One of the most rewarding aspects of a career in nursing is the ability to connect with our patients on a much deeper level. At first, I was not that little girl that grew up wanting to be a nurse but instead wanted to be a teacher. However, as I was attending college, I grew a great interest and love for the nursing career. I have a few family members that are currently RNs. They always share stories and how much they enjoy being in the medical field, which sparked my inspiration to become a nurse. In addition, after the pandemic, my great-grandparents became very ill. They were both the glue that held our whole family together. I grew very close to them and because of that, I was over my great grandparents' home all the time. When they became ill, I was at the bedside with my mom and we would both care for them. After their passing, my inspiration to continue pursuing my career grew stronger. My great-grandma would always comment on how great of a nurse I would be one day and how proud she was. She was so happy and excited that I was becoming a nurse that she and I would talk endlessly about nursing. Both of their passings affected me a lot, however, I now push myself harder to earn my degree. I am always ready to help people and I love to help those in need. I am now in my senior year of nursing school and I could not be any happier knowing that I am fulfilling my BSN career. While we often meet patients in difficult circumstances, as a future nurse, I will have the privilege of helping those when they are most vulnerable. I will be able to witness triumphs and patients' greatest defeats. I will be able to hold a patient's hand and give support to the patient's family. I will ultimately be a listening ear to the patient and create a bond that will strengthen the patient's health outcomes. Furthermore, knowing that my care, time, and voice can help a patient is to me one of the most rewarding feelings. My goal will always be to provide the ultimate care and education as if the patient was my family member. I would like to be a nurse that will be unforgettable to the patient and the patient's family and be remembered for my warm smile, the knowledge and education I would provide, and my care toward the patient. Once I graduate, my goal is to study for NCLEX, pass, and receive my nursing license. I hope to become a pediatric nurse. It combines the love I have for helping people, medicine, and my love for children. Pediatric nursing is understanding the unique needs of pediatric patients across multiple age groups. It includes helping resilient children move from critical illness to a fulfilling and healthy life. It also creates a close connection with patients and families. I will get to be a part of children's lives and also get to touch parents' lives as well. Another goal of mine would be to minimize social determinants of health. SDOH can negatively affect people by making them more susceptible to illness. Poverty is an SDOH that can potentially expose children to violence, incarceration, and economic discrimination. Nurses can screen and respond to SDOH by maximizing all the programs and services patients are eligible for. As a future nurse, I will give hope to those in need and maximize their care. I also plan to return to school to obtain my MSN.

I was fortunate enough to love and meet my great-grandmother. Everyone knew her as Rita or as I will call her Mama Rita. She had a heart of gold, she was genuine, wise, funny, and loved by many. She was the glue to our family and a mother to many. I have great memories of her. Every Sunday my family and I will gather at her house, and she would cook for everyone and she would make sure everyone ate her delicious food. My favorite meal was the hand-made flour tortillas with red beans. I have a vivid memory of when I was young, she made me a small piggy bank out of a tin foil can. Every time I would go to her house she would tell me to go and check "el botecito" the tin can to see if there was anything in it. Sure enough, there will be change. She would say it would be for a Mcdonald's burger or a piece of candy. As I grew older she and I would sit and have conversations about when she was a teenager and how excited she was for my future. My mama Rita would always say metaphors like, "tiene que ser una rosa social" meaning you have to be a social flower. She was very religious and faithful. The definition of a true catholic. She once told me a story that when she was praying the rosary in her room the image of the Virgen the Guadalupe appeared on the wall and was moving around her room. I believe her. She had so many amazing stories. Her laugh was contagious, she always smelled like roses, she had curly hair, and always wore button-up shirts with a single pocket on the chest. Her favorite color was a soft lilac color, she loved sweets, especially coca cola with peanuts, and her favorite flower is the gladiolus. She was a mother to me. The truth is my mother and I don't have the best relationship and my mama Rita was my mother figure. All I ever needed from her was a hug and I just knew that everything was going to be okay. Unfortunately, there came a time when she was in and out of the hospital due to respiratory complications. Due to COVID, hospitals would not allow any visitors and when we would speak to her on the phone she would say we abandoned her. The nurse would report to us that she would not eat. So my family and I grew concerned. Soon after multiple phone calls and zoom calls her strength came back and she was back at her house. Time went by and no one would see each other because of quarantine. In November 2020, my great-grandpa passed away due to COVID at a hospital. Shortly after, my mama, Rita did too on January 2021. Her lungs were no longer functioning correctly, but I know she fought even though she was ready to go. She took her last three breaths surrounded by those who love her. After her passing nothing is the same. It's very strange not seeing both of them or hearing their voices til this day because they were a big part of our family. After their passing, I had zero motivation, depression, and anger which led me to fail a nursing course. I just didn't care, nothing mattered to me at that point. Until one day I grew the courage to get out of that mental state because I knew she would tell me to keep going. Even though she isn't here she still gives me strength. Losing her changed my life completely. My relationship with my mom is better and I am doing well in school. However, losing a loved one made me want to "fight" for my nursing degree and my life. To not only make my parents proud but also my mama Rita. I wasn't able to help her or my great-grandpa but I will be able to help others in need. I'll be able to advocate for patients and offer care and all my time to them. One thing that she mentioned to me was when she was hospitalized she was very lonely. As a future nurse, I do not want a single patient to feel lonely. I want to become a nurse who makes conversation with the patient, and show empathy, and respect. I want to be the nurse patients are excited to see and make a positive impact on patients' lives. I would love to create more diversity in a hospital setting. I overall want to save lives. I want to live to my full potential, exceed my expectations, and in some way be just like my mama Rita, unforgettable.

Coming from a Hispanic household has been quite rewarding yet challenging. Our culture implies that education is needed to be successful in life. If an individual has an education it is said that they will live a happier life versus someone who does not pursue an academic education. My parents will always mention to me they would like for my siblings and me to have a career where we just use our minds and brain instead of our physical bodies. As I continue to pursue my nursing career, it has been difficult and overwhelming. My journey has not been easy. I often find myself thinking and doubting myself if nursing is even for me. However, the love and support that I have been receiving from my family is my motivation to continue my nursing program. My parents have shown me the value of resilience and being the best version of yourself. To accomplish my goals I have to believe in myself and work hard for what I want. Although, I disagree with my family's opinion that an individual can only be successful if they receive an education. For that reason is what keeps me going. Without my parents pushing me to get an education and finish school, I honestly wouldn't know what I would be currently doing. Hispanics have a hard-working ethic, I witness it with my family. My father has told me stories about how difficult it was to adjust to American society. How hard he worked and how his living situation was. How he had to work as a young boy. To this day, my father is the only source of income we have in my family. He works hard to be able to provide for our family and I am extremely grateful for that. My mother is a stay-at-home mom and she has always taken care of me and my siblings ever since we were little. Since I have the opportunity to receive an education because of my parents my ultimate goal is to make them proud. At the end of the day, just as it is for me it will also be an achievement for them. In addition, coming from a minority group comes with disparities. I have learned that most Hispanic individuals refuse or choose to not seek medical help because of a language barrier. In addition, many individuals will say that they are treated differently. I have witnessed during my clinical rotations that individuals of the same background feel more comfortable when being treated. The world can be cruel, yet is up to us to face it with determination, courage, and strength. So, because the world can be cruel and life is not easy. I, today face it with strength and determination to be successful in my studies for a change. I've learned that nothing is easy and I will have to work hard for what I want to achieve. Although, I come from a minority group my Hispanic family has taught me to treat everyone the same. Today's society needs a lot of help and by becoming a nurse I will start to create diversity in a clinical setting. Creating diversity in a clinical setting will lead individuals to seek medical help when needed and may also decrease diseases. Overall, both of my parents came to the Americas for a better chance in life. Even though it has not been easy for them, I strive that one day with the family values that I have been taught by my family I can be their voice for a change.