To tell a little about myself, I grew up in a large family with 8 other siblings. I am the third child in line, therefore, I got to experience six of my siblings being born. The first time I experienced this, I was 8 years old. I went to as many of my mother's appointments as possible. I believe that I knew that nursing was my calling when I was able to experience my mother fully going through childbirth when she had my 8-year-old brother. I was thirteen so I believe that my mother felt I was ready to stay for the entire experience. This time, I could see more than just my mother being put on the monitors. I was able to see her nurses working around her to ensure that she had what she needed and prioritizing her safety. I watched her nurses comfort her in one of her most vulnerable stages of life and that is when I knew. I remember being in middle school, on the bus telling my best friend that I wanted to be a nurse and I have been pursuing that goal since then. When I become a nurse, I want to be like the nurses that my mother had. I have heard so many horror stories about nurses being poor to people and I want to change that image. Before, I did not even know how much I took for granted having great nurses. However, I do believe that them being so great at their jobs is what pulled me into becoming like them. I want to be that nurse who advocates for my patients and changes the narrative. I want to be the nurse that everyone is happy to see. I understand that being in a hospital is one of the last places anyone wants to be so if I can help make that experience just a little bit better, I will do everything in my power to do that. Despite knowing at an early age that I wanted to be a nurse, this journey has not been easy. Earning this scholarship would truly change so many things for me. Since I have been in the nursing program at Tennessee State University, I have had to pay over a thousand dollars each semester to cover the books and supplies that I need. It has been a tireless struggle. Because my mother has 8 other children to take care of, she is not able to contribute to the funding of my school expenses. Because of this, I am forced to work tirelessly without help. This past semester, I worked from December 15th until January 11th. I worked 163.15 hours with only 4 off days, and that was still almost not enough to cover what I needed. I have not been able to have true breaks from school because I always have to go home and work to support myself in school. I truly work so very hard in school and I never get a chance to take a break and bask in the success that I have created for myself, thus far. Being awarded this scholarship would truly give me the opportunity to branch out and explore nursing opportunities during my school breaks instead. I am truly just so passionate about nursing and I want to be able to explore that more.