There are many events I have volunteered my time for, but there is one specific experience that I will always remember. In December of 2023, I volunteered at a Winter Wonderland event hosted by my school. The goal was to give gifts to low-income children and foster kids, while providing them with the opportunity to make memories by meeting Santa and enjoying various activities. I met a variety of people, and seeing the faces of the kids light up was incredibly heartwarming. They felt special because the event was specifically for them. Children were laughing and having a great time meeting Santa and enjoying their gifts. Many of them didn't want to leave when it was time to go. There was a group of foster teens who were all gifted laptops, and the excitement they expressed made me realize how even the smallest gestures can make a big impact. After participating in Winter Wonderland, my perspective on life changed. There are so many people who cannot afford to buy toys for their children, and many foster kids don’t receive Christmas gifts because they haven’t yet found a forever family. Parents kept thanking us volunteers for the event, and many of them told us it meant so much to them. The turnout of the event was incredible. Over 200 kids attended the event, and all of them left with smiles on their faces. I will always remember the Winter Wonderland event because of the positive impact it had, not only on the kids but also on the parents. Some children may not even realize that they come from struggling households, but events like this one help lighten the burden on parents. Hosting events like these for foster groups is a charitable act to do. It brings children of all ages together, creating a space for them to have fun and enjoy memorable moments. If more people took the time to engage in community service, it would positively impact the lives of others in meaningful ways. Events like these would not be possible unless caring volunteers are there for support. Serving the community brings me a sense of fulfillment and makes me feel like I made a difference in someone’s life. My hope is that more people will take time out of their lives to serve the community and give back to others. Those who truly need the help, especially children, greatly appreciate the support.

Although there are many positions in the medical field, nursing is the most crucial because they are the ones who make sure everything is running smoothly and efficiently. Nurses are the ones who have one on one contact with patients all day and work alongside doctors. Being a nurse means having patience, compassion, and respect. Unfortunately, there are some nurses who do not have these characteristics, and this inspires me to become a nurse that genuinely cares about patients despite the obstacles faced. My mother told me about how she was treated by her labor and delivery nurse when she was ready to give birth to me. The nurse was less than pleasant with my mother and did not show compassion during her vulnerable moment. When a mom to be is in labor, they experience a rollercoaster of emotions and pain. My mother was in a plethora of pain and trying to contain herself by staying calm. The nurse yelled at my mother to be quiet when my mother’s screams filled the delivery room. The nurse also judged my mother when she rejected the epidural. Before the day my mother was due, she had done research on the epidural and the risks that came along with it. My mother knew she wanted a natural birth and did not want medication to help with the pain to avoid any risks later in life. A nurse should respect the decisions of patients and provide the best care no matter the circumstances. In this situation, the nurse did not respect that decision and was less than pleasant to say the least. If I was in the nurse’s shoes, I would have comforted my mother and respected her decision. When my mother told me about this life event, it made me upset because no mother should be treated like that. I want to strive to work in the labor and delivery unit when I become a nurse. I have the patience and empathy for working with incoming mothers and guiding them during their child’s birth. I would provide the utmost care and maintain my composure. Patients may get anxiety from being in a hospital environment and as a future nurse I would do everything in my power to put them at ease and comfort them. At times, hospitals can make patients nervous, and it is the duty of health care workers to make their stay less stressful and comfortable. I am enrolled at Grand Canyon University and excited to commence their nursing program. I am currently taking a medical assistant program at West-MEC. This program has given me the opportunity to gain insight into the medical field. I am prepared to take on any obstacles that arise after I graduate from GCU’s nursing program. I have made a promise to myself that I will treat all patients with quality care no matter the circumstance. My goal is to make the labor process easier and comfortable by showing patience, compassion and respect.

Everyday people from different diversities face the conflict of discrimination. Even though people have fought for all human beings to be treated equally, some will not correspond and repeat history. Unfortunately, in the healthcare field some employees will refuse to care for patients of a different race equally. I strongly believe that employees in the medical field should never deny the proper care to patients based on their race. Previously, I have experienced what it is like to have improper patient care. A medical assistant that rendered services at an urgent care did not have good manners and seemed to have anger towards me. She did not greet or introduce herself but instead got straight to taking my vitals and chief complaints with an attitude. While I was telling her my symptoms, she cut me off and pulled out a mask having it right in front of my face saying, "here put this on!". At the time I was vulnerable due to my illness and could not speak up to express how I felt due to a throat infection. During the entire interaction with her I felt uncomfortable, not cared for, and upset. In spite of this, she attended patients before me but did not seem to pursue them with the same attitude as she did with me. This made me realize there was controversial racism going on. The people before me were a different race from me, I am Hispanic while the people ahead of me were Caucasians. The medical assistant's tone was friendly and showed compassion with them on the other hand, she made sure they were cared for the proper way. When she called me up her attitude completely changed, making me feel like I was given a different treatment from all the other patients. As I age, I learn more and more that not everyone is treated equally. This is what inspires me to pursue a career in nursing. The challenges I have faced give me the motivation to make a difference in the world. As a healthcare professional I would make sure all the patients I help treat are getting the best care needed. No matter their race, gender, or opinions. Showing that compassion and care for someone makes them feel heard and cared for. The medical field isn’t just about giving treatment to a patient, it's about helping them feel better in a time of need. Above all, my plan is to help make an impact one patient at a time. It is better to show care and treat others equally than be unfair and rude and have it spread in a negative way. Some people may need to be around the ones who have a good heart for them to change their behavior. I will also stand up for someone who is facing discrimination or improper care. No human being should go through any bad experiences because of who they are. The world will only become better if a chain of kindness starts and never ends.