Ever since I was little, I loved helping people. Whether it was with small tasks or big projects, I would always ask if someone needed my help. As I got older that love grew and it came with the ability to do more. Whether it's giving money or food to the homeless, making sure that someone gets to their destination safely, or if I see someone struggling with something, offering a helping hand. A little goes a long way and in a world with so much chaos and hate, love is so important. So, when I determined that compassion was a passion of mine, along with my interest in medical sciences, that’s when I decided to pursue Nursing. In high school, my love for medical sciences grew exponentially. Science always fascinated me but there was something about studying medicine that captured my attention. Being a nurse not only allows you to exercise your knowledge of the medical field on a daily basis but interact with patients and make an impression on them and their families. Upon graduating from nursing school, I plan on working as a float pool staff nurse. This will allow me to become more well-rounded in my career by experiencing different units/floors. After some time I want to become a Psych nurse, reaching underprivileged populations and getting involved in community health work. In the future, I hope to take my knowledge of healthcare and nursing, and my passion for helping people to start a non-profit organization. This organization would not only provide free healthcare but community services such as housing/financial assistance, free and easy-to-access necessities, and much more. Because I have been blessed my whole life, even along with all the challenges I have faced, I want to be able to bless someone else. The most important thing to me is showing God's love and being a light in others' lives. I strongly believe that being a nurse and following through with my plan is my calling in life. Although my life and educational journey hasn't been easy, I know that it will not only pay off, but it is all for the glory of God. I couldn't have made it this far or made it at all without him. So I know that I will continue to show compassion, love unconditionally, and give everyone the care they deserve. Because as someone told me years ago, everybody is somebody's somebody.

Compassion. One word that holds so much weight, yet our world lacks it so much. Compassion. Something you need in order to love unconditionally, live authentically, and walk purposefully. When I determined that compassion was a passion of mine, along with my interest in medical sciences, that’s when I decided to pursue Nursing. Being a nurse not only allows you to exercise your knowledge of the medical field on a daily basis but interact with patients and make an impression on them and their families. And I know, without a doubt, that I want to be a part of the impact nurses make on their patients’ lives while aiding in saving them. Achieving higher education would allow me to pair my passion with knowledgeability. In the future, I hope to take my knowledge of healthcare and nursing, and my passion for helping people to start a non-profit organization. This organization would not only provide free healthcare but community services such as housing/financial assistance, free and easy-to-access necessities, and much more. Community outreach and being a hand to someone in need is something that my grandmother was heavily involved in and showed throughout her life before she passed. At her funeral, my eldest cousin came to me saying that my grandmother’s legacy was going to live through me. At that moment, I was overwhelmed with emotion looking around at all the people that were there, because I knew she had touched every one of their lives in a special way. About 50% of my memories of my grandmother were of her helping others. Whether it was praying for others, giving them money when they needed it, giving them advice, and providing them with food or a place to rest. She did these acts selflessly, putting God and other's before herself. Not only did my grandmother show and have these qualities, but she tried her hardest to instill them in me. She saw that I loved to help and she poured into me. Always telling me never to lose my love for people, to prioritize my relationship with God, and to be a virtuous woman who would help someone else without hesitation. I can only pray that I will be able to make an impact in others' lives as she did so many. And I’m certain, that I will forever try my absolute best, to do her legacy as much justice as it deserves.

Compassion. One word that holds so much weight, yet our world lacks it so much. Compassion. Something you need in order to love unconditionally, live authentically, and walk purposefully. When I determined that compassion was a passion of mine, along with my interest in medical sciences, that’s when I decided to pursue Nursing. Being a nurse not only allows you to exercise your knowledge of the medical field on a daily basis but interact with patients and make an impression on them and their families. And I know, without a doubt, that I want to be a part of the impact nurses make on their patients’ lives while aiding in saving them. Achieving higher education would allow me to pair my passion with knowledgeability. In the future, I hope to take my knowledge of healthcare and nursing, and my passion for helping people to start a non-profit organization. This organization would not only provide free healthcare but community services such as housing/financial assistance, free and easy-to-access necessities, and much more. Community outreach and being a hand to someone in need is something that my grandmother was heavily involved in and showed throughout her life before she passed. At her funeral, my eldest cousin came to me saying that my grandmother’s legacy was going to live through me. At that moment, I was overwhelmed with emotion looking around at all the people that were there, because I knew she had touched every one of their lives in a special way. About 50% of my memories of my grandmother were of her helping others. Whether it was praying for others, giving them money when they needed it, giving them advice, and providing them with food or a place to rest. She did these acts selflessly, putting God and other's before herself. Not only did my grandmother show and have these qualities, but she tried her hardest to instill them in me. She saw that I loved to help and she poured into me. Always telling me never to lose my love for people, to prioritize my relationship with God, and to be a virtuous woman who would help someone else without hesitation. I can only pray that I will be able to make an impact in others' lives as she did so many. And I’m certain, that I will forever try my absolute best, to do her legacy as much justice as it deserves.

Compassion. One word that holds so much weight, yet our world lacks it so much. Compassion. Something you need in order to love unconditionally, live authentically, and walk purposefully. When I determined that compassion was a passion of mine, along with my interest in medical sciences, that’s when I decided to pursue Nursing. Being a nurse not only allows you to exercise your knowledge of the medical field on a daily basis but interact with patients and make an impression on them and their families. And I know, without a doubt, that I want to be a part of the impact nurses make on their patients’ lives while aiding in saving them. Achieving higher education would allow me to pair my passion with knowledgeability. In the future, I hope to take my knowledge of healthcare and nursing, and my passion for helping people to start a non-profit organization. This organization would not only provide free healthcare but community services such as housing/financial assistance, free and easy-to-access necessities, and much more. Community outreach and being a hand to someone in need is something that my grandmother was heavily involved in and showed throughout her life before she passed. At her funeral, my eldest cousin came to me saying that my grandmother’s legacy was going to live through me. At that moment, I was overwhelmed with emotion looking around at all the people that were there, because I knew she had touched every one of their lives in a special way. About 50% of my memories of my grandmother were of her helping others. Whether it was praying for others, giving them money when they needed it, giving them advice, and providing them with food or a place to rest. She did these acts selflessly, putting God and other's before herself. Not only did my grandmother show and have these qualities, but she tried her hardest to instill them in me. She saw that I loved to help and she poured into me. Always telling me never to lose my love for people, to prioritize my relationship with God, and to be a virtuous woman who would help someone else without hesitation. I can only pray that I will be able to make an impact in others' lives as she did so many. And I’m certain, that I will forever try my absolute best, to do her legacy as much justice as it deserves.

Compassion. One word that holds so much weight, yet our world lacks it so much. Compassion. Something you need in order to love unconditionally, live authentically, and walk purposefully. When I determined that compassion was a passion of mine, along with my interest in medical sciences, that’s when I decided to pursue Nursing. Being a nurse not only allows you to exercise your knowledge of the medical field on a daily basis but interact with patients and make an impression on them and their families. And I know, without a doubt, that I want to be a part of the impact nurses make on their patients’ lives while aiding in saving them. Achieving higher education would allow me to pair my passion with knowledgeability. In the future, I hope to take my knowledge of healthcare and nursing, and my passion for helping people to start a non-profit organization. This organization would not only provide free healthcare but community services such as housing/financial assistance, free and easy-to-access necessities, and much more. Community outreach and being a hand to someone in need is something that my grandmother was heavily involved in and showed throughout her life before she passed. At her funeral, my eldest cousin came to me saying that my grandmother’s legacy was going to live through me. At that moment, I was overwhelmed with emotion looking around at all the people that were there, because I knew she had touched every one of their lives in a special way. About 50% of my memories of my grandmother were of her helping others. Whether it was praying for others, giving them money when they needed it, giving them advice, and providing them with food or a place to rest. She did these acts selflessly, putting God and other's before herself. Not only did my grandmother show and have these qualities, but she tried her hardest to instill them in me. She saw that I loved to help and she poured into me. Always telling me never to lose my love for people, to prioritize my relationship with God, and to be a virtuous woman who would help someone else without hesitation. I can only pray that I will be able to make an impact in others' lives as she did so many. And I’m certain, that I will forever try my absolute best, to do her legacy as much justice as it deserves.

Compassion. One word that holds so much weight, yet our world lacks it so much. Compassion. Something you need in order to love unconditionally, live authentically, and walk purposefully. When I determined that compassion was a passion of mine, along with my interest in medical sciences, that’s when I decided to pursue Nursing. Being a nurse not only allows you to exercise your knowledge of the medical field on a daily basis but interact with patients and make an impression on them and their families. And I know, without a doubt, that I want to be a part of the impact nurses make on their patients’ lives while aiding in saving them. Achieving higher education would allow me to pair my passion with knowledgeability. In the future, I hope to take my knowledge of healthcare and nursing, and my passion for helping people to start a non-profit organization. This organization would not only provide free healthcare but community services such as housing/financial assistance, free and easy-to-access necessities, and much more. Community outreach and being a hand to someone in need is something that my grandmother was heavily involved in and showed throughout her life before she passed. At her funeral, my eldest cousin came to me saying that my grandmother’s legacy was going to live through me. At that moment, I was overwhelmed with emotion looking around at all the people that were there, because I knew she had touched every one of their lives in a special way. I can only pray that I will be able to make an impact in others' lives as she did so many. And I’m certain, that I will forever try my absolute best, to do her legacy as much justice as it deserves. In terms of healthcare experience, just this year I decided to apply for and take a job at my #1 choice hospital. After graduating and becoming an RN, my goal is to work in pediatrics as a behavioral health nurse. My current job is at my state's children's hospital, working alongside nurses of different specialties to aid with behavioral health patients or med-surg patients who deal with behavioral health issues. The accomplishment of landing this position was/is a big deal to me because it was the first step of getting my foot in the door at my desired workplace. It also allows me to form relationships with doctors, nurses, patients, and families in order to be more well-rounded as a pursue my degree in nursing.

Compassion. One word that holds so much weight, yet our world lacks it so much. Compassion. Something you need in order to love unconditionally, live authentically and walk purposefully. When I determined that compassion was a passion of mine, along with my interest in medical sciences, that’s when I decided to pursue Nursing. Being a nurse not only allows you to exercise your knowledge of the medical field on a daily basis but interact with patients and make an impression on them and their families. And I know, without a doubt, that I want to be a part of the impact nurses make on their patients’ lives while aiding in saving them. Achieving higher education would allow me to pair my passion with knowledgeability. In the future, I hope to take my knowledge of healthcare and nursing, and my passion for helping people to start a non-profit organization. This organization would not only provide free healthcare but community services such as education/job assistance, mental health services, housing/financial assistance, free and easy-to-access necessities, and much more. Although it will take much planning and time, my ultimate goal is to develop an organization that has thousands of locations across the country. All of the aforementioned services will be available at each of these locations and the facilities will be strategically located for easy access to the general public. Everyone that takes part in our programs would have free transportation to and from school/work, and God willing, I would be able to provide scholarships, grants, and stipends to those who are in need of the extra money. It is very important to me to give back to my community. I was blessed to come from a family who was able to support me financially, emotionally, and physically. They have been very supportive throughout my college career, and of my own personal dreams. I'm hungover that if you are on the receiving end of a blessing, it's your job to bless somebody else. My goals and ambitions in life don't include just blessing one person, but as many as I can. In the development of my ideas and this dream organization that I have, I've realized how many people are truly in need of help and have trouble accessing it. I don't want to be like other organizations, that provide services but don't make it easy to get them. Community outreach and being a hand to someone in need is something that my grandmother was heavily involved in and showed throughout her life before she passed. At her funeral, my eldest cousin came to me saying that my grandmother’s legacy was going to live through me. At that moment, I was overwhelmed with emotion looking around at all the people that were there, because I knew she had touched every one of their lives in a special way. I can only pray that I will be able to make an impact in others' lives as she did so many. And I’m certain, that I will forever try my absolute best, to do her legacy as much justice as it deserves.

Compassion. One word that holds so much weight, yet our world lacks it so much. Compassion. Something you need in order to love unconditionally, live authentically, and walk purposefully. When I determined that compassion was a passion of mine, along with my interest in medical sciences, that’s when I decided to pursue Nursing. Being a nurse not only allows you to exercise your knowledge of the medical field on a daily basis but interact with patients and make an impression on them and their families. And I know, without a doubt, that I want to be a part of the impact nurses make on their patients’ lives while aiding in saving them. Achieving higher education would allow me to pair my passion with knowledgeability. In the future, I hope to take my knowledge of healthcare and nursing, and my passion for helping people to start a non-profit organization. This organization would not only provide free healthcare but community services such as housing/financial assistance, free and easy-to-access necessities, and much more. I feel like compassion is the characteristic I value most in myself because it makes a difference in others lives. Like I mentioned, compassion is lacking in the world and not everyone is blessed to be on the recieving end of it. So as you can see, my goal in life is just to extend my compassion to as many people as I can so that they can feel that somebody cares about them and wants to see them succeed. Community outreach and being a hand to someone in need is something that my grandmother was heavily involved in and showed throughout her life before she passed. At her funeral, one of my eldest cousins came to me saying that my grandmother’s legacy was going to live through me. In that moment, I was overwhelmed with emotion looking around at all the people that were there, because I knew she had touched every one of their lives in a special way. I can only pray that I will be able to make an impact in others' lives as she did so many. And I’m certain, that I will forever try my absolute best, to do her legacy as much justice as it deserves. And as for my life journey, while compassion will serve me well in my career goals, I believe it will also serve me well in my personal relationships: family, future husband, children, and friends. Because everyone needs compassion, and I promised myself that I would be one of the one's to always give it.

Compassion. One word that holds so much weight, yet our world lacks it so much. Compassion. Something you need in order to love unconditionally, live authentically and walk purposefully. When I determined that compassion was a passion of mine, along with my interest in medical sciences, that’s when I decided to pursue Nursing. Being a nurse not only allows you to exercise your knowledge of the medical field on a daily basis but interact with patients and make an impression on them and their families. And I know, without a doubt, that I want to be a part of the impact nurses make on their patients’ lives while aiding in saving them. Achieving higher education would allow me to pair my passion with knowledgeability. In the future, I hope to take my knowledge of healthcare and nursing, and my passion for helping people to start a non-profit organization. This organization would not only provide free healthcare but community services such as housing/financial assistance, free and easy-to-access necessities, and much more. Community outreach and being a hand to someone in need is something that my grandmother was heavily involved in and showed throughout her life before she passed. I feel that this world needs more people who are willing to stretch out their hand time and time again, without expecting anything in return. Personally, I view that as true compassion, and I want to be apart of that wholeheartedly.

These past few years have been hard on everybody. People have dealt with too many losses in families, jobs, school, and many more areas of their lives. Fortunately, I have been blessed with wonderful grandparents who have provided their wisdom to me and took huge roles in making me who I am today. Unfortunately, 3 out of 4 of my biological grandparents passed this year. Dealing with these losses during active school semesters has been extremely hard. To be honest, I fell back into depressive periods and lost motivation to do anything. I started getting behind on school work and the only reason I had a little bit of fight left was the fact that I know my grandparents always wanted to see me achieve my goals. Achieving higher education would allow me to pair my compassion for people with knowledgeability. In the future, I hope to take my knowledge of healthcare and nursing, and my passion for helping others to start a non-profit organization. This organization would not only provide free healthcare but community services such as housing/financial assistance, free and easy-to-access necessities, and much more. Community outreach and being a hand to someone in need is something that my grandmother was heavily involved in and showed throughout her life before she passed. And I can only hope that I will be able to make an impact in others' lives as she did so many.

Compassion. One word that holds so much weight, yet our world lacks it so much. Compassion. Something you need in order to love unconditionally, live authentically, and walk purposefully. Compassion. It is something that I didn’t experience much growing up but is something that I strive to have and show in everything that I do. So, when I determined that compassion was a passion of mine, along with my interest in medical sciences, that’s when I decided to pursue Nursing. Being a nurse not only allows you to exercise your knowledge of the medical field on a daily basis but interact with patients and make an impression on them. This scholarship will help me pursue my future career goals because it would allow me to afford the books and clinical costs associated with my nursing program. Achieving higher education would allow me to pair my passion with knowledgeability. In the future, I hope to take my knowledge of healthcare and nursing, and my passion for helping people to start a non-profit organization. This organization would not only provide free healthcare but community services such as housing/financial assistance, free and easy-to-access necessities, and much more. Community outreach and being a hand to someone is something that my grandmother was heavily involved in and showed throughout her life before she passed. And I can only hope that I will be able to make an impact in others' lives as she did so many.

Science has allowed society to understand how and where we live and operate daily. The reasoning behind "how stuff works" & answers the majority of the "Why's?" that we find ourselves asking countless times a day. It's hard to believe there was a time that I was convinced that I would be an Aerospace Engineer and Astrophysicist like Niel deGrasse Tyson. But looking back, those same qualities and skills I would need in those studies, I am using in my health science studies. Problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, and creativity. So, when I determined that compassion was a passion of mine, along with my interest in medical sciences, that’s when I decided to pursue Nursing. Being a nurse not only allows you to exercise your knowledge of the medical field on a daily basis but interact with patients and make an impression on them. Being someone’s comfort in such a difficult time such as being sick, injured, or fighting for their life is something that is so rewarding. And I know, without a doubt, that I want to be a part of that impact. My hope and prayer since I was young were to be a positive impact on at least one person’s life. In the future, I hope to take my knowledge of healthcare and nursing, and my passion for helping people to start a non-profit organization. This organization would not only provide free healthcare but community services such as housing/financial assistance, free and easy-to-access necessities, and much more.

Growing up in church, you hear a lot of music over the years. Some songs resonate with you more than others, but there is this one song that has always stuck with me and I didn't hear it in the church building. When I was younger, my grandmother spent 70% of her time singing and cleaning. If she wasn't cleaning, she was singing and cooking. And if she wasn't cooking, then she would just sit in her chair with her eyes closed just humming and praying. Years went by and her health started to decline, and then I found myself preparing for her funeral service this past October. When I was getting ready that morning, a song came on my playlist, "He's That Kind of Friend" by Walter Hawkins. The same song my grandmother used to hum throughout the day. Needless to say, I started tearing up, but at the same time, I felt an overwhelming comfort at that moment. This song has the most important message to me because the lyrics are so true and comforting; "If you ever need a friend that sticks closer than any brother, I recommend Jesus"; "He'll walk right in front of you, to always protect you, so the devil can't do you no harm" (Hawkins, 1978). These words have not only helped me through the time of mourning, but I know in any issue I face in life, that He is the friend I can call on.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Often times we look at STEM majors and think of things like design engineering, astronomy, and biochemistry. But I argue that my major, Health Science/Nursing is just as much a part of the STEM community. Any Health Science major involves the in-depth studies of biology and chemistry as well as anatomy and physiology. Nurses incorporate math and technological studies daily when providing health care to the masses. I believe that science plays a huge role in society and has since the beginning of its study. Science has allowed society to understand how and where we live and operate daily. The reasoning behind "how stuff works" & answers the majority of the "Why's?" that we find ourselves asking countless times a day. It's hard to believe there was a time that I was convinced that I would be an Aerospace Engineer and Astrophysicist like Niel deGrasse Tyson. But looking back, those same qualities and skills I would need in those studies, I am using in my health science studies. Problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, and creativity. I think it is beyond important to encourage the younger generations to pursue their passions in life, especially in the sciences because we will never have all the answers. So it is important to continue to allow the younger generations to keep asking "Why?", because they're the ones who will work to figure it out someday. When I determined that compassion was a passion of mine, along with my interest in medical sciences, that’s when I decided to pursue nursing. Being a nurse not only allows you to exercise your knowledge of the medical field on a daily basis but interact with patients and make an impression on them. Being someone’s comfort in such a difficult time such as being sick, injured, or fighting for their life is something that is so rewarding. And I know, without a doubt, that I want to be a part of that impact.

Compassion. One word yet it holds so much weight, yet our world lacks it so much. Compassion. Something you need in order to love unconditionally, live authentically and walk purposefully. Compassion. It is something that I didn’t experience growing up but is something that I strive to have and show in everything that I do. So, when I determined that compassion was a passion of mine, along with my desire to just be a help, that’s when I decided to pursue Nursing. Being a nurse not only allows you to exercise your knowledge of the medical field on a daily basis but interact with patients and make an impression on them. Being someone’s comfort in such a difficult time such as being sick, injured, or fighting for their life is something that seems so rewarding. And I know, without a doubt, that I want to be a part of that impact. As a young black female, it can be intimidating and a challenge to pursue higher education. After completing my Associate's in Nursing, I plan to go back for my Bachelor's and then one day Master's in order to become a Nurse Practitioner. Due to systemic stereotypes and generational mindsets, it sometimes can feel like you don't deserve to achieve such an academic/career status based on others' viewpoints and commentary. And I know that other minority students/young adults share that experience. So I believe diversity in the workplace is extremely important so that the newcomers and fresh graduates can have representation and people to look to because the mindset that "if they can do it, I can do it" is extremely self-motivating. This makes diversity in higher administrative roles that much more important because they, as minorities, have defied the odds of systemic racism and injustice and have achieved their goals without letting society make them back out.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Often times we look at STEM majors and think of things like design engineering, astronomy, and biochemistry. But I argue that my major, Health Science/Nursing is just as much a part of the STEM community. Any Health Science major involves the in-depth studies of biology and chemistry as well as anatomy and physiology. Nurses incorporate math and technological studies daily when providing health care to the masses. I believe that science plays a huge role in society and has since the beginning of its study. Science has allowed society to understand how and where we live and operate daily. The reasoning behind "how stuff works" & answers the majority of the "Why's?" that we find ourselves asking countless times a day. It's hard to believe there was a time that I was convinced that I would be an Aerospace Engineer and Astrophysicist like Niel deGrasse Tyson. But looking back, those same qualities and skills I would need in those studies, I am using in my health science studies. Problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, and creativity. I think it is beyond important to encourage the younger generations to pursue their passions in life, especially in the sciences because we will never have all the answers. So it is important to continue to allow the younger generations to keep asking "Why?", because their the ones who will work to figure it out some day.

Compassion. One word yet it holds so much weight, yet our world lacks it so much. Compassion. Something you need in order to love unconditionally, live authentically and walk purposefully. Compassion. It is something that I didn’t experience growing up but is something that I strive to have and show in everything that I do. So, when I determined that compassion was a passion of mine, along with my desire to just be a help, that’s when I decided to pursue Nursing. Being a nurse not only allows you to exercise your knowledge of the medical field on a daily basis but interact with patients and make an impression on them. Being someone’s comfort in such a difficult time such as being sick, injured, or fighting for their life is something that seems so rewarding. And I know, without a doubt, that I want to be a part of that impact. Like Ms. McNiel, I hope that God allows me the opportunity to travel and share my knowledge and passion to help people across the country. Eventually, I want to be able to open my own non-profit organization that offers healthcare and community services such as housing/financial assistance, free supplies/clothing/necessities and so much more. I hope to one day make an impact on the people I come across just as Ms. McNiel did in her life.

These past few years have been hard on everybody. People have dealt with too many losses in families, jobs, school, and many more areas of their lives. Fortunately, I have been blessed with wonderful grandparents who have provided their wisdom to me and took huge roles in making me who I am today. Unfortunately, 3 out of 4 of my biological grandparents passed this year. Dealing with these losses during active school semesters has been extremely hard. To be honest, I fell back into depressive periods and lost motivation to do anything. I started getting behind on school work and the only reason I had a little bit of fight left was the fact that I know my grandparents always wanted to see me achieve my goals. I have always wanted to be a nurse, specifically in a pediatric specialty. I love working and interacting with kids, as challenging as it may be. But losing my grandmother this September made me question what I wanted my specialty to be after graduating from Nursing school. Watching the way my grandmother and her home health nurse interacted was so special. They had a great relationship and the nurse never failed to make her laugh. Sad to say, but my grandmother was non-verbal for the last 4 months of her life. However, she never lost the smile and laugh that I've always known. Her home health aide would joke around with her, dance with her, and never cease to bring out her true personality. After the funeral, I bumped into the care provider, Lindsay and she could only express how much she cared about my grandmother. So back to what I said about my future nursing specialty, the most recent loss of my grandmother put into perspective that the impact I want to make on others' lives might not be at the beginning, but at the end. Having good memories and someone to laugh with during a hard time as an elderly individual has to be beyond comforting. And I know, from the family's perspective, it is comforting to know that your loved one is in good hands. So, I've decided that geriatric care is something that I want to take part of.