My journey toward nursing began long before I understood what healthcare really was. When my older sister had a stroke before she turned one, it changed the course of her life and our family's life. She spent her childhood in therapy learning to talk, learning to move, and learning how to navigate challenges that most kids her age never had to think about. As her younger sibling, I grew up watching her fight for every bit of progress with a strength that still inspires me today. Even though I was young, I could feel the weight my family carried. The long drives to therapy, the frustration when things didn't come easily, and the determination my sister showed even when she was tired or overwhelmed. Those early years taught me that healing is not simple, and that families often carry invisible battles behind the scenes. When she was around twelve, she had surgery that was supposed to help with complications from her stroke. We went into it hopeful, believing it would make her life easier. But during that surgery, the surgeon forgot to complete a major part of the procedure. That mistake changed everything. Instead of improving, she ended up with even more complications than before, complications she still lives with today. As a younger sibling, I didn't understand the medical details, but I understood the impact. I saw the confusion, the disappointment, and the emotional toll it took on her and on my family. I saw how much trust families place in healthcare workers, and how devastating it is when that trust is broken. That experience shaped me deeply. It taught me that healthcare is not just about skill, it's about responsibility, awareness, and treating every patient like someone whose life will be affected long after the appointment ends. That is why I want to become a nurse. I want to work with children and teens because I know how vulnerable they are, and how much it matters to have someone who listens, someone who pays attention, and someone who genuinely cares. I want to be the nurse who brings comfort and clarity during moments that feel overwhelming. I want to be the kind of nurse my sister needed more of, someone who leads with intention, compassion, and humanity If I could create something fun to make the world better, I would design two programs dedicated to hospitalized children: Hope Hallway and Sunshine Sessions. Hope Hallway would be a space where kids can share their victories, fears, and encouragement with one another, a place that reminds them they are not alone. Sunshine Sessions would bring short, uplifting activity breaks into long hospital days, giving kids moments of joy, creativity, and emotional support. These ideas come from my sister's journey, from the long days she endured, from the moments she needed hope, and from the strength she showed even when things were unfair. I want to turn my family's pain into purpose. I want to bring compassion, intention, and humanity into healthcare. Watching my sister face lifelong complications from a surgery that was supposed to help her changed the way I see the world. It showed me how deeply a medical mistake can affect a child and the people who love them. Those moments stay with me and push me to become the kind of nurse who pays attention, listens, and protects families during their most vulnerable times. My sister's journey is the reason I'm committed to bringing care, safety, and empathy into every room I enter as a future nurse.

My decision to continue my education in nursing didn't come from the typical "I want to help people" answer everyone gives. For me, it came from a mixture of personal experiences that shaped the way I see healthcare, starting with family members who work in the nursing field, my disabled sister whose surgery went wrong, and the therapist who changed her life. These experiences opened my eyes to both the beauty and the flaws within healthcare. My sister's surgery was the moment that changed everything for me. Before the surgery, she was already facing challenges from her stoke, despite that she was still full of life and potential even with people doubting her. When the surgery went wrong, she was left with even more lifelong complications. Watching her go through that made me realize that not everyone in healthcare is there for the right reasons. Some people see nursing as just a job or paycheck, not a responsibility. They often forget that the decisions they make and the care they provide can change someone's entire life. Seeing my sister suffer because of someone's carelessness made me want to become the kind of nurse who does the opposite, someone who treats every patient with intention, compassion, and genuine care. But even in the middle of that pain, there was a bright spot: her therapist. He had been working with her before and after the surgery, and his support stayed consistent throughout everything she went through. Every day she came home excited to talk about their sessions. She would tell us how he pushed her to do better, how he believed in her, and how he made ger feel capable even on her hardest days. He didn't just help her physically he helped her mentally and emotionally. He made her feel seen, supported, and understood. As I got older and started thinking more seriously about my future, I realized how much these experiences shaped the way I view healthcare. I didn't just want a career I wanted a purpose. Seeing the difference between careless care and intentional care made me understand how powerful a nurse's role really is. A nurse can either contribute to someone's pain or be the person who helps them heal, not just physically but emotionally too. That realization is what pushed me to continue my education in nursing. I want to be the kind of nurse who pays attention, listens, and treats every patient like their life matters, because it does. My sister's journey taught me that patients remember how you made them feel long after the medical part is over, and I want my patients to remember feeling supported, safe, and well overstood. Because of everything I've experienced, I know I want to work with kids and teens in a hospital setting. Hospitals can be overwhelming, especially for children and teenagers who may not fully understand what's happening to them. I will be the nurse who brings comfort in those moments, the person who explains things in a way they can understand, who advocated for them when they're scared. I will be the kind of nurse who shows up with patience, empathy, and encouragement, because I know firsthand how much that can change someone's experiences. Continuing my nursing education at Texas Woman's University is helping me grow into the nurse I want to be. My goal is to work with kids and teens, where I can make the same kind of impact my sister's therapist made on her. Healthcare is more than medicine to me, its connection and trust. That's the nurse I am working to become

Impacting a community doesn't always require grand gestures or financial contributions. Sometimes, the most meaningful changes come from the simplest acts of service, helping without expecting anything in return. Through volunteering and mentoring young athletes, I have been able to contribute to my community in ways that have not only helped others but have also shaped me into a more compassionate and responsible individual. One of the ways I have given back to my community is through volunteering at school and local events. I have participated in tutoring elementary students helping them build confidence in their studies, I have been involved in school plays, assisted in setting up events, and even helped organize gifts for elementary students. Around the holidays, I joined efforts to give out free turkeys to families in need, ensuring that more people in our community could enjoy a warm meal. Staying after school to clean and participating in student-led tours for incoming freshmen, helping younger students feel welcomed and informed about their new environment. Each of these experiences taught me that the value of service and community. I realized that being helpful doesn't require a paycheck- it builds bonds, creates support systems, and fosters a sense of unity. Beyond volunteering, I have also had the privilege of mentoring younger athletes. As a softball player, the sport has played a significant role in my life, teaching me discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. When given the opportunity to assist the local middle school's softball team, I was honored to help students find the same passion for the game that I have. Whether it was helping them refine their pitching skills, offering words of encouragement, or simply being there to support them, I saw firsthand how guidance and motivation could make a difference in a young athlete's journey. Some players were just beginning their softball experience, uncertain about their abilities, and I made it my mission to remind them that improvement comes with practice and dedication. Seeing their confidence grow over time was incredibly rewarding. The experience reinforced my belief that leadership isn't just about excelling personally- it's about lifting others up and helping them discover their own potential. It also showed me that being a mentor is about more than teaching skills; it’s about being a role model and a source of encouragement, someone who helps others believe in themselves. Through these experiences, I have learned that impact is not measured by what we receive but by what we give. Volunteering and mentorship have shown me that even the smallest efforts can create meaningful change. Whether through academic support, community service, or sports mentorship, I have been able to contribute to the growth and well-being of those around me. These moments have taught me patience, empathy, and the importance of making others feel valued. They have also influenced my outlook on leadership- not as a position of authority, but as a role that requires compassion, dedication, and the willingness to serve others. Looking ahead, I hope to carry this mindset forward in all aspects of my life, whether in my future career or within my community. As someone who aspires to work in nursing or psychology, I know that these fields require the same qualities I have developed through my experiences: the a to ability listen, guide, and uplift others. No matter where life takes me, I want to continue finding ways to help those around me, proving that small actions can lead to lasting change.