My experience as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) for three years, starting in a nursing home and transitioning to a medical-surgical unit at a hospital, has been instrumental in shaping my understanding of the nursing profession. Through all the direct patient care I have provided, I have witnessed the impact nurses make on individuals' lives and experienced the importance of empathy, effective communication, and critical thinking in providing quality care. Nursing is so much more than a job and any nurse can attest to that. Nursing will always be my calling because of everything that being a nurse's aide has taught me. Through all the laughs, tears, and bittersweet moments I have had the privilege to experience with patients over the years, I will always choose nursing. Going home on my very worst day as a tech on the floor, I still pray over all of my patients and their families before going to bed everyday. I am grateful for the opportunity to be everything to patients who don't have anyone at their side on their lowest points in life. Reaching the last semester of my nursing education has been a significant achievement and a testament to my dedication, perseverance, and passion for the nursing profession. It has provided me with a solid foundation in nursing theory, clinical skills, and ethical principles, preparing me for the challenges and responsibilities that lie ahead for my nursing career. I am very proud that being a CNA has provided me with all the experience I have under my belt and has personally challenged me to become a better person. For example, spending more time with my family because not every patient is lucky enough to have one around while being in the hospital. I have grown so much as a person because of this job and I can only imagine what being a nurse will help me become. As I approach the NCLEX as a last semester nursing student, I recognize it as a critical milestone in my nursing journey. Successfully passing this licensure examination will not only prove my competency as a RN but also reflect the years of education, training, and preparation. It will be a momentous achievement and a stepping stone towards realizing my long-term career goals. My ultimate goal in pursuing a nursing career is to become a Nurse Practitioner. By acquiring advanced knowledge, skills, and autonomy, I aspire to promote health education. I envision myself working to advocate for patients' rights, working in underserved communities, and implementing innovative approaches to improve patient outcomes and quality of care.

Initially, when I enrolled in the Certified Nursing Assistant program offered by my high school, I figured I should take advantage of the opportunity to learn new skills in a different career that I wasn't interested in at the time without paying a dime. But I didn't think much about it beyond that. It wasn't until I had my first clinical experience at a nursing home that something clicked, I experienced a realization that nursing was my true calling and I knew I had to change my career of interest. Fast forward to today, as a CNA with three years of experience under my belt, I'm proud to say that I'm now in my final year of nursing school. I am eager to continue my journey towards becoming a registered nurse and making a positive impact in the lives of my patients. Being a CNA in a hospital has been such a great experience for me. I've learned so many new skills and been able to work alongside some amazing nurses who have shown me the ropes. It's been such a privilege to provide direct care to patients, assist nurses, and take on other tasks within my unit. One of the most rewarding aspects of my role has been the opportunity to establish meaningful connections with my patients. I know I will carry this on once I become a registered nurse and am able to provide greater care that is within my scope of practice that I am limited in doing as a CNA. Through my daily interactions with patients, I have developed close relationships and gained a deeper understanding of their needs and concerns. This has all strengthened my passion towards nursing and reinforced my desire to pursue it as a career. One of the things that I've enjoyed the most about my work as a CNA is the relationships that I've formed with patients. Every day, I get to connect with them on a personal level and provide them with the care and attention that they need. It's truly a rewarding experience to know that I'm making a difference in their lives. Working as a CNA has strengthened my passion for nursing and has shown me that it's the career path that I want to pursue. I'm confident that with my dedication and skills, I'll be able to make a real impact in the lives of my future patients. Thank you for considering my application.

As a certified nursing assistant with three years of experience, I have seen first-hand the impact nurses can have on patients' lives. It was through my experiences as a CNA that I was inspired to continue to pursue a degree as a Registered Nurse. Working in a nursing home and now in a hospital, I have had the opportunity to work alongside nurses in a variety of settings. I have seen the difference they make in the lives of their patients, and I want to have the same impact. Through my experiences, I have also come to understand the importance of education in providing the best possible care to patients with the responsibility I have to be knowledgable and keeping up to date with my skills and certifications. That's why I decided to pursue an Associates in Applied Science in Nursing degree at Triton College, with the goal of eventually obtaining my Bachelor's of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. I believe that obtaining these degrees will provide me with the knowledge and skills necessary to make a real difference in patients' lives. With clinical practice and gaining experience as a nurse in different fields, I am hopeful in making a positive impact in my patient's lives. My specific area of nursing interest for when I graduate will be to start of in in medical-surgical and neurology-stroke care. Working in these areas, I have seen the impact that nurses can have on patients recovering from different illnesses or a stroke. I have learned how to perform EKG tests, remove IVs, and provide daily patient care. I have also had the opportunity to assist nurses during emergency situations by taking vital signs, monitoring blood sugar levels, and providing other essential support they may need such as physically moving a patient. My goal as a nurse is to continue to work in medical-surgical and neurology-stroke care and to eventually become a nurse practitioner in the near future with experience as a bedside nurse first. I believe that as a nurse practitioner, I will be able to provide even more specialized care to my patients and make an even greater impact on their lives with a bigger scope of practice. In the end, my experiences as a CNA have inspired me to pursue an advanced degree in nursing. I am committed to continuing my education and to making a real difference in the lives of my patients. I am excited to continue my studies and to eventually become a nurse practitioner in the specialty that I choose in the near future.

My name is Diana Garcia, and I am a 20-year-old second-year nursing student at Triton College in Illinois. Pursuing nursing has ironically not been a lifelong dream of mine, it wasn't until I became a nurse's aide that my love for nursing was discovered. I feel privileged to be able to make a positive impact on people's lives through this career choice. I have gained valuable knowledge and skills that have prepared me for my future as a nurse with the help of my years of experience as a CNA. After graduating from Triton College in December 2023 with my Associates in Applied Science in Nursing degree, I plan to transfer to the University of Illinois at Chicago to obtain my Bachelor's of Science in Nursing degree. I believe that this will help me further develop my skills and knowledge, allowing me to make an even greater impact on the lives of my future patients. Pursuing a higher degree to continue my goal in eventually becoming a Nurse Practitioner will help me treat patients with a greater scope of practice with the right amount of experience and knowledge. As previously states, my passion for nursing began when I became a CNA at the age of 17. Starting off in a nursing home and later transitioning to a hospital, where I have worked for the past two years, I have gained an imense amount of experience in patient care. I work on a medical-surgical floor that is also a telemetry and neurology-stroke unit, where I encounter various cases and learn from nurses and patients everyday. My experiences have shown me that being a nurse goes beyond providing nursing care. It's about connecting with patients on a personal level, advocating for their needs, and making a positive impact on their lives. I have seen many patients in the hospital and nursing homes without any familiy present for weeks to months. A lot of patients do not have anyone as a support system and nurses are the closest thing they have to it. This has gone to show me how nursing is far more than just a job that you clock in and out of, as any nurse or CNA will be able to attest. Even as you go home after your long 12-hour shift, you continue to think about and pray for the well-being of your patients and their families. On my shifts I make sure to sit with patients and have a genuine conversation with them to really connect with them. I know this can ease some anxiety for patients that are worried about their current reason for hospitilzation as they start to laugh and become more open to conversation. I believe that every patient deserves the best care possible, and I am dedicated to providing that care. I plan to make a positive impact by working with underserved communities, providing education on healthcare and disease prevention, and being an advocate for those who may not have a voice. In conclusion, I am passionate about nursing and am excited about the opportunities this career path will bring. My experiences as a CNA have allowed me to see the impact that nurses can have on patients' lives, and I am dedicated to making a positive impact on the world through my nursing career.

"Welcome to New York" is my favorite song on Taylor's 1989 album. From the moment I heard it, I thought Taylor was smart to place it as the first track in the album that you heard and perfectly conveyed the album's message of self-discovery. It gave listeners the right feel of the album's message. I was immediately hooked on the catchy chorus and amazing lyrics written by Taylor herself. I love that the lyrics convey the emotions of relocating and beginning a new chapter and truly made me feel as if I was being guided through a journey of self-discovery. One of the reasons I love "Welcome to New York" is that it makes me feel like I'm on my own path in the world. As someone who personally plans to relocate to a new city in the future, I can relate to the song's message of self-discovery and new beginnings. The lyrics of the song are inspiring and motivational all while encouraging listeners to embrace new experiences and take risks in life. This is something everyone fears as we grow older and let go of our loved ones and start to move out of our childhood homes, grow out of friendships, and graduate college. It is not easy to be on your own and I love that this song takes that into consideration. The song's chorus, "Like any great love, it keeps you guessing / Like any real love, it's ever-changing / Like any true love, it drives you crazy / But you know you wouldn't change anything." These lyrics imply that although moving to a new city can be very overwhelming and difficult, especially while on your own, it is often worth it in the end. I love that the song talks about this because it is the reality of the journey of self-discovery and stepping out of your comfort zone. Nothing in life is as simple as never having to experience any obstacles in your path, it is up to you whether you're willing to get past them and continue on with your journey. The song not only has inspirational lyrics but also some of Taylor Swift's best work that I believe is underrated compared to her other hits. With its powerful message and catchy beat, this song is my go-to inspirational song choice, and it's easy to imagine yourself walking through the streets of New York City with this song blasting in your headphones. From Taylor's 1989 album, "Welcome to New York" has to be my top choice in favorites overall. It is a song that is both encouraging and enjoyable at the same time. I know I can listen to this song whenever I need some inspiration or feel motivated. I can go to this song when I need some reassurance that I am following the right path and feel empowered again. I am grateful to share my love for this song since I am a huge fan of Taylor and I finally get to share why some of her underrated songs such as this one are the best.

My love for nursing has grown over the years mostly because of my current occupation as a Certified Nursing Assistant and a nursing student. Working as a CNA and alongside many nurses has given me a view of what it's like to be a nurse and the caring, drive, and critical thinking involved in this profession. I am only the most eager 19-year-old Latina ready to earn the title, of "RN" in the world. Becoming a CNA at the age of 17 while still in high school has given me all I need in order to commit to my education in pursuing a nursing degree. I hope to inspire my fellow classmates in my nursing cohort to do the same and not give up no matter how hard nursing school can get. I know that I am eager to be in a fast-paced environment and it is in my nature to be on my feet at all times. Working as a CNA in a medical-surgical unit has taught me that. My goal is to become a new grad in a medical-surgical unit, perhaps the unit I am working in currently. I see many things at work every day and meet different patients with every shift change. There is never a dull day on the floor. I am grateful for my experiences every day and that I get to provide care to people that really need it. It really is one of the most rewarding experiences to see patients getting discharged. I know I will be able to provide further care in ways I can't as a CNA but will be able to as a nurse in the future. I only hope that I am there for my patients in every way possible.