I chose nursing because I feel purpose in helping others and helping them to feel less anxious about whatever they are experiencing. Nursing is something I have wanted to do since I was little. Other careers came and went on the list of ‘what I want to be when I grow up,’ but being a nurse and helping people was always on the list toward the top. Life has continued to reinforce my caregiver instincts by providing opportunities to care for loved ones throughout my life. I was my mom’s primary caregiver before she passed from lung cancer last year, and I helped to care for my dad, my grandfather, my grandmother, my father-in-law, and my grandfather-in-law at the ends of their lives. I dropped out of nursing school in my early 20s to care for my husband when he came home from the hospital with 11% lung capacity and could not walk 5 feet without being out of breath. Stress triggered a rare autoimmune disease called chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy in my brother. His immune system started to paralyze him by destroying his nervous system. I was by his side during his recovery involving lots of physical exercises to rebuild and train his nerves again. I felt honored that I was allowed to care for my loved ones when they needed it. I also have worked as a CNA in a home for people with brain trauma, a hospice house, a rural hospital, mental health long-term care, long-term care, assisted living and a day center for disabled adults. Each time I put on the caregiver hat in my personal or professional life, encouraged my drive to become a nurse. Severe anxiety and depression kept me from leaving my house much for about a year. During my recovery, I discovered that a calm presence can make a world of difference in our perspective of our current circumstances. I hope to be that calm presence to my patients. I also learned that each of us is unique, including our perspective. I plan to treat each of my patients as the unique person with unique needs, that they are. Experiencing the vulnerable state that I did while my anxiety and depression were the worst, made me want to help others get out of that vulnerable state, or at least feel it less. Becoming a nurse will allow me to do these things in my day-to-day life and not just occasionally. I look forward to making a difference in the world one person at a time as a nurse. I know that becoming a nurse is part of my purpose in this life. It is simply my path.