I have wanted to be a nurse ever since I was little. I encountered many health challenges and was very sick until my early twenties. As a teenager, I underwent seven major surgeries, did school from a hospital room and had to quit my favorite hobbies that would have sent me to college on a scholarship. To keep from getting severely depressed, I would watch shows such as "Trauma life in the Er", "Mystery Diagnosis" etc. I would watch how the nurses and doctors helped these patients and I knew from that moment on, the only way I could "keep going " was to turn my pain into purpose. I would tell myself every day that one day I would be able to help people. I would be able to be there for them when they are recovering from surgery, in pain that is barely touched by medicine etc. Not only can I sympathize but I can empathize. I remember my neurosurgeon telling me that one day I would work for him. Even at a young age, others saw my heart and my purpose. It took me seven years to complete my Bachelor's degree because I was so sick but I NEVER gave up. I didn't get my degree in nursing originally because I was too sick to even attend school. I had to choose a degree that was fully online. I still knew nursing was my purpose. Over the years my disability improved significantly and I knew the time was now for me to finally step into my purpose as a nurse. I plan to do dual enrollment so I will graduate as an RN and BSN. I will then apply to the NP program at local colleges. I went back to school last year to retake classes that were more than 5 years old since the nursing program requires them to be up to date. Not only did I finish with a 4.0 GPA, but I also did that while working full-time and being a mom to two children. I finished with over a 100 in all the class (Anatomy, Micro etc). There isn't much I can say to get a donor to "like me" or even "know me" but if I could finish with one thing it would be to say pain with purpose yields relationships and results that can't be taught. I have no doubt everything I went through was to prepare me to be one of the best nurses for my future patients. Being able to say, "I understand" with sincerity and empathy isn't a bedside manner that is taught or learned. It is experienced and that experience usually comes from years of pain and unanswered questions. I am ready to fly, I am ready to set my years of chronic pain into action, and I am ready to walk alongside others during the most trying time they might ever experience. I appreciate your considering me for a grant and I promise to strive for my best every single day I am in the classroom and on clinical rotations. The Lord has given me a second chance at life and I will take full advantage of it. Best Regards, Cassandra Ragazzoni

I have wanted to be a nurse ever since I was little. I encountered many health challenges and was very sick until my early twenties. As a teenager, I underwent seven major surgeries, did school from a hospital room and had to quit my favorite hobbies that would have sent me to college on a scholarship. To keep from getting severely depressed, I would watch shows such as "Trauma life in the Er", "Mystery Diagnosis" etc. I would watch how the nurses and doctors helped these patients and I knew from that moment on, the only way I could "keep going " was to turn my pain into purpose. I would tell myself every day that one day I would be able to help people. I would be able to be there for them when they are recovering from surgery, in pain that is barely touched by medicine etc. Not only can I sympathize but I can empathize. I remember my neurosurgeon telling me that one day I would work for him. Even at a young age, others saw my heart and my purpose. It took me seven years to complete my Bachelor's degree because I was so sick but I NEVER gave up. I didn't get my degree in nursing originally because I was too sick to even attend school. I had to choose a degree that was fully online. I still knew nursing was my purpose. Over the years my disability improved significantly and I knew the time was now for me to finally step into my purpose as a nurse. I plan to do dual enrollment so I will graduate as an RN and BSN. I will then apply to the NP program at local colleges. I went back to school last year to retake classes that were more than 5 years old since the nursing program requires them to be up to date. Not only did I finish with a 4.0 GPA, but I also did that while working full-time and being a mom to two children. I finished with over a 100 in all the class (Anatomy, Micro etc). There isn't much I can say to get a donor to "like me" or even "know me" but if I could finish with one thing it would be to say pain with purpose yields relationships and results that can't be taught. I have no doubt everything I went through was to prepare me to be one of the best nurses for my future patients. Being able to say, "I understand" with sincerity and empathy isn't a bedside manner that is taught or learned. It is experienced and that experience usually comes from years of pain and unanswered questions. I am ready to fly, I am ready to set my years of chronic pain into action, and I am ready to walk alongside others during the most trying time they might ever experience. Everday I have to be mindful of my mental health by remembering I have purpose through the roughest days. I see my doctor multiple times a year to "check in" and let him evaluate my mental health. I appreciate your considering me for a grant and I promise to strive for my best every single day I am in the classroom and on clinical rotations. The Lord has given me a second chance at life and I will take full advantage of it. Best Regards, Cassandra Ragazzoni

I have wanted to be a nurse ever since I was little. I encountered many health challenges and was very sick until my early twenties. As a teenager, I underwent seven major surgeries, did school from a hospital room and had to quit my favorite hobbies that would have sent me to college on a scholarship. To keep from getting severely depressed, I would watch shows such as "Trauma life in the Er", "Mystery Diagnosis" etc. I would watch how the nurses and doctors helped these patients and I knew from that moment on, the only way I could "keep going " was to turn my pain into purpose. I would tell myself every day that one day I would be able to help people. I would be able to be there for them when they are recovering from surgery, in pain that is barely touched by medicine etc. Not only can I sympathize but I can empathize. I remember my neurosurgeon telling me that one day I would work for him. Even at a young age, others saw my heart and my purpose. It took me seven years to complete my Bachelor's degree because I was so sick but I NEVER gave up. I didn't get my degree in nursing originally because I was too sick to even attend school. I had to choose a degree that was fully online. I still knew nursing was my purpose. Over the years my disability improved significantly and I knew the time was now for me to finally step into my purpose as a nurse. I plan to do dual enrollment so I will graduate as an RN and BSN. I will then apply to the NP program at local colleges. I went back to school last year to retake classes that were more than 5 years old since the nursing program requires them to be up to date. Not only did I finish with a 4.0 GPA, but I also did that while working full-time and being a mom to two children. I finished with over a 100 in all the class (Anatomy, Micro etc). There isn't much I can say to get a donor to "like me" or even "know me" but if I could finish with one thing it would be to say pain with purpose yields relationships and results that can't be taught. I have no doubt everything I went through was to prepare me to be one of the best nurses for my future patients. Being able to say, "I understand" with sincerity and empathy isn't a bedside manner that is taught or learned. It is experienced and that experience usually comes from years of pain and unanswered questions. I am ready to fly, I am ready to set my years of chronic pain into action, and I am ready to walk alongside others during the most trying time they might ever experience. I want to bring a family practice into our small town/community. Being able to serve the underprivileged and provide them with top quality health care is my main mission. Everyone deserves quality healthcare. I appreciate your considering me for a grant and I promise to strive for my best every single day I am in the classroom and on clinical rotations. The Lord has given me a second chance at life and I will take full advantage of it. Best Regards, Cassandra Ragazzoni

I have wanted to be a nurse ever since I was little. I encountered many health challenges and was very sick until my early twenties. As a teenager, I underwent seven major surgeries, did school from a hospital room and had to quit my favorite hobbies that would have sent me to college on a scholarship. To keep from getting severely depressed, I would watch shows such as "Trauma life in the Er", "Mystery Diagnosis" etc. I would watch how the nurses and doctors helped these patients and I knew from that moment on, the only way I could "keep going " was to turn my pain into purpose. I would tell myself every day that one day I would be able to help people. I would be able to be there for them when they are recovering from surgery, in pain that is barely touched by medicine etc. Not only can I sympathize but I can empathize. I remember my neurosurgeon telling me that one day I would work for him. Even at a young age, others saw my heart and my purpose. It took me seven years to complete my Bachelor's degree because I was so sick but I NEVER gave up. I didn't get my degree in nursing originally because I was too sick to even attend school. I had to choose a degree that was fully online. I still knew nursing was my purpose. Over the years my disability improved significantly and I knew the time was now for me to finally step into my purpose as a nurse. I plan to do dual enrollment so I will graduate as an RN and BSN. I will then apply to the NP program at local colleges. I went back to school last year to retake classes that were more than 5 years old since the nursing program requires them to be up to date. Not only did I finish with a 4.0 GPA, but I also did that while working full-time and being a mom to two children. I finished with over a 100 in all the class (Anatomy, Micro etc). There isn't much I can say to get a donor to "like me" or even "know me" but if I could finish with one thing it would be to say pain with purpose yields relationships and results that can't be taught. I have no doubt everything I went through was to prepare me to be one of the best nurses for my future patients. Being able to say, "I understand" with sincerity and empathy isn't a bedside manner that is taught or learned. It is experienced and that experience usually comes from years of pain and unanswered questions. I am ready to fly, I am ready to set my years of chronic pain into action, and I am ready to walk alongside others during the most trying time they might ever experience. I appreciate your considering me for a grant and I promise to strive for my best every single day I am in the classroom and on clinical rotations. The Lord has given me a second chance at life and I will take full advantage of it. Best Regards, Cassandra Ragazzoni