Actions. Community. Incentive. Individuals all over the world have different reasons for pursuing a career in nursing. It can either be based on their background, social life, or a personal conviction that this person would pursue this specific pathway. My motive is a unique mix of all three. Throughout the 18 years of my life, actions have built, sharpened, and improved my character. These actions were purely shown by my community, and most specifically, my family. Incentives and the ongoing driving force to achieve success and good work are only half the battle when a person (like me) wants to be a nurse in the future. In the face of reality, I had to accept that this journey I chose would be as rewarding as it would be a hardship. The phrase, "actions speak louder than words" has rung true in the various stages of my life. It has shown how actions, whether positive or negative, impact and change situations. Now that I am an adult, the significance and influence I can have because my actions are even more meaningful. For example, when I was 6-8 months old, my father found me inside my crib and discovered that my lips were turning a dark shade of blue. After I was rushed to the hospital and because of the quick work of the doctor and nurses, I survived a collapsed lung and lived to tell the story. A medical environment is often difficult, however, the people who helped me survive took decisive action and saved my life. I will forever be grateful for them. My family is the center of my community and stems from the many social circles I've grown to love. Church, youth group, co-op, and school have given and shaped my perspective and view in my journey. Within this vast group of people, I have been given the chance to see both sides of a patient and the nurse through stories and experiences. My mom was a school nurse, and there are people in my church who are NICU nurses, ER nurses, nurse assistants, LPNs, and there's even a dermatology doctor. Through these people, I had the opportunity to see first-hand how amazing and challenging the medical world is. The incentive, my motivation, in working toward a nursing degree, is found in serving others. Because of my introverted nature in middle school, I found purpose and joy in helping others and bringing them joy and ease. Since that phase, my passion to serve, to fix, and to help drove me to step out of my withdrawn nature and become more confident and outgoing. When I become a nurse, my goal is to be the type of person who is knowledgeable but kind, decisive but understanding, strong but compassionate. In doing so, I hope to serve those whose health is failing them, a person who needs someone to talk to, an individual who wants a hand to hold. From visiting a friend with failing kidneys to playing the violin for an elderly woman whose health is failing her, caring for a person can go far. Every day I challenge my cautious side to grow to strengthen my outgoing personality and be open to new paths. As an upcoming nurse, I want to give the community I serve respect, resilience, and compassion.

Community. Care. Church. These are the reasons I have chosen this path and decided to get an education in nursing. This particular career choice was made after careful consideration and advice from many of my peers, leaders, neighbors, and mentors who have guided me in my life's journey. As I grew in form and age, I also had significant growth in perspective. Specifically, I noticed the gap between care and truly caring for the patient. It not only affects the patient's recovery but also the patient's mindset towards their health. Through these experiences and the stories I have heard from church family, friends, or acquaintances, I realized that this was a bigger problem than I thought. Everyone I knew said, "We need good nurses." The people I interacted with showed me different sides and views of the medical field. The inner circle of my community began with my family and later expanded when I started high school. Nevertheless, my number one inspiration came from my number one nurse, my mom. Over the years, she would repeatedly tell me how she overcame her complex challenges and achieved an associate's degree in nursing. At the time I was slightly annoyed by the storytelling, but I quickly realized that her true success and reward were found in serving others and the joyful outcome in nursing. When a nurse gives care for a patient, it simply means that the nurse (NICU, OR, etc) does everything from giving medicine to changing sheets, depending on what medical field the individual is in. The majority of nurses in my community circle and the people who have been in the care of one have all told tales of good and bad situations with healthcare and/or a nurse. Haven't we all? Because of the quick thinking and skill of the medical professionals at a local hospital, I survived a collapsed lung when I was no younger than five years old, and thank God that I am still alive today. In the 18 years of my life, caring for others and seeing the result of that care has been more rewarding and fulfilling than anything else that I can think of. To the majority, the church is a restrictive place where you cannot be yourself, and you have to follow a bunch of rules to be welcomed into heaven. But I am not writing this to talk about religion. Church is not the building, it is the people who have faith in a common belief. These are the people who have instructed me, guided me, and strengthened me as I grow into a woman of character, conviction, and conscience. Being surrounded by steadfast men and women has given me the courage and motivation to do everything with a goal in mind. Community, caring for others, and my journey in the church have shaped and molded my passion for nursing. The medical field is challenging, draining, and tough. Through everyday trials a good nurse strives to have compassion, reliance, and kindness in this harsh environment. That is the kind of nurse I want to become. Even though I do not know what I want to specialize in I have an interest in working at a hospital, face to face with the patients.

Community. Care. Church. These are the reasons I have chosen this path and decided to get an education in nursing. This particular career choice was made after careful consideration and advice from many of my peers, leaders, neighbors, and mentors who have guided me in my life's journey. As I grew in form and age, I also had significant growth in perspective. Specifically, I noticed the gap between care and truly caring for the patient. It not only affects the patient's recovery but also the patient's mindset towards their health. Through these experiences and the stories I have heard from church family, friends, or acquaintances, I realized that this was a bigger problem than I thought. Everyone I knew said, "We need good nurses." No, I was not persuaded or "pushed" into thinking that nursing was the right path for me. However, the people I interacted with showed me different sides and views of the medical field. The inner circle of my community began with my family and later expanded when I started high school. Nevertheless, my number one inspiration came from my number one nurse, my mom. That fact will never change. Over the years, she would repeatedly tell me how she overcame her complex challenges and achieved an associate's degree in nursing. At the time I was slightly annoyed by the storytelling, but I quickly realized that her true success and reward were found in serving others and the joyful outcome in nursing. When a nurse gives care for a patient, it simply means that the nurse (NICU, OR, etc) does everything from giving medicine to changing sheets, depending on what medical field the individual is in. The majority of nurses in my community circle and the people who have been in the care of one have all told tales of good and bad situations with healthcare and/or a nurse. Haven't we all? Because of the quick thinking and skill of the medical professionals at a local hospital, I survived a collapsed lung when I was no younger than five years old, and thank God that I am still alive today. In the 18 years of my life, caring for others and seeing the result of that care has been more rewarding and fulfilling than anything else that I can think of. To the majority, the church is a restrictive place where you cannot be yourself, and you have to follow a bunch of rules to be welcomed into heaven. But I am not writing this to talk about religion. Church is not the building, it is the people who have faith in a common belief. These are the people who have instructed me, guided me, and strengthened me as I grow into a woman of character, conviction, and conscience. Being surrounded by steadfast men and women has given me the courage and motivation to do everything with a goal in mind. Community, caring for others and my journey in the church have shaped, and molded my passion for nursing. The medical field is challenging, draining, and tough. Through everyday trials, a good nurse strives to have compassion, reliance, and kindness in this harsh environment. That is the kind of nurse I want to become. I was introduced to this Scholarship though a church friend who told my father about this opportunity