Throughout my journey toward becoming a nurse, I have faced challenges that tested my confidence, direction, and resilience. During my time at Penn State, I struggled with my mental health, which deeply affected my academic performance. I had trouble focusing, staying motivated, and believing in myself. There were moments when I questioned whether I was even meant to be in healthcare at all. Despite earning my degree in Biobehavioral Health, I graduated with a GPA that did not reflect my true potential. I left school unsure of my next steps, but I knew I was not ready to give up on the dream of making a difference in people’s lives. After graduation, I decided to start fresh by gaining hands-on experience. I worked at an ophthalmology clinic where I assisted technicians and shadowed a nurse practitioner. It was there that I felt something click. I loved the patient interaction and the human connection that came with caregiving. That experience led me to become a Certified Nursing Assistant at the Long Island State Veterans Home. Since then, I have worked with hospice patients and veterans with advanced dementia. I have learned how to stay calm in intense situations, how to comfort someone in their final days, and how to communicate with patients who are scared, confused, or in pain. These moments have helped me heal and rediscover my confidence. I have taken additional prerequisite science courses and done well in all of them. I have also studied for and passed the TEAS exam with a strong score. Through every setback, I have found a way to move forward, and I am proud of the progress I have made. Nursing has not only become my career goal but also a personal mission to turn my struggles into something meaningful. My call to public service is deeply rooted in who I am. As the daughter of two immigrant parents, I grew up watching my family navigate systems that often failed to understand or support them. I saw the fear and confusion that can come with going to the doctor when you do not speak the language or understand the process. That is why cultural competency in healthcare is so important to me. I want to be the kind of nurse who listens, explains, and advocates. I want patients to feel safe and respected, no matter where they come from or what they are going through. Working as a CNA has also shown me how vulnerable patients can be and how much they rely on their caregivers. Whether I am repositioning a fall-risk resident, helping someone with memory loss get ready for bed, or holding a hospice patient’s hand as they take their final breaths, I have learned that being present and compassionate is its own form of service. These small moments of care add up to something powerful, and they have taught me what public service truly means. I am pursuing nursing not just as a career, but as a calling to serve. I want to work in communities that need more culturally aware and emotionally supportive care. I want to be part of the solution, one patient and one day at a time. Despite the challenges I have faced, I know I am ready to take this next step and make a difference.

As a future nurse, I plan to use my education to make a lasting impact in the communities I serve, especially those that are underserved or often overlooked. Growing up in a culturally diverse household with immigrant parents from El Salvador and Israel, I witnessed how language barriers, lack of representation, and limited access to care can deeply affect the healthcare experience. These early observations planted the seed for my commitment to culturally competent and compassionate care, which has only grown stronger through my academic and clinical journey. After graduating from Penn State with a degree in Biobehavioral Health, I began working at Stony Brook’s ophthalmology clinic, where I assisted technicians and shadowed a nurse practitioner. This was my first exposure to direct patient care and where I realized how powerful the nurse-patient relationship could be. I wanted to be more involved, so I became a Certified Nursing Assistant at the Long Island State Veterans Home. This role has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. Every day, I care for veterans in hospice and those with advanced dementia. I have learned how to bring comfort not just through actions, but through presence, tone, and emotional connection. I have seen the difference it makes when a patient feels heard and valued, even when they cannot speak for themselves. These moments have shaped my view of what it means to be a nurse. Nursing is not just about treating symptoms—it is about understanding the whole person. It is about advocating, supporting, and being a steady presence during some of the hardest days in someone’s life. My time as a CNA has deepened my passion for nursing, and it has shown me that this is the work I am meant to do. Once I become a registered nurse, I plan to bring these values into practice by working in communities that need support the most. I am especially interested in maternal health, NICU care, and serving immigrant and low-income populations. I want to ensure that patients who often feel overlooked receive high-quality, empathetic care. I know how important it is for patients to see themselves in their providers, and I hope to be someone who not only treats but also connects, listens, and understands. In addition to my clinical goals, I hope to mentor future healthcare workers who come from nontraditional backgrounds like mine. The path to nursing is not always straightforward, and I want others to know that resilience and dedication matter just as much as academics. I plan to stay active in community outreach and education, using my experiences to encourage others to pursue nursing and give back to their communities. Through nursing, I will be able to make a meaningful difference one patient, one family, and one day at a time. I believe that with the right support, representation, and education, healthcare can be more inclusive, more compassionate, and more effective. I am committed to being a part of that change.

My inspiration to pursue a career in women’s health is deeply personal. Growing up, I watched my mother experience a stillbirth that left a lasting impact on my entire family. I was young, but I remember the silence in our home, the heartbreak on my parents’ faces, and the confusion I felt trying to understand how something so devastating could happen. What has stayed with me most was the fact that my mother had been experiencing pain in the days leading up to the birth. She voiced her concerns to her doctor, but was told everything was fine. Her pain was dismissed, and her instincts were ignored. By the time she returned to the hospital, it was too late. That loss shaped my understanding of how critical it is for women to be heard and taken seriously during pregnancy and throughout their healthcare journeys. This experience has driven me to pursue a career in pediatric nursing, with a strong focus on women’s health. I want to be a nurse who not only provides clinical care, but who also advocates fiercely for women, particularly in vulnerable moments when they may not have the words or the strength to advocate for themselves. Far too often, women’s pain is underestimated, and their symptoms are brushed aside. This is not just a personal observation, but one that is supported by research. A study published in The Journal of Pain found that women’s pain is more likely to be perceived as less serious than men’s, and more often attributed to psychological causes rather than physical ones (Hoffmann & Tarzian et al., 2001). This bias can lead to delays in care, misdiagnosis, and tragic outcomes, just like the one my family endured. Professionally, my role as a Certified Nursing Assistant at the Long Island State Veterans Home has strengthened my commitment to compassionate and responsive care. While I currently work with elderly residents, many of whom suffer from advanced dementia, I have noticed that their behaviors often revert to a child-like state. This requires me to be patient, attentive, and gentle—skills that will be essential in pediatric and maternal care. Although I am not yet working in obstetrics or pediatrics, the empathy I bring to every shift, the ability to recognize unspoken discomfort, and the responsibility I feel toward my patients are all rooted in a deeper passion for advocating for those who are vulnerable, especially women and children. I have also been a caregiver from a very young age. As the oldest of five siblings, I naturally stepped into a nurturing role early in life. I learned to be observant, responsible, and emotionally available. These qualities are not just part of my personality—they are part of my purpose. They have guided me into healthcare and continue to shape the kind of nurse I am becoming. In the future, I hope to become a pediatric nurse who champions women’s health, particularly during pregnancy and postpartum. I want to help create a space where women feel safe, respected, and empowered to speak up. I believe that having more women in healthcare who understand these experiences can begin to shift the culture toward one that listens and responds with urgency and compassion. My goal is to be a voice for those who are not heard and a source of strength for those who need it most.

I am choosing a career in nursing because it is a profession where compassion and science come together to make a real difference in people’s lives. I have always been drawn to caring for others, and nursing offers the opportunity to do that in the most direct and meaningful way. I want to be the person who patients can count on during some of the most difficult or uncertain times in their lives. To me, nursing is not just about treating an illness. It is about caring for the whole person, listening to their concerns, and being a steady and supportive presence. Nursing is a field where I know I can use my empathy, my resilience, and my determination to truly serve others. I feel especially called to pediatric nursing. As the oldest of five siblings, I have spent my entire life surrounded by children. Helping to take care of my younger sisters gave me a strong sense of responsibility from an early age and taught me how to be patient, gentle, and protective. I have always had a natural connection with kids, and that connection has only grown stronger with time. Children bring a unique kind of energy and honesty into the world, and I find it incredibly rewarding to be someone they can trust and feel safe around. Working with children is something that comes naturally to me and feels deeply meaningful on a personal level. Although I currently work as a Certified Nursing Assistant at the Long Island State Veterans Home, where I care for elderly residents, I have found that many of the patients I work with remind me of children in unexpected ways. Many of them live with advanced dementia, and over time, their behavior often begins to reflect the vulnerability and emotional needs of a child. They may become afraid, confused, or agitated. Some need help with the most basic tasks and seek comfort in a gentle voice or a hand to hold. In these moments, I have seen how important it is to offer both patience and kindness. My instincts to comfort and protect the vulnerable are the same whether I am working with an elderly patient or a young child. These experiences have shown me that pediatric nursing is the path I truly want to pursue. Pediatric nursing requires a special blend of clinical skill and emotional intelligence. Children may not always be able to explain what they are feeling, so it takes a nurse who can listen beyond words. It also means supporting families who may be scared or overwhelmed and offering them both information and compassion. I want to be that person. I want to be the nurse who makes a hospital room feel a little less frightening, who celebrates small victories with families, and who brings calm and comfort during moments of crisis. My goal is to become a pediatric nurse who advocates for her patients, builds trust with families, and creates an environment where children feel safe, understood, and cared for. Nursing is not just a career I am choosing. It is a calling I have felt throughout my life. I am ready to continue this journey with commitment, purpose, and heart. I know that as a pediatric nurse, I will have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and their families, and I cannot imagine anything more meaningful than that.

My inspiration to pursue a career in pediatric medicine began long before I ever stepped into a clinical setting. As the oldest of five siblings, caregiving has always been second nature to me. From a young age, I helped take care of them and developed a deep understanding of how vulnerable children are and how much they rely on the adults around them to feel safe and supported. That experience created a foundation of patience, empathy, and responsibility that has never left me. Caring for children is not something I learned later in life. It is something I was born into, and something that has always felt deeply personal. This instinct was only reinforced once I began working as a Certified Nursing Assistant at the Long Island State Veterans Home. Although I currently work with older adults, many of whom are living with advanced dementia, I began to notice something both heartbreaking and powerful. With dementia, many patients gradually lose their memory, their independence, and even their ability to communicate. Over time, their behavior often begins to resemble that of a child. Some need help with every task, from feeding to dressing. Others become afraid at night or need someone to hold their hand to feel calm. I have seen patients cry when they feel overwhelmed or scared, and I have learned how to meet those moments with patience, comfort, and a calm presence. What struck me the most was how similar those needs were to the ones I saw in my own siblings when they were little. I found myself relying on the same instincts I developed growing up. I would sit with a resident who was frightened, just as I would sit beside my younger sister after a nightmare. I would use a soothing tone, gentle movements, and reassuring words to make someone feel safe. These skills are not just useful in geriatric care. They are essential in pediatric medicine. They come from the heart. My passion for pediatric medicine lies in the opportunity to support children at their most vulnerable stages of life. Whether it is a newborn in the neonatal intensive care unit or a young child facing an illness, I want to be the person who shows up with both clinical knowledge and emotional support. Children cannot always explain how they are feeling, so it takes a special kind of attention and intuition to understand them. My experience at work has strengthened my ability to read body language, to respond with calmness in moments of distress, and to build trust with patients who cannot always express themselves with words. I believe pediatric medicine requires more than skill. It requires heart, humility, and the willingness to be fully present for each child and their family. I have always felt drawn to that level of connection. I want to advocate for children who are too young to advocate for themselves, and I want to be a part of the moments that shape their lives for the better. My past, both in my family and my current job, has helped me realize that this is the path I am meant to follow. I am committed to becoming a healthcare provider who brings comfort, understanding, and strength to every child I have the privilege of caring for.

I decided to pursue education in healthcare because I have always been drawn to the human side of science. Growing up as the daughter of two immigrant parents, I learned firsthand how important compassionate, culturally competent care can be. My parents often faced challenges navigating the healthcare system, and I witnessed the fear and confusion that can come from not feeling heard or understood. I wanted to be someone who could bridge that gap for others. That desire deepened during college when I faced my own health challenges. In one of my lowest moments, it was not a diagnosis or a medication that gave me hope, but a nurse’s quiet presence, her reassurance, and her kindness. She helped me see healing as something that can happen not just physically, but emotionally. That moment stayed with me and gave me a purpose I could no longer ignore. After earning my Bachelor of Science in Biobehavioral Health from Penn State, I chose to strengthen my foundation for a career in nursing by completing additional science prerequisites. I treated this chapter as a second chance to improve my academic performance, and I am proud to say I not only succeeded but gained the confidence I once lacked. I currently work as a Certified Nursing Assistant at the Long Island State Veterans Home, where I provide hands-on care to patients with dementia, behavioral issues, and those in hospice. My work often involves helping patients in their most vulnerable moments. I have learned how to calm agitation in residents who no longer understand where they are, how to comfort families as they say goodbye to their loved ones, and how to balance urgency with gentleness. These experiences have been some of the most meaningful in my life. They have taught me not only technical skills, but also how to be fully present for someone else. That is something no textbook can teach. While I have been honored to care for people at the end of life, I am also deeply inspired by the beginning of life. I hope to specialize in either neonatal intensive care or labor and delivery. I believe there is something sacred about supporting families as they welcome new life into the world, especially when those moments are complex or filled with uncertainty. I want to be the person who holds space for both the joy and the fear, who helps new parents feel supported and seen, and who advocates fiercely for the tiniest patients. My future career goals include becoming a registered nurse, gaining experience in maternal and neonatal care, and eventually pursuing my FNP. I want to work in a hospital that values patient-centered care, and I hope to be part of initiatives that improve healthcare access for underserved communities. I also have a long-term goal of mentoring future nursing students who may have faced setbacks or struggled to find their path, just as I did. This journey has not always been easy, but it has been filled with purpose. Every challenge I have overcome, from academic struggles to personal healing, has prepared me to be a better caregiver. Nursing is not just a career for me. It is a calling to serve, to connect, and to make sure every patient I meet feels seen, safe, and respected.

The nursing profession captivates me because it exists at the powerful intersection of science, service, and heart. As the daughter of two immigrant parents, I grew up with a deep appreciation for cultural diversity and the struggles that often accompany it. This upbringing, paired with my experience working as a Certified Nursing Assistant at the Long Island State Veterans Home, showed me the true impact of compassionate, culturally competent care. I have had the privilege of comforting hospice patients in their final moments, listening to the stories of veterans who fought for our country, and learning how to de-escalate agitation in residents with advanced dementia—like the Cuban patient I care for, whom I soothe by having a Spanish-speaking assistant hold his hand as I complete my tasks. These are not just acts of care; they are moments of human connection that remind me why I chose this path. My journey to nursing was not linear, but it has been one of resilience. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Biobehavioral Health from Penn State University, where I faced mental health challenges that temporarily affected my academic performance. During that time, a nurse’s unwavering compassion and steady presence helped guide me toward recovery. That experience did more than heal me, it lit a fire within me to be that source of strength for someone else. After graduating, I sought every opportunity to prepare for a future in nursing. I completed additional science prerequisites essential for nursing school and used them as an opportunity to grow academically, demonstrating both improvement and excellence. I also worked briefly at the Stony Brook Ophthalmology Clinic, where I gained technical skills conducting visual field exams, auto refraction tests, and documenting patient data. But it was through hands-on care as a CNA that I truly fell in love with nursing. To me, nursing is more than a job, it is a calling to serve, to advocate, and to heal. My goals are rooted in impact: I want to become a registered nurse who provides not only evidence-based care but also emotional support that empowers patients to feel safe and seen. Long-term, I hope to pursue advanced practice nursing and specialize in either neonatal intensive care or labor and delivery, where compassion and precision are critical from the very first moments of life. While I’ve been honored to care for patients at the end of life—ensuring they feel dignity, comfort, and peace—I feel equally called to be present at life’s beginning, offering the same level of empathy and attentiveness to newborns and their families during such a sacred and vulnerable time. I’ve learned how to stay composed under pressure, how to multitask while preserving dignity, and how to build trust across language and cultural barriers. I’ve also learned that vulnerability, both my own and my patients’, is a powerful tool for connection and healing. Every shift I work reinforces that I am exactly where I need to be. Nursing is not easy, but it is meaningful beyond measure. My story is one of setbacks and comebacks, but every challenge I’ve faced has prepared me to be the kind of nurse who leads with heart, sharp clinical judgment, and an unshakable sense of purpose. This scholarship would not only help me achieve my educational goals, it would also bring me one step closer to becoming the nurse I needed, and now strive to be, for others.

As the oldest of five children and the daughter of two hardworking immigrant parents, responsibility came early for me. I grew up helping raise my siblings and making sure our home ran smoothly when my parents were working long hours. From a young age, I learned how to care for others, how to lead with empathy, and how to find strength even when things felt overwhelming. I did not realize it then, but the foundation of who I would become as a future nurse was already being built. I began college with big dreams but quickly found myself overwhelmed. I struggled with mental health issues that impacted my motivation and academic performance. I felt lost at times, unsure of who I was or where I was going. But in one of my darkest moments, I met a nurse who made me feel seen. She spoke to me with kindness and patience, not just treating my symptoms, but treating me as a whole person. That experience became a turning point. I remember leaving the clinic that day thinking, “I want to be that person for someone else.” I graduated from Penn State University with a degree in BioBehavioral Health. Although proud to earn my degree, I still felt something was missing. I knew I wanted a career that combined science, service, and heart. Nursing kept calling to me. It was not just an idea anymore; it became a dream. A dream I refused to ignore. After college, I began working as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Stony Brook’s Long Island State Veterans Home. I cared for hospice patients, veterans with dementia, and those nearing the end of their lives. Every shift was a lesson in compassion, patience, and technical skill. I learned how to take vitals, assist with daily care, monitor symptoms, and communicate with both patients and families during difficult moments. I learned how to stay calm in emergencies and how to bring comfort in silence. I also discovered the importance of teamwork and how essential nurses are to the health, safety, and dignity of every patient. Despite the emotional and physical challenges of the job, I love every moment. I feel honored to be trusted by my patients, to be part of their routines, and to play a small role in their journey. Nursing no longer felt like a distant dream, it became something I knew, without a doubt, I was meant to do. Returning to school to pursue my ABSN has been both humbling and empowering. I went back and took the prerequisite courses I needed, working part-time while studying and earning strong grades. While I have cared for many patients at the end of their lives, my heart is now drawn to the beginning of life. I hope to specialize in either neonatal intensive care or labor and delivery. I want to be there for families during their most vulnerable moments, to welcome life into the world with skill, gentleness, and compassion. I believe there is something sacred about being present when a new life begins. It is a powerful balance to the work I have done in end-of-life care, and it feels like the natural next chapter in my nursing journey. This path has not always been easy, but it has been deeply meaningful. I am proud of how far I have come. I am no longer the overwhelmed student who doubted herself. I am the future nurse who believes in her purpose and who is ready to show up for others with the heart, strength, and resilience that this profession demands.

My passion for nursing comes from both personal experience and the meaningful clinical work I have been fortunate to do as a Certified Nursing Assistant. I currently care for hospice and dementia patients at a veterans home, where I provide comfort, monitor health changes, and assist with daily care. It has been a privilege to support patients during the final stages of life, helping them feel safe, respected, and at peace. These moments have shown me the depth of what it means to care for another human being. While I feel honored to care for patients at the end of life, I am also drawn to the beginning of life. I hope to specialize in either neonatal intensive care or labor and delivery. There is something incredibly powerful about supporting individuals and families during life’s first moments. I want to be a steady, compassionate presence for parents and newborns alike, especially in high-stress or high-risk situations. The chance to advocate for both mother and baby, to educate, and to protect the most vulnerable lives is what excites me most about this path. What I hope to get out of a career in nursing is more than a job. I want to grow into a confident, skilled clinician who brings both technical knowledge and human connection into every patient interaction. I want to be the nurse who takes the time to listen, to explain, and to care deeply even when the work is hard. I want to be someone who makes others feel safe in moments of fear and uncertainty. Nursing is one of the few professions where I can combine critical thinking, empathy, and service, and that balance is exactly what drives me. In my chosen specialty, I hope to make an impact by being a culturally competent nurse who is sensitive to the diverse backgrounds of the families I serve. Growing up as the daughter of two immigrant parents, I saw firsthand how difficult it can be for families to navigate the healthcare system. I understand how language barriers and cultural differences can lead to fear and mistrust. I want to use my background to help bridge that gap and ensure that every family, no matter their story, feels respected and cared for. I also hope to be a calming and encouraging presence for parents in moments of stress or uncertainty. Whether it is helping a new mother through labor or comforting a family in the NICU, I want to be the nurse who not only delivers excellent clinical care but also offers reassurance and emotional support. In fast-paced environments, especially those involving newborns or high-risk births, small gestures of compassion can make all the difference. Ultimately, I am passionate about nursing because it allows me to be part of life’s most meaningful moments, both at the beginning and the end. It allows me to lead with empathy, grow through experience, and serve with purpose. This scholarship would allow me to continue my education and bring me closer to becoming the kind of nurse I strive to be—skilled, compassionate, and deeply committed to making a difference.

My decision to become a nurse comes from a combination of personal experiences and hands-on clinical work. As the daughter of two immigrant parents, I grew up witnessing the struggles many families face when trying to access quality healthcare. I saw how language barriers and cultural misunderstandings could make people feel overlooked or misunderstood in moments when they needed support the most. These early experiences gave me a strong desire to become someone who could advocate for and care for others with empathy, respect, and understanding. That desire became a true calling when I began working as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Stony Brook’s Long Island State Veterans Home. This role has taught me what it means to care for patients not only with compassion but with attention to detail and technical skill. I work with hospice and dementia patients every day, helping them with daily care, monitoring changes in their physical condition, and ensuring their comfort and safety. I have learned how to take vital signs, use medical equipment properly, manage infection control protocols, and document patient information accurately. These responsibilities have made me more confident in my ability to work in fast-paced environments where patients depend on me. This job has also shown me the importance of communication and teamwork. I regularly collaborate with nurses and other healthcare staff to ensure each patient receives the best care possible. Through these experiences, I have gained a deeper respect for the nursing profession and a stronger desire to grow within it. I want to become the kind of nurse who can balance critical thinking and clinical knowledge with kindness and emotional support. My journey to nursing has not been a straight path. In college, I faced challenges with my mental health that affected my academic performance. During that time, a nurse helped me feel supported and seen, which inspired me to take control of my health and my future. That moment stayed with me and became one of the reasons I chose to enter the nursing field. After graduating, I retook key prerequisite courses, earned strong grades, and built valuable experience through my CNA work. Each step I’ve taken has reinforced my commitment to this career and my belief that nursing is the right path for me. Nursing combines everything I care deeply about—science, human connection, cultural awareness, and service. I want to make sure patients not only feel cared for, but also understood. I want to be part of a team that saves lives, comforts families, and uplifts communities. This scholarship would help ease the financial pressure of continuing my education while allowing me to focus entirely on becoming the best nurse I can be. I am ready for the challenges of nursing school, and I am excited for the opportunity to grow both academically and professionally. My personal background, clinical experience, and perseverance have shaped me into someone who is compassionate, capable, and deeply committed to making a difference in the lives of others through nursing.