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Joselin Gonzales Mejia

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Bio

Nursing is my future field. The medical field can be difficult to navigate as a patient. Advocating for yourself is even more difficult when you don’t speak English in the US. Being a bilingual nurse will be a tremendous advantage for my patients. This is what keeps me going in pursuing my education as a nurse. As a bilingual student fluent in Spanish, I am uniquely positioned to help bridge the gap between patients and healthcare providers from diverse backgrounds. Growing up in a multicultural household, I witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by individuals who struggle to communicate their medical needs effectively. This experience ignited my passion for nursing, and I am determined to use my language skills to serve those in need.

Education

University of Minnesota-Morris

Bachelor's degree program
2019 - 2023
  • Majors:
    • Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
    • Biology, General

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Master's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Nursing

    • Dream career goals:

    • Nursing Assistant Registered

      West Wind Village
      2020 – Present4 years

    Research

    • Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology

      University of Minnesota Morris
      2021 – 2021
    • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

      University of Minnesota Morris
      2021 – 2022

    Arts

    • Orchestra

      Music
      2010 – Present

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Big Friend Little Friend — Big Friend
      2020 – 2022

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Noble E. Gagucas Nursing Scholarship
    I have always been my family’s translator, as are most children of immigrants that grow up in this country. At the age of 10, I served as the bridge between my parents and the English-speaking healthcare world. I had no idea what an organ was, but I needed to know how to say all of them to accurately translate in the doctor’s office. It was a heavy responsibility, but one that I took on to help my parents navigate their new home in a foreign country. As a bilingual nurse, I can help take that burden off of families in my care and be their bridge, as I once was for my own family. As I grew older, my passion for communication and my desire to help others only continued to grow, leading me to pursue a career in nursing and ultimately to become a professional interpreter myself through my Spanish degree and interpreter training. As a bilingual nurse, I can provide compassionate care to patients from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Being fluent in both English and Spanish allows me to communicate effectively with patients who may be more comfortable speaking in their native language. This not only helps to build trust with patients, but also ensures that they fully understand their medical conditions, treatment options, and medication instructions. As a bilingual nurse, I am proud to be able to provide equitable care to all patients, regardless of their language or cultural background, and to contribute to creating a more inclusive and culturally sensitive healthcare system. My love for nursing stems from my experience working as a certified nursing assistant in a nursing home. I’ve learned how to put the patient first and care for their needs with person-centered care. My choice to be a nurse was solidified by an experience I had with the family of one of my patients where the family did not speak any English. I was the family's gateway point that helped them navigate the healthcare process and eased their concerns. I saw firsthand how big of a difference I could make. I am passionate about patient advocacy and ensuring that patients receive the highest quality of care. As a nurse, I will have the opportunity to work directly with patients, listen to their concerns, and advocate on their behalf to ensure that their needs are met. I strongly believe that every patient has the right to receive compassionate and individualized care and that healthcare professionals have a responsibility to act as advocates for their patients. I am committed to using my knowledge and skills to help patients navigate the complex healthcare system, educate them about their health conditions and treatment options, and support them through their healing journey. As a nurse, I will strive to promote the best possible outcomes for my patients and to make a positive impact on their lives and those of their families.
    Collaboration & Diversity in Healthcare Scholarship
    The healthcare world needs to be inclusive to allow patients from all backgrounds to obtain the essential care they need. As a bilingual nurse, I can provide compassionate care to patients from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Being fluent in both English and Spanish allows me to communicate effectively with patients who may be more comfortable speaking in their native language. This not only helps to build trust with patients, but also ensures that they fully understand their medical conditions, treatment options, and medication instructions. As a bilingual nurse, I am proud to be able to provide equitable care to all patients, regardless of their language or cultural background, and to contribute to creating a more inclusive and culturally sensitive healthcare system. Collaboration encourages healthcare professionals to work together as a team, sharing their knowledge and expertise to provide comprehensive and effective care. This interdisciplinary approach leads to better patient outcomes and promotes innovation by bringing together diverse perspectives and experiences. Diversity is equally important in healthcare because it allows healthcare professionals to better understand and serve the needs of a wide range of patients from different cultural and social backgrounds. As a future healthcare professional, I understand the importance of collaboration and diversity in the medical field. I plan to apply these values by actively seeking out opportunities to work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals. I will also strive to cultivate an inclusive and welcoming environment for my patients by embracing diversity and respecting their cultural beliefs and practices. Attending a university far away from my community has allowed me to grow as a person, as well as a healthcare professional. I have had the amazing opportunity to experience other cultures and points of view to gain an understanding of the people around me. I currently have been working as a certified nursing assistant and have had the opportunity to work alongside other nurses that have completely different ideologies and beliefs than me. At first, it was challenging for me to work with them just because it was so different from my community and norm. I grew and learned from them and how to better my ideologies to work and collaborate more effectively with my coworkers, and my patients. It required a willingness to listen, understand, and respect the beliefs and values that others had. Working with people from different backgrounds and ideologies improved my communication and interpersonal skills. It encouraged me to be open-minded, empathetic, and adaptable, which are all essential qualities for success in any field. As a future healthcare professional, I recognize the importance of learning to work with people who hold different ideologies than myself. I understand that healthcare is a field that requires sensitivity and respect for diverse beliefs and values, and that patients have the right to receive care that is tailored to their unique needs and preferences. Therefore, I am committed to actively seeking out opportunities to work with individuals from different backgrounds and ideologies and to learn from their experiences and perspectives. I believe that by doing so, I can become a more effective and compassionate healthcare provider, and contribute to creating a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system.
    Nursing Shortage Education Scholarship
    I have always been my family’s translator, as are most children of immigrants that grow up in this country. At the age of 10, I served as the bridge between my parents and the English-speaking healthcare world. I had no idea what an organ was, but I needed to know how to say all of them to accurately translate in the doctor’s office. It was a heavy responsibility, but one that I took on to help my parents navigate their new home in a foreign country. As a bilingual nurse, I can help take that burden off of families in my care and be their bridge, as I once was for my own family. As I grew older, my passion for communication and my desire to help others only continued to grow, leading me to pursue a career in nursing and ultimately to become a professional interpreter myself through my Spanish degree and interpreter training. As a bilingual nurse, I can provide compassionate care to patients from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Being fluent in both English and Spanish allows me to communicate effectively with patients who may be more comfortable speaking in their native language. This not only helps to build trust with patients, but also ensures that they fully understand their medical conditions, treatment options, and medication instructions. As a bilingual nurse, I am proud to be able to provide equitable care to all patients, regardless of their language or cultural background, and to contribute to creating a more inclusive and culturally sensitive healthcare system. My love for nursing stems from my experience working as a certified nursing assistant in a nursing home. I’ve learned how to put the patient first and care for their needs with person-centered care. My choice to be a nurse was solidified by an experience I had with the family of one of my patients where the family did not speak any English. I was the family's gateway point that helped them navigate the healthcare process and eased their concerns. I saw firsthand how big of a difference I could make. I am passionate about patient advocacy and ensuring that patients receive the highest quality of care. As a nurse, I will have the opportunity to work directly with patients, listen to their concerns, and advocate on their behalf to ensure that their needs are met. I strongly believe that every patient has the right to receive compassionate and individualized care and that healthcare professionals have a responsibility to act as advocates for their patients. I am committed to using my knowledge and skills to help patients navigate the complex healthcare system, educate them about their health conditions and treatment options, and support them through their healing journey. As a nurse, I will strive to promote the best possible outcomes for my patients and to make a positive impact on their lives and those of their families.