I didn't choose nursing—nursing found me in the quiet strength of a child fighting for his life. My name is Gianna Crivello, and I am a compassionate and dedicated second-degree BSN student who fell in love with pediatric nursing. My healthcare journey began as a clinical support aide at Rady Children's Hospital, where I supported pediatric and cardiothoracic intensive care units. In these high-acuity environments, I realized nursing was more than a profession; it was a calling. One patient in particular, a young boy awaiting a heart transplant, left an unforgettable mark on me. After over a year in the unit, he finally received a new heart, only to face a series of devastating complications, including multiple code blues and an amputation. I watched the nurses deliver clinical excellence and emotional resilience throughout every setback. They supported not just their patient but also his family, offering comfort in fear, presence in grief, and joy in recovery. When the young patient was finally discharged, tears streamed down the faces of the nurses who had taken care of him throughout his transplant journey. Tears welled in my own eyes as I realized the lasting impact these nurses had on both the patient and me. That moment changed me. It showed me the profound, life-shaping role pediatric nurses play—and I knew I wanted to be one of them. That experience inspired me to specialize in pediatric intensive care nursing, where I can deliver lifesaving interventions and compassionate care to children and their families in their most vulnerable moments. To prepare, I've pursued certifications beyond my nursing curriculum, including BLS, PALS, ACLS, Mental Health First Aid, and the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC). These credentials reflect my commitment to delivering evidence-based, trauma-informed care—whether in a crisis, during end-of-life conversations, or while supporting families through complex medical journeys. My commitment to pediatric care extends beyond the bedside and echoes through my volunteer work in the community. In addition to my clinical preparation, I've remained committed to child health advocacy and community engagement. I've volunteered with the Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation, which raises awareness and performs free preventative care for sudden cardiac arrest in youth. At CSUSM's Super STEM Saturday, I taught children hands-only CPR and basic first aid. These experiences have deepened my passion for health education, prevention, and empowering children and their families outside the hospital setting. Leadership has also shaped my path. As a team captain for Red Shoe Day with Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego, I founded and led "Future Nurses of San Diego"—a team of seven volunteers that raised $5,000, surpassing our original fundraising goal of $4,000. I was also recognized as the top individual fundraiser, raising $3,135 from 59 donors. Raising money for Ronald McDonald House Charities went beyond collecting funds; it taught me the importance of collective action and our communities' impact when serving those undergoing hardship. My participation with Ronald McDonald House Charities reflects my dedication to pediatric nursing and my drive to serve children and families experiencing adversity. To me, nursing is more than patient care; it's a holistic practice that nurtures the patient and their loved ones. Pediatric nursing is more than a career. It’s the path through which I hope to transform moments of hardship into hope. Witnessing the quiet strength of a child and the unwavering presence of his nurses first opened my heart to this field. Every step I have taken clinically, academically, and in the community has reaffirmed that this profession didn’t just appear to me by chance; it called me to be a part of it.

I didn't choose nursing—nursing found me in the quiet strength of a child fighting for his life. My name is Gianna Crivello, and I am a compassionate and dedicated second-degree BSN student who fell in love with pediatric nursing. My healthcare journey began as a clinical support aide at Rady Children's Hospital, where I supported pediatric and cardiothoracic intensive care units. In these high-acuity environments, I realized nursing was more than a profession; it was a calling. One patient in particular, a young boy awaiting a heart transplant, left an unforgettable mark on me. After over a year in the unit, he finally received a new heart, only to face a series of devastating complications, including multiple code blues and an amputation. I watched the nurses deliver clinical excellence and emotional resilience throughout every setback. They supported not just their patient but also his family, offering comfort in fear, presence in grief, and joy in recovery. When the young patient was finally discharged, tears streamed down the faces of the nurses who had taken care of him throughout his transplant journey. Tears welled in my own eyes as I realized the lasting impact these nurses had on both the patient and me. That moment changed me. It showed me the profound, life-shaping role pediatric nurses play—and I knew I wanted to be one of them. That experience inspired me to specialize in pediatric intensive care nursing, where I can deliver lifesaving interventions and compassionate care to children and their families in their most vulnerable moments. To prepare, I've pursued certifications beyond my nursing curriculum, including BLS, PALS, ACLS, Mental Health First Aid, and the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC). These credentials reflect my commitment to delivering evidence-based, trauma-informed care—whether in a crisis, during end-of-life conversations, or while supporting families through complex medical journeys. My commitment to pediatric care extends beyond the bedside and echoes through my volunteer work in the community. In addition to my clinical preparation, I've remained committed to child health advocacy and community engagement. I've volunteered with the Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation, which raises awareness and performs free preventative care for sudden cardiac arrest in youth. At CSUSM's Super STEM Saturday, I taught children hands-only CPR and basic first aid. These experiences have deepened my passion for health education, prevention, and empowering children and their families outside the hospital setting. Leadership has also shaped my path. As a team captain for Red Shoe Day with Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego, I founded and led "Future Nurses of San Diego"—a team of seven volunteers that raised $5,000, surpassing our original fundraising goal of $4,000. I was also recognized as the top individual fundraiser, raising $3,135 from 59 donors. Raising money for Ronald McDonald House Charities went beyond collecting funds; it taught me the importance of collective action and our communities' impact when serving those undergoing hardship. My participation with Ronald McDonald House Charities reflects my dedication to pediatric nursing and my drive to serve children and families experiencing adversity. To me, nursing is more than patient care; it's a holistic practice that nurtures the patient and their loved ones. Pediatric nursing is more than a career. It’s the path through which I hope to transform moments of hardship into hope. Witnessing the quiet strength of a child and the unwavering presence of his nurses first opened my heart to this field. Every step I have taken clinically, academically, and in the community has reaffirmed that this profession didn’t just appear to me by chance; it called me to be a part of it.

I didn't choose nursing—nursing found me in the quiet strength of a child fighting for his life. My name is Gianna Crivello, and I am a compassionate and dedicated second-degree BSN student who fell in love with pediatric nursing. My healthcare journey began as a clinical support aide at Rady Children's Hospital, where I supported pediatric and cardiothoracic intensive care units. In these high-acuity environments, I realized nursing was more than a profession; it was a calling. One patient in particular, a young boy awaiting a heart transplant, left an unforgettable mark on me. After over a year in the unit, he finally received a new heart, only to face a series of devastating complications, including multiple code blues and an amputation. I watched the nurses deliver clinical excellence and emotional resilience throughout every setback. They supported not just their patient but also his family, offering comfort in fear, presence in grief, and joy in recovery. When the young patient was finally discharged, tears streamed down the faces of the nurses who had taken care of him throughout his transplant journey. Tears welled in my own eyes as I realized the lasting impact these nurses had on both the patient and me. That moment changed me. It showed me the profound, life-shaping role pediatric nurses play—and I knew I wanted to be one of them. That experience inspired me to specialize in pediatric intensive care nursing, where I can deliver lifesaving interventions and compassionate care to children and their families in their most vulnerable moments. To prepare, I've pursued certifications beyond my nursing curriculum, including BLS, PALS, ACLS, Mental Health First Aid, and the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC). These credentials reflect my commitment to delivering evidence-based, trauma-informed care—whether in a crisis, during end-of-life conversations, or while supporting families through complex medical journeys. My commitment to pediatric care extends beyond the bedside and echoes through my volunteer work in the community. In addition to my clinical preparation, I've remained committed to child health advocacy and community engagement. I've volunteered with the Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation, which raises awareness and performs free preventative care for sudden cardiac arrest in youth. At CSUSM's Super STEM Saturday, I taught children hands-only CPR and basic first aid. These experiences have deepened my passion for health education, prevention, and empowering children and their families outside the hospital setting. Leadership has also shaped my path. As a team captain for Red Shoe Day with Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego, I founded and led "Future Nurses of San Diego"—a team of seven volunteers that raised $5,000, surpassing our original fundraising goal of $4,000. I was also recognized as the top individual fundraiser, raising $3,135 from 59 donors. Raising money for Ronald McDonald House Charities went beyond collecting funds; it taught me the importance of collective action and our communities' impact when serving those undergoing hardship. My participation with Ronald McDonald House Charities reflects my dedication to pediatric nursing and my drive to serve children and families experiencing adversity. To me, nursing is more than patient care; it's a holistic practice that nurtures the patient and their loved ones. Pediatric nursing is a profound privilege. It demands clinical skill and knowledge, but it offers the opportunity to bring empathy and advocacy to the bedside in a way that supports the child and the entire family. As I take this next step in my journey, my goals are to continue learning, growing, and working toward becoming the nurse who makes patients and their families feel seen, heard, and cared for, especially when it matters most.

I didn't choose nursing—nursing found me in the quiet strength of a child fighting for his life. My name is Gianna Crivello, and I am a compassionate and dedicated second-degree BSN student who fell in love with pediatric nursing. My healthcare journey began as a clinical support aide at Rady Children's Hospital, where I supported pediatric and cardiothoracic intensive care units. In these high-acuity environments, I realized nursing was more than a profession; it was a calling. One patient in particular, a young boy awaiting a heart transplant, left an unforgettable mark on me. After over a year in the unit, he finally received a new heart, only to face a series of devastating complications, including multiple code blues and an amputation. I watched the nurses deliver clinical excellence and emotional resilience throughout every setback. They supported not just their patient but also his family, offering comfort in fear, presence in grief, and joy in recovery. When the young patient was finally discharged, tears streamed down the faces of the nurses who had taken care of him throughout his transplant journey. Tears welled in my own eyes as I realized the lasting impact these nurses had on both the patient and me. That moment changed me. It showed me the profound, life-shaping role pediatric nurses play—and I knew I wanted to be one of them. That experience inspired me to specialize in pediatric intensive care nursing, where I can deliver lifesaving interventions and compassionate care to children and their families in their most vulnerable moments. To prepare, I've pursued certifications beyond my nursing curriculum, including BLS, PALS, ACLS, Mental Health First Aid, and the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC). These credentials reflect my commitment to delivering evidence-based, trauma-informed care—whether in a crisis, during end-of-life conversations, or while supporting families through complex medical journeys. My commitment to pediatric care extends beyond the bedside and echoes through my volunteer work in the community. In addition to my clinical preparation, I've remained committed to child health advocacy and community engagement. I've volunteered with the Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation, which raises awareness and performs free preventative care for sudden cardiac arrest in youth. At CSUSM's Super STEM Saturday, I taught children hands-only CPR and basic first aid. These experiences have deepened my passion for health education, prevention, and empowering children and their families outside the hospital setting. Leadership has also shaped my path. As a team captain for Red Shoe Day with Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego, I founded and led "Future Nurses of San Diego"—a team of seven volunteers that raised $5,000, surpassing our original fundraising goal of $4,000. I was also recognized as the top individual fundraiser, raising $3,135 from 59 donors. Raising money for Ronald McDonald House Charities went beyond collecting funds; it taught me the importance of collective action and our communities' impact when serving those undergoing hardship. My participation with Ronald McDonald House Charities reflects my dedication to pediatric nursing and my drive to serve children and families experiencing adversity. To me, nursing is more than patient care; it's a holistic practice that nurtures the patient and their loved ones. Pediatric nursing is a profound privilege. It demands clinical skill and knowledge, but it offers the opportunity to bring empathy and advocacy to the bedside in a way that supports the child and the entire family. As I take this next step in my journey, my goals are to continue learning, growing, and working toward becoming the nurse who makes patients and their families feel seen, heard, and cared for, especially when it matters most.

I didn't choose nursing—nursing found me in the quiet strength of a child fighting for his life. My name is Gianna Crivello, and I am a compassionate and dedicated second-degree BSN student who fell in love with pediatric nursing. My healthcare journey began as a clinical support aide at Rady Children's Hospital, where I supported pediatric and cardiothoracic intensive care units. In these high-acuity environments, I realized nursing was more than a profession; it was a calling. One patient in particular, a young boy awaiting a heart transplant, left an unforgettable mark on me. After over a year in the unit, he finally received a new heart, only to face a series of devastating complications, including multiple code blues and an amputation. I watched the nurses deliver clinical excellence and emotional resilience throughout every setback. They supported not just their patient but also his family, offering comfort in fear, presence in grief, and joy in recovery. When the young patient was finally discharged, tears streamed down the faces of the nurses who had taken care of him throughout his transplant journey. Tears welled in my own eyes as I realized the lasting impact these nurses had on both the patient and me. That moment changed me. It showed me the profound, life-shaping role pediatric nurses play—and I knew I wanted to be one of them. That experience inspired me to specialize in pediatric intensive care nursing, where I can deliver lifesaving interventions and compassionate care to children and their families in their most vulnerable moments. To prepare, I've pursued certifications beyond my nursing curriculum, including BLS, PALS, ACLS, Mental Health First Aid, and the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC). These credentials reflect my commitment to delivering evidence-based, trauma-informed care—whether in a crisis, during end-of-life conversations, or while supporting families through complex medical journeys. My commitment to pediatric care extends beyond the bedside and echoes through my volunteer work in the community. In addition to my clinical preparation, I've remained committed to child health advocacy and community engagement. I've volunteered with the Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation, which raises awareness and performs free preventative care for sudden cardiac arrest in youth. At CSUSM's Super STEM Saturday, I taught children hands-only CPR and basic first aid. These experiences have deepened my passion for health education, prevention, and empowering children and their families outside the hospital setting. Leadership has also shaped my path. As a team captain for Red Shoe Day with Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego, I founded and led "Future Nurses of San Diego"—a team of seven volunteers that raised $5,000, surpassing our original fundraising goal of $4,000. I was also recognized as the top individual fundraiser, raising $3,135 from 59 donors. Raising money for Ronald McDonald House Charities went beyond collecting funds; it taught me the importance of collective action and our communities' impact when serving those undergoing hardship. My participation with Ronald McDonald House Charities reflects my dedication to pediatric nursing and my drive to serve children and families experiencing adversity. To me, nursing is more than patient care; it's a holistic practice that nurtures the patient and their loved ones. Pediatric nursing is a profound privilege. I will provide to my community what pediatric nursing demands. Such as clinical skill and knowledge, and the opportunity to bring empathy and advocacy to the bedside in a way that supports the child and the entire family. I am excited to continue learning, growing, and working toward becoming the nurse who makes patients and families feel seen, heard, and cared for, especially when it matters most.

I didn't choose nursing—nursing found me in the quiet strength of a child fighting for his life. My name is Gianna Crivello, and I am a compassionate and dedicated second-degree BSN student who fell in love with pediatric nursing. My healthcare journey began as a clinical support aide at Rady Children's Hospital, where I supported pediatric and cardiothoracic intensive care units. In these high-acuity environments, I realized nursing was more than a profession; it was a calling. One patient in particular, a young boy awaiting a heart transplant, left an unforgettable mark on me. After over a year in the unit, he finally received a new heart, only to face a series of devastating complications, including multiple code blues and an amputation. I watched the nurses deliver clinical excellence and emotional resilience throughout every setback. They supported not just their patient but also his family, offering comfort in fear, presence in grief, and joy in recovery. When the young patient was finally discharged, tears streamed down the faces of the nurses who had taken care of him throughout his transplant journey. Tears welled in my own eyes as I realized the lasting impact these nurses had on both the patient and me. That moment changed me. It showed me the profound, life-shaping role pediatric nurses play—and I knew I wanted to be one of them. That experience inspired me to specialize in pediatric intensive care nursing, where I can deliver lifesaving interventions and compassionate care to children and their families in their most vulnerable moments. To prepare, I've pursued certifications beyond my nursing curriculum, including BLS, PALS, ACLS, Mental Health First Aid, and the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC). These credentials reflect my commitment to delivering evidence-based, trauma-informed care—whether in a crisis, during end-of-life conversations, or while supporting families through complex medical journeys. My commitment to pediatric care extends beyond the bedside and echoes through my volunteer work in the community. In addition to my clinical preparation, I've remained committed to child health advocacy and community engagement. I've volunteered with the Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation, which raises awareness and performs free preventative care for sudden cardiac arrest in youth. At CSUSM's Super STEM Saturday, I taught children hands-only CPR and basic first aid. These experiences have deepened my passion for health education, prevention, and empowering children and their families outside the hospital setting. Leadership has also shaped my path. As a team captain for Red Shoe Day with Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego, I founded and led "Future Nurses of San Diego"—a team of seven volunteers that raised $5,000, surpassing our original fundraising goal of $4,000. I was also recognized as the top individual fundraiser, raising $3,135 from 59 donors. Raising money for Ronald McDonald House Charities went beyond collecting funds; it taught me the importance of collective action and our communities' impact when serving those undergoing hardship. My participation with Ronald McDonald House Charities reflects my dedication to pediatric nursing and my drive to serve children and families experiencing adversity. To me, nursing is more than patient care; it's a holistic practice that nurtures the patient and their loved ones. Pediatric nursing is more than a career. It’s the path through which I hope to transform moments of hardship into hope. Witnessing the quiet strength of a child and the unwavering presence of his nurses first opened my heart to this field. Every step I have taken clinically, academically, and in the community has reaffirmed that this profession didn’t just appear to me by chance; it called me to be a part of it.

I didn't choose nursing—nursing found me in the quiet strength of a child fighting for his life. My name is Gianna Crivello, and I am a compassionate and dedicated second-degree BSN student who fell in love with pediatric nursing. My healthcare journey began as a clinical support aide at Rady Children's Hospital, where I supported pediatric and cardiothoracic intensive care units. In these high-acuity environments, I realized nursing was more than a profession; it was a calling. One patient in particular, a young boy awaiting a heart transplant, left an unforgettable mark on me. After over a year in the unit, he finally received a new heart, only to face a series of devastating complications, including multiple code blues and an amputation. I watched the nurses deliver clinical excellence and emotional resilience throughout every setback. They supported not just their patient but also his family, offering comfort in fear, presence in grief, and joy in recovery. When the young patient was finally discharged, tears streamed down the faces of the nurses who had taken care of him throughout his transplant journey. Tears welled in my own eyes as I realized the lasting impact these nurses had on both the patient and me. That moment changed me. It showed me the profound, life-shaping role pediatric nurses play—and I knew I wanted to be one of them. That experience inspired me to specialize in pediatric intensive care nursing, where I can deliver lifesaving interventions and compassionate care to children and their families in their most vulnerable moments. To prepare, I've pursued certifications beyond my nursing curriculum, including BLS, PALS, ACLS, Mental Health First Aid, and the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC). These credentials reflect my commitment to delivering evidence-based, trauma-informed care—whether in a crisis, during end-of-life conversations, or while supporting families through complex medical journeys. My commitment to pediatric care extends beyond the bedside and echoes through my volunteer work in the community. In addition to my clinical preparation, I've remained committed to child health advocacy and community engagement. I've volunteered with the Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation, which raises awareness and performs free preventative care for sudden cardiac arrest in youth. At CSUSM's Super STEM Saturday, I taught children hands-only CPR and basic first aid. These experiences have deepened my passion for health education, prevention, and empowering children and their families outside the hospital setting. Leadership has also shaped my path. As a team captain for Red Shoe Day with Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego, I founded and led "Future Nurses of San Diego"—a team of seven volunteers that raised $4,897, surpassing our original fundraising goal of $4,000. I was also recognized as the top individual fundraiser, raising $3,135 from 59 donors. Raising money for Ronald McDonald House Charities went beyond collecting funds; it taught me the importance of collective action and our communities' impact when serving those undergoing hardship. My participation with Ronald McDonald House Charities reflects my dedication to pediatric nursing and my drive to serve children and families experiencing adversity. To me, nursing is more than patient care; it's a holistic practice that nurtures the patient and their loved ones. Pediatric nursing is a profound privilege. It demands clinical skill and knowledge, but it offers the opportunity to bring empathy and advocacy to the bedside in a way that supports the child and the entire family. As I take this next step in my journey, I am excited to continue learning, growing, and working toward becoming the nurse who makes patients and their families feel seen, heard, and cared for, especially when it matters most.

I didn’t choose nursing—nursing found me in the quiet strength of a child fighting for his life. My name is Gianna Crivello, and I am a compassionate and dedicated second-degree BSN student who fell in love with pediatric nursing. My journey into healthcare began while working as a clinical support aide at Rady Children’s Hospital, where I supported both the pediatric and cardiothoracic intensive care units. It was in these high-acuity environments that I realized nursing was more than a profession—it was a calling. One patient in particular—a young boy who had been waiting over a year for a heart transplant—left a lasting impression on me. After spending a year on the unit, he finally received a new heart, only to face unforeseen complications. I witnessed him endure multiple code blues and an amputation. Yet, through every setback, I was inspired by the compassion, dedication, and clinical expertise of the nurses who cared for him. They didn’t just support the patient—they supported his family through moments of fear, hope, and grief. When he was finally discharged, nurses waved goodbye with tears and cheers, celebrating the end of a nearly two-year journey. That moment showed me the profound and lasting impact nurses have, and it’s when I knew I wanted to be one of them. I plan to specialize in pediatric intensive care nursing, where I can provide critical care to children and support families during some of their most vulnerable moments. The fast-paced, emotionally charged environment of the pediatric ICU is where I hope to make an impact—not just with clinical skill, but with empathy and presence. To prepare for this path, I’ve pursued advanced certifications that reflect my commitment to delivering high-quality, evidence-based care. I hold certifications in Basic Life Support (BLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), and the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC). These credentials have equipped me with emergency response skills, strengthened my ability to support patients and families through crisis and grief, and sharpened my readiness to care for critically ill children. This additional training goes beyond the foundational nursing curriculum and reflects my drive to offer both competent and compassionate care. In addition to my clinical preparation, I’ve remained committed to child health advocacy and community engagement. I’ve volunteered with the Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation, which raises awareness about sudden cardiac arrest in youth, and at CSUSM’s Super STEM Saturday, where I taught children hands-only CPR and basic first aid. These experiences have deepened my passion for health education, prevention, and empowering families outside the hospital setting. Leadership has also played an important role in my journey. As a team captain for Ronald McDonald House’s Red Shoe Day fundraiser, I led a group of volunteers and helped raise $1,000 to support families of hospitalized children. That experience reminded me how powerful collective action can be—especially when driven by compassion and purpose. To me, pediatric nursing is a profound privilege. It offers the opportunity to bring knowledge, empathy, and advocacy to the bedside in a way that supports not only the child, but the entire family. As I take this next step in my journey, I am excited to continue learning, growing, and working toward becoming the kind of nurse who makes families feel seen, heard, and cared for—especially when it matters most.

One of this earth's greatest gifts is connecting with people who have come across our path in life. The people we have the privilege to experience life with have a hand in shaping us into the individuals we are today, especially in times that are the hardest for us to overcome. For me, a pivotal moment in understanding the importance of guidance and support came when my grandfather passed away suddenly when I was sixteen years old. It was ten years ago that my grandfather passed. The day began like any other until my grandfather, while driving with my aunt and uncle, began to feel unwell. What followed was a frantic and emotional journey as my aunt tried to perform life-saving compressions in the car while rerouting their drive to the nearest hospital. The healthcare team was able to revive my grandfather after forty-five minutes of performing CPR, which followed a three-day admittance to the ICU on life support. In those three days, my family was faced with making the agonizing decision of whether to keep my grandfather alive or let him go. My mother and aunt were leaning towards taking him off of life support while my uncle fought desperately for a chance to keep him alive. The weight of this decision was immense, and as a sixteen-year-old, I didn’t fully comprehend the gravity of the situation. I only understood that my grandfather's life could be coming to an end and that it was tearing my family apart. Being so young, I believed that hard times brought people together, but I could not have been more wrong. Reflecting on that time, if I were making that decision, I would not have made that decision alone. The emotional strain of making a choice that would affect not only my grandfather but also the entire family would have been overwhelming. I know my mother did just that—she likely leaned on my aunt and her mother for support as they navigated the conflicting emotions and perspectives of the moment. Though my uncle had caused many scenes in the hospital room, he eventually understood the logic of my mother and aunt's decision to let my grandfather pass. However, his agreement only came as the doctor later confirmed that my grandfather had total brain death, and the odds of survival while off life support were slim to none. While I wasn’t directly involved in the decision-making process, I could feel the relief my mother carried when making the final decision to let my grandfather go after knowing they did all they could do, and any medical intervention wouldn't change his critical outcome. To conclude my grandfather's story, the unanimous decision was made to take him off of life support. Within seconds off of the life-saving machines, he took one last breath and passed. My family wouldn't have been able to make that decision without the respected guidance of his healthcare team. The traumatic experience my mother faced had me come to realize how critical it is to have a support system, especially when making decisions that affect not only our own lives but the lives of others. This experience taught me that it’s okay to lean on people other than your loved ones for guidance during moments of crisis. This realization has shaped how I approach patients and their families in my nursing career. As someone who wishes to be in pediatric care and who has witnessed multiple deaths in the pediatric intensive care unit, I have seen and understood how hard it is for families to come to the same decision my family once had to face. As a prospective nurse, I hope to support parents and families when having to face difficult decisions regarding their child's care. Whether that means offering them a social work consult, psychiatric relief, or a respected chaplain. No parent or family member should ever face making critical healthcare decisions alone. A challenge I often face while studying the nursing profession is the emotional grievances that come in hand with the job. Anyone can study and learn biology, chemistry, and clinical presentations. However, it takes much preparation to be able to handle highly emotional situations that accompany a patient and their family when receiving a life-changing diagnosis. I recommend that my fellow nursing students take the story of my grandfather's passing and what I have learned with them into their education and future nursing practice. Unfortunately, overcoming death is part of the job. Whenever we are handling our patients and their respective families overcoming critically ill diagnoses and possible death, like how my family once had, I advise them to know that as nurses, it is not our job to aid in the decision. It is our job to provide education, resources, comfort, and support. It's also our job as nurses to understand each family dynamic because knowing how a person or group wants to be supported can go a long way. A family may wish to have one hundred different resources or for me to stand there in comforting silence. No matter the circumstance, I plan to be the nurse who helps patients and their families make life-difficult decisions. If I play a role in shaping who they are along the way because of the comfort and support I bring them, that is an honor I will hold for the rest of my life.

I am a dedicated second-degree nursing student with a background in communication, currently transitioning into healthcare because I fell in love with nursing and the idea of becoming a healing character in children's stories. This ambition started while working as a clinical support aide at Rady Children’s Hospital. During this role, I provided essential support in high-acuity units, such as the pediatric and cardiothoracic intensive care units. My responsibilities included preparing patient rooms for admissions and discharges, maintaining supply inventories, and ensuring proper handling and storage of mothers' breast milk in strict compliance with hospital policies. These experiences honed my ability to understand prompt responsiveness in critical situations, uphold hospital policy and standards, and support multidisciplinary teams to provide excellent patient care and positive patient outcomes. This experience at Rady Children’s Hospital sparked my passion to achieve a skill set in nursing. However, there was one patient who pulled at my heartstrings that genuinely led me towards the career I needed to be in. During my time at Rady Children's, there was one patient who had been on the transplant list for over a year. One day, the patient was notified that he was getting a new heart. The battles that the young patient and family had experienced after surgery were grueling. The heart transplant had unpredicted complications, which caused weeks of stress for the family and discouragement to the recovering child. As I could only imagine this experience being the most traumatic for this patient and family, there was so much empathy and care by the nurses. Not only was the patient well taken care of but so was the family. That is why I love pediatric nursing; the care is holistic. I hope to be part of a healthcare team that can provide the same experience to other patients and families going through similar situations. I plan to do this by emphasizing patient needs and collaborating with families by emphasizing cultural competence and family-centered care. Allowing me to provide all aspects of care and positive healthcare experiences for the patient and the family. Providing a more holistic approach will allow patients and their families to feel their voices heard when applying and accommodating care. Additionally, my pediatric and OBGYN clinical rotations further solidified my interest in pediatric care by further exposing me to the unique needs of infants, children, and their families. During my pediatric rotation at Rady Children’s, I was able to visit their NICU, where I watched nurses place genuine care on their tiniest patients, and parents responded with gracious thanks. Witnessing these nurses make a meaningful difference by applying excellent patient care while also instilling trust in patient’s families is something I dream of doing. In conclusion, taking care of children is a blessing because not only am I able to make an impactful difference in a child's well-being, but I am also able to instill trust, empathy, and wellness toward the family. It is an honor to have the ability to do that with anyone, let alone a whole patient population. That honor is why I dream of being a pediatric nurse and why it is so amazing, as it allows the opportunity to make authentic connections with patients and their families while also providing individualistic care to developing children. This scholarship will allow me to achieve that goal by funding the last semester of my nursing education. I will use the money towards my nursing preceptorship, which I plan to reapply to Rady Children's Hospital so I can continue my dream of being a healing character in children's stories.

Nursing was my Plan B. It was a career that I had always thought about pursuing, but I never thought I had the capability of doing it until I actually received my acceptance letter to nursing school. While in nursing school, I still have doubts about my abilities as I sometimes struggle with imposter syndrome. I have the educational capacity to pass the tests and simulations, but it takes a special person to become a nurse. It takes someone who not only has the academic and clinical capabilities but also the heart to be a great nurse. That is why my personal accomplishments in my nursing career aren't geared towards personal career gain but more toward the patient and patient family experience. I want to be the nurse everyone on the unit looks up to and the nurse for whom every patient's family is grateful. The reason why is that I recently had the pleasure of observing one of those nurses myself during my pediatric rotation at a local San Diego children's hospital. It was a male nurse in the pediatric intensive care unit who had 20 years of experience. He was knowledgeable, trustworthy, and utterly kind to the patient and their family. My personal experience with this nurse had me in awe. We were taking care of a chronically ill adolescent with developmental delays. This young woman was scheduled for an extubation. Prior to the extubation, I observed the nurse explain to the sorrowful and anxiety-ridden mother about the upcoming extubation and the steps moving forward. He was emotionally competent in explaining the information to the mother and answering her questions. I also observed how he educated the mother about possible new healthcare strategies for home and if the patient's mother would like a homecare consult to discuss options further. I was utterly envious of this nurse and their communication skills. Not only did he have the academic and clinical skills, but he had the heart I so often hope to have myself. This nurse had many close relationships in the unit as well. I commented on his ability to have a positive relationship with almost everyone in the unit. He observingly was someone that many people could trust and confined in. To me, that is what nursing is all about. It's not about who can check off the most skills or obtain the most certifications. These aspects are essential as I have many goals for certifications I wish to receive further down my career path. However, when I think about graduating and starting my nursing profession, my goals are providing family-centered care, building great connections, and maintaining positive relationships. I want to be the nurse whose patients' families can cry to or sit in silence when words are insufficient. I want to be trusted by my patients, their families, and fellow nurses. I want to be that person who shines a light on those who are engulfed in their darkest moments. I just want to be a good nurse.

Nursing was my Plan B. It was a career that I had always thought about pursuing, but I never thought I had the capability of doing it until I actually received my acceptance letter to nursing school. While in nursing school, I still have doubts about my abilities as I sometimes struggle with imposter syndrome. I have the educational capacity to pass the tests and simulations, but it takes a special person to become a nurse. It takes someone who not only has the academic and clinical capabilities but also the heart to be a great nurse. That is why my personal accomplishments in my nursing career aren't geared towards personal career gain but more toward the patient and patient family experience. I want to be the nurse everyone on the unit looks up to and the nurse for whom every patient's family is grateful. The reason why is that I recently had the pleasure of observing one of those nurses myself during my pediatric rotation at a local San Diego children's hospital. It was a male nurse in the pediatric intensive care unit who had 20 years of experience. He was knowledgeable, trustworthy, and utterly kind to the patient and their family. My personal experience with this nurse had me in awe. We were taking care of a chronically ill adolescent with developmental delays. This young woman was scheduled for an extubation. Prior to the extubation, I observed the nurse explain to the sorrowful and anxiety-ridden mother about the upcoming extubation and the steps moving forward. He was emotionally competent in explaining the information to the mother and answering her questions. I also observed how he educated the mother about possible new healthcare strategies for home and if the patient's mother would like a homecare consult to discuss options further. I was utterly envious of this nurse and their communication skills. Not only did he have the academic and clinical skills, but he had the heart I so often hope to have myself. This nurse had many close relationships in the unit as well. I commented on his ability to have a positive relationship with almost everyone in the unit. He observingly was someone that many people could trust and confined in. To me, that is what nursing is all about. It's not about who can check off the most skills or obtain the most certifications. These aspects are essential as I have many goals for certifications I wish to receive further down my career path. However, when I think about graduating and starting my nursing profession, my goals are providing family-centered care, building great connections, and maintaining positive relationships. I want to be the nurse whose patients' families can cry to or sit in silence when words are insufficient. I want to be trusted by my patients, their families, and fellow nurses. I want to be that person who shines a light on those who are engulfed in their darkest moments. I just want to be a good nurse.

Being the first in my family means growth. My grandmother came here when she 18 years old on a boat from Italy. She was married off to my grandfather overseas when she was 16, and she was finally moving to America to meet him for the first time. She had been married to the man for two years without meeting because her family needed the money. In addition, my mother nor my father had great educational experiences that encouraged them to ever go to college. My mother did not finish her high school education, as the language barrier from two Italian immigrant parents made learning difficult, and my father suffered from learning disabilities that deteriorated his confidence in ever going to college. My parents were ecstatic that I was passionate about applying to college and furthering my education, as it was something they never thought they could do themselves. I have already received an undergraduate degree in Communication from San Diego State University, driven toward a career in marketing. I am currently enrolled in a second baccalaureate program for Nursing from California State University-San Marcos. I have always wanted to be a nurse, but I never thought I was capable of such a rigorous degree. I didn't have much guidance going into my first college degree as I was the first in my family to ever attend. I was not confident in the potential I had when I first applied to universities at the ripe age of seventeen. I thought I was simply lucky to obtain a chance at college. Now, being older and wiser, I understand my capabilities. I am currently working towards becoming a pediatric critical care nurse. I enjoy the complexities of tertiary care. It is intellectually stimulating as nurses in critical care are often faced with complex medical cases that require quick critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Allowing for your work days to challenge you in a variety of ways. In addition to the skill set, I strive to be able to help children and their families during their most vulnerable times. To care for critically ill children and their families can be emotionally taxing, but to be able to offer direct comfort and support can allow your job to be so rewarding. This is truly why I changed my career path away from marketing. That line of work can be creatively stimulating, but it is a career driven towards numbers and profit, always trying to get ahead of your direct competitors. It wasn't something that I felt comfortable with as it didn't line with my own morals and values. Nursing is a career that I am so passionate about being part of as I am dedicated to providing compassionate and skilled care to children in need. My long-term goal is to become a pediatric intensive care nurse. My previous experience at a local San Diego children's hospital has driven me towards this dream. During my time at this children's hospital, there was one patient who was receiving a new heart. The battles that young patient and their family experienced after surgery were grueling. The heart transplant had turned into amputation and multiple codes—near misses. However, the nurses in that case made all the difference to that child and their family's life. The weeks of stress and discouragement they had experienced were engulfed by so much compassionate care from the nurses. Those nurses impacted that patient positively until the moment they walked out the hospital doors. It has made me want to have a meaningful impact on children and their stories.

African American women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women due to healthcare disparities. In conjunction, the infant mortality rate is higher in black babies, as it is 2.5 times higher than for white babies. As a white woman, I understand I will never understand personally the implications of racial healthcare disparities. As a woman entering the healthcare system with hopes of becoming a nurse, I can prevent racial disparities within my healthcare practice. Unfortunately, race is not the only disparity in healthcare. There are disparities among those who are underinsured or uninsured, part of the LGBTQ, have low socioeconomic status, suffer from mental health, are older, and are seeking obesity care. For instance, I have suffered from healthcare disparities in obesity care. As a woman who has Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a condition where my body produces too much testosterone, affecting my menses, causing fertility issues and weight gain, I have suffered for years trying to seek the proper medical attention. I have been dismissed by doctors, telling me I need to lose weight, and when I did lose forty pounds, I was told to lose more weight. When all I have ever wanted was for them to treat my hormones. It's frustrating and undermines the trust people have in their healthcare providers and teams. Healthcare disparities affect access to care for many marginalized groups, preventing access to quality care and causing negligent harm. In the nursing field, we are taught the importance of cultural competence. This is the concept of knowing and acknowledging our biases and beliefs to give culturally congruent care. It is the idea of providing for our patients based on their culture and putting our worldviews aside. For my own healthcare practice, I plan on acknowledging my privileges and educating myself for the benefit of my patients. In nursing, there is something called cultural desire. It means having the motivation to engage with patients and to understand them from their cultural perspective, and have the desire to understand them, acknowledge the differences in perception, and recommend the best plan of care based on what works best for the patient. Healthcare disparities are a social issue that affects many different groups of people across the nation. I plan on addressing it throughout my nursing career, especially as I seek higher education in the future. My patients are my priority. As someone who has experienced healthcare disparities myself, I understand the frustration of wanting to receive quality care but never getting it. Patient satisfaction matters as it allows for better outcomes, loyalty, and patient compliance with treatments. Though I am a nursing student who has yet to enter the field, my plan of action to address this issue is still important, as disparities happen every day, affecting the lives of many. Implementing cultural competence in my nursing career will ensure the prevention of healthcare disparities from occurring among my patients, allowing me to give proper care and increase patient outcomes.

Since I was seventeen, I knew I wanted to be a nurse. However, I always thought I was incapable of being one. As a first-generation college student and the first-born of parents who did not have positive educational experiences, I had no guidance. My father never got a higher education, and my mother was a child of immigrant parents with English as her second language who dropped out of high school due to language difficulties. I was a child who was proud that I was applying to colleges. I was focused on getting accepted; however, I did not have a plan of study once I got there. I chose a career path that I had thought was flexible, manageable, and filled with many job opportunities after college. I decided to study communication. However, the worldwide pandemic hit after I graduated, and I soon realized that I did not want to pursue a career in communication. I did not enjoy sitting at a desk and doing the same daily tasks. I wanted to make a difference. Especially at the height of the pandemic, when I tried to help those suffering from the global healthcare crisis. I signed up for classes three days before the start date and never took any breaks between semesters. I ensured my summer and winter sessions were filled with as much as I could handle, and I finished all of my nursing prerequisites within a year. To ensure that nursing was the career I wanted to advance in, I had a small assistive personnel role as a Clinical Support Aide at a San Diego children's hospital. This experience allowed me to be a helpful member of the pediatric intensive care and cardiothoracic intensive care units, where I witnessed medical miracles and tragedies. While working at this hospital, I had a friend named Margaret. This woman is a spitfire. She is the most blunt and intimidating person I have ever met, yet the most kind-hearted. I had a difficult time at the hospital contemplating my life decisions on whether nursing was the right choice for me. I often asked her if I was someone who would make it into this career field. I went to her every shift and asked her for advice and stories about her experiences. Margaret was the person to whom I could turn to. She encouraged me to strive for what she knew, and what I knew, I was capable of. All questions I had asked Margaret in regard to pursuing my education were answered honestly. I would have done the same if I were her. Being honest with those you care about is the best action, even if it is an opinion. Opinions and guidance from loved ones, especially friends like Margaret, are the ones that are held most dear and make the most sway when it comes to decision-making. If it weren't for Margaret and her guidance, I probably wouldn't have had the courage to continue the path I am on today in my nursing career. Nor would I have the confidence. Because of her friendship and honesty, I applied myself, and I am now in an accelerated nursing program at California State University-San Marcos. Our friendship during my time at the children's hospital was irreplaceable, and I still keep in touch with her to this day, giving her updates about my nursing school adventures. Achieving my nursing degree has been challenging, with my mindset being one of the biggest obstacles. However, my finances are the second biggest hindrance. I financed my first degree myself and am doing it all again. Being older means being wiser but having more bills, responsibilities, and debt. There is so much more to lose when going back to school. I have so much emotional support from my friends and family; however, I have no financial support. Especially coming from a lower-class family who can't afford to help me pay for tuition. On top of it all, I have had to cut down my work days to support the educational workload. I have cut costs and made monthly budgets and spreadsheets to ensure I can pay for my responsibilities. I have wanted to become a nurse for many years, and no matter the obstacle, I will get there, even if it means applying for help. For future students, I suggest the same. Though challenges may be in your way, whether it be your mindset or monetary reasons (such as mine), your dreams and goals are no sacrifice to the adversity that stands in your way. Achieving a career in STEM will be challenging. It will cost time, money, and sometimes your sanity from the countless hours of studying and sacrifice, but the reward when you accomplish your goal will outweigh any cost.

The pandemic has put into perspective the world needs healthcare workers more than ever. I changed my career path to nursing during the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, dismissing my previous bachelor's degree in Communication and past ambitions for marketing. My current ambition is to become a pediatric nurse, as my passion is helping and supporting children. My experience as a Clinical Support Aide at Rady Children's Hospital was my first step toward this goal. This experience allowed me to be a helpful member of the pediatric intensive care and cardiothoracic intensive care units, where I witnessed medical miracles and tragedies. Through it all, one patient in particular made me realize why working with children was the path I needed to be in. During my time at this children's hospital, there was one patient who had been on the transplant list for over a year. One day, the patient was notified that he was getting a new heart. The battles that young patient and their family experienced after surgery were grueling. The heart transplant had turned into amputation and multiple codes—near misses. However, the nurses in that case made all the difference to that child's life. The weeks of stress that the family endured and the discouragement the young patient experienced were surrounded by so much care from the nurses. I witnessed a complete change in the patient after many disheartening events. The positive change in that child's health made tears well in my eyes. I experienced him getting better slowly daily. The attachment I felt to this patient, who wasn't even my patient (I was an assistive personnel), was astounding. The amount of emotion I felt when I witnessed him and his family walk out of the hospital doors is one that I will hold with me forever. I want to be that form of support for a child and their family. Not all experiences will end like this, but I want to be the comfort and care within all children's stories. That experience is what gave me the determination to become a pediatric critical care nurse. I enjoy the complexities of tertiary care as it is intellectually stimulating. Nurses in critical care are often faced with complex medical cases that require quick critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Allowing for your work days to challenge you in a variety of ways. In addition to the skill set, I strive to be able to help children and their families during their most vulnerable times. To care for critically ill children and their families through direct comfort and support is what makes pediatric nursing so rewarding. This is truly why I changed my career path away from marketing. That line of work can be creatively stimulating, but it is a career driven towards numbers and profit while always trying to get ahead of your direct competitors. It wasn't something I felt comfortable with as it didn't line with my morals and values. Nursing is a career that I am confident about being part of, as I am dedicated to providing compassionate and skilled care to children in need. My empathy for others inspired me to enter a career that grants me the opportunity to pour back into my community, allowing me to give future pediatric patients the highest quality of empathetic care. I am currently enrolled in an accelerated nursing program through California State University-San Marcos. I am now one step closer to becoming a pediatric nurse and one step closer to being a comforting character in children's stories.

The pandemic has put into perspective the world needs healthcare workers more than ever. I changed my career path to nursing during the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, dismissing my previous bachelor's degree in Communication and past ambitions for marketing. My current ambition is to become a pediatric nurse, as my passion is helping and supporting children. My experience as a Clinical Support Aide at Rady Children's Hospital was my first step toward this goal. This experience allowed me to be a helpful member of the pediatric intensive care and cardiothoracic intensive care units, where I witnessed medical miracles and tragedies. Through it all, one patient in particular made me realize why working with children was the path I needed to be in. During my time at this children's hospital, there was one patient who had been on the transplant list for over a year. One day, the patient was notified that he was getting a new heart. The battles that young patient and their family experienced after surgery were grueling. The heart transplant had turned into amputation and multiple codes—near misses. However, the nurses in that case made all the difference to that child's life. The weeks of stress that the family endured and the discouragement the young patient experienced were surrounded by so much care from the nurses. I witnessed a complete change in the patient after many disheartening events. The positive change in that child's health made tears well in my eyes. I experienced him getting better slowly daily. The attachment I felt to this patient, who wasn't even my patient (I was assistive personnel), was astounding. The amount of emotion I felt when I witnessed him and his family walk out of the hospital doors is one that I will hold with me forever. I want to be that form of support for a child and their family. Not all experiences will end like this, but I want to be the comfort and care within all children's stories. That experience is what gave me the determination to become a pediatric critical care nurse. I enjoy the complexities of tertiary care as it is intellectually stimulating. Nurses in critical care are often faced with complex medical cases that require quick critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Allowing for your work days to challenge you in a variety of ways. In addition to the skill set, I strive to be able to help children and their families during their most vulnerable times. To care for critically ill children and their families through direct comfort and support is what makes pediatric nursing so rewarding. This is truly why I changed my career path away from marketing. That line of work can be creatively stimulating, but it is a career driven towards numbers and profit while always trying to get ahead of your direct competitors. It wasn't something I felt comfortable with as it didn't line with my morals and values. Nursing is a career that I am confident about being part of, as I am dedicated to providing compassionate and skilled care to children in need. My empathy for others inspired me to enter a career that grants me the opportunity to pour back into my community, allowing me to give future pediatric patients the highest quality of empathetic care. I am currently enrolled in an accelerated nursing program through California State University-San Marcos. I am now one step closer to becoming a pediatric nurse and one step closer to being a comforting character in children's stories.

The pandemic has put into perspective the world needs healthcare workers more than ever. I changed my career path to nursing during the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, dismissing my previous bachelor's degree in Communication and past ambitions for marketing. My current ambition is to become a pediatric nurse, as my passion is helping and supporting children. My experience as a Clinical Support Aide at Rady Children's Hospital was my first step toward this goal. This experience allowed me to be a helpful member of the pediatric intensive care and cardiothoracic intensive care units, where I witnessed medical miracles and tragedies. Through it all, one patient in particular made me realize why working with children was the path I needed to be in. During my time at this children's hospital, there was one patient who had been on the transplant list for over a year. One day, the patient was notified that he was getting a new heart. The battles that young patient and their family experienced after surgery were grueling. The heart transplant had turned into amputation and multiple codes—near misses. However, the nurses in that case made all the difference to that child's life. The weeks of stress that the family endured and the discouragement the young patient experienced were surrounded by so much care from the nurses. I witnessed a complete change in the patient after many disheartening events. The positive change in that child's health made tears well in my eyes. I experienced him getting better slowly daily. The attachment I felt to this patient, who wasn't even my patient (I was an assistive personnel), was astounding. The amount of emotion I felt when I witnessed him and his family walk out of the hospital doors is one that I will hold with me forever. I want to be that form of support for a child and their family. Not all experiences will end like this, but I want to be the comfort and care within all children's stories. That experience is what gave me the determination to become a pediatric critical care nurse. I enjoy the complexities of tertiary care as it is intellectually stimulating. Nurses in critical care are often faced with complex medical cases that require quick critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Allowing for your work days to challenge you in a variety of ways. In addition to the skill set, I strive to be able to help children and their families during their most vulnerable times. To care for critically ill children and their families through direct comfort and support is what makes pediatric nursing so rewarding. This is truly why I changed my career path away from marketing. That line of work can be creatively stimulating, but it is a career driven towards numbers and profit while always trying to get ahead of your direct competitors. It wasn't something I felt comfortable with as it didn't line with my morals and values. Nursing is a career that I am confident about being part of, as I am dedicated to providing compassionate and skilled care to children in need. My empathy for others inspired me to enter a career that grants me the opportunity to pour back into my community, allowing me to give future pediatric patients the highest quality of empathetic care. I am currently enrolled in an accelerated nursing program through California State University-San Marcos. I am now one step closer to becoming a pediatric nurse and one step closer to being a comforting character in children's stories.

Since I was seventeen years old, I knew I wanted to be a nurse. However, I always thought I was incapable of being one. As a first-generation college student and the first-born of parents who did not have positive educational experiences, I had no guidance. I was a child focused on getting into college; however, I did not have a plan of study once I got there. I chose a career path that was flexible, manageable, and filled with many job opportunities after college. I decided to study communication. However, the worldwide pandemic hit after I graduated, and I soon realized that I did not want to pursue a career in communication. I did not enjoy sitting at a desk, doing the same daily tasks. I wanted to make a difference. Especially at the height of the pandemic, when I wanted to help those suffering from the global healthcare crisis. As a woman entering the healthcare system, I plan on being culturally competent and preventing healthcare disparities. There are disparities among those who are underinsured or uninsured, part of the LGBTQ, have low socioeconomic status, suffer from mental health, are older, and are seeking obesity care. For instance, I have suffered from healthcare disparities in obesity care. As a woman who has Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a condition where my body produces too much testosterone, affecting my menses, causing fertility issues and weight gain, I have suffered for years trying to seek the proper medical attention. I have been dismissed by doctors, telling me I need to lose weight, and when I did lose forty pounds, I was told to lose more weight. When all I have ever wanted was for them to treat my hormones. It's frustrating and undermines the trust people have in their healthcare providers and teams. Healthcare disparities affect access to care for many marginalized groups, preventing access to quality care and causing negligent harm. In the nursing field, we are taught the importance of cultural competence. This is the concept of knowing and acknowledging our biases and beliefs to give culturally congruent care. It is the idea of providing for our patients based on their culture and putting our worldviews aside. For my own healthcare practice, I plan on acknowledging my privileges and educating myself for the benefit of my patients. In nursing, there is something called cultural desire. It means having the motivation to engage with patients and to understand them from their cultural perspective, and have the desire to understand them, acknowledge the differences in perception, and recommend the best plan of care based on what works best for the patient. Though I am a nursing student who has yet to enter the field, my plan of action to address this issue is still important, as disparities happen every day, affecting the lives of many. Implementing cultural competence in my nursing career will ensure the prevention of healthcare disparities from occurring among my patients, allowing me to give proper care and increase patient outcomes.

African American women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women due to healthcare disparities. In conjunction, the infant mortality rate is higher in black babies, as it is 2.5 times higher than for white babies. As a white woman, I understand I will never understand personally the implications of racial healthcare disparities. As a woman entering the healthcare system with hopes of becoming a nurse, I can prevent racial disparities within my healthcare practice. Unfortunately, race is not the only disparity in healthcare. There are disparities among those who are underinsured or uninsured, part of the LGBTQ, have low socioeconomic status, suffer from mental health, are older, and are seeking obesity care. For instance, I have suffered from healthcare disparities in obesity care. As a woman who has Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a condition where my body produces too much testosterone, affecting my menses, causing fertility issues and weight gain, I have suffered for years trying to seek the proper medical attention. I have been dismissed by doctors, telling me I need to lose weight, and when I did lose forty pounds, I was told to lose more weight. When all I have ever wanted was for them to treat my hormones. It's frustrating and undermines the trust people have in their healthcare providers and teams. Healthcare disparities affect access to care for many marginalized groups, preventing access to quality care and causing negligent harm. In the nursing field, we are taught the importance of cultural competence. This is the concept of knowing and acknowledging our biases and beliefs to give culturally congruent care. It is the idea of providing for our patients based on their culture and putting our worldviews aside. For my own healthcare practice, I plan on acknowledging my privileges and educating myself for the benefit of my patients. In nursing, there is something called cultural desire. It means having the motivation to engage with patients and to understand them from their cultural perspective, and have the desire to understand them, acknowledge the differences in perception, and recommend the best plan of care based on what works best for the patient. Healthcare disparities are a social issue that affects many different groups of people across the nation. I plan on addressing it throughout my nursing career, especially as I seek higher education in the future. My patients are my priority. As someone who has experienced healthcare disparities myself, I understand the frustration of wanting to receive quality care but never getting it. Patient satisfaction matters as it allows for better outcomes, loyalty, and patient compliance with treatments. Though I am a nursing student who has yet to enter the field, my plan of action to address this issue is still important, as disparities happen every day, affecting the lives of many. Implementing cultural competence in my nursing career will ensure the prevention of healthcare disparities from occurring among my patients, allowing me to give proper care and increase patient outcomes.

One September afternoon, I was at my best friend Stephanie's house with her and her husband. It was like any other time I had come over. I knocked on their apartment door. She greeted me with a hug, and her husband followed. I complimented the new fragrance from Bath & Body Works that engulfed her home. If there was one thing about Stephanie, it was that she has an addiction to Bath and Body Works. "Thanks, it's Sweet Pea." she gushed. I then asked her if she wanted to go to her apartment's hot tub and take a cocktail. She had politely told me no, that she was tired and would rather stay in as initially planned. I didn't think anything of it at the time and shrugged it off. She and her husband were sitting on the couch, pretending to pick which movie we would watch for the night. They watched me, anticipatingly, make my way toward their kitchen and grab drinks—a task I had done countless times before. I mindlessly made small talk as I looked through their fridge for something to drink, asking them what they wanted. "Just water!" she said as if I needed to hurry. Still oblivious to their excitement, I approached the drinkware cabinet. I didn't even realize at first what Stephanie and her husband were trying to do as I opened the cabinet door and saw a phone facing me, recording. I made a face at them for what I thought was a prank, and as my head turned back towards them, I did a double take. There it was: a positive pregnancy test. My mouth shot wide open, and my body hit the floor. I was ugly-crying happy tears. My voice went so high-pitched I didn't even know I could hit that octave. "Are you serious?" My joy was so overcoming. "No wonder you didn't want to go to the hot tub and have a cocktail," I laughed, wiping my tears. My friend and her husband had been trying for months to get pregnant, and it finally happened. Just the week prior, I went to Stephanie's house with flowers in hand, comforting her over yet another negative test. "You're the first one to know," she told me as she picked me up off the floor. We all gathered and hugged as she told me I was the Godmother of her child. Stephanie is almost due now. I tell her every day how excited I am to be an aunt, even though we have no genetic relation. She has been my best friend for almost ten years, and I know we will be friends for a lifetime. We have known each other since we were 18 years old. I met Stephanie while working at a local San Diego fifties diner. We wore matching poodle skirts and had fake names; mine was Stevie, and hers was Marylin. We were in the most bizarre setting at such a young age, and we grew into the women we are together. I cannot wait to meet her daughter, and I am so ecstatic for her and the life she is creating with her husband. We have been there for each other through all of our heartaches, accomplishments, and major milestones. She's always been my biggest supporter, and I'm hers. This story is one I will always carry with me. Even though I get embarrassed watching back a video of me hysterically crying, it's a moment in time I'm happy is captured.

Since I was seventeen years old, I knew I wanted to be a nurse. However, I always thought I was incapable of being one. As a first-generation college student and the first-born of parents who did not have positive educational experiences, I had no guidance. I was a child focused on getting into college; however, I did not have a plan of study once I got there. I chose a career path that was flexible, manageable, and filled with many job opportunities after college. I decided to study communication. However, the worldwide pandemic hit after I graduated, and I soon realized that I did not want to pursue a career in communication. I did not enjoy sitting at a desk, doing the same daily tasks. I wanted to make a difference. Especially at the height of the pandemic, when I wanted to help those suffering from the global healthcare crisis. I signed up for classes three days before the start date, and I never took any breaks between semesters. I ensured my summer and winter sessions were filled with as much as I could handle, and I finished all of my nursing prerequisites within a year. To ensure that nursing was the career I wanted to advance in, I had a small assistive personnel role as a Clinical Support Aide at a San Diego children's hospital. This experience allowed me to be a helpful member of the pediatric intensive care and cardiothoracic intensive care units, where I witnessed medical miracles and tragedies. Through it all, one patient in particular made me realize why working with healthcare (specifically in pediatrics) was the path I needed to be in. During my time at this children's hospital, there was one patient who had been on the transplant list for over a year. One day, the patient was notified that he was getting a new heart. The battles that young patient and their family experienced after surgery were grueling. The heart transplant had turned into amputation and multiple codes—near misses. However, the nurses in that case made all the difference to that child's life. The weeks of stress that the family endured and the discouragement the young patient experienced were surrounded by so much care from the nurses. I witnessed a complete change in the patient after many disheartening events. The positive change in that child's health made tears well in my eyes. I experienced him getting better daily. The attachment I felt to this patient, who wasn't even my patient (I was an assistive personnel), was astounding. The amount of emotion I felt when I witnessed him and his family walk out of the hospital doors is one that I will hold with me forever. I want to be that form of support for a child and their family. Not all experiences will end like this, but I want to be the comfort and care within all children's stories. My compassion for others inspired me to enter a career that allows me to pour back into my community instead of pursuing a career driven toward profit. Those same compassions flourished through my past experiences and will allow me to give future pediatric patients the highest quality of empathetic care. I am enrolled in an accelerated nursing program through California State University-San Marcos. I am now one step closer to becoming a pediatric nurse and one step closer to being a comforting character within children's stories.