Giving birth seemed to be such a joyous and memorable event: the thrill of being able to hold your self-image, your offspring. This once-in-a-blue-moon occurrence calls for great celebration amongst family and friends; everyone seeking a chance to cradle this newborn in their arms. The cacophony of grandmothers’ arguing about this child’s name falls like chaotic music in the ears of a mother. But what happens to that mother who can’t take their mini bundle of joy home with them? What happens to that mother who can’t be the first to introduce her child to the outside world? She becomes my very own mother. My experience being diagnosed with severe Neonatal Sepsis at birth is the root of my drive and passion for pediatric nursing. Every year, on my birthday, I am reminded of this happening; of course, I do not remember at such a young age but my mother never fails to remember the pain and the fear knowing my chances of survival were low. I struggle to watch her anguish masked with the most convincing smile she can muster. My mother wasn't always there to change my diapers, listen to my cries, or even breastfeed me when I was hungry. Her absence was not a choice. She too lay low-spirited in the hospital bed, counting down the days she could finally take me home while fighting against the dire aftermath effects of Cesarean Section. Not waking up to the familiar face of my mother usually took me aback, instead, I was left in the hands of nurses: complete strangers at that time. I don’t want to be a stranger. I want children to feel the warmth I exude, knowing that I am a safe space: a space where the intensity of love I have for them is more than they would have for me. “What do you want to be in the future?” is a question commonly asked. However, the answer: “pediatric nurse” always stood as my response. What many fail to understand is that nursing goes beyond the physical dysfunctions the human body is susceptible to. Clinical nurses are an embodiment of empathy, comfort, and compassion, which are all virtues I have picked up in my work experience thus far. My goal is to touch as many children’s lives as possible, like my role model, the retired pediatric neurosurgeon, Ben Carson. I can't wait to beam for joy, knowing the reason they feel better and are smiling from ear to ear is because of me, and the experience I have gained and still going to gain in university is the reason why I believe I am deserving of this scholarship. I hope to receive the “Pangeta & Ivory Nursing Scholarship”, to not just reduce the stress of tuition, but to inspire others like me in my home country, whose dreams might be limited, because of financial instability, lack of resources, and education. It would be a factor in why I would be able to make a change in the future. Though it may seem overambitious, I am daring to dream of possessing the next set of gifted hands!

My experience being diagnosed with severe Neonatal Sepsis at birth is the root of my drive and passion for pediatric nursing. Every year, on my birthday, I am reminded of this happening; of course, I do not remember at such a young age but my mother never fails to remember the pain and the fear knowing my chances of survival were low. I struggle to watch her anguish masked with the most convincing smile she can muster. My mother wasn't always there to change my diapers, listen to my cries, or even breastfeed me when I was hungry. Her absence was not a choice. She too lay low-spirited in the hospital bed, counting down the days she could finally take me home while fighting against the dire aftermath effects of Cesarean Section. Not waking up to the familiar face of my mother usually took me aback, instead, I was left in the hands of nurses: complete strangers at that time. I don’t want to be a stranger. I want children to feel the warmth I exude, knowing that I am a safe space: a space where the intensity of love I have for them is more than they would have for me. “What do you want to be in the future?” is a question commonly asked. However, the answer: “pediatric nurse” always stood as my response. What many fail to understand is that nursing goes beyond the physical dysfunctions the human body is susceptible to. Clinical nurses are an embodiment of empathy, comfort and compassion, which are all virtues I have picked up in my work experience as a trainee under a professional gynecologist. Living in a Third World country like Nigeria and witnessing the poor healthcare system for 17 years has taken some time to get used to. Even so, ever since the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of people living in poor conditions has increased: more people hawking on the roadsides, more children begging for alms, and more universities as well as other educational institutions shutting down. I would not let this put out my fire. 34-year-old Dr Kizzmekia Corbett led the development of the Covid-19 vaccine that is currently being distributed worldwide. Corbett always excelled in her sciences but as Dr Freeman Hrabowski said, what separated her from every outstanding student was her ability to connect to people, her ability to understand that this virus is active and affecting real people every day, not just a practice or experiment in a lab. Having an African-American woman lead such research in a world intoxicated with gender discrimination and racial prejudice impelled me to make a global difference. My goal is to touch as many children’s lives as possible. I can’t wait to beam for joy, knowing the reason they feel better and are smiling from ear to ear is because of me. The experience I have gained and still going to gain in university is the reason why I believe I am deserving of this scholarship. I hope to receive the “Brandon Tyler Castinado Memorial Scholarship”, to not just relieve the stress of tuition, but to inspire others like me in my home country, whose dreams might be limited, because of financial instability, lack of resources, and education. It would be a factor in why I would be able to make a change in the future. Anything you put your mind to is possible; I know the magnitude of what I want to do.

My experience being diagnosed with severe Neonatal Sepsis at birth is the root of my drive and passion for pediatric nursing. Every year, on my birthday, I am reminded of this happening; of course, I do not remember at such a young age but my mother never fails to remember the pain and the fear knowing my chances of survival were low. I struggle to watch her anguish masked with the most convincing smile she can muster. My mother wasn't always there to change my diapers, listen to my cries, or even breastfeed me when I was hungry. Her absence was not a choice. She too lay low-spirited in the hospital bed, counting down the days she could finally take me home while fighting against the dire aftermath effects of Cesarean Section. Not waking up to the familiar face of my mother usually took me aback, instead, I was left in the hands of nurses: complete strangers at that time. I don’t want to be a stranger. I want children to feel the warmth I exude, knowing that I am a safe space: a space where the intensity of love I have for them is more than they would have for me. “What do you want to be in the future?” is a question commonly asked. However, the answer: “pediatric nurse” always stood as my response. What many fail to understand is that nursing goes beyond the physical dysfunctions the human body is susceptible to. Clinical nurses are an embodiment of empathy, comfort and compassion, which are all virtues I have picked up in my work experience as a trainee under a professional gynecologist. Living in a Third World country like Nigeria and witnessing the poor healthcare system for 17 years has taken some time to get used to. Even so, ever since the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of people living in poor conditions has increased: more people hawking on the roadsides, more children begging for alms, and more universities as well as other educational institutions shutting down. I would not let this put out my fire. 34-year-old Dr Kizzmekia Corbett led the development of the Covid-19 vaccine that is currently being distributed worldwide. Corbett always excelled in her sciences but as Dr Freeman Hrabowski said, what separated her from every outstanding student was her ability to connect to people, her ability to understand that this virus is active and affecting real people every day, not just a practice or experiment in a lab. Having an African-American woman lead such research in a world intoxicated with gender discrimination and racial prejudice impelled me to make a global difference. My goal is to touch as many children’s lives as possible. I can’t wait to beam for joy, knowing the reason they feel better and are smiling from ear to ear is because of me. The experience I have gained and still going to gain in university is the reason why I believe I am deserving of this scholarship. I hope to receive the “Nursing Shortage Education Scholarship”, to not just relieve the stress of tuition, but to inspire others like me in my home country, whose dreams might be limited, because of financial instability, lack of resources, and education. It would be a factor in why I would be able to make a change in the future. Anything you put your mind to is possible; I know the magnitude of what I want to do.

My experience being diagnosed with severe Neonatal Sepsis at birth is the root of my drive and passion for pediatric nursing. Every year, on my birthday, I am reminded of this happening; of course, I do not remember at such a young age but my mother never fails to remember the pain and the fear knowing my chances of survival were low. I struggle to watch her anguish masked with the most convincing smile she can muster. My mother wasn't always there to change my diapers, listen to my cries, or even breastfeed me when I was hungry. Her absence was not a choice. She too lay low-spirited in the hospital bed, counting down the days she could finally take me home while fighting against the dire aftermath effects of Cesarean Section. Not waking up to the familiar face of my mother usually took me aback, instead, I was left in the hands of nurses: complete strangers at that time. I don’t want to be a stranger. I want children to feel the warmth I exude, knowing that I am a safe space: a space where the intensity of love I have for them is more than they would have for me. “What do you want to be in the future?” is a question commonly asked. However, the answer: “pediatric nurse” always stood as my response. What many fail to understand is that nursing goes beyond the physical dysfunctions the human body is susceptible to. Clinical nurses are an embodiment of empathy, comfort and compassion, which are all virtues I have picked up in my work experience as a trainee under a professional gynecologist. Living in a Third World country like Nigeria and witnessing the poor healthcare system for 17 years has taken some time to get used to. Even so, ever since the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of people living in poor conditions has increased: more people hawking on the roadsides, more children begging for alms, and more universities as well as other educational institutions shutting down. I would not let this put out my fire. 34-year-old Dr Kizzmekia Corbett led the development of the Covid-19 vaccine that is currently being distributed worldwide. Corbett always excelled in her sciences but as Dr Freeman Hrabowski said, what separated her from every outstanding student was her ability to connect to people, her ability to understand that this virus is active and affecting real people every day, not just a practice or experiment in a lab. Having an African-American woman lead such research in a world intoxicated with gender discrimination and racial prejudice impelled me to make a global difference. My goal is to touch as many children’s lives as possible. I can’t wait to beam for joy, knowing the reason they feel better and are smiling from ear to ear is because of me. The experience I have gained and still going to gain in university is the reason why I believe I am deserving of this scholarship. I hope to receive the “Mighty Memorial Scholarship”, to not just relieve the stress of tuition, but to inspire others like me in my home country, whose dreams might be limited, because of financial instability, lack of resources, and education. It would be a factor in why I would be able to make a change in the future. Anything you put your mind to is possible; I know the magnitude of what I want to do.

My experience being diagnosed with severe Neonatal Sepsis at birth is the root of my drive and passion for pediatric nursing. Every year, on my birthday, I am reminded of this happening; of course, I do not remember at such a young age but my mother never fails to remember the pain and the fear knowing my chances of survival were low. I struggle to watch her anguish masked with the most convincing smile she can muster. My mother wasn't always there to change my diapers, listen to my cries, or even breastfeed me when I was hungry. Her absence was not a choice. She too lay low-spirited in the hospital bed, counting down the days she could finally take me home while fighting against the dire aftermath effects of Cesarean Section. Not waking up to the familiar face of my mother usually took me aback, instead, I was left in the hands of nurses: complete strangers at that time. I don’t want to be a stranger. I want children to feel the warmth I exude, knowing that I am a safe space: a space where the intensity of love I have for them is more than they would have for me. “What do you want to be in the future?” is a question commonly asked. However, the answer: “pediatric nurse” always stood as my response. What many fail to understand is that nursing goes beyond the physical dysfunctions the human body is susceptible to. Clinical nurses are an embodiment of empathy, comfort and compassion, which are all virtues I have picked up in my work experience as a trainee under a professional gynecologist. I am a member of the community outreach organization at Illinois Wesleyan University, in which we meet every other Sunday to discuss details of exciting events that promote more sustainable and thoughtful living habits among students of our IWU family. On more than one occasion, we have made substantial donations to the Home Sweet Home Ministries and the Heartland Head Start Organization. To say the least, the feeling of merely partaking in the preparation and coordination of such events brings enough contentment. Some of our activities dedicated to charitable organizations include making and packaging gift bags, cards, and tie blankets. Currently, I am employed by the university’s dining services, Sodexo, to work approximately 20 hours a week. This highly demanding job has surged my duties and responsibilities on campus, making me very deliberate about how I spend my time to perform well in my academic work. I am glad to add that I was included in the Fall 2022 semester Dean’s List, holding a nursing GPA of 3.9. I balance my academics with this job while still ensuring I attend relevant events like "Boba and Cards’. This event was held in my residence hall on the 30th of March, and we sat together and made cards for hospitalized kids in the nearby Carle BroMenn Medical Center. The experience I have gained and still going to gain in university is the reason why I believe I am deserving of this scholarship. I hope to receive the “Sara Jane Memorial Scholarship”, to not just relieve the stress of tuition, but to inspire others like me in my home country, whose dreams might be limited, because of financial instability, lack of resources, and education. It would be a factor in why I would be able to make a change in the future.

Joining the close-knit of learners at Illinois Wesleyan School of Nursing as an international student from Nigeria is an opportunity handed to me in ways that may be unbelievable to many ears. From the lens of an international student, I have seen that my experience so far at IWU Nursing is a unique one and I am excited for what is in store for me in the upcoming years. I have been immersed in opportunities centered around my overall well-being and education that I know would bring nothing short of success to my nursing career. I am a member of the community outreach organization, in which we meet every other Sunday to discuss details of exciting events that promote more sustainable and thoughtful living habits among students of our IWU family. On more than one occasion, we have made substantial donations to the Home Sweet Home Ministries and the Heartland Head Start Organization. To say the least, the feeling of merely partaking in the preparation and coordination of such events brings enough contentment. Some of our activities dedicated to charitable organizations include making and packaging gift bags, cards, and tie blankets. Currently, I am employed by the university’s dining services, Sodexo, to work approximately 20 hours a week. This highly demanding job has surged my duties and responsibilities on campus, making me very deliberate about how I spend my time to perform well in my academic work. I am glad to add that I was included in the Fall 2022 semester Dean’s List, holding a nursing GPA of 3.9. I balance my academics with this job while still ensuring I attend relevant events like "Boba and Cards’. This event was held in my residence hall on the 30th of March, and we sat together and made cards for hospitalized kids in the nearby Carle BroMenn Medical Center. I also attend the fantastic job and internship fairs organized by the school in the Shirk Center. Usually, the open employment positions are specified for the graduating class, but the experience gained makes it worthwhile. During these fairs, I am educated about the personal traits and skills that companies seek out in nursing candidates, which will be beneficial for me in the long run. The experience I have gained and still going to gain in university is the reason why I believe I am deserving of this scholarship. I hope to receive the “Si Se Puede Scholarship”, to not just relieve the stress of tuition, but to inspire others like me in my home country, whose dreams might be limited, because of financial instability, lack of resources, and education. It would be a factor in why I would be able to make a change in the future.

The impact the book, Gifted Hands, has had on my life is quite profound. This autobiography by Ben Carson, the retired pediatric neurosurgeon, has taught me the very essence of devotion and passion in the medical profession. It stripped me of any doubt I had about the question “What are your future ambitions?” The depiction of groundbreaking research and discoveries heightened my curiosity in the field of pediatrics. How did he perform a hemispherectomy, or a gamble as he would call it, that puts a hold on severe, uncontrolled seizures? How is the brain of a child able to recover and function post-surgery? How is it made possible for craniopagus twins sharing vital brain tissues to be separated without any mishaps during surgery? Personally, my experience being diagnosed with severe Neonatal Sepsis at birth is the root of my drive and passion for pediatrics. Every birthday, of course, I do not remember at such a young age, but my mother never fails to remember the pain and the fear knowing my chances of survival were low. I struggle to watch her anguish masked with the most convincing smile she can muster. My mother wasn't always there to change my diapers, listen to my cries, or even breastfeed me when I was hungry. Her absence was not a choice. She too lay low-spirited in the hospital bed, counting down the days she could finally take me home while fighting against the dire aftermath effects of Cesarean Section. Not waking up to the familiar face of my mother likely took me aback, instead, I was left in the hands of doctors: complete strangers at that time. I don’t want to be a stranger. I want children to feel the warmth I exude, knowing that I am a safe space: a space where the intensity of love I have for them is more than they would have for me. “What do you want to be in the future?” is a question commonly asked. However, the answer: “medical doctor” always stood as my response. What many fail to understand is that medicine goes beyond the physical dysfunctions the human body is susceptible to. Physicians are an embodiment of empathy, comfort and compassion, which are all virtues I have picked up in my work experience as a trainee under a professional gynecologist. Living in a Third World country like Nigeria and witnessing the poor healthcare system has taken some time to get used to. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, more people are hawking on the roadsides, more children begging for alms, and more universities as well as other educational institutions shutting down. Dr Kizzmekia Corbett led the development of the Covid-19 vaccine that is currently being distributed worldwide. Corbett always excelled in her sciences but as Dr Freeman Hrabowski said, what separated her from every outstanding student was her ability to connect to people, to understand that this virus is active and affecting real people every day, not just a practice or experiment in a lab. Having an African-American woman lead such research in a world intoxicated with gender discrimination and racial prejudice impelled me to make a global difference. My goal is to touch as many children’s lives as possible. I can’t wait to beam for joy, knowing the reason they feel better and are smiling from ear to ear is because of me. Anything you put your mind to is possible; I know the magnitude of what I want to do. Though it may seem overambitious, I am daring to dream of possessing the next set of gifted hands!

Giving birth seemed to be such a joyous and memorable event: the thrill of being able to hold your self-image, your offspring. This once-in-a-blue-moon occurrence calls for great celebration amongst family and friends; everyone seeking a chance to cradle this newborn in their arms. The cacophony of grandmothers’ arguing about this child’s name falls like chaotic music in the ears of a mother. But what happens to that mother who can’t take their mini bundle of joy home with them? What happens to that mother who can’t be the first to introduce her child to the outside world? She becomes my very own mother. My experience being diagnosed with severe Neonatal Sepsis at birth is the root of my drive and passion for pediatrics. Every year, on my birthday, I am reminded of this happening; of course, I do not remember at such a young age but my mother never fails to remember the pain and the fear knowing my chances of survival were low. I struggle to watch her anguish masked with the most convincing smile she can muster. My mother wasn't always there to change my diapers, listen to my cries, or even breastfeed me when I was hungry. Her absence was not a choice. She too lay low-spirited in the hospital bed, counting down the days she could finally take me home while fighting against the dire aftermath effects of Cesarean Section. Not waking up to the familiar face of my mother usually took me aback, instead, I was left in the hands of nurses: complete strangers at that time. I don’t want to be a stranger. I want children to feel the warmth I exude, knowing that I am a safe space: a space where the intensity of love I have for them is more than they would have for me. “What do you want to be in the future?” is a question commonly asked. However, the answer: “pediatric nurse” always stood as my response. What many fail to understand is that nursing goes beyond the physical dysfunctions the human body is susceptible to. Clinical nurses are an embodiment of empathy, comfort and compassion, which are all virtues I have picked up in my work experience as a trainee under a professional gynecologist. Living in a Third World country like Nigeria and witnessing the poor healthcare system for 17 years has taken some time to get used to. Even so, ever since the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of people living in poor conditions has increased: more people hawking on the roadsides, more children begging for alms, and more universities as well as other educational institutions shutting down. I would not let this put out my fire. 34-year-old Dr Kizzmekia Corbett led the development of the Covid-19 vaccine that is currently being distributed worldwide. Corbett always excelled in her sciences but as Dr Freeman Hrabowski said, what separated her from every outstanding student was her ability to connect to people, her ability to understand that this virus is active and affecting real people every day, not just a practice or experiment in a lab. Having an African-American woman lead such research in a world intoxicated with gender discrimination and racial prejudice impelled me to make a global difference. My goal is to touch as many children’s lives as possible. I can’t wait to beam for joy, knowing the reason they feel better and are smiling from ear to ear is because of me. Anything you put your mind to is possible; I know the magnitude of what I want to do.

Giving birth seemed to be such a joyous and memorable event: the thrill of being able to hold your self-image, your offspring. This once-in-a-blue-moon occurrence calls for great celebration amongst family and friends; everyone seeking a chance to cradle this newborn in their arms. The cacophony of grandmothers’ arguing about this child’s name falls like chaotic music in the ears of a mother. But what happens to that mother who can’t take their mini bundle of joy home with them? What happens to that mother who can’t be the first to introduce her child to the outside world? She becomes my very own mother. My experience being diagnosed with severe Neonatal Sepsis at birth is the root of my drive and passion for pediatrics. Every year, on my birthday, I am reminded of this happening; of course, I do not remember at such a young age but my mother never fails to remember the pain and the fear knowing my chances of survival were low. I struggle to watch her anguish masked with the most convincing smile she can muster. My mother wasn't always there to change my diapers, listen to my cries, or even breastfeed me when I was hungry. Her absence was not a choice. She too lay low-spirited in the hospital bed, counting down the days she could finally take me home while fighting against the dire aftermath effects of Cesarean Section. Not waking up to the familiar face of my mother usually took me aback, instead, I was left in the hands of nurses: complete strangers at that time. I don’t want to be a stranger. I want children to feel the warmth I exude, knowing that I am a safe space: a space where the intensity of love I have for them is more than they would have for me. “What do you want to be in the future?” is a question commonly asked. However, the answer: “pediatric nurse” always stood as my response. What many fail to understand is that nursing goes beyond the physical dysfunctions the human body is susceptible to. Clinical nurses are an embodiment of empathy, comfort and compassion, which are all virtues I have picked up in my work experience as a trainee under a professional gynecologist. Living in a Third World country like Nigeria and witnessing the poor healthcare system for 17 years has taken some time to get used to. Even so, ever since the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of people living in poor conditions has increased: more people hawking on the roadsides, more children begging for alms, and more universities as well as other educational institutions shutting down. I would not let this put out my fire. 34-year-old Dr Kizzmekia Corbett led the development of the Covid-19 vaccine that is currently being distributed worldwide. Corbett always excelled in her sciences but as Dr Freeman Hrabowski said, what separated her from every outstanding student was her ability to connect to people, her ability to understand that this virus is active and affecting real people every day, not just a practice or experiment in a lab. Having an African-American woman lead such research in a world intoxicated with gender discrimination and racial prejudice impelled me to make a global difference. My goal is to touch as many children’s lives as possible. I can’t wait to beam for joy, knowing the reason they feel better and are smiling from ear to ear is because of me. Anything you put your mind to is possible; I know the magnitude of what I want to do.