Today I find myself in a place of hope, change, and real joy for my life and future work endeavors. My name is Josh Smith, and I’m a Husband, a Father of three, and a former Registered Nurse and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. I have faced adversity head-on and emerged stronger and more determined than ever. My passion for education in the sciences has always been a driving force in my life, and now, as I pursue a career as a Nurse Practitioner with a Master’s in Psychiatry at South Dakota State University, that passion has taken on a new level of importance. I have dedicated my life to helping others and excelled in my career. In school, I have always finished near the top of my class and earned praise for my work ethic. I have saved lives and lost lives, ran marathons, and cycled thousands of miles. However, despite my many accomplishments, I struggled with internal demons that eventually led me down a path of addiction. Through my struggles with substance use disorder and mental health, I have gained a new perspective on the importance of treating mental health early on. I believe that sound mental health is the key to preventing many physical diseases and that addressing mental health issues should be a top priority in our society. With a renewed sense of purpose, I have set my sights on a career as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, where I hope to help others facing similar challenges. By furthering my education and obtaining a Master's in Psychiatry, I am taking the necessary steps to achieve my goal of becoming an advanced practice provider in behavioral health and making a positive impact on the lives of others. As a former advanced practice provider, I recognize the need for providers who can both supplement and fill the needs of the current medical doctor shortage. My motivation stems from my desire to continue my personal growth and recovery journey, while also helping to address the growing need for mental health providers in the United States. By investing in my education through scholarship, you will allow me to focus on my studies and continue on my path toward a fulfilling and impactful career as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. My story is one of resilience, perseverance, and a deep commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. My story from addiction to recovery has fueled my passion for mental health advocacy and has inspired me. With your support, I will be able to achieve my goals and fulfill my potential as a dedicated and compassionate behavioral health provider. Thank you for your consideration. With sincere gratitude, Josh Smith

From the time I can remember I was plagued with relentless social anxiety. Although my parents did a good job teaching me right from wrong, I never received the love and emotional support I needed to deal with my anxiety. Instead of working through my anxiety, I buried it and eventually used alcohol and other drugs to cope with it. A few years ago I became addicted to opioids. I began using them to cope with my internal struggles and they eventually controlled me in a way I could have never imagined. I did not want to go on the way I was living. I could not go on the way I was living. I needed help. I’ve been in nursing since 2008 when I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I chose this career to help others and find true meaning in my own life. In this time I accomplished great things, saved lives, lost lives and gave it my best. Through much dedication and struggle I became a Certified Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). I am also a Husband, and Father of three. I became addicted to the very medicines I delivered to patients each day. I felt trapped, unable to get help without losing my job. As a Husband and Father, I put the need to provide over the need to get myself well. I believe the stigma surrounding substance abuse and mental health also prevented me from getting help sooner. Eventually, I could not sustain my addiction, work, and family obligations. I resigned from my job and went to a rehab center. Surrendering to my disease was both the hardest and best thing I have ever done. My childhood, lack of addressing my mental health struggles, and the events mentioned above led me to where I am now. Today I find myself in a place of hope, change, and real joy for both my life and future work endeavors. In rehab, I got the help I truly needed. I identified areas where I was lacking effective coping skills and accepted my substance use disorder and the problems it caused. I have entered a five-year monitoring program and will forever give my recovery the attention it deserves. However, I will not endlessly dwell on the past. I will move forward stronger and more prepared than ever before. Through my recovery efforts, I have learned a great deal about myself and my mental health as a whole. I have no doubt that I can again contribute in a positive, kind, compassionate way to the field of nursing. I have come to realize how important our mental well-being is. In this fast-paced world, we rarely recognize the importance of sound mental health, and we often fail to realize what is important. I have been blessed with a new appreciation for life and as such I have decided to pursue further education in the realm of behavioral health nursing. I am attending graduate school for Psychiatry, to help others with mental health and substance abuse disorders. In dealing with my struggles and recognizing this as an area of great need in our country I ask that you please consider me for your scholarship so that I can continue to give my recovery the attention it deserves and help others in their struggles. Thank you.

From the time I can remember I was plagued with relentless social anxiety. Although my parents did a good job teaching me right from wrong, I never received the love and emotional support I needed to deal with my anxiety. Instead of working through my anxiety, I buried it and eventually used alcohol and other drugs to cope with it. A few years ago I became addicted to opioids. I began using them to cope with my internal struggles and they eventually controlled me in a way I could have never imagined. I did not want to go on the way I was living. I could not go on the way I was living. I needed help. I’ve been in nursing since 2008 when I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I chose this career to help others and find true meaning in my own life. In this time I accomplished great things, saved lives, lost lives and gave it my best. Through much dedication and struggle I became a Certified Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). I am also a Husband, and Father of three. I became addicted to the very medicines I delivered to patients each day. I felt trapped, unable to get help without losing my job. As a Husband and Father, I put the need to provide over the need to get myself well. I believe the stigma surrounding substance abuse and mental health also prevented me from getting help sooner. Eventually, I could not sustain my addiction, work, and family obligations. I resigned from my job and went to a rehab center. Surrendering to my disease was both the hardest and best thing I have ever done. My childhood, lack of addressing my mental health struggles, and the events mentioned above led me to where I am now. Today I find myself in a place of hope, change, and real joy for both my life and future work endeavors. In rehab, I got the help I truly needed. I identified areas where I was lacking effective coping skills and accepted my substance use disorder and the problems it caused. I have entered a five-year monitoring program and will forever give my recovery the attention it deserves. However, I will not endlessly dwell on the past. I will move forward stronger and more prepared than ever before. Through my recovery efforts, I have learned a great deal about myself and my mental health as a whole. I have no doubt that I can again contribute in a positive, kind, compassionate way to the field of nursing. I have come to realize how important our mental well-being is. In this fast-paced world, we rarely recognize the importance of sound mental health, and we often fail to realize what is important. I have been blessed with a new appreciation for life and as such I have decided to pursue further education in the realm of behavioral health nursing. I am attending graduate school for Psychiatry, to help others with mental health and substance abuse disorders. In dealing with my struggles and recognizing this as an area of great need in our country I ask that you please consider me for your scholarship so that I can continue to give my recovery the attention it deserves and help others in their struggles. Thank you.

From the time I can remember I was plagued with relentless social anxiety. Although my parents did a good job teaching me right from wrong, I never received the love and emotional support I needed to deal with my anxiety. Instead of working through my anxiety, I buried it and eventually used alcohol and other drugs to cope with it. A few years ago I became addicted to opioids. I began using them to cope with my internal struggles and they eventually controlled me in a way I could have never imagined. I did not want to go on the way I was living. I could not go on the way I was living. I needed help. I’ve been in nursing since 2008 when I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I chose this career to help others and find true meaning in my own life. In this time I accomplished great things, saved lives, lost lives and gave it my best. Through much dedication and struggle I complete an advanced degree in nursing to became a Certified Nurse Anesthetist. I am also a Husband, and Father of three. I became addicted to the very medicines I delivered to patients each day. I felt trapped, unable to get help without losing my job. As a Husband and Father, I put the need to provide over the need to get myself well. I believe the stigma surrounding mental health and substance use prevented me from getting help sooner. Eventually, I could not sustain my addiction, work, and family obligations. I resigned from my job and went to a rehab center. Surrendering to my disease was both the hardest and best thing I have ever done. My childhood, lack of addressing my mental health struggles, and the events mentioned above led me to where I am now. Today I find myself in a place of hope, change, and real joy for both my life and future work endeavors. In rehab, I got the help I truly needed. I identified areas where I was lacking effective coping skills and accepted my substance use disorder and the problems it caused. I have entered a five-year monitoring program and will forever give my recovery the attention it deserves. However, I will not endlessly dwell on the past. I have developed a new passion for helping others with mental health. I will move forward stronger and more prepared than ever before. I have no doubt that I can again contribute in a positive, kind, compassionate way to the field of nursing. I have come to realize how important our mental well-being is. In this fast-paced world, we rarely recognize the importance of sound mental health, and we often fail to realize what is most important. I have been blessed with a new appreciation for life and as such I have decided to pursue further education in the realm of behavioral health nursing. I am attending graduate school for Psychiatry, to help others with mental health and substance abuse disorders. In dealing with my struggles and recognizing this as an area of great need in our country I ask that you please consider me for your scholarship so that I can continue to give my recovery the attention it deserves and help others in their struggles. Thank you.

My day to day is helping others with their mental health and substance use disorder. A few years ago I became addicted to opioids. I began using them to cope with my internal struggles and they eventually controlled me in a way I could have never imagined. I did not want to go on the way I was living. I could not go on the way I was living. I needed help. I’ve been in nursing since 2008 when I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I chose this career to help others and find true meaning in my own life. In this time I accomplished great things, saved lives, lost lives and gave it my best. From the time I can remember I was plagued with relentless social anxiety. Although my parents did a good job teaching me right from wrong, I never received the love and emotional support I needed to deal with my anxiety. Instead of working through my anxiety, I buried it and eventually used alcohol and other drugs to cope with it. I believe the stigma surrounding substance abuse and mental health prevented me from getting help sooner. Eventually, I could not sustain my addiction, work, and family obligations. I resigned from my job and went to a rehab center. Surrendering to my disease was both the hardest and best thing I have ever done. My childhood, lack of addressing my mental health struggles, and the events mentioned above led me to where I am now. Today I find myself in a place of hope, change, and real joy for both my life and future work endeavors. I have come to realize how important our mental well-being is. In this fast-paced world, we rarely recognize the importance of sound mental health, and we often fail to realize what is important. I have been blessed with a new appreciation for life and as such I have decided to pursue further education in the realm of behavioral health nursing. I am attending graduate school for Psychiatry, to help others with mental health and substance abuse disorders. In dealing with my struggles and recognizing this as an area of great need in our country I ask that you please consider me for your scholarship so that I can continue to give my recovery the attention it deserves and help others in their struggles. Thank you.