Chambersburg, PA
Age
19
Gender
Female
Ethnicity
Hispanic/Latino
Religion
Other
Hobbies and interests
Reading
Community Service And Volunteering
Nursing
Running
Journaling
Reading
Romance
Health
Self-Help
Academic
I read books multiple times per week
US CITIZENSHIP
US Citizen
LOW INCOME STUDENT
Yes
FIRST GENERATION STUDENT
Yes
Fatima Alcala
925
Bold Points1x
Finalist1x
WinnerFatima Alcala
925
Bold Points1x
Finalist1x
WinnerBio
As a first-generation student pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, my journey has been deeply influenced by my experiences as a certified nurse assistant in a nursing home. Witnessing the lack of emotional support provided to residents by healthcare staff ignited a genuine passion for advocating the importance of prioritizing emotional care alongside personal care for older adults.
Driven by this mission, I aim to inspire fellow caregivers to recognize the transformative power of simple acts of kindness and genuine human connection in the lives of those they serve. As nurses, our most incredible honor lies in the ability to make a positive difference in the lives of our patients, turning routine interactions into cherished memories that endure.
This profound realization has sparked my interest in delving deeper into research. Currently, I am collaborating with my esteemed professor, Dr. Nelson Roque, on a study examining how caregiver burnout correlates with and affects their ability to provide emotional support do they care for, specifically for older adults. Through this research endeavor, I aspire to shed light on the intricate dynamics within caregiving environments, fostering a deeper understanding of the factors influencing emotional support provision.
Education
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
GPA:
3.9
Chambersburg Area Career Magnet Sch
High SchoolGPA:
4
Miscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
- Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants
Career
Dream career field:
Nursing
Dream career goals:
Nurse Practitioner/ Trauma Nurse
Certified Nurse Assistant
Brookview Menno Haven2022 – Present2 yearsResearch Assistant
Penn State University2023 – Present1 year
Research
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Penn State University — Research Assistant2023 – PresentRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Penn State University — Research Assistant2023 – Present
Public services
Volunteering
WellSpan Hospital — Food and Nutrition2022 – Present
Future Interests
Advocacy
Volunteering
Women in Nursing Scholarship
WinnerWorking in a nursing home as a Certified Nurse Assistant inspired me to pursue a degree in nursing and make a potential impact in caregiving through research. When people ask me what I enjoyed about working as a CNA, I tell them about a memorable resident who was a pilot and a dancer. I tell them that I vividly remember closing the door, turning up the music in his room, and seeing the smile on his face as I walked near him to introduce myself before providing care. He called me the "short one" since "Fatima" was too difficult for him to pronounce. I remember him tapping his feet to the music playing on the TV and closing his eyes. I grabbed his arms and swayed them to the beat. I was also dancing with him; his smile was widening.
Connecting personally and creating special memories for the residents beyond the routine tasks assured me of my dream of becoming a nurse. The opportunity to enhance someone's quality of life, to be a companion in their journey, and to bring a smile to their face is a privilege beyond any job description. Becoming a CNA, gaining hands-on experience, and working with my residents further strengthened my desire to pursue nursing wholeheartedly. This reinforced my understanding that everyone deserves compassionate care and companionship, regardless of their condition. I've learned that the honor of being a nurse lies in making a positive difference in the lives of those we care for, turning simple interactions into cherishable memories that last a lifetime. During my time as a CNA, I noticed a lack of emotional support given to residents by the healthcare staff. Determined to make a change, I engaged with the residents, sparking meaningful conversations and implementing new initiatives with the nursing team. My mission is to inspire fellow caregivers to recognize the transformative power of simple acts of kindness and genuine human connection in the lives of those they care for. I talked to the nurses about my observations, and we all agreed to implement change. The nursing staff and I slowly began engaging in meaningful conversations with older adults; we multitasked even throughout the busiest hours. As a future nurse, I emphasize the importance of emotional support in all healthcare settings, recognizing its transformative power.
This specific experience made me interested in pursuing research. Dr. Roque, an Assistant Professor at Penn State, is now mentoring me. The research I am trying to study is to evaluate how caregiver burnout affects the emotional support provided to the individual that caregivers are caring for. Through my engagement in this research project, my primary purpose is to contribute to understanding caregiving burnout and identify factors influencing emotional availability and coping behaviors among caregivers. The potential impact of this research is significant, as it could shed light on the challenges caregivers face, ultimately aiming to improve support systems and interventions. As I work toward becoming a nurse, I plan to emphasize the importance of emotional support for older adults and patients in all healthcare settings. When patients or older adults are in fragile conditions, their caregivers or nurses may be their only source of human connection and comfort during their time of need. By advocating for emotional support, I plan to foster healthcare environments where patients feel physically looked after and acknowledged as whole people with distinctive lives and stories. I've learned that the honor of being a nurse lies in making a positive difference in the lives of those we care for, turning simple interactions into cherishable memories that last a lifetime.