My journey to nursing started with a simple sentence: “It's all in your head.” That is what the fifth doctor told me when I explained that my ankle had been filled with searing pain for over a year. The doctor gave me a boot and sent me away. I spent another year in constant pain and it compromised my ability to be a competitive swimmer. The frustration, pain, and longing for a more efficient and compassionate healthcare experience was very real. We ended up back at the pediatrician’s office and she suggested we seek another opinion. I was initially wary; however, it turned out to be the best decision we could have made. “It's right there!” said Dr. Den Hartog, the orthopedic surgeon who specializes in torn syndesmosis explained. I spent two years in and out of his office and he made me feel understood and cared for. While the fourth surgery fixed the problem in my ankle, it forced me to shift my focus from being a competitive athlete to someone determined to change the way patients are treated. Dr. Den Hartog inspired me to seek a career in healthcare to do for others, what he did for me. For the longest time, I knew I wanted to advocate for others. From my 6 years of experience, I knew that I loved babysitting, volunteering and being a teaching assistant, but I did not know a way to connect these interests with my interests in business, advocacy, and medicine. My work experiences and time with Dr. Den Hartog were two of the keys to shaping my future career aspirations in becoming a healthcare professional. The third key came later that year out of a terrifying experience. “He is having a heart attack.” I recall answering my moms’ phone and hearing my dad say from the background to the nurse “that’s my daughter, ask for my wife.” I gave my mom the phone and I could hear the nurse say, “we have your husband and are transporting him to a level 1 cardiac unit.” At that moment I felt my heart drop. Questions flashed through my brain: What was happening? Could something like this really happen to my dad? Would I walk down the aisle at my wedding alone? Heart attacks had claimed the lives of my grandmother, my aunt, and one of my cousins; however, this time was different. During his hospital stay, my dad interacted with many health care professionals, but none made as much of a difference in his recovery as the nurses who took care of him. They were experts at understanding what my dad needed physically, but also emotionally. It reminded me a little of myself, working with the elderly at the nursing home and using a sense of humor to diffuse serious situations. In the future I plan to use my medical expertise and compassion to make sure my patients get what they need. They say, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” My experiences, from that life-altering day when my dad’s health was questionable to my time as a patient, have given me a clear focus and a desire to improve the healthcare system. My drive to make change is personal. By pursuing a dual path in nursing and healthcare management, I will be a catalyst for change in an industry grappling with disparities within the system. While the compassionate care of nurses is vital, there is an equally critical need for innovation and effective management within healthcare. I found this scholarship on bold.org when searching for nursing student scholarships

My name is Claire Duncan and I am an incoming sophomore at Boston College studying nursing. My journey to nursing started with a simple sentence: “It's all in your head.” That is what the fifth doctor told me when I explained that my ankle had been filled with searing pain for over a year. The doctor gave me a boot and sent me away. I spent another year in constant pain and it compromised my ability to be a competitive swimmer. The frustration, pain, and longing for a more efficient and compassionate healthcare experience was very real. We ended up back at the pediatrician’s office and she suggested we seek another opinion. I was initially wary; however, it turned out to be the best decision we could have made. “It's right there!” said Dr. Den Hartog, the orthopedic surgeon who specializes in torn syndesmosis explained. I spent two years in and out of his office and he made me feel understood and cared for. While the fourth surgery fixed the problem in my ankle, it forced me to shift my focus from being a competitive athlete to someone determined to change the way patients are treated. Dr. Den Hartog inspired me to seek a career in healthcare to do for others, what he did for me. For the longest time, I knew I wanted to advocate for others. From my 6 years of experience, I knew that I loved babysitting, volunteering and being a teaching assistant, but I did not know a way to connect these interests with my interests in business, advocacy, and medicine. My work experiences and time with Dr. Den Hartog were two of the keys to shaping my future career aspirations in becoming a healthcare professional. The third key came later that year out of a terrifying experience. “He is having a heart attack.” I recall answering my moms’ phone and hearing my dad say from the background to the nurse “that’s my daughter, ask for my wife.” I gave my mom the phone and I could hear the nurse say, “we have your husband and are transporting him to a level 1 cardiac unit.” At that moment I felt my heart drop. Questions flashed through my brain: What was happening? Could something like this really happen to my dad? Would I walk down the aisle at my wedding alone? Heart attacks had claimed the lives of my grandmother, my aunt, and one of my cousins; however, this time was different. During his hospital stay, my dad interacted with many health care professionals, but none made as much of a difference in his recovery as the nurses who took care of him. They were experts at understanding what my dad needed physically, but also emotionally. It reminded me a little of myself, working with the elderly at the nursing home and using a sense of humor to diffuse serious situations. In the future I plan to use my medical expertise and compassion to make sure my patients get what they need. They say, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” My experiences, from that life-altering day when my dad’s health was questionable to my time as a patient, have given me a clear focus and a desire to improve the healthcare system. My drive to make change is personal. By pursuing a dual path in nursing and healthcare management, I will be a catalyst for change in an industry grappling with disparities within the system. While the compassionate care of nurses is vital, there is an equally critical need for innovation and effective management within healthcare.

My name is Claire Duncan and I am an incoming sophomore at Boston College studying nursing. My journey to nursing started with a simple sentence: “It's all in your head.” That is what the fifth doctor told me when I explained that my ankle had been filled with searing pain for over a year. The doctor gave me a boot and sent me away. I spent another year in constant pain and it compromised my ability to be a competitive swimmer. The frustration, pain, and longing for a more efficient and compassionate healthcare experience was very real. We ended up back at the pediatrician’s office and she suggested we seek another opinion. I was initially wary; however, it turned out to be the best decision we could have made. “It's right there!” said Dr. Den Hartog, the orthopedic surgeon who specializes in torn syndesmosis explained. I spent two years in and out of his office and he made me feel understood and cared for. While the fourth surgery fixed the problem in my ankle, it forced me to shift my focus from being a competitive athlete to someone determined to change the way patients are treated. Dr. Den Hartog inspired me to seek a career in healthcare to do for others, what he did for me. For the longest time, I knew I wanted to advocate for others. From my 6 years of experience, I knew that I loved babysitting, volunteering and being a teaching assistant, but I did not know a way to connect these interests with my interests in business, advocacy, and medicine. My work experiences and time with Dr. Den Hartog were two of the keys to shaping my future career aspirations in becoming a healthcare professional. The third key came later that year out of a terrifying experience. “He is having a heart attack.” I recall answering my moms’ phone and hearing my dad say from the background to the nurse “that’s my daughter, ask for my wife.” I gave my mom the phone and I could hear the nurse say, “we have your husband and are transporting him to a level 1 cardiac unit.” At that moment I felt my heart drop. Questions flashed through my brain: What was happening? Could something like this really happen to my dad? Would I walk down the aisle at my wedding alone? Heart attacks had claimed the lives of my grandmother, my aunt, and one of my cousins; however, this time was different. During his hospital stay, my dad interacted with many health care professionals, but none made as much of a difference in his recovery as the nurses who took care of him. They were experts at understanding what my dad needed physically, but also emotionally. It reminded me a little of myself, working with the elderly at the nursing home and using a sense of humor to diffuse serious situations. In the future I plan to use my medical expertise and compassion to make sure my patients get what they need. They say, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” My experiences, from that life-altering day when my dad’s health was questionable to my time as a patient, have given me a clear focus and a desire to improve the healthcare system. My drive to make change is personal. By pursuing a dual path in nursing and healthcare management, I will be a catalyst for change in an industry grappling with disparities within the system. While the compassionate care of nurses is vital, there is an equally critical need for innovation and effective management within healthcare.

My name is Claire Duncan and I am an incoming sophomore at Boston College studying nursing. My journey to nursing started with a simple sentence: “It's all in your head.” That is what the fifth doctor told me when I explained that my ankle had been filled with searing pain for over a year. The doctor gave me a boot and sent me away. I spent another year in constant pain and it compromised my ability to be a competitive swimmer. The frustration, pain, and longing for a more efficient and compassionate healthcare experience was very real. We ended up back at the pediatrician’s office and she suggested we seek another opinion. I was initially wary; however, it turned out to be the best decision we could have made. “It's right there!” said Dr. Den Hartog, the orthopedic surgeon who specializes in torn syndesmosis explained. I spent two years in and out of his office and he made me feel understood and cared for. While the fourth surgery fixed the problem in my ankle, it forced me to shift my focus from being a competitive athlete to someone determined to change the way patients are treated. Dr. Den Hartog inspired me to seek a career in healthcare to do for others, what he did for me. For the longest time, I knew I wanted to advocate for others. From my 6 years of experience, I knew that I loved babysitting, volunteering and being a teaching assistant, but I did not know a way to connect these interests with my interests in business, advocacy, and medicine. My work experiences and time with Dr. Den Hartog were two of the keys to shaping my future career aspirations in becoming a healthcare professional. The third key came later that year out of a terrifying experience. “He is having a heart attack.” I recall answering my moms’ phone and hearing my dad say from the background to the nurse “that’s my daughter, ask for my wife.” I gave my mom the phone and I could hear the nurse say, “we have your husband and are transporting him to a level 1 cardiac unit.” At that moment I felt my heart drop. Questions flashed through my brain: What was happening? Could something like this really happen to my dad? Would I walk down the aisle at my wedding alone? Heart attacks had claimed the lives of my grandmother, my aunt, and one of my cousins; however, this time was different. During his hospital stay, my dad interacted with many health care professionals, but none made as much of a difference in his recovery as the nurses who took care of him. They were experts at understanding what my dad needed physically, but also emotionally. It reminded me a little of myself, working with the elderly at the nursing home and using a sense of humor to diffuse serious situations. In the future I plan to use my medical expertise and compassion to make sure my patients get what they need. They say, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” My experiences, from that life-altering day when my dad’s health was questionable to my time as a patient, have given me a clear focus and a desire to improve the healthcare system. My drive to make change is personal. By pursuing a dual path in nursing and healthcare management, I will be a catalyst for change in an industry grappling with disparities within the system. While the compassionate care of nurses is vital, there is an equally critical need for innovation and effective management within healthcare.

My name is Claire Duncan and I am an incoming sophomore at Boston College studying nursing. My journey to nursing started with a simple sentence: “It's all in your head.” That is what the fifth doctor told me when I explained that my ankle had been filled with searing pain for over a year. The doctor gave me a boot and sent me away. I spent another year in constant pain and it compromised my ability to be a competitive swimmer. The frustration, pain, and longing for a more efficient and compassionate healthcare experience was very real. We ended up back at the pediatrician’s office and she suggested we seek another opinion. I was initially wary; however, it turned out to be the best decision we could have made. “It's right there!” said Dr. Den Hartog, the orthopedic surgeon who specializes in torn syndesmosis explained. I spent two years in and out of his office and he made me feel understood and cared for. While the fourth surgery fixed the problem in my ankle, it forced me to shift my focus from being a competitive athlete to someone determined to change the way patients are treated. Dr. Den Hartog inspired me to seek a career in healthcare to do for others, what he did for me. For the longest time, I knew I wanted to advocate for others. From my 6 years of experience, I knew that I loved babysitting, volunteering and being a teaching assistant, but I did not know a way to connect these interests with my interests in business, advocacy, and medicine. My work experiences and time with Dr. Den Hartog were two of the keys to shaping my future career aspirations in becoming a healthcare professional. The third key came later that year out of a terrifying experience. “He is having a heart attack.” I recall answering my moms’ phone and hearing my dad say from the background to the nurse “that’s my daughter, ask for my wife.” I gave my mom the phone and I could hear the nurse say, “we have your husband and are transporting him to a level 1 cardiac unit.” At that moment I felt my heart drop. Questions flashed through my brain: What was happening? Could something like this really happen to my dad? Would I walk down the aisle at my wedding alone? Heart attacks had claimed the lives of my grandmother, my aunt, and one of my cousins; however, this time was different. During his hospital stay, my dad interacted with many health care professionals, but none made as much of a difference in his recovery as the nurses who took care of him. They were experts at understanding what my dad needed physically, but also emotionally. It reminded me a little of myself, working with the elderly at the nursing home and using a sense of humor to diffuse serious situations. In the future I plan to use my medical expertise and compassion to make sure my patients get what they need. They say, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” My experiences, from that life-altering day when my dad’s health was questionable to my time as a patient, have given me a clear focus and a desire to improve the healthcare system. My drive to make change is personal. By pursuing a dual path in nursing and healthcare management, I will be a catalyst for change in an industry grappling with disparities within the system. While the compassionate care of nurses is vital, there is an equally critical need for innovation and effective management within healthcare.

My name is Claire Duncan. I am an incoming sophomore at Boston College studying nursing. My journey to nursing started with a simple statement: “It's in your head.” That is what the fifth doctor told me when I explained that my ankle had been filled with searing pain for over a year. The doctor gave me a boot and sent me away. I spent another year in constant pain and it compromised my ability to be a competitive swimmer. The frustration, pain, and longing for a more efficient and compassionate healthcare experience was very real. We ended up back at the pediatrician’s office and she suggested we seek another opinion. I was initially wary; however, it turned out to be the best decision we could have made. “It's right there!” said Dr. Den Hartog, the orthopedic surgeon who specializes in torn syndesmosis explained. I spent two years in and out of his office and he made me feel understood and cared for. While the fourth surgery fixed the problem in my ankle, it forced me to shift my focus from being a competitive athlete to someone determined to change the way patients are treated. Dr. Den Hartog inspired me to seek a career in healthcare to do for others, what he did for me. For the longest time, I knew I wanted to advocate for others. From my 6 years of experience, I knew that I loved babysitting, volunteering and being a teaching assistant, but I did not know a way to connect these interests with my interests in business, advocacy, and medicine. My work experiences and time with Dr. Den Hartog were two of the keys to shaping my future career aspirations in becoming a healthcare professional. The third key came later that year out of a terrifying experience. “He is having a heart attack.” I recall answering my moms’ phone and hearing my dad say from the background to the nurse “that’s my daughter, ask for my wife.” I gave my mom the phone and I could hear the nurse say, “we have your husband here and we are transporting him to a level 1 cardiac unit.” At that moment I felt my heart drop. Questions flashed through my brain: What was happening? Could something like this really happen to my dad? Would I walk down the aisle at my wedding alone? Heart attacks had claimed the lives of my grandmother, my aunt, and one of my cousins; however, this time was different. During his hospital stay, my dad interacted with many health care professionals, but none made as much of a difference in his recovery as the nurses who took care of him. They were experts at understanding what my dad needed physically, but also emotionally. It reminded me a little of myself, working with the elderly at the nursing home and using a sense of humor to diffuse serious situations. In the future I plan to use my medical expertise and compassion to make sure my patients get what they need. They say, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” My experiences, from that life-altering day when my dad’s health was questionable to my time as a patient, have given me a clear focus and a desire to improve the healthcare system. My drive to make change is personal. By pursuing a dual path in nursing and healthcare management, I will be a catalyst for change in an industry grappling with disparities within the system. While the compassionate care of nurses is vital, there is an equally critical need for innovation and effective management within healthcare.

“It's all in your head.” That is what the fifth doctor told me when I explained that my ankle had been filled with searing pain for over a year. I knew the pain was real but being told that there was no physical reason for my pain shook my confidence in myself. I spent another year in constant pain and it compromised my ability to be a competitive swimmer. The frustration, pain, and longing for a more efficient and compassionate healthcare experience was very real. My pediatrician suggested we seek another opinion I was initially wary; however, it turned out to be the best decision we could have made. “It's right there!” said Dr. Den Hartog explained. I spent two years in and out of his office and he made me feel understood and cared for. While the fourth surgery fixed the problem in my ankle, it forced me to shift my focus from being a competitive athlete to someone determined to change the way patients are treated. Dr. Den Hartog inspired me to seek a career in healthcare to do for others, what he did for me. For the longest time, I knew I wanted to care for and advocate for other people. From my 6 years of experience, I knew that I loved babysitting, volunteering and being a teaching assistant, but I did not know a way to connect these interests with my interests in business, advocacy, and medicine. My work experiences and time with Dr. Den Hartog were two of the keys to shaping my future career aspirations in becoming a healthcare professional. The third key came later that year out of a terrifying experience. “It appears as though he is having a heart attack.” I recall answering my moms’ phone and hearing my dad say from the background to the nurse “that’s my daughter, ask for my wife.” I gave my mom the phone and I could hear the nurse say, “we have your husband here and we are transporting him to a level 1 cardiac unit.” At that moment I felt my heart drop. Questions flashed through my brain: What was happening? Could something like this really happen to my dad? Would I have a dad to be at my highschool graduation? Would I walk down the aisle at my wedding alone? Heart attacks had claimed the lives of my grandmother, my aunt, and one of my cousins; however, this time was different. During his hospital stay, my dad interacted with many health care professionals, but none made as much of a difference in his recovery as the nurses who took care of him. They were experts at understanding what my dad needed physically, but also emotionally. It reminded me a little of myself, working with the elderly at the nursing home and using a sense of humor to diffuse serious situations. In the future I plan to use my medical expertise and compassion to make sure my patients get what they need. They say, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” My experiences, from that life-altering day when my dad’s health was questionable to my time as a patient, have given me a clear focus and a desire to improve the healthcare system. My drive to make change is personal. By pursuing a dual path in nursing and healthcare management, I will be a catalyst for change in an industry grappling with disparities within the system. While the compassionate care of nurses is vital, there is an equally critical need for innovation and effective management within healthcare.