As a devoted single mother to two sons, ages 13 and 21—the elder currently navigating college life—I have continually encountered and overcome various life challenges. My journey took an unexpected turn in 2020 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer amidst my demanding career as a 911 dispatcher. Despite the grim diagnosis, I underwent surgery and radiation while maintaining my full-time job, a testament to my resilience and unwavering commitment to my family. The dual pressures of my health battle and professional obligations were immense, but they did not deter my spirit. I remained a beacon of strength and positivity, ensuring my children saw in me the embodiment of perseverance and hope. Balancing over 40 hours of work each week with my medical treatments was daunting, yet I managed to preserve an optimistic outlook, ensuring I remained present and supportive for my sons. The challenges I faced solidified my resolve, and in 2021, I decided to chase a long-held dream: becoming a Registered Nurse (RN). This decision was not made lightly, considering my circumstances—working full-time and raising two boys single-handedly. Yet, I embarked on this educational pursuit with the same tenacity I applied to every other aspect of my life. My academic journey was arduous, yet fulfilling. In 2023, I achieved a significant milestone by completing my RN degree, a feat that filled me with immense pride and offered a glimmer of hope for a brighter future. However, my thirst for knowledge and dedication to my personal and professional growth did not stop there. I chose to continue my education, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to deepen my expertise and enhance my ability to care for others. This continued educational pursuit is not merely for personal achievement but serves as a living lesson to my eldest son and others around me: challenges, no matter how daunting, can be surmounted with determination and hard work. I aim to be a source of inspiration and support, particularly to other single mothers who face their own sets of trials and tribulations. By sharing my story and extending a helping hand, I hope to foster a sense of community and resilience among those who may feel isolated by their circumstances. The journey has indeed been fraught with difficulties, especially when it comes to managing the financial aspects of both my and my son's education. Nonetheless, I approach each day with a steadfast resolve and a smile, determined to provide a better life for my children and to show them the value of hard work, resilience, and compassion. Becoming an RN was a significant milestone, but pursuing my BSN is the next step in my journey to not only better our lives but also to contribute more effectively to my community. The hardships I've endured have only strengthened my commitment to helping others, particularly those who feel overwhelmed by the weight of their struggles.

Growing up, I have always been surrounded by family members who were in the medical field or cared for others in some way. Hearing their stories about their various careers made me realize that I wanted to do the same. I have wanted to become a nurse since I was a small girl, but not working and being able to go to school was not possible for me. In 2014, I decided to pursue a job where I could help people in an emergency situation. I began working with my local police department, where I went to school to become a 911 dispatcher. While working in this field, I still had the desire to do more and wanted to become a nurse. Well, 8 years later, I returned to school to pursue my dream of finally becoming a nurse. I hope to make a positive impact by bringing smiles to the faces of people who are going through difficult times in their lives. My inspiration to become a nurse was because of my aunt; she was an amazing nurse, and after she retired and was no longer able to care for herself, I started to care for her day and night. Her dream was for me to be a loving and caring nurse, just as I was to her when I took care of her. I could not go to school then, but she gave me her stethoscope not long before she passed away and told me that one day I would make her proud. Many years later, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I went through radiation while continuing to work a 40-hour-a-week job as a 911 dispatcher. Going through this made me realize even more how much I wanted to help others in a medical job. I wanted to be able to help those who are sick and their families through those hard times. The care and empathy that I received from the staff in the medical field are the same care and empathy that I want to give to others. I am still working as a 911 dispatcher until I am finished with school. This is not always easy, but my boys are my motivation for continuing school and not giving up. My oldest is in college himself, and I want to prove to him that no matter how old we are, we can still chase our dreams and never give up. On days he struggles and thinks he cannot do it, he says he looks at me and it pushes him to keep going. I feel blessed to be able to go back to school, and I am looking forward to helping others.

I have always wanted to be anurse, ever since I was a little girl, but having children and not being able to work was never possible. I finally have decided I cannot wait any longer and I have returned to school to pursue my dream of finally becoming a nurse. I hope to make a positive impact by bringing smiles to the faces of people who are going through a difficult time in their lives. My inspiration to become a nurse was because of my aunt; she was an amazing nurse, and after she retired and was no longer able to care for herself, I started to care for her day and night. Her dream was for me to be a loving and caring nurse, just as I was to her when I took care of her. I could not go to school then, but she gave me her stethoscope not long before she passed away and told me that one day I would make her proud. Many years later, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I went through radiation while continuing to work a 40-hour-a-week job as a 911 dispatcher. Going through this made me realize even more how much I wanted to help others in a medical setting. I wanted to be able to help those who are sick and their families through those hard times. The care and empathy that I received from the staff in the medical field is the same care and empathy that I want to give to others. Now my grandmother has early stage dementia and I have been helping care for her. Knowing what to do and how to help her has helped my family. I feel so much compassion for the families that go through this and the elderly person. I would love to be able to work in that field and help provide that love and care they deserve. I am still working as a 911 dispatcher until I am finished with school. This is not always easy, but my boys are my motivation for continuing school and not giving up. My oldest is in college himself, and I want to prove to him that no matter how old we are, we can still chase our dreams and never give up. On days he struggles and thinks he cannot do it, he says he looks at me and it pushes him to keep going. I feel blessed to be able to go back to school, and I am looking forward to helping others.

 After high school, I attended college and received an AS in Graphic Design.I enjoy designing things, but there were not many opportunities for that type of work in my area 20 years ago.I decided to pursue a job where I could help people somehow and started working with my local police department, where I went to school to become a 911 dispatcher eight years ago, hoping that this job would give me a schedule that would allow me to return to school for nursing. Well, 8 years later, I have returned to school to pursue my dream of finally becoming a nurse. I hope to make a positive impact by bringing smiles to the faces of people who are going through a difficult time in their lives. My inspiration to become a nurse was because of my aunt; she was an amazing nurse, and after she retired and was no longer able to care for herself, I started to care for her day and night. Her dream was for me to be a loving and caring nurse, just as I was to her when I took care of her. I could not go to school then, but she gave me her stethoscope not long before she passed away and told me that one day I would make her proud. Many years later, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I went through radiation while continuing to work a 40-hour-a-week job as a 911 dispatcher. Going through this made me realize even more how much I wanted to help others in a medical job. I wanted to be able to help those who are sick and their families through those hard times. The care and empathy that I received from the staff in the medical field is the same care and empathy that I want to give to others. I am still working as a 911 dispatcher until I am finished with school. This is not always easy, but my boys are my motivation for continuing school and not giving up. My oldest is in college himself, and I want to prove to him that no matter how old we are, we can still chase our dreams and never give up. On days he struggles and thinks he cannot do it, he says he looks at me and it pushes him to keep going. I feel blessed to be able to go back to school, and I am looking forward to helping others.

My inspiration to become a nurse was because of my aunt, she was an amazing nurse and after she retired and was no longer able to care for herself, I started to care for her day and night. Her dream was for me to be a loving and caring nurse just as I was to her when I took care of her. I could not go to school then, but she gave me her stethoscope not long before she passed away and told me one day that I would make her proud. Many years later I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I went through radiation while continuing to work a 40-hour-a-week job as a 911 dispatcher. It was exhausting, but I have children to care for and I wanted to show them to fight and never give up. The care and empathy that I received from the staff in the medical field is the care and empathy that I want to give to others. I have two boys to care for and I want to teach them to love others and to make others smile no matter what. My goal is to follow in my aunts’ footsteps and to treat people as I would want to be treated. My area of interest is in the elderly, I think they have experienced so much in their lifetime, and we can learn a lot from them. They deserve the utmost compassion and care at the end of their life and seeing so many alone with no family is sad, but I hope I can bring a smile to some of those faces.

I hope to make a positive impact by bringing smiles to the faces of people that are going through a difficult time in their lives. My inspiration to become a nurse was because of my aunt, she was an amazing nurse and after she retired and was no longer able to care for herself, I started to care for her day and night. Her dream was for me to be a loving and caring nurse just as I was to her when I took care of her. I could not go to school then, but she gave me her stethoscope not long before she passed away and told me one day that I would make her proud. Many years later I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I went through radiation while continuing to work a 40-hour-a-week job as a 911 dispatcher. It was exhausting, but I have children to care for and I wanted to show them to fight and never give up. The care and empathy I received from the staff in the medical field is the care and empathy that I want to give to others. I have two boys to care for and I want to teach them to love others and to make others smile no matter what. My goal is to follow in my aunts’ footsteps and to treat people as I would want to be treated. After becoming an RN, I will no longer have to struggle as much and will be able to give my boys a better life. My area of interest is in the elderly, I think they have experienced so much in their lifetime, and we can learn a lot from them. They deserve the utmost compassion and care at the end of their life and seeing so many alone with no family is sad, but I hope I can bring a smile to some of those faces.

My inspiration to become a nurse was my Aunt, she was an amazing nurse and after she retired and was no longer able to care for herself, I started to care for her day and night. Her dream was for me to be a loving and caring nurse just as I was to her when I took care of her. I was not able to go to school at that time, but she gave me her stethoscope not long before she passed away and told me one day that I would make her proud. Many years later I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I went through radiation while continuing to work a 40-hour-a-week job as a 911 dispatcher. It was exhausting, but I have children to care for and I wanted to show them to fight and never give up. The care and empathy that I received from the staff in the medical field is the care and empathy that I want to give to others. I have two boys to care for and it is very hard as a single working mother to attend school and pay for college loans, but I will do what it takes. My goal is to follow in my Aunts footsteps and to treat people as I would want to be treated. After becoming an RN, I will no longer have to struggle as much and will be able to give my boys a better life. My area of interest is in the elderly, I think they have experienced so much in their lifetime and we can learn a lot from them. They deserve the utmost compassion and care at the end of their life and seeing so many alone with no family is sad, but I hope I can bring a smile to some of those faces.

I am a single mother of 2 boys, one is 11 and the other is 19, and also in college. In 2020 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had surgery and radiation while still having to continue to work a full-time job. During that time I had to show strength and positiveness during my battle and show my boys that we are strong and to never give up. Working as a 911 dispatcher over 40 hours a week and going to radiation did take a toll, but I still maintained a positive outlook on life and took time for my boys. I decided in 2021 I wanted to go back to college to finally pursue my dream of becoming an RN. I am still working as a 911 dispatcher full time and going to school full time. It is very hard, but I am also showing my oldest who is also in college, that it is possible. I plan on helping other single mothers get through tough times and helping them stay positive. I am thankful to still be here today. It is very hard having to work to cover school for myself and my son but I will do what it takes and do it with a smile. After becoming an RN, I will no longer have to struggle as much and will be able to give my boys a better life.

My inspiration to become a nurse was my Aunt, she was a loving and caring nurse. Not long after she retired, she was no longer able to care for herself, I started to care for her day and night. Her dream was for me to be a loving and caring nurse just as I was to her when I took care of her. I was not able to go to school at that time, but she gave me her stethoscope not long before she passed away and told me one day that I would make her proud. Many years later I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I went through radiation while continuing to work a 40-hour-a-week job as a 911 dispatcher. It was exhausting, but I have children to care for and I wanted to show them to fight and never give up. The care and empathy that I received from the staff in the medical field is the care and empathy that I want to give to others. I have two boys to care for and it is very hard as a single working mother to attend school and pay for college loans, but I will do what it takes. My goal is to follow in my Aunts footsteps and to treat people as I would want to be treated. After becoming an RN, I will no longer have to struggle as much and will be able to give my boys a better life. My area of interest is in the elderly, I think they have experienced so much in their lifetime and we can learn a lot from them. They deserve the utmost compassion and care at the end of their life and seeing so many alone with no family is sad, but I hope I can bring a smile to some of those faces.

My inspiration to become a nurse was my Aunt, she was a loving and caring nurse. Not long after she retired, she was no longer able to care for herself, I started to care for her day and night. Her dream was for me to be a loving and caring nurse just as I was to her when I took care of her. I was not able to go to school at that time, but she gave me her stethoscope not long before she passed away and told me one day that I would make her proud. Many years later I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I went through radiation while continuing to work a 40-hour-a-week job as a 911 dispatcher. It was exhausting, but I have children to care for and I wanted to show them to fight and never give up. The care and empathy that I received from the staff in the medical field is the care and empathy that I want to give to others. I have two boys to care for and it is very hard as a single working mother to attend school and pay for college loans, but I will do what it takes. My goal is to follow in my Aunts footsteps and to treat people as I would want to be treated. After becoming an RN, I will no longer have to struggle as much and will be able to give my boys a better life. My area of interest is in the elderly, I think they have experienced so much in their lifetime and we can learn a lot from them. They deserve the utmost compassion and care at the end of their life and seeing so many alone with no family is sad, but I hope I can bring a smile to some of those faces.

My inspiration to become a nurse was my Aunt, she was a loving and caring nurse. Not long after she retired, she was no longer able to care for herself, I started to care for her day and night. Her dream was for me to be a loving and caring nurse just as I was to her when I took care of her. I was not able to go to school at that time, but she gave me her stethoscope not long before she passed away and told me one day that I would make her proud. Many years later I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I went through radiation while continuing to work a 40-hour-a-week job as a 911 dispatcher. It was exhausting, but I have children to care for and I wanted to show them to fight and never give up. The care and empathy that I received from the staff in the medical field is the care and empathy that I want to give to others. I have two boys to care for and it is very hard as a single working mother to attend school and pay for college loans, but I will do what it takes. My goal is to follow in my Aunts footsteps and to treat people as I would want to be treated. After becoming an RN, I will no longer have to struggle as much and will be able to give my boys a better life. My area of interest is in the elderly, I think they have experienced so much in their lifetime and we can learn a lot from them. They deserve the utmost compassion and care at the end of their life and seeing so many alone with no family is sad, but I hope I can bring a smile to some of those faces.

My inspiration to become a nurse was my Aunt Edith, she was a kind and caring nurse. Not long after she retired, she was no longer able to care for herself. My family moved her to our home and I started to care for her day and night. Her dream was for me to be a loving and caring nurse just as I was to her when I took care of her. I was not able to go to school at that time, but she gave me her stethoscope not long before she passed away and told me one day that I would make her proud. Many years later I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I went through radiation while continuing to work a 40-hour-a-week job as a 911 dispatcher. It was exhausting, but I have children to care for and I wanted to show them to fight and never give up. The care and empathy that I received from the staff in the medical field is the care and empathy that I want to give to others. I have two boys to care for and it is very hard as a single working mother to attend school and pay for college loans, but I will do what it takes. My goal is to follow in my Aunts footsteps and to treat people as I would want to be treated. After becoming an RN, I will no longer have to struggle as much and will be able to give my boys a better life. My area of interest is in the elderly, I think they have experienced so much in their lifetime and we can learn a lot from them. They deserve the utmost compassion and care at the end of their life and seeing so many alone with no family is sad, but I hope I can bring a smile to some of those faces.

My inspiration to become a nurse was my Aunt, she was an amazing nurse and after she retired and was no longer able to care for herself, I started to care for her day and night. Her dream was for me to be a loving and caring nurse just as I was to her when I took care of her. I was not able to go to school at that time, but she gave me her stethoscope not long before she passed away and told me one day that I would make her proud. Many years later I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I went through radiation while continuing to work a 40-hour-a-week job as a 911 dispatcher. It was exhausting, but I have children to care for and I wanted to show them to fight and never give up. The care and empathy that I received from the staff in the medical field is the care and empathy that I want to give to others. I have two boys to care for and it is very hard as a single working mother to attend school and pay for college loans, but I will do what it takes. My goal is to follow in my Aunts footsteps and to treat people as I would want to be treated. After becoming an RN, I will no longer have to struggle as much and will be able to give my boys a better life. My area of interest is in the elderly, I think they have experienced so much in their lifetime and we can learn a lot from them. They deserve the utmost compassion and care at the end of their life and seeing so many alone with no family is sad, but I hope I can bring a smile to some of those faces.

I am a single mother of 2 boys, one is 11 and the other is 19, and also in college. I have always wanted to go to college to be a nurse but have not been able financially able to. I had applied for nursing school in 2019 and began general classes but in 2020 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I took time off from school to have surgery and radiation while still having to continue to work a full-time job. During that time I had to show strength and positiveness during my battle and show my boys that we are strong and to never give up. Working as a 911 dispatcher over 40 hours a week and going to radiation did take a toll, but I still maintained a positive outlook on life and took time for my boys. I decided in 2021 I would go back to college to finally pursue my dream of becoming an RN. I am still working as a 911 dispatcher full time and going to school full time. It is very hard, but I am also showing to my oldest who is also in college, that it is possible. I plan on helping other single mothers get through tough times and helping them stay positive. I am thankful to still be here today. It is very hard having to work to cover school for myself and my son but I will do what it takes and do it with a smile. After becoming an RN, I will no longer have to struggle as much and will be able to give my boys a better life. 

I have always had an interest in technology and helping people. I had breast cancer last year and went through radiation while continuing to work a 40 hour a week job as a 911 dispatcher. It was exhausting, but I have children to care for and show them to fight and never give up. The care and empathy that I received from the staff in the medical field is the care and empathy that I want to give to others. I have two boys to care for and it is very hard as a single working mother to attend school and pay for college loans, but I will do what it takes. My goal is to treat people as I would want to be treated and teach my kids to do the same. I went through a divorce the same time I found out that I had breast cancer. There were days that I wanted to feel sad, but I chose to smile and be happy for being alive and appreciate what I did have. Showing my boys to be positive and appreciate what we did have in life was important to me. There is always something to be happy about and I want to bring smiles to others no matter what.

I have always had an interest in technology and helping people. I had breast cancer last year and went through radiation while continuing to work a 40 hour a week job as a 911 dispatcher. It was exhausting, but I have children to care for and show them to fight and never give up. The care and empathy that I received from the staff in the medical field is the care and empathy that I want to give to others. I have two boys to care for and it is very hard as a single working mother to attend school and pay for college loans, but I will do what it takes. My goal is to treat people as I would want to be treated and teach my kids to do the same.

I have always had an interest in technology and helping people. I had breast cancer last year and went through radiation while continuing to work a 40 hour a week job as a 911 dispatcher. It was exhausting, but I have children to care for and show them to fight and never give up. The care and empathy that I received from the staff in the medical field is the care and empathy that I want to give to others. I have two boys to care for and it is very hard as a single working mother to attend school and pay for college loans, but I will do what it takes. My goal is to treat people as I would want to be treated and teach my kids to do the same.

I have always had an interest in technology and helping people. I had breast cancer last year and went through radiation while continuing to work a 40 hour a week job as a 911 dispatcher. It was exhausting, but I have children to care for and show them to fight and never give up. The care and empathy that I received from the staff in the medical field is the care and empathy that I want to give to others. I have two boys to care for and it is very hard as a single working mother to attend school and pay for college loans, but I will do what it takes. My goal is to treat people as I would want to be treated and teach my kids to do the same.