Five months ago I completed clinicals for my certified nursing assistant program. They where held at a local skilled nursing veteran's home, and while I was there an event occured that I will never forget. One of the residents at the Veteran's home had severe Parkinson's. Though his mind was sharp, he could not speak, taste, or walk. It was difficult for him to control his limbs and his movements were jerky and caused him pain. I overheard CNA mentioned that he was lonely and so that afternoon on my break, I went to his room and introduced myself. He grinned from ear to ear as he slowly typed out sentences. He would lift his hand, type several letters, and then rest it, breathing heavily from the exertion. He told me about a flag on the wall his father had carried in World War Two and showed off his various medals and awards. I went home that night with the image of his broad grin engrained into my memory. I felt a kind of fulfillment, knowing I had made someone else's day better. I had done what I would have wanted someone else to do if I had been in his situation. Out of all my characteristics, I value my compassion and empathy most of all. When I see others dealing with physical or emotional struggles, I feel a little of their pain as well. Nothing brings me more joy than knowing I have eased it slightly by an act of service, a kind word, or a smile. I currently work as a nursing assistant at an assisted living home. My goal every day is to show my residents that I truly care about them, whether it be through doing their makeup before bingo, playing piano duets with them, or holding their hand and handing them tissues while they cry. I was once in a conversation with a resident who was struggling with various things. As the conversation ended and I turned to go, she stopped me. " You know, your one of the best CNA's I have," she stated. "I don't know about that," I replied, internally comparing myself to the other CNAs at the home, the majority of which who have decades more experience than I. " No, it's true," she responded, gently placing a wrinkled hand on my shoulder. " It's true, Joella, because you care." I haven't forgotten those words. I plan on becoming a registered nurse and then eventually a nurse practitioner, and my experiences as a CNA have validated the fact that I have the characteristics necessary for that career. I have already began to experience the importance of compassion in the nursing field. It is one of the most important traits a nurse can possess and I know it will be extremely beneficial to me as I pursue my career and life goals. Not only will my compassion benefit me in my future career, it also has and will advantageous in relationships. My friends know that they can trust me and they often open up to me, knowing that I truly care about what they are going through. Being able to sympathize with others is extremely important in life. Putting yourself in someone else's place and understanding in a small way what they are going through is essential when caring for them. As I prepare for the nursing field, I am confident that I am prepared to do this for my patients and give them the care they deserve.

I have been blessed with numerous people who have made a positive impact on my life, but out of all of them my mother is my greatest role model. All throughout my childhood she has displayed what a godly woman is and her faith inspires me. Though my mom's time is divided between homeschooling my five younger siblings, managing the snack shop and the kitchen of the camp I live at, and cleaning our church once a week, she still finds time to make each one of us feel special. Whether it means going out to breakfast, doing the laundry together, or having cooking lessons, she always manages to encourage me when we are together and I always leave feeling deeply loved and valued. Every single morning, from when I was a toddler until now, my mom gathers all of the family in the living room and we sing, pray, and read the Bible together. Her love for the Lord and her desire for us to love him as well is evident in the way she continually points us to him. Through her example I have learned the importance of daily devotions and prayer. When I was seven years old, my mom took me and my younger siblings to a nursing home every week where she helped lead a Bible study. She talked to the men and women who came for hours, laughing and crying with them and through that I learned the importance of compassion and empathy. Because of those experiences, I am currently a CNA at a nearby assisted living. When I am stressed or upset with a resident, I remember my mother's example and I attempt to treat that resident the same way I watched her treat countless elderly people. My mom has always been there for me. Whenever I am struggling with something, I know that I merely have to ask her to talk and she will drop everything she is doing and listen. I have innumerable memories of us sitting on her bed, talking through the tumultuous ups and downs of the teen years. She showed me the importance of being a good listener, a lesson that has been extremely beneficial as a CNA. My dad is the director of a non-profit bible camp, and during the summer he often works long hours and come home exhausted and mentally burned out. My mom is always waiting for him with a plate of supper and an encouraging word. She is the most supportive woman I know, and if I have the opportunity to get married someday, I hope to be the kind of wife she is. Not only is my mom extremely supportive of my father, she is always there for me as well. This summer I worked at camp as a counselor and came across several tough situations. I had girls open up to me about various struggles, such as parents going through a divorce or insecurities with their appearance. Sometimes I had no idea how to counsel them, but whenever I went home on my breaks, my mom always had beneficial advice to give me. I owe much of who I am today to my mother. Because of her love and support, I am pursuing my dream of becoming a registered nurse. Her godly example and effort to teach me more about Christ, as well as her wisdom, have helped me mature in my faith. No matter how old I am, she will always be my role model.