Throughout my educational and career journey, there was one woman who left an indelible mark on my aspirations and understanding of compassionate care: a nurse at NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center. During my transformative summer internship, she became not only a mentor but a source of inspiration that has shaped my perspective on the profound impact of competent and compassionate healthcare. As a young individual navigating the complex world of healthcare, my summer internship at NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center was a pivotal experience. Immersed in an environment where resilience and compassion were paramount, I encountered a seasoned nurse whose dedication to her profession was nothing short of remarkable. Her competence and unwavering compassion set her apart, making her not just a healthcare professional but a beacon of inspiration for aspiring individuals like myself. From the beginning, it was evident that she approached her role with a rare combination of expertise and genuine empathy. In the bustling halls of the cancer center, she navigated the intricacies of patient care with a grace that went beyond mere technical proficiency. Her ability to seamlessly blend medical knowledge with genuine human connection and empathy during these hard times was truly admirable. Her impact on me was most profound during an afternoon when I observed her interacting with a terminally ill patient. The patient, overwhelmed by the emotional and physical toll of cancer treatment, seemed to find solace in her presence. I witnessed her not only administer medical care with precision but also offer a compassionate ear and words of encouragement that transcended the clinical setting. In that moment, I realized the transformative power of compassionate care and the profound effect it can have on patients facing the most challenging circumstances. What struck me most about this nurse was her ability to balance the technical demands of nursing with a deep understanding of the emotional needs of her patients. She demonstrated that competent healthcare is not confined to medical procedures alone but encompasses a holistic approach that addresses the emotional and psychological dimensions of illness. Her commitment to providing personalized and compassionate care became a guiding light, shaping my vision of the nurse I aspire to become. Beyond her role as a caregiver, she became an invaluable mentor during my internship. She took the time to share her experiences, providing insights into the challenges and rewards of a career in healthcare. Her guidance went beyond the technicalities of the profession; she imparted invaluable lessons on resilience, empathy, and the importance of cultivating a human connection in the healthcare setting. As I reflect on the impact of her inspiration, I am reminded that the path to becoming a compassionate and competent healthcare professional is not solely defined by academic achievements but by the ability to connect with individuals on a deeply human level. Her influence has fueled my determination to pursue a career in healthcare with a commitment to not only meet the medical needs of patients but to also provide unwavering support and empathy during their most vulnerable moments.

It’s simple, really. One small, seemingly insignificant moment completely changed the path I would decide to continue on. This little girl sitting next to me in the waiting room reminded me of myself as a child, but standing between us was the somber truth that this little girl was in the middle of fighting a horrific battle for her life: cancer. As I sat there in this doctor’s office, the recurring thought in my head was, “How is she still smiling?”. I couldn’t grasp how someone so young with such an aggressive disease could sit patiently in a chair waiting to get chemotherapy with a smile on her face but not a hair on her head. Her innocence was comforting, yet heartbreaking. As she was greeted by name by a nurse, her face lit up and she jumped out of her chair to give this woman a hug. I realized that her positivity was, undoubtedly, partially due to this nurse. Despite the round of chemotherapy she was about to receive, this nurse made her feel like she was going to be okay just from her warmth. The girl’s mother was also visibly comforted by this nurse even though she was being forced to watch her little girl fight for her life. It was this beautifully saddening moment that made me know. This one small occurrence in my life told me my place in the world. I’ve always done whatever I could to make the people around me happy, so much so, that many have said it might also be my biggest flaw. I constantly go out of my way for my loved ones even when I already have too much on my plate because I want to help everyone. That being said, I will go to any length to make the people around me happy. Because of this, I naturally have a caring and compassionate personality which is essential for a career in nursing, along with my warmth, drive, and sense of urgency. Growing up, I visited a lot of family members in the hospital and met many nurses. Most recently, my grandma was in the hospital for pneumonia, on top of spinal cancer, and I was sickened by what I saw. The nurse sat my grandma down in a chair to strengthen her sacrum from the tumor. However, after ten minutes of sitting, she was extremely uncomfortable and in more pain than I had ever seen before. She called for the nurse and there was no answer. I decided to get her and was frustrated to find that she was right outside the door on her phone. When I told her that my grandma needed help getting out of the chair and into the bed she said she would be right there, but I had to go outside three more times before she came in, leaving my grandma in pain for another thirty minutes. I couldn’t bear to see her like that, which only made me more certain of my future career. Not all nurses are caring, compassionate, and selfless, but I know that I will be all these things with every one of my patients. I will never do what that nurse did to my grandmother. Being able to help someone new every day and put a smile on their face is all the reward I need in a career. What better way is there to spend your life?

In the dynamic realm of healthcare, I have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to helping others, grounded in my lifelong passion for nursing. From being a dedicated Patient Care Technician in the Emergency Department to a member of the management team for HuskyTHON, a student-run organization raising funds for Connecticut Children's, reflects not only my skill development but also the transformation of my passions into a lifelong commitment to serving others. My venture into healthcare began as a Patient Care Technician in the ED, a role that exposed me to the raw and often challenging aspects of patient care. This position demanded not only technical proficiency but also emotional intelligence, requiring me to navigate high-stress, fast-paced, situations with empathy and efficiency. As I immersed myself in this role, I honed my interpersonal skills, learning to communicate effectively with diverse patients and their families during times of vulnerability. This experience was pivotal in developing my understanding of the holistic nature of patient care – recognizing that physical well-being is intricately tied to emotional and psychological aspects. Witnessing the tireless dedication of nurses who seamlessly blended clinical expertise with compassion, I found myself even more drawn to this profession. Recognizing the impact that a compassionate nurse can have on a patient's journey was something I experienced for the first time when my grandmother was in the hospital. And from that day on, I started placing myself in every patient and family member's shoes while providing care for them. My commitment to helping others extended beyond the confines of the ED to my involvement in HuskyTHON. Serving as a Director, I found a unique way to contribute to the well-being of children at Connecticut Children's. This volunteer position is not merely a fundraising role, but a way to bring hope to these patients and families going through the unimaginable. Through organizing and participating in events, I witnessed firsthand the resilience of children facing adversity. The funds raised by HuskyTHON provide tangible resources for medical treatment, research, and programs that offer hope to patients and their families. It is in these moments, where I see the impact of collective efforts on the lives of those in need, that my sense of purpose is most profoundly realized. As a nursing student entering my last semester, I recognize the symbiotic relationship between my experiences as a Patient Care Technician and my volunteer work in HuskyTHON. The skills cultivated in the ED – quick decision-making, adaptability, and effective communication – are complemented by the broader perspective gained through engagement with the community. My purpose to help others is not confined to a hospital setting; it extends to the larger community, where I strive to make a lasting impact. As I embark on the path toward nursing, I carry with me the invaluable lessons learned from the ED and the profound impact of my volunteer work, shaping a future where my purpose and passion converge to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.

It’s simple, really. One small, seemingly insignificant moment completely changed the path I would decide to continue on. This little girl sitting next to me in the waiting room reminded me of myself as a child, but standing between us was the somber truth that this little girl was in the middle of fighting a horrific battle for her life: cancer. As I sat there in this doctor’s office, the recurring thought in my head was, “How is she still smiling?”. I couldn’t grasp how someone so young with such an aggressive disease could sit patiently in a chair waiting to get chemotherapy with a smile on her face but not a hair on her head. Her innocence was comforting, yet heartbreaking. As she was greeted by name by a nurse, her face lit up and she jumped out of her chair to give this woman a hug. I realized that her positivity was, undoubtedly, partially due to this nurse. Despite the round of chemotherapy she was about to receive, this nurse made her feel like she was going to be okay just from her warmth. The girl’s mother was also visibly comforted by this nurse even though she was being forced to watch her little girl fight for her life. It was this beautifully saddening moment that made me know. This one small occurrence in my life showed me my place in the world. Once I got to school I immediately joined HuskyTHON: a year-long effort where all proceeds go directly to Connecticut Children’s, a non-profit, freestanding pediatric hospital. The hospital prides itself on never turning away a patient regardless of their ability to pay, always providing them, and their families, with the support and life-saving treatment they need. Our efforts culminate in an 18-hour dance marathon during our spring semester, where over 3,000 of UConn’s most passionate and dedicated students unite to fight to end childhood illness. In this organization, I am an entertainment captain so I get to help make sure that every patient in attendance gets to feel like a regular kid for one night - free of treatments, doctors, hospital rooms, and tests. And getting to see their smiles and playfulness as they run around and have fun is something that will stick with me forever. They're taking their childhood back for just one night, and it's magical. I love it so much that I applied to be a per diem Patient Care Associate at Connecticut Children's this year in hopes that I get to contribute to that carefree feeling every day for them, something that I eventually hope to do full-time, as pediatric oncology is a specialty I would be honored to go into. A life of service was always the plan for me because I always do whatever I can to make the people around me happy and constantly go out of my way for them even when I already have too much on my plate. That being said, I naturally have a caring and compassionate personality which is essential for a career in nursing, along with my warmth, drive, and sense of urgency. One of my most important qualities, however, is to never judge someone when looking from the outside because you never know what they're going through, which seems like something Cindy followed as well with her highly empathic personality. I hope to follow in Cindy's footsteps and put everything I have into my patients' care, because if I can be half the nurse and person it seemed like she was, then I'll be just fine.

While reading about the things Darryl’s loved ones remember most about him, I felt very connected to him as I too have a love for God and a passion for singing and community service. Growing up, I was taught that God’s love could get me through any adversity or hardship I was to face in this life. I went to church every Sunday with my family and attended CCD every Wednesday, furthering my knowledge of God and his ability to heal. During times of uncertainty, it was Him who I turned to to ask for help or a miracle. Once I reached the minimum age, I became an altar server so that I could be involved in mass and feel closer to God than I already did. And after making my Confirmation, I decided to help my mom teach her 2nd grade class and volunteered as an aide so that I could further help young children find their faith as I once had. It was an amazing experience and I am extremely thankful that I had the chance to spread God’s word. Aside from my love of God, I also loved to sing. I joined the chorus in my elementary school and got accepted into the select chorus there and in my middle school. I also auditioned for the school play and got the lead of Maria in the Sound of Music. I never felt better than being on stage and getting to do what I loved with people who became like family. To this day, I love going to Broadway shows and still have a passion for singing and for hearing other talented artists. Community service is also something I enjoy, especially because of my religion. I know how important it is to give back and get involved, and it’s something I have been doing for years. My favorite community service, however, was Relay for Life. Relay for Life is a way to raise money to fund cancer research. In high school, I was a member of the Relay for Life club for two years and then became the president for the next two. Under my leadership, we raised the most money in the club’s history and it made me feel such a sense of pride and helpfulness, like I was truly making a difference. The most exciting thing in this world to me is helping others. Because of this, I decided to study to become a nurse so that I could do that every single day. I want my patients to know that I am selfless, compassionate, trustworthy, responsible, and empathetic towards others. After I graduate and work as an RN for a year, I intend to pursue higher education and receive my MSN. I hope to become either a pediatric oncology nurse or a forensic nurse. I want to be the nurse that makes children and their families have hope, or the nurse who helps victims of trauma and abuse heal and get the justice they deserve. For me, there is too much hate and evil in the world not to dedicate your life to doing good. If I can bring encouragement and comfort to even one person, I will consider my career a success. I plan on giving back to my community by starting a small clinic where people with low incomes can come to when they or their children are sick. Healthcare is so expensive these days that some parents simply can’t afford to take their children to a doctor, and that is not okay to me. I know I can make an impact on this world and I truly believe that when I become a nurse, I will not only help my patients but also society as a whole because of the goodness that I am putting into the world. Nursing is a noble and trusted profession and I know I will prove that to the fullest extent every single day. Giving someone hope, making a patient laugh, or helping a victim get justice, I know I will partake in work that will change lives for the better, including my own.

Overcoming adversity is not the phrase I would use to describe my darkest days and the long road it took for me to see signs of light, but nonetheless, I am no stranger to facing challenges. Was it loss and mourning that kick-started my depression? Only 14 years old and already without three grandparents, a six-year-old cousin, a sister, and close family friends. Or was it my insecurity? Always comparing myself to my friends and struggling with body dysmorphia, seeing an obese body in the mirror instead of the lean figure I now realize I had. Or maybe it was just a hormonal imbalance and none of my life experiences mattered. Whatever the cause, it left me balancing between intense sadness and numbness. The latter was the worse because of my desperate need to feel something...anything. I stopped eating unless I had to. School lunches packed for me by my unknowing mother now went to different pubescent boys who wanted the extra fuel. In the cafeteria, my friends would ask me why I wasn’t eating anything, so I started eating a handful of almonds to stop the questions, and dinner involved pushing food back and forth on my plate, only eating what I had to in order to avoid suspicion. Months into this routine, my mom walked in on me changing and saw the cuts on my thighs. I tried to tell her it was from a thorn bush, but the tears in her eyes told me she knew the truth. She started to cry uncontrollably. I had never felt so horrible before watching her question her competence as a mother. This day changed everything for me. I started going to therapy the next week and finally saw that light I was waiting for. It was hard being in the house because I felt like all eyes were constantly on me, especially when I would be in the bathroom a minute too long. Knocks would come asking if I was okay, making sure I wasn’t cutting. It was tough at first but I knew this attention was just because my family loved me and didn’t want me to hurt myself anymore. I am grateful my mom found me that day and that I chose the therapist I did because I can truly say I see myself in such a positive light now. The road to get here was not easy nor short, but the last four years have taught me how much strength I have and I know now that I can face anything that comes my way. I intend to use this strength to help others by becoming a nurse. After graduating and working as an RN for a year, I intend to pursue higher education and receive my MSN. I hope to become either a pediatric oncology nurse or a forensic nurse. I want to be the nurse that makes children and their families have hope or the nurse who helps victims of trauma and abuse heal and get the justice they deserve. If I can bring encouragement and comfort to even one person, I will consider my career a success. I know I can make an impact on this world. Nursing is a noble and trusted profession and I will prove that to the fullest extent every single day. Giving someone hope, making a patient laugh, or helping a victim get justice, I know I will partake in work that will change lives for the better, including my own.

I cried when my parents sat my sister and me down to tell us we were having money issues. I was only eight years old at the time, and this was the response I had. To this day, I still don't know why. My dad told us that we needed to start limiting our spending and buying only the things that we needed. As an eight-year-old girl, this was hard for me to process. My friends would be wearing expensive clothing, getting new electronics, and going on cool vacations, and I was jealous. It was hard not to be jealous, but every time I wanted something I had to remind myself that there were more important things for my parents to be spending money on. Fast forward 11 years and thankfully we are out of that rut we were once in. We all pitched in to save money and with responsibility and self-control, we only bought what was needed. I would like to say that we are now living comfortably and get to spend money on anything, but this is not the case. With my sister just graduating from college, and my parents making sacrifices for me to attend the school I am at now, money is still tight. It would mean everything to me to be able to help out with the loans they are responsible for. I am currently working a full-time job of 40 hours a week to help them, yet it is still nowhere near enough. They are the hardest working people I know and deserve a break, but that break is nowhere in sight. Please help me change that.

Because of my lengthy height and my athletic father, I was bound to play a sport, and I will always be grateful that basketball was the one to make its way into my life. It all started in second grade while I was playing with my neighbor in her yard, and her mother informed me of a recreational basketball league. I ran to my house to beg my mom to let me play, and she agreed. I never would have guessed that this moment would spark a period of personal growth over the next decade of my life and shape my future. At first, I only pursued basketball because I thought it would be an opportunity to have fun with my friends, but I suddenly found myself getting emotionally attached to this sport--feeling upset when I would lose and on top of the world when I won. The following year, I decided to play up a division because I craved the challenge of the competition that it would provide. From then on, my love and passion for and dedication to basketball only grew. As I got older and more serious about playing, I had to start missing family events, holidays, and time with my friends. Before long, I was playing on four different teams, always running to practices, and traveling hours for games and tournaments. Although I did not always want to put basketball first, I knew I had made a commitment and would honor it at all costs. This was the first big lesson basketball taught me—to always honor a commitment and stay true to my word, even if other opportunities arise. Because of the many hours I invested into basketball, I also had to learn to manage my time properly. It was not important when I was younger, but once I began middle school and had heavy workloads of homework each night, I realized that I needed to utilize every free second I had in order to complete my assignments on time and at a reasonable hour. I had always been a driven and hardworking student, and basketball was not going to alter that. If anything, these traits were only enhanced on the court and in my assignments. Since the alternative--not completing my assignments--was never an option, I spent many nights over my high school years doing homework past midnight, and, occasionally as late as three o’clock in the morning. After playing for ten years, I made lasting friendships with my teammates. It takes teamwork and chemistry to win games; players must come together and root for each other’s success if they want to ensure the team’s success. Having teammates in my corner showed me the importance of respect, selflessness, support, and loyalty in relationships, while also creating a sense of security. Basketball was a constant in my life and allowed me to achieve personal growth and development. The principles it taught me extended far beyond the court. As displayed by my roles in high school as president of Relay for Life and the Italian Honor Society, and team captain of the basketball team, basketball helped me become a leader. I also developed an unwavering commitment to my grades, as I balanced my time between my job, basketball, and other activities. I will now use these principles to pursue my career goals in the nursing profession, a combination of art and science. So, while I do have a love for the actual game of basketball, I have more of a love for the ways it molded me into the person I am today and influenced my future.

Tiffany Dyckman, an art teacher at Lakeland High School, is the kind of teacher who challenges her students instead of letting them take the easy way out, but is also someone that anyone can go to on a rough day. Whether they are her student or not, she will let them sit in her classroom and vent, or pour their emotions out into their art. I heard other students rave about Mrs. Dyckman, but I could not understand how one teacher could make such a difference in someone’s life; that is until I had Mrs. Dyckman myself. Going into my junior year, I wanted to take an art class since I had multiple AP and honors level courses on my schedule already. I chose photography on my sister’s recommendation because she loved it and wound up majoring in it. While shooting my first roll of film I remember being extremely self conscious, worried that Mrs. Dyckman would expect too much of me just because my sister had a natural gift for picture-taking. When we made our contact sheets in class and I handed mine to Mrs. Dyckman, her jaw dropped. She looked up at me and said that she had never seen someone hand in that good of a roll for the first project. I remember feeling so proud of my work as she talked to me about what she liked in each picture I took. After that day, I felt like I had a reputation to uphold, but Mrs. Dyckman encouraged all of us to take risky photos because she said that art is all about taking chances and going with your gut feeling. When our contact sheets showed the effort we put into our photo taking, she was proud of us, and when they revealed a rushed roll of film due to forgetfulness or lack of caring, she called us out on it. She knew everyone was at different levels of skill which is why she would grade us more on effort and hard work than the actual pictures themselves. I remember there was one picture that gave me a run for my money. I must have used 12 pieces of paper trying to print the perfect one. I came out of the darkroom feeling defeated after my fourth failure, but Mrs. Dyckman pushed me to get back in there because I had worked too hard to quit and because it would be worth it in the end. She told me that I had to fail in order to truly feel successful. So, I got back in there and kept making adjustments with her help until it was exactly how I wanted it to be. When I finished, it was the perfect picture and I was so grateful that she pushed me to keep trying. At that point in my life, my poor mental health was taking its toll on me. I was slacking off in school and was not my usual bubbly self. Mrs. Dyckman picked up on this and pushed me to get back on track. She had just the right balance of compassion and tough love, and it was exactly what I needed. Because of her constant caring and her glowing letter of recommendation for my college applications, I am exactly where I am supposed to be right now. I am attending an amazing university, studying for my dream career, and done struggling with mental illness. Without all of the lessons she taught and ways she influenced me, I truly do not know where I would be.

Questions about college and my future were suddenly bombarding me. Guidance counselors, teachers, friends, family members, all asking. I decided to make an extensive list of possible majors and colleges to go along with them. Among them were psychology, social welfare, education, criminology, and probably over 50 colleges. I spent an entire year editing this list based on tuition, distance from home, and other personal preferences, but little did I know that this was futile. The summer going into my senior year, I had to go to a hematology office to get blood taken, which also doubled as a pediatric oncology unit. While in the waiting room, a little girl sat down next to me. She reminded me of myself as a child, happy and playful, but standing between us was the somber truth that this girl was in the middle of fighting a horrific battle for her life. As I sat there, the recurring thought in my head was, “How is she still smiling?”. I could not grasp how someone so young with such an aggressive disease could sit patiently in a chair waiting to undergo chemotherapy with a smile on her face, but not a hair on her head. Her innocence was comforting, yet heartbreaking. As she was greeted by a nurse, her face lit up and she jumped out of her chair to hug this woman. I realized that her positivity was partially due to this nurse, who made her feel like she was going to be okay. The girl’s mother was also visibly comforted by her even though she was being forced to watch her child fight this disease. It was this beautifully saddening moment that told me what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. Everything started to make sense and I finally felt excited about my future, rather than anxious thatI was making the wrong choice. When I got my acceptance letter from the University of Connecticut, one of the top nursing schools in the country, I was overcome with emotions. I knew that this school would be the stepping stone to help me achieve my goals in education and life. I aspire to be like the person I saw in that waiting room: the nurse who was selfless, compassionate, trustworthy, responsible, and empathetic towards others. After graduating and working as an RN for a year, I intend to pursue higher education and receive my MSN. I hope to become either a pediatric oncology nurse or a forensic nurse I want to be the nurse that makes children and their families have hope, or the nurse who helps victims of trauma and abuse heal and get the justice they deserve. For me, there is too much hate and evil in the world not to dedicate your life to doing good. If I can bring encouragement and comfort to even one person, I will consider my career a success. I know I can make an impact on this world. I truly believe that when I become a nurse, I will not only help my patients but also society as a whole because of the goodness that I am putting into the world. Nursing is a noble and trusted profession and I know I will prove that to the fullest extent every single day. Giving someone hope, making a patient laugh, or helping a victim get justice, I know I will partake in work that will change lives for the better, including my own.