Throughout my college career, I have faced many different challenges and difficulties. Financing my college education has always been a struggle, going into my first year I had no idea what I was in for. As a first-generation college student, I didn't have many resources to educate me on what college would be like, from applying to classes or the actual cost of school. Due to this lack of knowledge, I struggled greatly managing to afford my first semester at school, and this made for an exceptional difficulty with the addition of university housing. As a result, I took out loans for school, which got me through the first semester, however, there were so many more semesters to come. With the lack of money, I had been faced with a choice, to give up, or to try and push through no matter how slow my progress is. As result, i found a school closer o me so that I could commute to school. I took some online classes to cut the cost of transportation as I did not yet have a license. In addition to this, I found a job that paid more so that if there were any uncovered costs for the school. This is a challenge that I continually face however I strive towards continuing my education and trying my best to achieve my degree. I believe that I deserve to receive this scholarship because I am a dedicated student and I promise to make the most of the potential the scholarship will give me. I would use this scholarship to fund and work toward my career as a neonatal nurse. I was a Nicu baby myself, my mother always shared stories of my birth and hospital stay. I was born 2 months early weighing only 2Ib 8oz, my mom exclaimed that being 19 and a single mother alone, the journey was a rough and a very scary one. From being in the Nicu unit for weeks attached to breathing tubes and needing feeding support the experience was terrifying and my mother often felt worried. But she always mentioned how attentive and dedicated my nurses were, they were always informative and gave me their best care in order to help me get healthy and home as soon as possible. The experience of having your baby needing to be in the NICU and seeing them in such a fragile state is hard for anyone but nurses help make it a lot easier. They give the extra care and hours to ensure every baby is well taken care of. But also to counsel and help the parents stay connected with their baby, whether it be helping with skin-to-skin or feedings and I think being able to help a baby make it home healthy would be extremely rewarding. I will strive to do everything in my power to ensure that they receive the best treatment available and serve as their beacon of light as I help them recover and return home. If I am able to accomplish that then I will truly have fulfilled my life's purpose. By granting me the privilege of winning this scholarship you would not only be assisting me with my college expenses, but you will also be helping the lives of the future families with at-risk babies in the Nicu by having funding the nursing career of a student that will one day save lives. I value your consideration and hope that I am able to achieve this scholarship and continue the pursuit of my degree.

One of the most pressing issues in healthcare is the lack of ethnic and minority healthcare workers. In the healthcare system, we are greatly underrepresented and this is a significant issue. Without diversity in healthcare, it can lead to racism, incorrect remarks, and wrong diagnoses based on the lack of information on our skin types and health backgrounds. As a black woman myself, I see how this affects us every day,when we go to the doctor we should feel represented and seen. Our problems should not be ignored simply because of skin color or financial status. Our symptoms can often be overlooked because of ignorance and lack of education on ethnic bodies. Problems that may appear on our bodies can exhibit themselves differently than they would on lighter skin and it's important that there is a sense of understanding by having more people in healthcare that look like us and may have gone through similar struggles. As a nurse, I will be able to be that representation for our community and ensure we have a voice in healthcare. I believe that I deserve to receive this scholarship because I am a dedicated student and I promise to make the most of the potential the scholarship will give me. I firmly believe that knowledge is the foundation for success, and while I work towards a nursing degree, I aim to combine my love of learning with my passion to care for others. I will use this scholarship to fund and work toward my professional medical career as a neonatal nurse. I was a Nicu baby myself, my mother always shared stories of my birth and hospital stay. I was born 2 months early weighing only 2Ib 8oz, my mom exclaimed that being 19 and a single mother alone, the journey was a rough and a very scary one. From being in the Nicu unit for weeks attached to breathing tubes and needing feeding support the experience was terrifying and my mother often felt worried. But she always mentioned how attentive and dedicated my nurses were, they were always informative and gave me their best care in order to help me get healthy and home as soon as possible. The experience of having your baby needing to be in the NICU and seeing them in such a fragile state is hard for anyone but nurses help make it a lot easier. They give the extra care and hours to ensure every baby is well taken care of. But also to counsel and help the parents stay connected with their baby, whether it be helping with skin-to-skin or feedings and I think being able to help a baby make it home healthy would be extremely rewarding. My dream is to be able to watch the babies I spent days and hours with, nursing them to health and giving them that extra push they need finally getting in their car seats ready to make it home to their parents. It would be a great joy to watch the parent's faces light up in their reaction to hearing that their little bundle of joy can finally be released home. I'm committed to being the best nurse I can be, and to be a source of comfort for the patient and their parents. I will strive to do everything in my power to ensure that they receive the best treatment available and serve as their beacon of light as I help them recover and return home. If I am able to accomplish that then I will truly have fulfilled my life's purpose.

I believe that I deserve to receive this scholarship because I am a dedicated student and I promise to make the most of the potential the scholarship will give me. I firmly believe that knowledge is the foundation for success, and while I work towards a nursing degree, I aim to combine my love of learning with my passion to care for others. With this scholarship, I will be able to accomplish my goals and ensure a successful and promising future. I will use this scholarship to fund and work toward my professional medical career as a neonatal nurse. I was a Nicu baby myself, my mother always shared stories of my birth and hospital stay. I was born 2 months early weighing only 2Ib 8oz, my mom exclaimed that being 19 and a single mother alone, the journey was a rough and very scary one. From being in the Nicu unit for weeks attached to breathing tubes and needing feeding support the experience was terrifying and my mother often felt worried. But she always mentioned how attentive and dedicated my nurses were, they were always informative and gave me their best care in order to help me get healthy and home as soon as possible. The experience of having your baby needing to be in the nicu and seeing them in such a fragile state is hard for anyone but nurses help make it a lot easier. They give the extra care and hours to ensure every baby is well taken care of. But also to counsel and help the parents stay connected with their baby, whether it be helping with skin-to-skin or feedings and I think being able to help a baby make it home healthy would be extremely rewarding. My dream is to be able to watch the babies I spent days and hours with, nursing them to health and giving them that extra push they need finally getting in their car seats ready to make it home to their parents. It would be a great joy to watch the parent's faces light up in their reaction to hearing that their little bundle of joy can finally be released home. With this scholarship, I will be able to do just that and pursue the dream of being that nurse that goes above and beyond for every little one that's in my care.I'm committed to being the best nurse I can be, and to be a source of comfort for the patient and their parents. I will strive to do everything in my power to ensure that they receive the best treatment available and serve as their beacon of light as I help them recover and return home. If I am able to accomplish that then I will truly have fulfilled my life's purpose.By granting me the privilege of winning this scholarship you would not only be assisting me with my college expenses, but you will also be helping the lives of the future families with at risk babies in the Nicu by having funding the nursing career of a student that will one day save lives. I value your consideration and hope that I am able to achieve this scholarship and continue the pursuit of my degree.