The first feeling I had when holding a human brain was the fear of dropping it. The next was complete and utter awe. Most people would be repelled by this experience, but I was drawn to the magic and mystery of the human body. At that time, I was fairly sure that pursuing a career in nursing was my path, but as I held the control center for every body function in the palms of my hands, I knew for certain that this was my dream. In 2023, I applied and was accepted to the Heidelberg University Medical Professions Camp. During this four-day overnight camp, I met with healthcare professionals from different fields, attended lectures, and engaged in hands-on labs. Not only did I have the opportunity to hold a human brain and other organs during a cadaver lab, I also wrapped casts, looked at X-rays and other medical imaging photos, and was certified for citizen CPR. It was an amazing immersive experience that confirmed my love for healthcare and nursing. I’ve always had a passion for helping others. Through the Jewish value Mitzvot, or acts of kindness, I have learned that making a positive difference in the world, no matter how small, can greatly impact others. As a child, I would pack food bags for people in need, or volunteer at soup kitchens with my family. I knew at a young age that I would pursue a career in medicine, but nursing stood out to me as I thought about college and my future. Providing one on one care to patients, both medical and emotional, is the path for me. Now, as I have grown and my career path has become closer and clearer, my passion for nursing has only deepened. Currently, I spend half of my school day at my public high school and the other half at nursing school, working towards my LPN. Throughout high school, I have participated in many volunteer experiences, accumulating over 350 community service hours. Some of these include Broadway Buddies, a theater camp for people with disabilities, as well as Amnesty International, where we work to increase awareness and raise money for human rights issues all over the world. These experiences have reinforced my belief that healthcare is a human right, and that everyone should be able to access quality care regardless of who they are or where they live. Looking to the future, I plan to pursue higher education and earn my BSN, RN, and MSN, with the goal of making a positive difference in underserved areas around the world. Opportunities that I am interested in include volunteering for Nursing without Borders or becoming a travel nurse. By providing care to those in need, I aim to contribute to a world where healthcare is accessible to everyone, regardless of geographical or economic obstacles. This not only aligns with my career goals, but also reflects personal values, such as compassion and service to the community.

The first feeling I had when holding a human brain was the fear of dropping it. The next was complete and utter awe. Most people would be repelled by this experience, but I was drawn to the magic and mystery of the human body. At that time, I was fairly sure that pursuing a career in nursing was my path, but as I held the control center for every body function in the palms of my hands, I knew for certain that this was my dream. In 2023, I applied and was accepted to the Heidelberg University Medical Professions Camp. During this four-day overnight camp, I met with healthcare professionals from different fields, attended lectures, and engaged in hands-on labs. Not only did I have the opportunity to hold a human brain and other organs during a cadaver lab, I also wrapped casts, looked at X-rays and other medical imaging photos, and was certified for citizen CPR. It was an amazing immersive experience that confirmed my love for healthcare and nursing. I’ve always had a passion for helping others. Through the Jewish value Mitzvot, or acts of kindness, I have learned that making a positive difference in the world, no matter how small, can greatly impact others. As a child, I would pack food bags for people in need, or volunteer at soup kitchens with my family. I knew at a young age that I would pursue a career in medicine. Nursing stood out to me as I thought about college. Providing one on one care to patients, both medical and emotional, is the path for me. Now, as I have grown up and my career path has become clearer and closer, my passion for nursing has only deepened. Currently, I spend half of my school day at my public high school and the other half at nursing school, working towards my LPN. Throughout high school, I have participated in many volunteer experiences, accumulating over 350 community service hours. Some of these include Broadway Buddies, a theater camp for people with disabilities, as well as Amnesty International, where we work to increase awareness and raise money for human rights issues all over the world. These experiences have reinforced my belief that healthcare is a human right, and that everyone should be able to access quality care regardless of who they are or where they live. Looking to the future, I plan to pursue higher education and earn my BSN, RN, and MSN, with the goal of making a positive difference in underserved areas around the world. Opportunities that I am interested in include volunteering for Nursing without Borders or becoming a travel nurse. By providing care to those in need, I aim to contribute to a world where healthcare is accessible to everyone, regardless of geographical or economic obstacles. This not only aligns with my career goals, but also reflects personal values, such as compassion and service to the community.

The first feeling I had when holding a human brain was the fear of dropping it. The next was complete and utter awe. Most people would be repelled by this experience, but I was drawn to the magic and mystery of the human body. At that time, I was fairly sure that pursuing a career in nursing was my path, but as I held the control center for every body function in the palms of my hands, I knew for certain that this was my dream. In 2023, I applied and was accepted to the Heidelberg University Medical Professions Camp. During this four-day overnight camp, I met with healthcare professionals from different fields, attended lectures, and engaged in hands-on labs. Not only did I have the opportunity to hold a human brain and other organs during a cadaver lab, I also wrapped casts, looked at X-rays and other medical imaging photos, and was certified for citizen CPR. It was an amazing immersive experience that confirmed my love for healthcare and nursing. That summer, I was eager for my next school year. I had been selected for a career-based high school program to pursue my LPN. Excel TECC has allowed me to spend half of each day of my junior and senior year at my public high school, and the other half in lectures and labs to prepare me to become an LPN. Now, after completing my first year, I have begun clinical rotations. So far, I have had the opportunity to work at nursing homes, elementary schools for hearing and vision screenings, and at a local hospital. Soon, I will not only earn my high school diploma, but also sit for the Ohio Board of Nursing to earn my LPN. This practical nursing license will help with my future goals by giving me a head start in a BSN program. Ultimately, I would like to continue on to earn an MSN and obtain certifications to work in the operating room alongside surgeons and other OR nurses. I have had many volunteer experiences and accomplishments that have also contributed to my love of nursing and providing service in the community. For example, I have volunteered at Broadway Buddies, a theater camp for people with mental and physical disabilities, for 4 years, accumulating over 350 volunteer hours and engaging in leadership roles. As a buddy, I help the stars learn their lines, dances, and cues for a musical put on at the end of the week. In 2022, I took my experience up a notch by volunteering for the overnight portion of camp. I was nervous to take on a larger role in providing care for people with mental and physical disabilities. However, it ended up being an amazing experience as I helped with activities, scheduling, and time management. All of the volunteers need a solid work ethic and teamwork skills to stay on schedule and keep the stars safe while they are away from home. These wonderful experiences with special education have helped solidify my passion for helping others and benefiting the community. I can only imagine what my future will look like, and my past experiences and current education will allow me to move towards and achieve that future. Through the Heidelberg University Healthcare Professionals camp, Broadway Buddies, and my LPN schooling, I am eager to enter the field of nursing and help people in need.