Greetings! My name is Jordan Iweala and I am an ortho/trauma patient care technician and student nurse who is passionate about providing quality patient care to several patient populations. I am a 1/5 semester nursing student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at Bowie State University. I come from a diverse family of different career backgrounds, but the medical field has been my passion longer than anything else. First and foremost, healthcare is a field that directly impacts the lives of people. When a person is sick or injured, they rely on healthcare professionals to provide them with the necessary care and treatment. Being passionate about healthcare has shown to many different people that I have a genuine desire to help others and make a positive impact on their lives. It is an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling career field, knowing that my actions have the potential to save lives and improve the health and well-being of individuals in need. As a registered nurse, I plan to matriculate into my role on a various number of inpatient and outpatient units, preferably emergency medicine and critical care. Healthcare is constantly evolving and advancing with new technologies, treatments, and research breakthrough, and I want to be the change agent that facilitates these advancements in so many environments. I am committed to staying informed and up-to-date on the latest developments in the field. This will not only help me provide the best possible care to patients but also allows me to contribute to the advancement of healthcare as a whole. I would also like to render my skills to various non-profit organizations around the world and help underserved, undeveloped, and forgotten communities everywhere. It is important to recognize that access to quality healthcare is not equal for everyone, and there are marginalized communities that face significant barriers to receiving proper care. Coming from a cultural background, I have seen the effect that a country's bad and unstable infrastructure has on the citizens and residents that live within the confines of the nation. In conclusion, nursing will allow me to make a difference in the lives of others. I didn't choose this career field, rather it chose me, and I am more than humbled to answer its call. Nursing care is a vital component of our society, and by being passionate about it, students, such as myself, can contribute to creating a healthier and more equitable world for all.

As a patient care technician, I once attended a "Wound Prevalence Study" being conducted by my hospital. During this study, we were to go to the several inpatient units throughout the facility to assess different types of skin conditions on real patients. In my group, we were 4 people and we were assigned to a unit I was familiar with. The other 3 members of my group were new to the hospital, so they didn't have too much experience on how things worked within the facility, which is where my expertise and leadership skills came in. I walked them through how to introduce themselves to the patients; how to arrange and set up different instruments used on patients; what the different protocols were for patients with specific needs — essentially, my goal was to build up the mutual confidence of the entire group. I took the lead on the first rounding of 33 patients and then initiated "turns" for each member of the group. After each person had taken a turn leading a rounding, I suggested we split up into two groups of two so as to cover more grounds quickly. The group was extremely receptive to my suggestions were successful in completing rounding on all 33 patients on the unit within an hour. As a professional registered nurse, I plan to apply my leadership skills amongst my colleagues to promote communication, delegation, mentorship, teamwork, integrity, and collaboration. In addition to my clinical expertise, I will apply my skills and competencies to effectively carry out my duties, from guiding those around me to advocating for my patients. I will serve as a role model and influence healthcare policies in ways that have the interests of my patients at heart. By fostering a workplace that encourages collaboration and teamwork, I can effectively capitalize on the individual strengths of each team member to provide the most efficient and highest quality care for patients. Nursing care can have a lasting impact on the health and wellness of patients, and nurses perform at their best when they receive the proper guidance and support from leadership. Continuing my academic pursuit will allow me, an aspiring nurse leader, to develop the skills to foster a supportive and collaborative atmosphere for my future colleagues and contribute to optimal patient outcomes within the healthcare/nursing field nationwide. I've always dreamt of making a positive impact in nursing. By implementing patient-centered practices, I believe I can make a significant difference in individuals' lives while advancing my professional career to foster the changes needed within this field.

If I could change one thing about our current healthcare system, I would invest in the advent of mobile clinics/medical care. Lack of transportation due to geographic barriers, and unreliable/minimal access to care are issues that have long gone unaddressed in the U.S. healthcare system. Investing in alternative treatment sites reduces the need for patients to have to travel to urgent care facilities or crowded emergency rooms and grants these individuals access to care at mobile clinics situated closer to where they live and work. Mobile health clinics benefit communities by making health care more affordable and accessible, which in turn improves patient outcomes — an aspect of healthcare I am extremely passionate about. Mobile clinics serve as a valuable resource, as they allow professionals to respond dynamically to a population’s current and evolving health needs. Unfortunately, in our healthcare system, uninsured, homeless, low-income, and rural patients are the most marginalized when it comes to access to safe, quality care. The expansion of these mobile clinics will allow patients who fall under the aforementioned categories to have access to several services, including, but not limited to: urgent care, primary care, preventive health screenings, chronic disease management, behavioral health services, dental care, and prenatal care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, mobile clinics were crucial in reaching displaced and isolated individuals. As hospitals and other care facilities filled and adjusted to changing safety protocols, mobile clinics sprung into action, bringing care services directly to patients who needed them. By addressing non-urgent medical needs, mobile clinics decompress the emergency room and urgent care waiting room, which increasingly allows healthcare providers to prioritize urgent cases and conditions. Health disparities are always higher in the communities that tend to lack access to proper medical care, so by sending mobile clinics out to these underserved communities, we can heavily address these issues and lower the numbers. Because mobile clinics can successfully reduce barriers in access to healthcare, they provide more opportunities for underserved populations to screen for various conditions and learn to properly manage their health. Through these screenings, the importance of health will be heavily emphasized and will change the narrative in certain communities and patient populations. A great deal of people do not deem their health important and that is simply due to lack of knowledge. Mobile clinics will not only provide care, but will properly educate and enlighten people on their health being their wealth.

My goal is to be a successful critical care registered nurse, philanthropist to underserved and underrepresented communities, and worldwide medical outreach facilitator. As a student, I plan to advocate for other students that wish to follow in the same academic footsteps as me. I also plan to close the gap between potential future nurses and information that is needed to be successful in this field. The advice that can be given is so extensive but the advice that is actually given is so limited. I'd like to bridge this gap and shine more light on potential careers, not only in nursing, but in all things related to healthcare and medicine. Quality patient care has always been a passion of mine, as it's always been in my nature to help people in their time of need and never shy away from what might be deemed "too daunting." I decided to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree because it will grant me access to more job opportunities, greater autonomy, and maximized self-fulfillment. I love nursing because not only am I blessed daily with the chance to help and care, but I am able to collaborate with other professions for the best outcome of the patient. The satisfaction that comes with the job will constantly be renewed. This scholarship will help me achieve my educational and career goals. I have been working hard to save up for college, as financial aid has been proving futile on several occasions, but with the exorbitant costs of tuition, my part-time job hasn't been enough. I plan to work as I resume my undergraduate degree studies in the fall, but I do wish to focus a lot of my time on my studies. This scholarship will help by lowering the costs of college and the amount of hours I’ll need to work throughout my studies. This way, I’ll be able to continue with my academic achievements. It will also give me time to find a student nurse externship in the field. It has been two and a half years since I first joined the healthcare field. That day without a doubt has changed the course of my life. My experiences there, providing care for patients and hearing their stories, have instilled within me a passion to help people make positive changes in their lives. This scholarship will allow me to pursue the education I need to achieve my goals.

My mother, a registered nurse of over 25 years, signed me up for a 4-week CNA course in June of 2021 that my passion for nursing started to grow. When I was employed/started working as a patient care technician, all confusion disappeared and I knew nursing was exactly for me. I used to ponder on Marc Anthony’s quote that says “If you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life,” and not necessarily out of naïveté, but out of pure curiosity of whether I’d ever find a passion for something that made me believe in these words. I can now, unequivocally and in full truth and honesty, say that I resonate with the words of Marc Anthony. As I enter the nursing profession, I enter with a plethora of long-term goals for my profession. After successful completion of the National Council Licensure Examination, I plan on matriculating into my new role as a registered nurse on a variety of inpatient units, preferably medical-surgical, critical care, and emergency medicine. I would like to embark on travel nursing to experience diverse nursing practice environments and to share my skills and expertise, allowing me to serve as a resource to underserved and forgotten patient populations. After obtaining my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, I plan on furthering my education by obtaining a dual Master of Public Health and Master of Science in Nursing and soon thereafter, my Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. With my academic advancements, I aspire to reopen a local hospital in the underserved community of my maternal home, Umuanya-Ogbodiukwu village, Abia State, Nigeria. Maraihe Memorial Cottage Hospital & Orphanage was founded in Umuanya by my mother’s elder sister, the late Mrs. Ann Chinyere Ukenye-Lawal, RPH in honor of my maternal grandmother, the late Mrs. Maraihe Ukenye. After my aunt’s unforeseen passing in 2011, the hospital closed down in light of there being no one to oversee operations any further. After leading medical outreaches with my family in parts of Nigeria during the summer of 2022, I understood more than ever the power of giving back to communities that need you the most. The hugs from the widows, the smiles from the little children, and the cheers from the village gave me a satisfaction that money can never buy. I made it known to my mother my aspirations of reopening her late elder sister’s hospital and she promised to fully support me in this mission upon successful completion of my undergraduate studies.

“Why nursing, Jordan?” is a question that I’ve been asked more times than I can count on my two hands. At first, I found it arduous to answer that question, but now, I’m able to answer that question with great ease and jubilation. As cliché as this might sound, I did not choose nursing, rather, nursing chose me. Why did I decide to go to school for nursing, though? Truly, I was once unsure of what I wanted to do in life, career-wise. I would say things like a police officer, doctor — whatever seemed to be reigning in the aging mind of a young adolescent. It wasn’t until my mother, a registered nurse of over 25 years, signed me up for a 4-week CNA course in June of 2021 that my passion for nursing started to grow. When I was employed/started working as a patient care technician, all confusion disappeared and I knew nursing was exactly for me. I believe all the qualities that an exceptional nurse possesses align with my morals, ideals, and common nature as a person. I love to help others and am very keen on providing quality patient care. If just one patient can tell me I’ve made a difference in their life, then I can go home knowing that my shift was worth absolutely anything else that might’ve happened during those 12 hours. I have felt the trust that families have in me when they visit their loved ones who are in the fight for recovery and wellness. I look forward to my shifts in the early hours of the morning knowing that my skills, knowledge, and compassion will help me overcome any obstacle the day might throw at me. As I enter the nursing profession, I enter with a plethora of long-term goals for my profession. After successful completion of the National Council Licensure Examination, I plan on matriculating into my new role as a registered nurse on a variety of inpatient units, preferably medical-surgical, critical care, and emergency medicine. I would like to embark on travel nursing to experience diverse nursing practice environments and to share my skills and expertise, allowing me to serve as a resource to underserved and forgotten patient populations. After obtaining my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, I plan on furthering my education by obtaining a dual Master of Public Health and Master of Science in Nursing and soon thereafter, my Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. With my academic advancements, I aspire to reopen a local hospital in the underserved community of my maternal home, Umuanya-Ogbodiukwu village, Abia State, Nigeria. Maraihe Memorial Cottage Hospital & Orphanage was founded in Umuanya by my mother’s elder sister, the late Mrs. Ann Chinyere Ukenye-Lawal, RPH in honor of my maternal grandmother, the late Mrs. Maraihe Ukenye. After my aunt’s unforeseen passing in 2011, the hospital closed down in light of there being no one to oversee operations any further. After leading medical outreaches with my family in parts of Nigeria during the summer of 2022, I understood more than ever the power of giving back to communities that need you the most. The hugs from the widows, the smiles from the little children, and the cheers from the village gave me a satisfaction that money can never buy.

Greetings! My name is Jordan Iweala and I am an ortho/trauma patient care technician, certified nursing assistant, and HBCU student at Bowie State University entering my first semester of their nursing program in the fall of 2024. I'm 22 years old and a 2020 graduate of Bowie High School. My family hails from the eastern region of Nigeria and we currently reside in Prince George's County, Maryland. As I enter the nursing profession, I enter with a plethora of long-term goals for my profession. After successful completion of the National Council Licensure Examination, I plan on matriculating into my new role as a registered nurse on a variety of inpatient units, preferably medical-surgical, critical care, and emergency medicine. I would like to embark on travel nursing to experience diverse nursing practice environments and to share my skills and expertise, allowing me to serve as a resource to underserved and forgotten patient populations. After obtaining my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, I plan on furthering my education by obtaining a dual Master of Public Health and Master of Science in Nursing and soon thereafter, my Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. With my academic advancements, I aspire to reopen a local hospital in the underserved community of my maternal home, Umuanya-Ogbodiukwu village, Abia State, Nigeria. Maraihe Memorial Cottage Hospital & Orphanage was founded in Umuanya by my mother’s elder sister, the late Mrs. Ann Chinyere Ukenye-Lawal, RPH in honor of my maternal grandmother, the late Mrs. Maraihe Ukenye. After my aunt’s unforeseen passing in 2011, the hospital closed down in light of there being no one to oversee operations any further. After leading medical outreaches with my family in parts of Nigeria during the summer of 2022, I understood more than ever the power of giving back to communities that need you the most. The hugs from the widows, the smiles from the little children, and the cheers from the village gave me a satisfaction that money can never buy. I made it known to my mother my aspirations of reopening her late elder sister’s hospital and she promised to fully support me in this mission upon successful completion of my undergraduate studies. As a successful advance practice registered nurse, I plan to facilitate several medical outreaches worldwide, and financially support students in their similar pursuits of nursing and allied health professions to bridge the gap between education and providing quality patient care worldwide.

Helping people has always been my calling, my passion, and my nature. I am dedicated to providing aid to people where and when they need it the most. The medical field has a plethora of opportunities to explore all my interests and all the avenues where I can be used as a valuable resource in providing care, aid, and comfort. Working in healthcare is one of the most rewarding professions out there. Being in this field, I get to make a direct impact on people’s lives by providing care and support to the highest of my ability and expertise. The opportunity to help others and make a direct impact on their lives is truly special, rewarding, and self-fulfilling. Every day, healthcare professionals provide care, support, and comfort. I never initially knew what I wanted to do career-wise by that all changed when I was introduced to the healthcare field. Not only do I love caring for people, but I love the daily opportunity of being able to learn the science behind how the human body works. The education and skills I have garnered in the medical field have not only been an asset to myself on the job, but outside of the job and in my community. As I enter the nursing profession, I enter with a plethora of goals to make a difference through my career. After successful completion of the National Council Licensure Examination, I plan on matriculating into my new role as a registered nurse on a variety of inpatient units, preferably medical-surgical, critical care, and emergency medicine. I would like to embark on travel nursing to experience diverse nursing practice environments and to share my skills and expertise, allowing me to serve as a resource to underserved and forgotten patient populations. After obtaining my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, I plan on furthering my education by obtaining a dual Master of Public Health and Master of Science in Nursing and soon thereafter, my Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. With my academic advancements, I aspire to reopen a local hospital in the underserved community of my maternal home, Umuanya-Ogbodiukwu village, Abia State, Nigeria. Maraihe Memorial Cottage Hospital & Orphanage was founded in Umuanya by my mother’s elder sister, the late Mrs. Ann Chinyere Ukenye-Lawal, RPH in honor of my maternal grandmother, the late Mrs. Maraihe Ukenye. After my aunt’s unforeseen passing in 2011, the hospital closed down in light of there being no one to oversee operations any further. After leading medical outreaches with my family in parts of Nigeria during the summer of 2022, I understood more than ever the power of giving back to communities that need you the most. The hugs from the widows, the smiles from the little children, and the cheers from the village gave me a satisfaction that money can never buy. I made it known to my mother my aspirations of reopening her late elder sister’s hospital and she promised to fully support me in this mission upon successful completion of my undergraduate studies.

“Why nursing, Jordan?” is a question that I’ve been asked more times than I can count on my two hands. At first, I found it arduous to answer that question, but now, I’m able to answer that question with great ease and jubilation. As cliché as this might sound, I did not choose nursing, rather, nursing chose me. Why did I decide to go to school for nursing, though? Truly, I was once unsure of what I wanted to do in life, career-wise. I would say things like a police officer, doctor — whatever seemed to be reigning in the aging mind of a young adolescent. It wasn’t until my mother, a registered nurse of over 25 years, signed me up for a 4-week CNA course in June of 2021 that my passion for nursing started to grow. When I was employed/started working as a patient care technician, all confusion disappeared and I knew nursing was exactly for me. I used to ponder on Marc Anthony’s quote that says “If you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life,” and not necessarily out of naïveté, but out of pure curiosity of whether I’d ever find a passion for something that made me believe in these words. I can now, unequivocally and in full truth and honesty, say that I resonate with the words of Marc Anthony. I believe all the qualities that an exceptional nurse possesses align with my morals, ideals, and common nature as a person. I love to help others and am very keen on providing quality patient care. If just one patient can tell me I’ve made a difference in their life, then I can go home knowing that my shift was worth absolutely anything else that might’ve happened during those 12 hours. I have felt the trust that families have in me when they visit their loved ones who are in the fight for recovery and wellness. I look forward to my shifts in the early hours of the morning knowing that my skills, knowledge, and compassion will help me overcome any obstacle the day might throw at me. As a nurse, I am and will forever be committed to upholding the promise of nursing — the promise that I, Jordan Iweala, will serve, advocate, care, aid, support, and comfort. Being awarded this esteemed financial aid award would allow me to pursue one of the world’s most trusted professions and commit to my lifelong, self-established ambition for rescuing the perishing and caring for the sick.

“Why nursing, Jordan?” is a question that I’ve been asked more times than I can count on my two hands. At first, I found it arduous to answer that question, but now, I’m able to answer that question with great ease and jubilation. As cliché as this might sound, I did not choose nursing, rather, nursing chose me. Why did I decide to go to school for nursing, though? Truly, I was once unsure of what I wanted to do in life, career-wise. I would say things like a police officer, doctor — whatever seemed to be reigning in the aging mind of a young adolescent. It wasn’t until my mother, a registered nurse of over 25 years, signed me up for a 4-week CNA course in June of 2021 that my passion for nursing started to grow. When I was employed/started working as a patient care technician, all confusion disappeared and I knew nursing was exactly for me. I used to ponder on Marc Anthony’s quote that says “If you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life,” and not necessarily out of naïveté, but out of pure curiosity of whether I’d ever find a passion for something that made me believe in these words. I can now, unequivocally and in full truth and honesty, say that I resonate with the words of Marc Anthony. I believe all the qualities that an exceptional nurse possesses align with my morals, ideals, and common nature as a person. I love to help others and am very keen on providing quality patient care. If just one patient can tell me I’ve made a difference in their life, then I can go home knowing that my shift was worth absolutely anything else that might’ve happened during those 12 hours. I have felt the trust that families have in me when they visit their loved ones who are in the fight for recovery and wellness. I look forward to my shifts in the early hours of the morning knowing that my skills, knowledge, and compassion will help me overcome any obstacle the day might throw at me. As a nurse, I am and will forever be committed to upholding the promise of nursing — the promise that I, Jordan Iweala, will serve, advocate, care, aid, support, and comfort. Being chosen for this financial aid award will allow me to pursue entering one of the world’s most trusted professions and commit to my lifelong, self-established ambition for rescuing the perishing and caring for the sick.