My decision to become a nurse was impacted in many ways by my life, but one event particularly stands out. I was in the ER with terrible abdominal pain, frightened and unsure what was occurring. The hospital environment, not knowing and waiting, and the pain I was in were all so frightening. In walked a nurse with a calm, friendly face. She altered the mood for me immediately. Her voice and smile made me feel as though I was loved, almost like being home rather than being in a hospital bed in pain. What struck me most was not only the medical attention she provided, but the humanity she brought into the room. She took the time to talk with me outside of the procedures, explaining to me how she became a nurse. She spoke of nursing school, the ups and downs she experienced, and the hours she spent at the hospital. This took my focus off my pain and gave me reassurance during a vulnerable time. She made what could have been a frightening experience into an inspiring one. That encounter stayed with me long after I left the ER. I knew what she offered extended beyond clinical knowledge, she offered empathy, solace, and understanding. It was then that I began to value the unique role nurses have. Not only are they providers of health care but also advocates, listeners, and pillars of strength when patients are most vulnerable. How she could make me feel cared for and safe under the situation showed me the great difference a nurse can bring into someone's life. The second life-changing experience was when my sister delivered her first baby boy. There were complications, and he had to stay in the NICU, and I was present with her in the immediate days after labor. Seeing her cope with the exhaustion, tension, and euphoria of new motherhood while her newborn was in intensive care made me aware of another aspect of the value of nursing. I saw how nurses both attended to my nephew physically and reassured and comforted my sister at one of the most vulnerable times of her life. Being next to her made my respect for nurses grow even more and my desire to be one even more. These instances were my inspiration to pursue nursing. I want to be that presence for others, the one who not only provides care but also compassion, reassurance, and hope. Apart from those instances, I have always been satisfied with helping others, whether in school, in the workplace, or volunteering. My own values of empathy, responsibility, and service led me to a profession where I would be able to use both my academic capabilities and personal concern for people. As I look to my own future with nursing, I hold these memories with me as a reminder of the type of nurse that I want to be. I would like patients to feel not just that they are getting good medical attention, but also that they are helped, respected, and consoled during their most vulnerable times. Lastly, life experience has shown me that nursing is not a profession, but a calling to serve, to heal, and to touch lives in ways that extend well beyond medicine.

1.) I am someone who has always been motivated by serving others and finding purpose in service. I was naturally inclined towards the types of positions that would allow me to care for people as I was growing up, whether through helping peers, customer service, or holding leadership positions such as being secretary for National Honor Society. My nurse sister has also been an enormous inspiration, showing me how compassion and knowledge can actually change lives. My compassion, dedication, and responsibility have shaped both myself as a student and as a human being. Adapting to overcome adversity, such as health issues that prevented me from competing in sports, taught me resilience and channeled my energy into school and a health profession. I found myself enjoying the study of anatomy and physiology, statistics, and nutrition, where there was science that translated to real-world health and well-being. These encounters further stimulated my passion for a career in nursing and eventually becoming a nurse practitioner. I dream of uniting my problem-solving skills, communication skills, and leadership skills with the earnest intention of infusing comfort and care. My life so far has taught me that health involves not just the body but also empathy, dignity, and human connection. 2.) To me, empathy is the ability to understand, share, and respond to another's experience and feelings. Empathy in health care is not a kind thing to do, it is a critical skill that affects patients' perception of care. Empathy is about listening actively, validating concerns, and treating each patient as a person, not a diagnosis. In nursing, empathy can revolutionize the patient experience. An empathetic nurse can relieve fear, decrease anxiety, and establish trust, directly affecting health outcomes. For instance, patients are more apt to comply with treatment regimens and speak candidly when they feel heard and respected. Empathy also solidifies the relationship between providers and families, fostering an environment where care is perceived as human, not transactional. To me, empathy also comes from my own experience. Working as an EKG technician and in other health care professions has shown me how patients usually come in anxious or vulnerable. Being able to explain a procedure in non-technical terms or offer reassurance can turn the entire experience around. Those experiences reminded me that medicine can cure the body but empathy heals the whole person. Maintaining my actions by human-centeredness means maintaining the values, dignity, and needs of the patient at the core of all of my decisions. This includes active listening, cultural competence, and advocating on behalf of patients' voices in their care plans. It means knowing myself, accepting my own biases, taking a moment during high-stress moments, and recognizing that each patient should be treated with the same respect and kindness I would want for my own family. Ultimately, it was empathy that initially brought me to the field of nursing. It is the marriage of science and humanity, the art that turns procedure into care and patient into person we truly care for. Grounding my future career in empathy, I hope to heal, but also to establish trust, comfort, and hope in every person I encounter.

1.) I am motivated to be a nurse by both personal experience and a strong sense of calling to serve and care for others. Growing up, I watched my sister become a nurse and was struck by her compassion, knowledge, and the positive impact she had on patients' and families' lives. Her devotion altered my own worldview regarding how much nurses are needed, not only to heal disease but also to provide comfort in some of life's most precarious moments. I have always enjoyed working with people and feel a fulfillment in assisting others. At school, at work, or as a volunteer, I have always been attracted to jobs where I can assist, guide, and motivate others. Nursing, to me, is the perfect blend of science, technique, and empathy. It requires not only technical expertise but also patience, empathy, and the ability to communicate with people from all backgrounds and situations. The second driving force towards studying this area of study is my intense love for healthcare and continuous learning. I enjoy pushing myself to think harder and know that nursing will allow me to learn anew each day while broadening my understanding of the human body, medical technology, and patients. Most importantly, nursing allows me to be an eternal source of reassurance and hope for others. That is the kind of job I want to spend my life doing. To be a nurse is not only a job; it is a calling to combine my skills, my morals, and my compassion to touch the lives of people every day. 2.) The phrase "human touch" to me is empathy, compassion, and caring that go beyond medical care in medicine. It is the presence of mind to see patients not just as cases or diagnoses but as human beings with fears, hopes, and histories. Although medical science and technical competence are requirements in nursing, the "human touch" is what heals care. The "human touch" can be expressed in a variety of ways—through a reassuring smile, taking the time to listen to a patient's concerns, or simply holding someone's hand when they are most in need. These small acts inspire confidence and provide assurance to patients that they are looked after and valued. To one who is in pain or uncertainty, this touch can be a solace that medicine cannot. In caring for patients, the "human touch" also includes treating people with respect and dignity. It consists of being patient, culturally sensitive, and being able to communicate kindly and clearly. For example, a nurse may explain a procedure in simple language so that a patient can be involved in decisions about care. All these can reduce anxiety, empower patients, and enhance health outcomes. Research has shown that patients who actually feel cared for improve more quickly, are more compliant with treatment routines, and have higher satisfaction with their treatment. That shows that healing is not just physical but also emotional and mental—and nurses play a huge part in that whole process. To me, "human touch" is what nursing is all about. It is the integration of clinical expertise and compassionate presence that lets patients feel secure, valued, and cared for as human beings. By incorporating this philosophy into my practice, I hope to make an impact in individuals' lives, not just providing medical attention but also with comfort and dignity that each patient should be accorded.

A situation where I actually exemplified the pillar of being hungry occurred when I served as a student intern on the STEAM team and prepared a white paper for simulations. Although I had limited experience with technical writing or simulations, I was quite eager to learn how I could meaningfully contribute. As such a project would determine some main future goals and their implications that the team would carry and work for, it demanded determination, a very active and proactive approach, not being satisfied with only regular endeavors. To further the expectations, I engaged a couple of purposeful steps: dedicated time out of regularly attended meetings to extensive research inclusive, academic articles, industry published material, and case studies related to simulation methods necessary to create a knowledge baseline. This not only put me in a position where I could write with authority, but it also helped me understand innovative approaches that would prove beneficial to the paper. Along the way, I solicited feedback from my mentors and peers through every step of the process. I embraced constructive criticism as an opportunity for refinement in order to deliver a white paper that is as comprehensive and complete as possible. I also made the necessary initiative to work with team members on related tasks, helping in any way possible. When a colleague struggled to format data visualizations, for instance, I volunteered to help-even though it was outside the scope of my responsibilities. This helped promote teamwork and ensured that every aspect of the project was executed at the highest level. Because clear communication was paramount, I had to rewrite sections countless times to make the document concise yet comprehensive. I sought to ensure that stakeholders could easily understand the recommendations and, consequently, enhance the impact of the paper. By the end of my internship, the white paper had grown beyond the initial expectations of the team. It was used as a reference for all future simulation initiatives, helping secure additional resources and support from various stakeholders. Beyond the document itself, my efforts inspired greater collaboration within the team, setting a standard for high-quality work and mutual accountability. This experience taught me persistence, adaptability, and the hunger for excellence. It showed me that going that extra mile—be it through extensive research, collaboration, or even feedback—can make a huge difference in the results. The skills and mindset I developed during this experience are qualities I bring into every aspect of my life, particularly as I pursue a career in nursing. As a future nurse, I will continue to implement the hunger to grow, improve, and give meaningful contributions to my patients and teams. I can say that I will exceed the expectations of my patients through my representation, mastering new medical technologies, or even by being of assistance to colleagues-just as I did at this point in my journey with the STEAM team. This drive to excel enables me to make a lasting and positive difference for the people and organizations I serve.

I am currently in my first year of college pursuing my career in nursing, something which I feel is directly in line with my desires to serve and care for others. This wasn't always so, however. Growing up, I wanted to be an attorney. I was drawn to the idea of advocating for people, solving complex problems, and working to ensure justice. It seemed to be a perfect fit for my skills in communication, leadership, and critical thinking. I could imagine myself standing in the courtroom, defending others and making a difference. However, as I grew older and life experience was added, I realized that my passion was deeply rooted in helping others in a more personal and hands-on way. A pivotal influence in this realization was my sister, who is a nurse. Watching her excel in her career and the impact she had on her patients was eye-opening. She often shared stories of how her role went beyond treating physical ailments-she provided comfort, advocacy, and emotional support to those in need. Her ability to connect with people and make a tangible difference inspired me to explore healthcare more seriously. My "aha" moment came during a challenging time in my own life. An unexpected health issue brought my volleyball career to an end, and for the first time, I found myself in a vulnerable position as a patient. The experience was really humbling and eye-opening. The nurses who cared for me weren't just medical professionals; they were pillars of support and compassion. They listened to me, allayed my many fears, and at that time in need showed how much they cared about the patient. The impression has continued to stay on in my psyche and planted in me this interest in nursing. Continuing my education furthered my interest in medicine when I started taking such classes as medical terminology, nutrition, and science. Classes which indeed fueled my academic curiosity, yet also solidified my intent on a career that will permit me to integrate medicine with a great interest in helping people. Such were the reasons that made nursing fall perfectly within the ambit of my strength, ranging from teamwork to empathetic and problem-solving activities. Today, I am all in on this path. Nursing combines the advocacy I once sought as an attorney with the hands-on, personal connection that I now realize fulfills me. Our journeys show us that sometimes our paths change, but each step shapes us. I'm excited to answer this calling and commit myself to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.