I did not grow up seeing many examples of people who looked like me pursuing higher education, so I decided to become one. As a first-generation college student and second-degree nursing student returning to school, I understand how powerful it is to simply be seen doing something different. My journey to nursing has not been straightforward. I have faced rejection in higher education, including being denied acceptance into a nursing program. That experience was discouraging and led to a period of major imposter syndrome. I began to question whether I truly belonged in this space or if I was capable of succeeding at this level. Instead of letting those doubts stop me, I chose to confront them. I used that rejection as motivation to strengthen my application and return more prepared. That experience taught me resilience and showed me that self-doubt does not define my ability or my future. Being the first in my family to pursue college has come with challenges, but it has also given me a deep understanding of how important representation and access are. I am already breaking barriers, not just for myself, but for the people around me who are watching my journey. I believe that inspiration in Black and brown communities starts small. It does not begin on a large platform or through celebrity influence. It begins in the home and in the neighborhood, through everyday examples that feel real and attainable. I see this firsthand within my own family. My niece is the daughter of a GED recipient and a high school dropout, and just watching me go to school has already sparked her interest in higher education. She asks questions, she pays attention, and she is beginning to see college as something that could be part of her future. That kind of influence may seem small, but it is powerful. It shows that exposure alone can begin to change generational patterns. Outside of my family, I notice these moments in everyday life. Riding public transit to school, I have had brief interactions with school-age kids who notice that I am in scrubs or carrying my books. In those moments, I am reminded that visibility matters. When young people see someone in their community who looks like them pursuing education, it reinforces that they belong in those spaces too. It sends a quiet but important message that success is not distant or unattainable. While media and public figures can be inspiring, I believe lasting motivation comes from consistent, everyday visibility. It comes from people within the community showing up and doing the work. It is built through small interactions, conversations, and examples that feel relatable. As I continue my education and move forward in nursing, I plan to inspire other first-generation students by being intentional about my presence and my story. I want to mentor younger students, share my experiences openly, and remind them that their background does not limit their future. I especially want to normalize conversations around self-doubt and imposter syndrome, because I know how isolating that feeling can be. Feeling like you do not belong does not mean you are not capable. It often means you are stepping into spaces that were not always designed with you in mind, and that alone is powerful. Being a first-generation student is more than a personal achievement. It is a responsibility and an opportunity to use my journey not only to build a better future for myself, but to open doors for others and remind them that they can walk through those doors too.

Rejection, uncertainty, and being overlooked are experiences that have shaped both my path to nursing and my purpose within it. One obstacle I’ve had to overcome has been taking a nontraditional path to nursing. As a second-degree student returning to school, my journey hasn’t been straightforward. I’ve faced rejection from a nursing program before, and at the time, it was discouraging. It made me question myself and whether I was good enough to pursue this path. Instead of giving up, I used that experience as motivation to strengthen my application, gain more hands-on experience, and deepen my understanding of what it truly means to be a nurse. That resilience has become one of my greatest strengths. Through both my work in healthcare and my own life, I’ve had to face the reality of healthcare disparities. I’ve cared for patients who delayed treatment because they couldn’t afford it, didn’t have transportation, or struggled to access basic resources. I also experienced this personally. For a period of time, I was dealing with ongoing symptoms that were not immediately taken seriously, and it took longer than it should have to get clear answers. Eventually, I was diagnosed with a host of ovarian and uterine conditions and had to have my right ovary and fallopian tube removed, along with a 12 cm ovarian mass. That experience was scary and frustrating, not just because of the diagnosis itself, but because of the uncertainty and delay leading up to it. It forced me into the patient role and showed me how vulnerable it feels to not be heard right away. It also made me realize how important it is to have providers who listen, advocate, and take concerns seriously the first time. I remember caring for a patient with uncontrolled diabetes who was rationing his medication because of cost. Moments like that, combined with my own experience, stayed with me. They showed me that nursing is about more than just clinical skills. It is about understanding the bigger picture and advocating for patients in ways that go beyond the hospital. As a Black woman, this is something that feels especially personal to me. I’ve seen how these disparities impact communities like mine, and it is a big part of why I’m so committed to this career. All of these experiences have shaped my decision to pursue nursing and the kind of nurse I want to become. I’ve learned that setbacks do not define me. They help me grow. I’ve become more confident in my ability to adapt, stay persistent, and keep moving forward even when things do not go as planned. Nursing, for me, is not just a career, but a way to make a real difference. Receiving this scholarship would make a huge difference in my journey. As someone going back to school for a second degree, the financial pressure is real, and this support would allow me to focus more on my education and clinical training. More importantly, it would support my ability to continue working toward my goal of serving underserved communities and advocating for better access to care. This scholarship would not just support my education, but the impact I plan to make as a nurse.