to a problem. And while the answer won’t be simple and quick, the process remains the same and the game is fair, leaving it a challenge to come up with a right answer, so solving a math problem is just as rewarding and moving as solving a good math problem. It is one of the reasons I love math, reliability. Math helps me with problem solving and is therefore the area I appreciate the most. Concentrating on each equation or word problem takes patience, and critical thinking. Math helps me break things down. Those skills don’t stop with math, they become even stronger later, and I think more clearly in real world scenarios. Math motivates me to think, and challenges me to get better at things, and it makes me feel good when I realize what I thought was a difficult concept for the first time with real confidence. I enjoy math because it is applied everywhere in the world too, like healthcare. Because I would love to work as a Registered Nurse, I understand how critical the science of math is to patient safety. Proper calculations are essential for medication dosages, IV rates, and interpreting vital signs. Math gives me confidence in making specific decisions, realizing that there are consequences for even small mistakes. This bond between math and responsibility makes it even more valuable to me to learn it. Another reason I like math is that it promotes persistence. In math, so called learning through a mistake is what makes it work and success is a cumulative outcome of mistakes. And this outlook has helped me be much more resilient, and brave to tackle problems as opposed to shying away from them.

Having been in direct contact with people and seeing their immediate and long term needs through volunteering, I believe my influence on my community has been positive, tangible, and long lasting. Working with individuals suffering from hardship and witnessing the barriers that are more deeply based on poverty, health, and access through volunteering at Mission Arlington and participating in Back to School supply drives helped me understand my purpose in life. My experiences with other communities made a difference not only to individuals but made a significant impact on my decision for a career in nursing. At Mission Arlington, I volunteered to pass out food, clothing, and essential goods to families and individuals, especially to families experiencing homelessness or financial instability. Interaction with people who are commonly marginalized and neglected was an integral part of this work and one of the most touching parts of it. To feed the homeless was not simply to address their physical need but to provide dignity, compassion, and human connection. I was intrigued by their stories and saw how interconnected health, access to care, and financial problems can be which can be all the time. Even the most incremental of acts, such as tuning in or supporting, made for moments of hope and relief. In these exchanges I witnessed how sustained community support can improve people’s lives. What helped me in this was that you could give kids from different neighborhoods and regions school supplies. In my own initiative to reach out to families, I participated in Back to School events which distributed school supplies. Watching kids receive backpacks, notebooks, and pencils reminded me that what might have seemed trivial has lasting relevance. These supplies let kids start the school year ready, confident, and less worried for struggling families. Changes created as a result of this effort were more deeply felt than academics. It supported emotional health, gave me an idea that others in my community care about me also. These volunteer activities instilled responsibility and empathy with all its many nuances the need for service, in particular. It also helped me to understand that health disparities are one part of the problem for the entire community. It was this insight that made me want to be a Registered Nurse. As an RN I want to continue to make a difference by delivering empathetic and patient focused care to disenfranchised communities. I want to advocate for patients who do not have access to high quality healthcare or feel like they are never listened to in the medical system. I would like to practice in community health or healthcare with a hospital, or possibly a public hospital myself, so that I can teach people about preventive care, what long term health issues people have, and how life in general works. I intend to also continue volunteering and involvement in outreach programs where I will be able to put my clinical abilities to work in conjunction with community service. I aspire eventually to be a nurse who not only manages disease but the social and emotional determinants of health. Whether it is through service or advocacy, education, I wish to make truly positive changes in my community.

I decided to study healthcare because it is the perfect intersection of science, my love, and helping people, and I see real change in people’s lives. Since I was very young, I have wanted to assist people be it giving back in any way we can give back whether that's volunteer work, guidance or simply assisting friends or family who may be in need. Healthcare is an opportunity to push that innate desire to care beyond the realm of mere caretaking, and make care a career opportunity as well as a calling. What interests me most about the healthcare professions is caring not only for patients by treating them but also by educating, preventing and empowering them to become active in their health. I believe that healthcare can save lives and work with others to create lasting change as my job allows me to help alleviate suffering, offer hope and enhance quality of life for individuals and communities alike. The challenges and complexities faced in healthcare continue to be inspirational to me. In terms of medical knowledge, technology, and treatment methods continue to change with the times. Pursuing a degree in the area of health care allows me to be able to have a sustained involvement in lifelong learning; this study can also give me the chance of developing critical problem solving skills so that they will be of value to me under the real life high stakes environment. What I am especially interested in is learning, for instance, to communicate well with patients from various backgrounds and special needs and to understand the very real people and to advocate for fair and dignified care. I hope to make a positive influence blending scientific expertise with empathy in the care of people through not only the body, but also their minds, feelings by blending the scientific with compassion in that way I can give everyone in healthcare a holistic health care journey. As a member of these professions as a woman, in medicine and health care, I hope to make that change. I hope to encourage women's healthcare expertise to expand into more than just medicine for the common good to also make it a force of good, not just the good news media that has been historically unqualified for good. That’s why I wanted to bring about a change by showing more nurses from a diversity of backgrounds in both medicine and administration. My purpose is to serve humanely, honorably, with professionalism working to build cooperation and inclusiveness among all healthcare providers. With this background, I wish to advocate for patients, many of whom may be feeling as of course excluded or unheard. This is a means for me to serve a healthcare space that upholds diversity, equalization and patient centered care. At its heart, I strive to have a positive influence on health care, whether it be among individuals or in communities, through individual points to improve healthcare by working on specific healthcare practices that lead to healthcare systems which are more equitable and impactful. My work will inspire other women to follow a path in healthcare, leadership is exactly what I want, and my passion and dedication to the health care system will surely fuel my ambition to keep leading. Healthcare is not just another career path I want to go along with; I have chosen to serve the people, I want to contribute to the betterment of life in a healthcare environment that I know will influence lives in the most meaningful and sustainable way.

The theme of the challenge is called “Secrets in the Sun” and the goal is to make Islanders squirm in emotional response, generate drama and challenge truthfulness. At the start of the exercise, each Islander is instructed to leave his or her secret, admission, personal opinion or a secret that has not been told a secret, a bold opinion or a suppressed story connected with love, attraction and life in the villa anonymously. These secrets are placed into a decorative box and shuffled. Then, in the challenge, the Islanders take turns with a secret and read it aloud to the group without any idea who wrote it. After every confession, the Islanders debate openly who they think the secret belongs to while listening, watching and even taking note of the way people respond to things, their body language and what they’ve done before. The accused Islander has the option to immediately confess or allow the rest of the group to decide on their final guess. If the group’s guess is correct, the secret’s owner is challenged to complete a revealing dare, like revealing a deeply personal question or acknowledging a hidden attraction. If the group guesses incorrectly, the Islander who reads the secret has to do the dare instead. Things look a little more complicated as the challenge continues secrets emerge, trust is questioned, and unforeseen truths create laughter, tension and emotional conversations that turn the villa dynamic upside down, pushing relationships forward in unexpected ways.

Caring for my grandfather has been the most transformational experience in that sense, as he has heart failure and rapidly progressive dementia (RPD). Starting as someone who would pull together for him from time to time on normal work, this role required a great deal of emotional strength, responsibility, and patience. As his condition advanced, I saw first hand how a chronic illness and cognitive decline can not only change a person’s physical abilities but shape who he or she is and their independence. His needs grew as did my responsibilities. I supported the medication schedule, kept track of his medication regimen, advocated diet and medical care, and accompanied him to appointments where there was more esoteric medical jargon that I had to remember and understand. At home, I helped him, in some cases by doing daily operations to make a home with him and had to watch him and provide supervision all day when his memory suffered for as long as possible. The most challenging period was not in completing the physical functions, but watching someone who has guided and protected me at one point, but found it difficult to recognise familiar faces, or to remember childhood memories. These were times in which I learned how delicate life is and what an important lesson was made up of compassion when the sound of words and sense start to disappear. Taking care of my grandfather meant I had to have to grow up fast and take it on when I was way older. I learned to stay calm in medical emergencies, patient during an ongoing series of conversations, and to be attentive to minute changes in his behavior that could indicate distress. It wasn't easy to juggle caregiving and my own academic and personal responsibilities, so it taught me discipline, planning and perseverance. I learned so much about priorities and keeping going even when it felt like a great deal was gone because I knew that my participation mattered. The experience similarly showed me the many more difficult issues faced by disabled individuals and the caregivers who care for them. I began to gain a deeper appreciation for the emotional harm that caregiving takes, the need systems and accessible healthcare exist to help people in need and for empathy to exist across our communities. Watching the difference in care and understanding reinforced my desire to advocate for those with cognitive and physical disability who cannot always advocate for themselves. Above all, taking care of my grandfather recast my understanding of love and responsibility. It taught me that care is not synonymous with convenience, but with commitment and dignity. And although his recollection faded from view, the bond we shared remained strong through small acts of kindness, reassurance, and simply being. The process of this journey has greatly influenced my values and character and instilled in me a timeless empathy, perseverance, and sense of purpose. The principles I discovered while caring for my grandfather continue to inform the way that I face challenges, work directly with people I love, and the type of service to others, in my daily life.

As far as rearing children go, bringing them up has been both the most difficult and transformative part of life. Now one year and four months old, being a parent to my baby transformed my outlook on life on an unimaginable level. The moment I became a parent, my priorities changed forever. Each and every choice I make at present is because I want to provide stability, safety, a better future for my child. Parenthood has shown me responsibility, patience and resilience, especially in times when things were so overwhelming exhaustion, uncertainty, fear. It has been challenging to manage the balancing act of raising a small child while building my future. Night after night have been sleepless nights, financial hardships and times when all kinds of mental stress made me doubt whether I can do everything without fail, I doubt if I actually can do it all and sometimes even think of self doubt. But each time, these were just those moments also reinforced my resolve. But I have the right knowledge that my child relies on me not only for love, and my being that much more than just the breadwinner, but I am a role model for them. I want to show my child what perseverance is, of course, to learn that with courage and hard work and determination you can surmount challenges. It’s been also taught me the importance of my understanding of the meaning of care, and the compassion and the importance of doctors for kids and families in general. Juggling the doctor visits, milestones and worries over my baby’s health in development, and the moments of concern that come with them, I began to relate to healthcare professionals anew. I witnessed how reassurance, education and kind care can calm a parent’s fears. Experiences like those strengthened my aspirations for a future in healthcare that would support families in their vulnerable and sensitive times. My interest in the health and medical fields is also based on personal loss and my own life experience. I have seen the toll that gaps in care and lack of understanding, compounded by structural challenges, can take on families especially in underserved communities. My own experience as a parent fueled my desire to be a part of a system that heals rather than ignores people. I want to give care that is patient centered, culturally competent and compassionate. For me, health care is stability and purpose. It is a career in which I can have a solid future for my family whilst being able to do something good for other people. As a mom or daughter for that matter I hear how vital it is to feel seen, heard, affirmed, respected and that your child belongs to you. I just want to be a healthcare practitioner that listens, advocates, and treats every patient like my family. The experience of raising my child has shown me that love is action showing up every day, even when that is hard. It’s that same way that informs my desire to advocate for healthcare. I am following this path not just to support my family, but because I want to show my child that education and compassion and determination can change lives. I want to use healthcare to empower my child to see myself as the hero in the work I do and the values I uphold.

So one of my biggest adversities had to be growing up with loss, and also instability due to addiction. My father and two aunts and my grandmother on my father’s side died of drug abuse. Having experienced this loss in early life meant I had to face pain and uncertainty sooner than most. Back then, I perceived adversity as unfair and overpowering, something that trailed my family as we tried to escape. I would wonder why some loved ones were taken when others were not in those conditions. At first, this was something I had no clear strategy for withstanding. Grief felt paralyzing, and there were times when it was easier to emotionally numb out than to wrestle with pain. It was only after a while that I recognized that there were only two choices: to let those experiences define me in a negative way or to embrace them as motivation to pursue a life of meaning rooted in compassion. Not until that realization did I enter a transformative period. I focused on my education, surrounded myself with people, and learned healthy coping strategies, like journaling and self reflection. That was when I decided to try and institute some stability, rather than having chaos. I threw myself into school and started imagining a future where I could work with those who were hurting the same way my family did. Instead of thinking of addiction and loss only as moral failures, I began to make connections with public health problems as well, ones that were inseparable from trauma, mental health diagnosis, and access to care. And this change in perspective became a source of meaning and direction for me in my adversity. As I thought about the experiences I had had, I had an intense desire to work with children, particularly ill children, or kids traumatized by sickness or from unstable home life. Children are often silent victims of events that are not their fault, just like me. As a nurse who cares for children, I’m a source of comfort, a voice for people who can’t speak up, and also a safety net at some of the most delicate times of people’s lives. And I want to be someone who heals not just the disease, but the emotional and social elements that make a child sick. Confronting adversity brought a significant change to how I viewed life. My view of struggle is no longer something that you get through or you don’t; I’ve been taught lessons, and now it is something in reality that strengthens you. In my own experience, loss has taught me compassion, resilience, and the significance of being present. It showed me how profoundly people need compassion when they find themselves in difficulty. Life is fragile, I now realize. And that fragility makes kindness and service very different matters that are much richer. It led me to nursing and made me very clear on why I want to serve others. I wanted to turn my pain into a healing process and become a nurse working with children in the hope that even in these difficult situations, I can offer kids a sense of being seen, being supported, and being cared for, through nurses who see both their childhood and their own.

Loss has been a defining part of my life since I was young. It is from drug abuse that I have lost my father, two aunts, and my grandmother on my dad’s side of the family. Each loss has brought about its own pain, but they have combined to shape for me the way I perceive the world, myself, and the institutions meant to keep people safe. My grief didn’t come all at once, it came in waves of confusion, anger, sadness and, at times, numbness. Seeing the people I loved suffer from addiction taught me how deep the pain can be hidden under the surface, and how fast people are judged instead of helped. The hardest was losing my father. I would feel anger at the disease that took him and guilt for wanting to do more.. Learning to deal with pain made me develop for years, I learned how to tolerate a pain instead of running from it and how to be strong while I was carrying the pain. I started journaling to hold my emotions in check, when I got a lot at one point in my life. The writing felt like I had a place to feel things that I couldn’t verbalize. Journaling allowed me to process grief, remember, and anger in a positive manner. Although I am yet to learn how to practice mindfulness, quiet contemplation when I write, when I take a breather has brought a lot of force around me in times of such overload. That’s how I became aware of myself; that I couldn’t care for just the physical health, I needed mental and emotional health, too. Loss and addiction are my biggest reasons to want to be in a college and a registered nurse. I have watched this play out firsthand in healthcare African Americans are frequently written off, they are labeled, they are misunderstood, they are simply dismissed because of their struggles. Many of my loved ones did not get the compassion or resources they genuinely needed. As an RN I want to be someone who listens, who advocates, and who brings dignity to every patient in the hospital. I’d like to bridge the gap between healthcare and underserved communities, particularly those scarred by addiction, trauma and systemic disparities. For me, education is not that just personal, it is obligatory. At college, I will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to truly affect people’s lives. It presents an opportunity to prevent cycles in which painful experiences become meaningful service. I see nursing as both a profession and a vocation that is rooted in empathy, cultural sensitivity and advocacy. The biggest influences in my life are my family, especially my maternal grandmother. She opened her own company to help in raising my mother, showing resilience, independence, and courage in the face of life's hardships. Her courage showed me what is possible even when resources are limited. Every day, my mother inspires me with her strength and her ability to carry on despite loss. These were the things which I've had to bear through and although I can say that I have gone through grief, they have helped lead me to be the reason I am. They instilled in me empathy, strength and the importance of making others feel seen and catered for. In every thing I do, my loved ones live on my shoulders, and I want to reflect their love into my career as a nurse.

Growing up with my mother as a single parent was one of the most important experiences of my life. From a young age, I saw what responsibility, perseverance, and resilience look like as she managed life as the sole provider and caregiver. She worked hard to give me opportunities she never had, often giving up her own time and comfort so I could focus on school and my goals. Watching her strength and determination filled me with gratitude and a strong work ethic that still guides me today. My mother stressed the importance of education, even when managing money and responsibilities was tough. Her belief in me pushed me to challenge myself academically. This led to my graduation with honors and making the Dean’s List as a sophomore in college. Keeping up my grades took discipline, especially while balancing classes with extracurricular activities. This success was not just a personal achievement; it reflected the values my mother taught me, such as persistence, accountability, and taking pride in doing my best no matter the situation. Besides academics, track and field played a big role in shaping my character. Competing in track showed me the value of consistency, focus, and mental strength. Qualifying for state, taking part in the Texas Relays, and competing at Texas A&M pushed me outside my comfort zone and demonstrated what I could achieve through dedication. Track became more than just a sport; it helped me learn how to handle pressure, accept constructive feedback, and grow from both successes and failures. The lessons I learned went beyond the track into my academic and personal life. One of the most meaningful realizations I had came when I started working toward my Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification. Entering healthcare showed me the importance of compassion, patience, and empathy. Working for my CNA helped me understand the daily struggles people face and strengthened my desire to help others. I realized that my experience growing up with a single parent prepared me for this path by making me aware of the importance of care, support, and advocacy. Watching my mother’s sacrifices and strength inspired me to become someone others can count on during their most vulnerable moments. This understanding confirmed my long term goal of becoming a Registered Nurse. I view nursing as a career that matches my passion for helping others with my commitment to hard work and continuous learning. Each part of my journey, from being raised by a single mother to excelling in school, competing in sports, and now pursuing a career in healthcare, has shaped how I understand myself and others. These experiences have taught me that resilience is built through challenges, and success has the most meaning when it is used to uplift those around you.

The myriad benefits that nursing brings to communities are indeed plentiful, yet in an attempt to encapsulate their significance, it becomes apparent that there are approximately six distinct examples that highlight the invaluable contributions nurses make to society. 1. Health Education and Promotion- Nurses can use their knowledge to develop and implement community health education programs. These programs can focus on preventive measures, such as proper nutrition, exercise, and disease prevention strategies, to improve overall health outcomes and reduce the burden of chronic diseases within the community. 2. Accessible Healthcare Services- By understanding the healthcare needs of diverse populations, nurses can advocate for and implement initiatives that increase access to healthcare services. This might involve setting up mobile clinics, telemedicine programs, or community health centers in underserved areas to ensure that everyone has access to essential healthcare services. 3. Addressing Health Disparities- Nurses possess the capacity to assume a pivotal role in mitigating health disparities within communities by actively championing for the formulation and implementation of policies and initiatives aimed at fostering health equity. This multifaceted endeavor encompasses a comprehensive approach to addressing the underlying social determinants of health, which encompass but are not limited to economic disparity, limited educational opportunities, and systemic discrimination, all of which significantly influence disparate health outcomes among population groups. 4. Collaborative Partnerships- Nurses can collaborate with other healthcare professionals, community organizations, and government agencies to address community health needs comprehensively. By working together, these stakeholders can pool resources, share expertise, and develop innovative solutions to improve health outcomes and quality of life for community members. 5. Disaster Preparedness and Response- Nurses can use their knowledge and skills to develop disaster preparedness plans and provide emergency response services during natural disasters, disease outbreaks, or other emergencies. This might involve setting up emergency shelters, providing medical care to affected individuals, and coordinating with local authorities to ensure a coordinated response. 6. Advocacy and Policy Development- Nurses can advocate for policies that promote public health and advance the well-being of communities. This might involve lobbying for funding for public health programs, supporting legislation that addresses environmental health issues, or advocating for healthcare reforms that improve access to care for underserved populations. Overall, nurses have a unique opportunity to use their knowledge and skills to make a significant impact on the health and well-being of communities. By focusing on health education, accessibility, equity, collaboration, disaster preparedness, and advocacy, nurses can play a vital role in creating healthier and more resilient communities for all.

In the future I intend to be a nurse and, I believe nursing is a profession deeply rooted in providing care, compassion, and support to individuals in need. Nurses play a crucial role in healthcare, serving as advocates for patients and their families, providing direct patient care, and promoting health and wellness within communities. Community service is a fundamental aspect of nursing practice. Nurses often engage in various forms of community service, such as volunteering at local clinics, participating in health education programs, conducting health screenings, and advocating for public health policies. Through their involvement in community service, nurses contribute to improving the health and well-being of individuals and communities alike. I feel the impact of nursing and community service can be profound. For nurses, engaging in community service allows them to apply their clinical expertise in settings beyond the hospital walls, reaching populations that may have limited access to healthcare. It also provides nurses with opportunities to connect with their communities on a deeper level, fostering trust and collaboration.

If awarded, my approach would be comprehensive and multifaceted, designed to empower patients and their families with the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed nutritional choices that can significantly impact their health outcomes and overall quality of life. First and foremost, I would prioritize the development of comprehensive educational materials tailored to each specific medical condition. These materials would be meticulously curated based on the latest peer-reviewed research, ensuring they provide clear and accessible information on the role of nutrition in both the prevention and management of the condition. For example, in the case of cancer, the emphasis would be placed on incorporating anti-inflammatory foods, antioxidants, and maintaining a healthy weight. Conversely, for heart disease, the focus would shift towards reducing saturated fats, sodium intake, and incorporating heart-healthy nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. In addition to written materials, I would organize and facilitate workshops and seminars where patients and their families could directly engage with healthcare professionals, nutritionists, and experts in the field. These interactive sessions would cover a wide array of topics including meal planning, grocery shopping tips, cooking techniques, label reading, and strategies for overcoming common obstacles encountered when implementing dietary changes. Recognizing the importance of individualized guidance, I would offer personalized consultations for patients and their families. These consultations would provide a platform to delve into their current dietary habits, medical history, preferences, and any challenges they may be facing. By gaining a comprehensive understanding of their unique circumstances, I would work collaboratively with them to develop customized nutrition plans that are tailored to their specific needs, preferences, and goals. Moreover, to ensure sustained success and adherence to the recommended dietary changes, ongoing support mechanisms would be established. This might include regular check-ins, virtual support groups, online resources, and access to a network of healthcare professionals and peer support. By fostering a sense of community and accountability, patients and their families would be more likely to stay motivated and committed to their dietary journey. Evaluation and feedback would serve as integral components of this process. Periodic assessments would allow us to objectively track progress, identify areas for improvement, and make necessary adjustments to the nutrition plans as needed. This iterative approach would ensure that patients and their families receive the continuous support and guidance necessary to optimize their nutritional choices and improve both their quantity and quality of life over time. In summary, my approach would encompass evidence-based education, personalized guidance, ongoing support, and regular evaluation to empower patients and their families to make sustainable dietary changes that can profoundly impact their health and well-being in the long term.

I am deeply driven to pursue a career in nursing because of my profound belief in the transformative power of compassionate care. Nursing, to me, is more than just a profession; it's a calling to serve and support individuals during some of their most vulnerable moments. The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people's lives, even in the midst of adversity, is what fuels my passion for nursing. First and foremost, nursing allows me to merge my love for science and my innate desire to help others. The dynamic nature of the healthcare field provides a platform for continual learning and growth, which aligns perfectly with my personal and professional aspirations. Through nursing, I will have the chance to immerse myself in a diverse range of medical situations, each presenting its own set of challenges and opportunities for growth. Whether it's administering medication, providing emotional support to patients and their families, or collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, I am eager to embrace the multifaceted nature of nursing practice. Moreover, I believe that nursing will foster my personal growth by nurturing qualities such as empathy, resilience, and adaptability. Every interaction with a patient offers a chance to cultivate a deeper understanding of their unique experiences, perspectives, and needs. By embracing these experiences with an open heart and mind, I can develop a greater capacity for empathy and compassion, which are at the core of effective nursing care. Additionally, navigating the complexities of healthcare delivery requires resilience in the face of adversity and the ability to adapt to ever-changing circumstances. Through my journey in nursing, I anticipate encountering both triumphs and challenges that will strengthen my resilience and shape me into a more capable and compassionate healthcare provider. One individual who profoundly inspires me is my grandmother. Despite facing numerous hardships throughout her life, including financial struggles and health setbacks, she has always embodied grace, strength, and unwavering optimism. Her resilience in the face of adversity serves as a constant reminder that challenges are opportunities for growth, and that a positive attitude can make all the difference. Moreover, her selflessness and compassion towards others, even in the midst of her own struggles, exemplify the true essence of empathy and altruism. My grandmother's enduring spirit and unwavering kindness inspire me to approach life's challenges with grace and to always strive to make a positive impact on those around me. Outside of my field of study in nursing, one topic I am eager to explore in college is environmental sustainability. As a global citizen, I recognize the urgent need to address environmental issues such as climate change, pollution, and resource depletion. By gaining a deeper understanding of environmental science and sustainable practices, I hope to contribute to the collective efforts aimed at preserving our planet for future generations. Exploring this topic will not only broaden my perspective but also empower me to make informed choices that promote environmental stewardship in both my personal and professional life. In summary, my passion for nursing stems from a deep-seated desire to serve others with compassion, empathy, and integrity. I am inspired by the resilience and kindness of individuals like my grandmother, who embody the values I aspire to uphold in both my personal and professional endeavors. Furthermore, I am eager to expand my horizons by exploring topics such as environmental sustainability, which hold immense significance in today's interconnected world. Through these pursuits, I am committed to continuous growth, learning, and making a positive impact on the world around me.