My decision to pursue a healthcare career, specifically as a nurse practitioner, is rooted in personal experience and a growing academic interest in how healthcare systems and policies shape health equity. Growing up in a low-income household with a single mom battling both breast cancer and a substance use disorder, I witnessed firsthand how unequal access to essential services can alter the course of a person’s life. When my mom was diagnosed with cancer, she had to postpone rehab services simply because she could not afford both. Though both types of treatment were technically available, the financial barriers made pursuing them simultaneously impossible. That experience shaped my understanding of healthcare as a system that often treats care as a privilege rather than a basic right. It also fueled my commitment to becoming a provider who can advocate for more accessible, equitable healthcare. As I continued my education, my interest in healthcare deepened, particularly in understanding its historical development and the persistent disparities that continue to affect underrepresented and marginalized communities. Indigenous peoples, racial minorities, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals have faced exclusion from quality care or have been subjected to unethical medical practices throughout history. Even today, outdated biases still influence patient outcomes. I saw this clearly during an EMT course I took in high school. My instructor shared his old medical books from his collection with me, and while reading them, I was struck by the stereotypes and gender bias embedded in what should have been objective resources. One diagnostic textbook described “Emotional Immaturity: Hysterical Personality” using language that portrayed women as overly emotional, sexual, and manipulative, a clear reflection of outdated views that have shaped patient care for decades. This moment reinforced my understanding that healthcare disparities are not just systemic but are also perpetuated through flawed knowledge and attitudes within the field itself. These experiences are what drew me to nursing, a profession uniquely positioned to address both individual patient needs and broader systemic challenges. I have seen how nurses consistently serve as advocates for their patients while also contributing to research, education, and policy reform. One of my professors, who served on her state’s board of nursing and helped advance policies protecting trans youth, demonstrated how nursing combines clinical care with leadership and advocacy, qualities I hope to develop throughout my career. Currently, I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a focus on public health. This fall, I will participate in my university’s study abroad program while working toward a minor in international relations. I am especially interested in understanding how other countries manage public health with limited resources and how their strategies can inform more equitable healthcare in the U.S. Additionally, I plan to volunteer in the Dominican Republic through a university-sponsored health initiative. I draw personal inspiration from leaders like Marguerite Barankitse of Maison Shalom in Burundi, whose work exemplifies how compassion and community-driven solutions can transform healthcare for those most in need. In the long term, I hope to pursue graduate education to become a nurse practitioner. As a woman entering the healthcare field, I am especially committed to advancing research and policies that better reflect the needs of women and underrepresented groups, particularly in areas like mental health and chronic disease management. Through clinical practice, research, and policy advocacy, I want to be part of building a healthcare system that reflects the realities and meets the needs of the diverse communities it serves.

Growing up, I was known as the quiet kid, always eager to help. I still remember how proud I was to win the “Smile Award” in elementary school, a small reminder of the person I was trying to be for others, even when things felt overwhelming at home. After losing her sister in 2009, my mom fell into a deep depression and began using alcohol to cope. After my parents’ divorce, I was raised by my mom, and though I was just a child, I felt responsible for her well-being. I took on a caregiver-like role for her and my siblings, doing my best to create stability despite the constant tension in our home. It was an exhausting and isolating time. With support from my other aunt, my mom eventually entered rehab and has now been sober for two years. While I’m grateful for her progress, those experiences left a lasting emotional impact that I continue to work through. Over the past seven years, I’ve struggled with severe depression and anxiety. Still, I’ve held on to a steady determination to move forward, and that resilience led me to pursue nursing. I’ve seen how trauma, untreated mental illness, and substance abuse can affect families, especially when support systems are absent. I want to become the kind of healthcare professional who offers that support, someone who advocates for others and provides steady, compassionate care. Mental health care hasn’t always been accessible to me. Financial barriers and college pressures made prioritizing my needs difficult. For a long time, I pushed those struggles aside to focus on taking care of others. But during my first year of college, I realized that wasn’t sustainable. Though it was hard, I started therapy, began medication, and built healthier routines. Opening up to my family was another important step. While their advice came from concern, it often felt like surface-level solutions (“go outside more” or “just try to stay positive”), overlooking the depth of what I was experiencing. That kind of oversimplification, especially from those closest to you, can make moving forward harder. It also reflects a broader issue: a lack of education and empathy around mental health. Mental health shouldn’t be treated as an afterthought, and no one should have to reach a crisis point before receiving care. I want to help build a healthcare system and culture that recognizes mental and emotional well-being as central to overall health. I’m currently pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, where I’ve gained a deeper understanding of systemic gaps impacting patient care. One of my professors, who served on her state’s Board of Nursing, helped me see how nurses can advocate beyond the bedside. Her example encouraged me to think critically about how access, policy, and equity shape patient outcomes. My long-term goal is to become a nurse practitioner specializing in maternal-child health, focusing on postpartum mental health and reducing maternal mortality in underserved communities. I’m also pursuing a minor in international relations and plan to study abroad, where I’ll explore how different healthcare systems support maternal and infant health, particularly in resource-limited settings. These experiences will broaden my perspective, strengthen my cultural competence, and prepare me to deliver equitable care to all patients. Learning to prioritize my well-being has taught me that caring for others starts with caring for yourself. My experiences have shown me the invisible burdens many carry and the importance of approaching others with patience and compassion. That lesson continues to guide me as I grow into the nurse I hope to become, someone who brings both competence and empathy to every patient interaction.