Nursing, to me, is more than a profession—it is a commitment to showing up for people during their most vulnerable moments with knowledge, compassion, and resilience. My passion for nursing grew from both personal experiences and my academic journey, shaping my desire to become a nurse who not only provides clinical care but also advocates for patients’ dignity, comfort, and trust in the healthcare system. Growing up, I witnessed how meaningful compassionate care can be through my grandmother, who struggled with chronic migraines. While medical treatments helped manage her condition, what stayed with me most was the reassurance she felt when caregivers listened patiently and treated her with empathy rather than rushing her concerns. That human connection—being seen and understood—sparked my early interest in healthcare. I realized that healing is not only about medicine but also about presence, reassurance, and advocacy, all of which are central to nursing. As a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) student at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, I have maintained a 4.0 GPA while actively engaging in service-oriented opportunities that reflect my dedication to this field. Volunteering as a tour guide for the Health Sciences Complex Preview Day and participating in Student Nurses Association (SNA) events—such as holiday card-making for patients and foster care awareness programs—have reinforced my belief that nurses play a critical role beyond hospital walls. These experiences taught me the importance of community engagement, teamwork, and addressing healthcare needs holistically. My academic training has strengthened my critical thinking skills and reinforced my drive to provide evidence-based, patient-centered care. Nursing challenges me intellectually while fulfilling my desire to serve others, making it the perfect intersection of science and compassion. In a time when the nursing shortage threatens patient outcomes nationwide, I am motivated to be part of the solution—by committing myself fully to this demanding yet deeply rewarding profession. Throughout my career, I hope to work directly with patients in clinical settings, particularly in areas where education and advocacy are essential to improving health outcomes. As an international student and Illinois resident, I am especially passionate about caring for diverse populations and bridging gaps caused by language barriers, cultural differences, or limited health literacy. My long-term goal is to grow into a leadership role where I can mentor future nurses, promote patient advocacy, and contribute to improving healthcare accessibility and quality. The Mary Alice Kramer Aspiring Nurse Scholarship honors a lifetime of service and compassion—values I strive to embody every day as a nursing student. Receiving this scholarship would not only support my educational journey but also strengthen my commitment to carrying forward the legacy of nurses like Mary Alice Kramer, whose dedication made a lasting difference in countless lives. I am determined to become a nurse who leads with empathy, competence, and unwavering dedication to the well-being of others.

Nursing is more than a profession to me. It is the path that brings together all the pieces of who I am—where I come from, what I’ve been through, and the kind of person I strive to be. My decision to pursue nursing was shaped by the challenges I faced, the sacrifices my family made, and a deep desire to care for others in their most vulnerable moments. I was born into a middle-class family where every opportunity was earned through hard work and quiet perseverance. My mother is my biggest inspiration. She carried the weight of our family with grace, always putting our needs ahead of her own. She worked long hours, made endless sacrifices, and reminded me through her actions that strength does not always have to be loud. Sometimes, it looks like staying up late to help with homework after a 12-hour shift or smiling even when life feels overwhelming. She never gave up on me, and I carry that same spirit with me every day. I am the first in my family to study abroad, and that decision did not come easily. Leaving home, family, and everything familiar was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I arrived in the United States with two suitcases and a heart full of hope. I had no support system, only a dream. More than the physical weight of my bags, it was my determination that I carried most heavily. That determination has been my anchor through long nights of studying, part-time jobs, and moments of loneliness that come with being far from home. My passion for nursing comes from a place of love. Back home, I volunteered at local clinics where I saw firsthand how deeply people suffer when healthcare is out of reach. I remember one mother who brought in her child far too late because she could not afford care. I held her hand while she cried. That moment stayed with me. It reminded me that nursing is not just about medical knowledge. It is about showing up for people when they feel lost, afraid, or forgotten. That is the kind of nurse I want to be. Reading about Rose Browne moved me deeply. Her story reminds me that strength and compassion can live in the same heart. To raise children, work full-time, and still pursue multiple nursing degrees takes a kind of courage that goes beyond words. I see a piece of her story in my own—working through exhaustion, balancing responsibilities, and still choosing to keep going because someone out there needs your care. With my degree, I hope to serve communities that are often overlooked. I want to work in public health and create access to care for people who feel left behind. I want to educate, to advocate, and to listen. I believe nursing can heal beyond medicine, and I want to be part of that healing. This scholarship would help lighten the financial burden I carry, but more than that, it would be a symbol of encouragement. It would remind me that I am not alone on this journey and that there are people who believe in the power of compassion and care. Nursing is not just something I want to do. It is who I am becoming—with every step, every lesson, and every life I hope to touch.

When I decided to leave my home country to study nursing in the United States, I knew I was choosing a harder path. I had no family here, no safety net, and no promises—just a deep belief that I could turn my passion for helping others into something meaningful. I came to Illinois with two suitcases, a heart full of fear and excitement, and the quiet hope that this journey would not only change my life, but one day help me change the lives of others. More than the suitcases, it was my determination that weighed the most. I come from a middle-class family and am the first in my family to pursue an education abroad. It was not a simple decision. There were doubts, financial worries, and cultural barriers waiting for me on the other side of the world. But there was also a dream. A dream to become a nurse, to learn everything I could about caring for people, and to bring that knowledge and compassion back to the communities that need it most. Adjusting to life in the U.S. hasn’t been easy. From day one, I faced the pressure of adapting to a new culture, maintaining high academic performance, and working part-time jobs to support myself. There were moments when I felt overwhelmed and homesick. There were nights I cried quietly after studying for hours, wondering if I really had what it takes. But every time I felt like giving up, I thought of why I started. I thought of the patients waiting for someone to listen, to care, to understand. I reminded myself that the path to becoming a nurse was never supposed to be easy—it was supposed to be worth it. What inspires me most about Ellen’s story is that she never let her diagnosis define her limits. She loved to learn, to help, and to serve—despite what others said she couldn’t do. That spirit lives in every nursing student who chooses to keep going in the face of difficulty. I see her courage reflected in my own struggles and in the quiet victories I’ve achieved so far. Throughout my journey, my passion for learning and helping others has been the foundation of my resilience. I love learning not just for the sake of knowledge, but because every concept, every clinical experience, brings me one step closer to being the kind of nurse who makes people feel safe and seen. I believe that learning is a lifelong commitment, especially in nursing, where every piece of knowledge can change a life. With my degree, I hope to work in community health—particularly in underserved or low-income areas where people often go without proper care. I want to provide both treatment and education, so patients are empowered to care for themselves and their families. I want to be the kind of nurse who listens closely, acts with compassion, and makes every patient feel like they matter—because they do. Receiving this scholarship would not only ease the financial burden I carry, but it would be a meaningful connection to Ellen’s legacy. Her story reminds me that no challenge is too big when your heart is set on helping others. Like Ellen, I plan to use every lesson, every hardship, and every moment of growth to make a lasting difference in this world

When I left my home country to study in the United States, I carried two heavy suitcases. But what weighed even more was the responsibility I felt—the dreams of my family, the expectations of my community, and the determination I had to build something greater than myself. More than the suitcases, my ambition was heavier and stronger. As a first-generation student from a middle-class background, choosing to study abroad was not just about pursuing a degree. It was a bold decision to step into the unknown with the hope of coming back with the tools to make a real difference. I am currently pursuing my undergraduate degree in nursing. I chose this path because healthcare is not just a profession. It is a lifeline. In my home country, access to quality medical care is limited, especially in rural areas. People often go untreated because they cannot afford care or because there are no medical professionals nearby. Some women give birth without trained support. Some children suffer from treatable conditions that become life-threatening because help is simply too far away. I do not want to accept that as normal. My dream is to return home and change that reality. I want to open a community-based health center in an underserved region. I envision a space where people can walk in and receive respectful, affordable care. I want to offer preventive services, maternal and child health programs, chronic disease management, and above all, education. I believe that long-term impact begins with knowledge. If people understand their health, they can take control of their lives. I want to make that knowledge accessible. But I do not want to stop there. I want to collaborate with local health authorities, train young healthcare workers, and bring global standards of care into under-resourced communities. I want to create something sustainable, something that grows even after I am gone. That is the kind of legacy I hope to build. And I know that my education in the U.S. is the foundation for it. This journey has not been easy. As an international student, I face financial pressure, cultural barriers, and the loneliness of being far from family. Some days are overwhelming. I am still afraid of the challenges ahead of me, but I am prepared to face them. I remind myself why I started. I think of the mothers in my hometown who walk miles for care. I think of the students who dream of a better life but don’t know where to start. I want to be a reason they believe change is possible. Receiving this scholarship would relieve some of the financial weight I carry, but more than that, it would be a recognition of my purpose. It would remind me that I am not walking this path alone, and that others believe in the work I want to do. I came here with two suitcases and a vision. Now, with each class, each clinical hour, and each challenge I overcome, I am moving closer to making that vision real. My education is not just for me. It is for every person back home waiting for something to change. I want to be that change. And I will be.

When I first stepped off the plane in the United States, I carried only two suitcases. But more than the heavy suitcases, my determination was much heavier and stronger. Inside those bags were not just clothes and books, but all the hopes, fears, and dreams of a young woman who had left everything familiar behind to chase an education abroad. Like Malgorzata “Maggie” Kwiecien, I moved to the U.S. alone, without a support system, guided by one belief: that education could change my life. It was a bold and uncertain decision, but one that has shaped who I am today. I’m a first-generation college student from a middle-class family, currently pursuing my undergraduate degree in nursing. I’m also the only member of my family to study abroad. Leaving home wasn’t easy—financially or emotionally—but I knew I had to take that leap if I wanted to build the life I imagined. Since arriving in the U.S., I’ve had to learn how to navigate a new culture, a different academic system, and the quiet challenges of living far from home. I am still afraid of the challenges ahead of me, but I am prepared to face them. Every obstacle has made me stronger, more independent, and more determined. What inspires me most about Maggie’s story is her fearless, adventurous spirit. She didn’t just survive in a new country; she thrived. She climbed mountains, explored the world, mastered her career, and never backed down from a challenge. That courage is something I try to carry with me every day. While I’ve chosen a different path healthcare instead of engineering I see the same values in my work. I want to be the kind of nurse who doesn’t just treat illness but brings strength and compassion into every patient’s experience. I want to speak up for those who can’t, to lead with empathy, and to always keep learning. Like Maggie, I believe that knowledge is power. I've spent countless late nights in the library, balancing part-time jobs while keeping up with a demanding course load. Financial pressure is a constant reality, but it has never held me back. If anything, it’s fueled my drive to work harder. I want to succeed not only for myself, but for every young girl back home who thinks that studying abroad is impossible. I want to show them that it isn’t that with hard work, courage, and belief in yourself, it can be done. Maggie’s story speaks to me not only because of our shared experience as international women in the U.S., but because of the way she lived with passion, intelligence, and bravery. I may not be a skier or mountain climber, but I’ve climbed personal mountains of fear, doubt, and loneliness. Each one has made me more grounded, more grateful, and more ready for the future I’m building. Receiving this scholarship would mean more than financial support. It would be a reminder that I’m not alone in this journey, and that there’s strength in every step forward even the difficult ones. Like Maggie, I want to live a life that is bold, meaningful, and full of impact. I came here with two suitcases and a dream, and while the road still scares me, I’m ready to walk it with purpose, heart, and courage.

From a young age, I found myself drawn to the quiet moments of care the ones that often go unnoticed. I remember sitting beside my mom’s hospital bed as a nurse gently explained her medications, pausing to hold her hand when she seemed overwhelmed. That nurse didn’t just administer treatment; she offered dignity, reassurance, and humanity. I didn’t know it then since I was still young and scared if anything happens to my mom. So, I would spend the rest of my life chasing that same standard of care. My name is Chija Gurung, and I’m currently a sophomore pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. I identify as female, and I hold a cumulative GPA of 4.0. I am also the first person in my family to attend college, and the only one to pursue my studies abroad. As a girl from a middle-class family, choosing to leave home and study nursing in a foreign country was not an easy decision but it was one I made with purpose. Despite the challenges, I am ready to face anything that comes my way, because I believe that meaningful goals require meaningful sacrifice. My journey toward nursing began long before I stepped into a college classroom. Growing up in a medically underserved rural community, I saw how access to healthcare or the lack of it could define someone’s quality of life. I also saw how nurses became advocates, educators, and lifelines for patients who felt forgotten. That inspired me to become someone who could provide both clinical excellence and compassionate care. I chose nursing not only because of the science and challenge it offers, but because it allows me to be present in some of the most vulnerable moments in a person’s life. There is an intimacy in nursing that few professions share: we hold hands through diagnoses, translate complicated medical terms into human language, and show up day after day for those who feel alone. Like Susan Rita Murray, whose legacy I deeply admire, I aspire to be the kind of nurse whose presence brings calm, whose dedication inspires trust, and whose compassion remains long after the shift ends. After graduation, my goal is to work in acute care or an CRNA, ideally in a hospital that serves low-income populations. I am especially passionate about improving outcomes for patients with chronic kidney disease. Inspired by Sue’s career in dialysis, I’ve begun shadowing nephrology nurses at my local clinic. What strikes me most is not just the technical expertise required, but the emotional resilience and empathy needed to support patients through long and often painful treatments. I want to be that support system. Long term, I plan to pursue a nurse practitioner degree and bring specialized care to rural communities like the one I grew up in. Many of my neighbors have to drive hours just to see a specialist, which often leads to skipped appointments and unmanaged conditions. I want to change that reality not just by treating illness, but by educating patients and building trust within the community. Receiving this scholarship would be more than financial support; it would affirm my journey and potential as a future nurse. Inspired by Sue’s legacy, I strive to bring compassion, dedication, and purpose to every patient I serve. I’m committed to continuing her impact; one patient at a time.