Mental health care should not be a luxury, yet for many people especially in low income and minority communities it still is. If I could make a unique contribution to the world, it would be to help create mental health services that are affordable, culturally sensitive, and easy to access for anyone who needs support. As someone who grew up seeing how unaddressed stress, trauma, and financial hardship affect entire families, I believe that mental health care must be treated with the same urgency and respect as physical health. When I become a nurse, I plan to advocate for integrated care models that connect patients to counseling, support groups, and education right inside community clinics, childcare centers, and schools. I want people to receive help without being judged, dismissed, or unable to afford it. In the future, I hope to expand community programs that provide sliding scale therapy, mental health workshops, and support specifically for caregivers, parents, and young adults. No one should feel like they have to suffer in silence because they cannot pay for help. My goal is to be part of a movement that reminds people that mental health is not a privilege it is a human right.

Growing up in a low-income household taught me early that money is not just about numbers it shapes opportunities, stability, and the way a family breathes through life. I remember watching my parents work hard, stretch every dollar, and still worry about things like rent increases or unexpected expenses. Seeing that motivated me to learn about credit and financial responsibility while I was still young. I didn’t want to repeat the cycle of surviving paycheck to paycheck; I wanted to build a foundation strong enough to change not only my life, but my family’s future as well. Building credit early is important to me because it means building options. I want to be able to buy a home one day, not just for myself, but to give my parents the security they never had. The idea of handing them keys to a house they can finally call their own is one of my biggest motivations. It’s more than a dream it’s a responsibility I feel deeply. Good credit is the first step toward making it real. Along the way, I’ve made financial mistakes that taught me valuable lessons. When I first got access to credit, I didn’t fully understand interest rates or utilization, and I watched my score drop because of late payments and balances I didn’t manage well. It was frustrating and embarrassing, but it forced me to educate myself. I began reading about credit, budgeting, and saving. I learned how credit scores are built, how to keep utilization low, and how important it is to pay on time. I faced the consequences the hard way, but it made me more determined to take control of my financial life. One of the smartest financial moves I’ve made was creating a strict budget and sticking to it. I started using a simple rule: if I can’t afford to buy it twice, I can’t afford it right now. I also prioritized paying down debts and keeping a small emergency fund for unexpected situations. I’m still learning and growing, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come. My credit is improving, and I can see the progress month by month. It’s proof that you can recover, rebuild, and rise, even when you start with very little. What motivates me the most is my family. My parents sacrificed so much so that I could have a better chance in life. They deserve to rest someday and not worry about housing or financial strain. I want to break generational cycles and create a different story for the family that comes after me. Money isn’t everything, but financial security brings peace, dignity, and the chance to breathe without fear. Taking control of my financial future is about empowerment. I plan to keep building my credit, saving, and making informed decisions. I want to continue learning about investments, homeownership, and long term wealth. My goal is not only to improve my situation, but to pass down knowledge to my future children, nieces, nephews, and anyone in my community who needs guidance. I come from a background where money was always tight, but that taught me resilience, resourcefulness, and the value of planning ahead. I don’t take financial literacy for granted because I know what it feels like to live without it. Building credit early is my way of rewriting my future and giving my parents the stability they always deserved.

I didn’t always have the language to explain why I wanted to become a nurse. I just knew what it felt like to care about people so deeply that their pain sat on my heart like it was my own. Over time, through my work in childcare and my personal experiences with the medical system, I finally found the words for it: I want to be a nurse because I believe that care can change a life, and sometimes even save one. My journey into caregiving started long before I ever imagined myself in scrubs. Working with infants and toddlers taught me that care is not just something you do, it’s something you give with your entire presence. I’ve held babies through fevers, listened to worried parents, and supported children through anxiety and developmental challenges. I learned how to read the needs that aren’t always spoken when a child needs comfort before they can communicate it, when a scared parent needs reassurance before information. Those same skills matter in nursing, where patients are often vulnerable and unsure, looking for someone who will not only treat their condition, but also treat them like a human being. My motivation to pursue nursing also comes from watching the people I love try to navigate healthcare without always feeling heard. I have seen how overwhelming hospitals can be, especially for families who don’t know the right medical terms, who feel rushed, or who carry cultural or language barriers. I remember thinking, If someone could just slow down and explain things with empathy, this would feel a little less frightening. That is the kind of nurse I want to be someone who slows things down, listens, and stands beside patients when everything else feels unfamiliar. As I continue my education, I’m especially drawn to pediatric and maternal health. There is something powerful about being present at the beginning of life and supporting families during some of their most emotional and meaningful moments. My experience in early childcare taught me a lot about infant development, family dynamics, and the importance of patient education. I can imagine myself helping a new mother learn to feed her baby, or calming nervous parents when their child isn’t feeling well. I want to be a nurse who creates safety, trust, and dignity for every family I care for. Outside of school and work, I try to take care of myself so I can continue taking care of others. I love staying active walking, lifting weights, and keeping my body strong. I’m also a matcha lover, and there’s something peaceful about sitting with a warm cup and letting myself breathe for a moment. Community is also a big part of my life. I enjoy planning childcare events and finding ways to bring families together, because I’ve learned that healing doesn’t only happen in hospitals. Sometimes it happens through connection, laughter, and being surrounded by people who care. Behind the scrubs I hope to wear, I am a person who leads with compassion. I am patient, I am gentle, and I do my best to understand others even when they cannot find the words. I know that nursing will be challenging, but I also know that I am ready for a life of learning, growth, and service. I want to make a difference not just through medication and procedures, but through presence, empathy, and respect. Nursing, to me, is not just a profession. It is a calling that lives in how I show up for people every day. With the support of this scholarship, I will move closer to becoming the type of nurse who makes patients feel safe, who sees the person behind the diagnosis, and who brings comfort into rooms where fear once lived.

I was born into circumstances that most people can’t imagine. I came from a refugee camp that had nothing no reliable healthcare, no clean facilities, and very little hope. But even in that environment, I remember how people looked out for one another. When someone got sick, everyone came together to help in any way they could. Those moments showed me that care doesn’t always come from resources it comes from compassion. That’s something I’ve carried with me ever since. When my family finally came to the United States, I saw a completely different world one where access to healthcare could save lives, but also where many still struggled to receive it. Watching that made me want to be part of the change. I wanted to be the person who could bridge that gap, bringing care and understanding to people who feel forgotten. That’s what inspired me to pursue nursing. Running my childcare center has shaped that goal even more. Every day, I care for children from different backgrounds, and I see how much love and patience can impact a child’s well being. Working with infants and toddlers taught me to be calm, nurturing, and attentive qualities that are just as essential in nursing. I learned that sometimes, healing doesn’t start with medicine; it starts with someone who truly cares. Seeing nurses care for my family members also strengthened my passion. They didn’t just treat illnesses they brought comfort and peace to people who were scared or in pain. That kind of compassion reminded me of the people who helped others back in the refugee camp, even when they had so little to give. Nursing, to me, is a way of continuing that same spirit of humanity on a greater scale. Right now, I’m completing my Liberal Arts degree at Cayuga Community College and preparing to enter Utica University’s Accelerated BSN program in January 2026. My goal is to become a registered nurse, and eventually specialize in pediatrics or community health. I want to use my education to serve underrepresented communities especially immigrant and refugee families so they can receive the care, respect, and compassion they deserve. Coming from a place with nothing taught me to appreciate everything. It taught me resilience, gratitude, and the power of kindness. Becoming a nurse isn’t just my career goal it’s my purpose. I want to bring hope, comfort, and healing to people just like the ones I grew up around, proving that no matter where you come from, you can become the person who makes a difference.

Honestly, I’ve always known I wanted to be in a field where I could help people. Ever since I was young, I’ve had a natural instinct to care for others whether it was comforting a family member, helping a friend through a hard time, or now, running my childcare center and caring for children every day. Over time, that desire to help people heal and feel supported grew stronger, and I realized that nursing was the perfect path for me. For me, nursing is more than just a profession it’s a calling. It’s about being present for people during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives and helping them find comfort, strength, and hope. Working in childcare has taught me patience, empathy, and leadership. Every child has their own needs and emotions, and I’ve learned that small acts of kindness like listening, reassuring, or simply showing compassion can completely change someone’s day. Those same values are what I plan to bring into nursing: the ability to make people feel safe, seen, and cared for, even in their hardest moments. When I decided to apply for nursing school, I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy journey. But I also knew that this was where I truly belonged. Getting accepted into Utica University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program starting in January 2026 feels like a dream coming true. It’s the start of a new chapter where I can combine my love for caring for others with the education and skills needed to make a real impact in healthcare. I know it’s going to be intense and challenging, but I’m ready to give it my all because nursing isn’t just something I want to do it’s something I feel called to do. I’m especially passionate about serving families and children, because that’s where my heart has always been. I want to work as a registered nurse in pediatrics, maternal health, or community-based care. My goal is to help families who may not always have access to quality healthcare or who feel unheard in medical spaces. I believe everyone deserves compassionate, culturally sensitive care, no matter their background or situation. Nurses are often the bridge between patients and doctors, and I want to be the kind of nurse who listens, advocates, and makes sure no one feels overlooked. In my community, there are so many families who struggle to find healthcare providers they can trust or relate to. As a nurse, I want to be part of the change to educate, empower, and support people who need it most. I’ve seen how fear, language barriers, and lack of understanding can stop people from getting care. I want to make healthcare feel more human, more welcoming, and more connected to the community it serves. My long term goal is to open a family health practice that focuses on preventive care, education, and emotional support especially for children and parents. I want to create a space where people feel comfortable asking questions, learning about their health, and knowing they have someone who truly cares. At the end of the day, nursing is about heart. It’s about showing up for people when they need it most offering not just medicine, but understanding and compassion. I want to be the kind of nurse who leaves a lasting impact, not just through the care I provide, but through the love, patience, and hope I bring to every patient I meet. Nursing is how I plan to serve, give back, and help my community heal one person, one family, one moment at a time.

1. I’ve always been the kind of person who wants to take care of people. Whether it was helping my family, looking after kids at my childcare center, or just being there for someone who’s having a rough day, I’ve always felt happiest when I’m making someone else feel better. Over time, that love for helping others turned into something deeper a calling to become a nurse. Running my daycare taught me a lot about patience, responsibility, and empathy. Every child comes with their own personality, emotions, and needs, and I learned quickly that sometimes people don’t need you to fix everything they just need you to care. I’ve seen how a little kindness, understanding, or even a smile can completely change someone’s day. That lesson shaped how I view care and compassion not as small gestures, but as powerful acts of love that can make a real difference. When I watched nurses care for my family members, I noticed how they did more than treat medical issues. They brought comfort, strength, and calm to people in scary moments. The way they held a patient’s hand, spoke gently, or took the time to explain something those were moments that truly inspired me. It showed me that nursing isn’t just about knowledge or training; it’s about heart. Getting accepted into Utica University’s Accelerated BSN program for January 2026 feels like the start of something I’ve been working toward for years. Nursing, to me, is more than a career it’s a lifelong mission. My goal is to become a registered nurse, continue growing in my skills, and one day open my own healthcare practice that serves families and children in my community. I want to be the nurse who not only provides care but also makes people feel seen, safe, and cared for. My journey so far from childcare to nursing is all about showing love through service, and I plan to carry that same energy with me every step of the way. 2. The phrase “human touch” means showing care in a way that goes beyond medical skills it’s about treating people like people, not just patients. To me, it means empathy, patience, and genuine connection. The human touch is what reminds someone that they’re not alone while they’re scared, sick, or in pain. In nursing, that human touch shows up in small ways holding a patient’s hand before a procedure, listening without rushing, or remembering their story beyond their diagnosis. It’s the simple things that make people feel valued and respected. I’ve seen firsthand how powerful that can be. When I was helping a child at my daycare who had separation anxiety, I learned how much comfort a soft voice and gentle reassurance can bring. It’s the same kind of presence I want to bring into nursing the kind that makes someone feel safe even when everything around them feels uncertain. I think nursing is both a science and an art. The science is what helps you save lives, but the art the human touch is what helps you heal hearts. Anyone can learn how to give medicine or check vital signs, but not everyone can make a patient feel truly cared for. Patients remember how you made them feel long after they forget your name. That’s the kind of nurse I want to be one who treats every person with kindness, dignity, and compassion, no matter what they’re going through. To me, the human touch also means understanding that healing isn’t just physical it’s emotional and spiritual too. It’s about creating a space where patients feel understood, respected, and loved. At the end of the day, the human touch is about being present mentally, emotionally, and physically. It’s about slowing down, listening, and letting someone know you care. That’s how I want to make my mark in nursing by combining skill with heart, and turning care into comfort.