My name is Francia M. Diaz, I am a 45-year-old Latina of immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic. I am the youngest of four siblings. I am married and a mother to an autistic eight-year-old inquisitive boy. One of my lifelong dreams has been to become a nurse because I enjoy helping people and making a difference in everyone’s life. I faced many challenges in raising an autistic child. Even though I worked in the pediatric field and encountered other children with autism I had to learn new skills and how to have more patience with my child. In the end, it has been a great learning experience and so worth it, because my son has developed into a bright, gifted, inquisitive young boy. When the world was overcome by the covid pandemic, I had to work every day for very long hours. While many people were furloughed and others lost their jobs, I was fortunate to have a job. But it was a double-edged sword because it delayed my return to school. Looking back now, I know all of these moments have made me a patient and more resilient person to deal with any new challenges that come my way in the near future. My medical career began when I attended Sanford Brown Institute; I graduated with honors in June 2008. During my time at Sanford Brown Institute, I completed my externship clinical hours at Columbia University Medical Center where I was offered a part-time position shortly before graduating. After a couple of weeks, I became a full-time employee. Once at Columbia, I was allowed the opportunity to practice skills I learned in school. Part of that was helping translate for Spanish -speaking patients. I worked in the Department of Dermatology. Initially working with adult patients and eventually moved into Pediatric Dermatology. I was in that department for over ten years. Currently, I work at Summit Health/Village MD, where I have been for 5 years. I continue to work in Pediatric Dermatology and have been a certified medical assistant for over fifteen years. I thoroughly enjoy assisting my doctors, nurse practitioners and more importantly my patients. I am currently enrolled at AMG School of Nursing, where I will be graduating in August of this year. Subsequently, after graduating from the Licensed Practical Nurse program, I plan to enroll in the Registered Nurse program at AMG. I truly believe that furthering my education is very important because it will allow me to take the next step in my career from a certified medical assistant to a Nurse. Becoming a nurse means a great deal to me; this will allow me to achieve the career growth that I have long aspired for in my field. As a nurse, this will allow me the opportunity to fully treat and take care of all my patients' needs. Upon completing my Registered Nurse program at AMG, I will have realized one of my life dreams of becoming a nurse. I will be able to provide excellent patient care as well as, mentor my peers with the medical knowledge and experience gained during my studies. I humbly submit my application for Norma’s Nursing Education Scholarship. Knowing that I am ready for all the experiences that lie ahead of me as a nurse. I am so close to fulfilling this dream and I will not stop until I have achieved it!