Carmelo Anthony is one of the greatest Olympians in Team USA basketball history, and cheering for him during international competition was always special. Unlike in the NBA, where he often faced criticism for his defense or team success, Melo thrived on the international stage, cementing himself as a legend in USA Basketball. One of the biggest reasons Melo was so beloved in Team USA colors was his ability to dominate international competition effortlessly. He was a perfect fit for the FIBA game, with his quick release, elite mid-range and three-point shooting, and ability to play as a stretch four. His role was simple but devastating—be an unstoppable scoring weapon. And that’s exactly what he did. His performances in the Olympics, especially in 2008, 2012, and 2016, were unforgettable. Melo played a key role in redeeming Team USA after their disappointing bronze finish in 2004. In the 2008 "Redeem Team" run, he embraced his role as a floor spacer and instant offensive weapon alongside Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade. By 2012 and 2016, he had become the veteran leader of the squad. His greatest moment? The 2012 Olympics against Nigeria, where he set the USA record for points in a game (37) while shooting an absurd 10-of-12 from three—pure shooting brilliance. His confidence, swagger, and ability to take over games in international play made him the heart and soul of Team USA. But it wasn’t just his skill—it was his leadership. By 2016, Melo was the elder statesman, guiding younger stars like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving while playing with passion and pride. When Team USA won gold in 2016, he became the first men’s basketball player to win three Olympic gold medals, an achievement that speaks to his longevity and commitment to representing his country. Cheering for Melo on Team USA meant watching a player who embraced the honor of wearing that jersey. He wasn’t just collecting accolades—he genuinely loved competing for his country. While he may never have won an NBA championship, his legacy in international basketball is undisputed. For that, Carmelo Anthony will always be one of the greatest Team USA players to root for.

Probably the biggest challenge I have faced so far in my life is going through higher education as a first-generation college student with financial instability. Growing up in a limited income household with very finite resources, I had to work multiple jobs in order to support myself and fund my education. It was and has been tough now in my second bachelor degree program, but it taught me resilience, determination, and the value of hard work. These experiences have shaped my character and fueled my desire to give back to the community, particularly by addressing the barriers that others like me face. This scholarship would play a key role in helping me further my education and achieve my goal of becoming a critical care nurse. It would alleviate some of the tuition pressure, allowing me to concentrate more on my studies and clinical training, where I am learning life-saving skills and emotional support for patients and their families. This will also give me a better chance of continuing volunteer work and outreach efforts in the community, an intrinsic part of my journey so far. The ultimate aim of using higher education in bringing sustainable improvements to underserved communities regarding health care disparities is having quality, accessible health services for all. For example, I would like to create or be part of volunteer outreach programs that could offer preventative health education and resources to families without access to regular healthcare. This scholarship would finally provide me with the tools and freedom to pursue such initiatives, allowing me to give back to the community in a manner that reflects the support I have received along the way. As for encouraging young people to pursue philately, I would highlight how the hobby promotes curiosity, learning, and a connection to history and culture. To engage younger generations, I would introduce innovative ways to explore stamp collecting, such as interactive workshops at schools or libraries where students could examine stamps from different countries and learn about the stories behind them. Digital platforms could also be introduced: for example, there is an app on which youngsters can catalog their collections, stamp exchanges, or even attend stamp exhibitions online. I would touch on how philately also includes storytelling, enabling people to learn about world events and cultures through something so relatively minute as a postage stamp. By framing philately as an adventure in exploration and discovery, I believe young people could be inspired to take up this rewarding and educational hobby, in the same manner that young people may take up collecting other items of historical or cultural significance!

Adversity has marked my entire life, especially being a first-generation college student. Growing up, I didn't have the same kinds of guidance or resources many of my peers had access to. Many times, I just had to figure it all out on my own: the intricacies of education, financial aid, and life in general. Trying to balance multiple jobs, pay for school, and keep up academically made me feel overwhelmed and stretched too thin. There were times when I wondered if I was even capable of achieving my dreams. One of the most challenging moments was when I had to choose between picking up extra shifts at work to make ends meet or attending my classes. Whichever way I went, it seemed like I was compromising either way—either in fulfilling my financial responsibilities or in keeping up with my academic progress. This cycle of sacrifice and exhaustion weighed heavily on me, impacting not just my performance but my mental health. It was an isolating experience, yet I knew, deep down, that I had to keep going. I overcame this adversity by leaning into my resilience and seeking help when I needed it. I started prioritizing my time and energy, making sure that each decision I made aligned with my long-term goals. I reached out to professors for flexibility, took advantage of campus resources like counseling and tutoring, and leaned on friends who encouraged me to keep moving forward. Most importantly, I reminded myself of my "why." I wanted to be a critical care nurse-a profession that emanates compassion, strength, and service. Holding onto that vision gave me the strength to persevere through tough times. I believe that these are times and qualities that have set me apart from others. That phase of my life was an invaluable teacher. It taught me how to speak up for myself, ask for help, and find creative solutions to complex problems. Adversity molded me into someone who is empathetic, resourceful, and driven to support others in stuck or overwhelming feelings. Moreover, it furthered the feeling in me that struggles don't define you, they build you. I believe I am at a point in my professional development where I truly know in my heart that I am meant to be a critical care nurse. I believe what sets me apart from others is that I want to be that person, even if I am the only person, that is there for my patients in their worst days. I know that many shifts will be difficult but I strongly know and affirm that I will grow to be a competent and skilled ICU nurse for all of my patients.

Watching my parent manage paying the bills for our family, while providing love and direction, instilled in me a deep sense of appreciation for sacrifice and perseverance. These experiences have driven me to pursue a future where, through my talents, I can create a meaningful impact by giving back to individuals and communities in ways reflective of the care and support I received growing up. Growing up in a single-income household, resources were often limited, and I quickly learned the importance of resourcefulness and determination. This includes being responsible from a tender age, helping with siblings and contributing to the household. These experiences have taught me empathy, time management, and a strong sense of accountability-something that I carry along in my academic and professional pursuits. They also further developed my desire to create a future where I can offer others the support and opportunities that were sometimes hard to come by in my own life. My upbringing also instilled in me a sense of compassion and a desire to help others, which has become central to my goals. I envision using my talents in the future to serve people in need, especially those who have experienced or are experiencing hardships like my family's. Whether it is through my current pursuit of a career in critical care nursing or another path in healthcare, education, or community work, I want to provide others with hope and care that can make a difference in their lives. In this future, I envision myself being a mentor and advocate, helping uplift others to remedy inequities in society. Using my experiences as inspiration, I would create programs offering resources and guidance for children of single-parent or low-income families to have all that they need to reach their goals. I also want to work on mental health awareness through these initiatives because it's the foundation for tackling every life struggle. Growing up in my household has ultimately taught me the value of resilience, empathy, and service. These qualities spur me toward the use of my talents to empower others and create opportunities for those who feel overlooked or unsupported. Even though specific details about my career path may change, my commitment to doing good and helping people will remain the same: to honor lessons and values instilled in me through my upbringing. I simply strive to be competent and skilled enough to be someone's rock one day through the hardest days of their life, and that certainly applies to anyone from a blended, single parent or low income background.

My plans for the future revolve around becoming a highly competent and caring critical care nurse who will be an advocate for patients and an agent of change in healthcare. I would like to work in critical care in a high acuity setting such as a level 1 trauma center, because it fulfills my need to help people at the most critical time in their lives by offering life-saving interventions and emotional support to patients and their families. Beyond the bedside, I hope to be involved in community outreach, address healthcare disparities, and mentor future generations of nurses so that healthcare can be more equitable, inclusive, and compassionate. I want to be heavily involved in policy at the micro and macro level alongside delivering critical care interventions at the bedside. In the short run, I plan to finish my nursing education and then work in critical care units for the acquisition of experience, where I will be able to perfect my skills and grow professionally. My ultimate goal is to contribute to improving healthcare outcomes, especially for underserved populations. Events in my life, such as volunteering with Metropolitan Ministries and participation in community health clinicals, have shown me what a lack of healthcare and resources does to a community. Such experiences crystallized my commitment to ensuring that patients, particularly those affected by systemic barriers, do not at all feel slighted or powerless in their care. This scholarship would represent a much-needed stepping stone to helping me achieve the mentioned goals. As a first-generation college student, the financial burden of higher education weighs heavily on me. I currently work multiple jobs to fund my education while balancing the demanding coursework and clinical hours required in nursing school. While this journey has taught me resilience and time management, it has also underscored the challenges of pursuing my dream without sufficient financial support. Receiving this scholarship would alleviate some of these challenges and would allow me to focus more fully on my studies and clinical experiences. Moreover, the scholarship would offer me opportunities to pursue professional advancement through specialized training, certifications, or even active participation in healthcare workshops and conferences. Such exposure would put me abreast of current best practices and innovations in critical care nursing, ultimately translating into better service delivery to my patients. Long-term, this scholarship will grant me the financial relief needed to make an even greater positive impact within my community. With my experience and skills, I will be able to create outreach programs in areas of health education, preventive care, and mental health awareness. By reducing the financial burden of my education, the scholarship would afford me the space to be wholeheartedly focused on being a nurse and advocate I will be while making the greatest positive impact in both personal lives and overall health systems.

I am deeply passionate about nursing, particularly in the critical care area of practice, since it represents a perfect blend of my personal values, lived experiences, and professional aspirations. Nursing is not just a career for me; instead, it is a calling to serve others in their very vulnerable moments, an equity advocate in healthcare, and an opportunity to build relationships that will change lives. Growing up, I saw how disparities in healthcare affected my community deeply. Being the child of immigrants and a first-generation college student, I realized how systemic barriers, resource limitations, and misunderstandings about cultural nuances could render an individual helpless. These experiences instilled in me a strong desire to address these inequities and ensure that everyone, regardless of background, receives compassionate, high-quality care. Nursing offers a tangible way to be part of the solution, directly contributing to improved outcomes and providing the kind of advocacy that marginalized communities so often lack. My passion for nursing also stems from a deep respect for human resilience and the power of empathy. Throughout my clinical rotations in pediatrics, neonatal care, and community health, I came to realize just how skilled, compassionate care could change a patient's experience and outcomes. For example, working with families in stressful situations allowed me to witness the profound difference that emotional support and patient education can make. These moments reinforced my commitment to becoming a nurse who not only delivers exceptional care but also builds trust and fosters hope. Critical care nursing, in particular, excites me because of its dynamic and demanding nature. It challenges me to think critically, act decisively, and remain composed in high-pressure situations-all while maintaining a patient-centered approach. The opportunity to make life-saving interventions and support families through critical moments aligns perfectly with my drive to make a direct, meaningful impact. Every patient's story is unique, and I am passionate about tailoring care to meet their individual needs, both medically and emotionally. Additionally, personal experiences of adversity and mental health have shaped my understanding of the importance of holistic care. I hope to bring this perspective into my practice by considering not only the physical but also the mental and emotional health of my patients and their families. I intend to incorporate this through technical competence coupled with true compassion to care for the whole person. Fundamentally, my motivation to be a nurse is an interest in serving, uplifting, and advocating for others. Nursing is one of those careers that engages me intellectually, fulfills me emotionally, and helps me leave footprints for others to follow, all while reflecting values important to me. At my core, I know that nursing will make me a better man, better person, partner, brother, son, and an asset to my family and community. I want to be there for my patients on their worst days regardless of their socioeconomic background, education, religion, or insurance coverages, I want to be the rock for so many people that need it.

Entering higher education as a first-generation college student and the child of immigrants has been both an inspiring and challenging journey. It has been a path shaped by determination, resilience, and a strong sense of responsibility to honor the sacrifices my family has made. I'm deeply grateful for this great opportunity to pursue my dream; however, the experience of being an outsider has also presented its share of both hopes and concerns that deeply impacted my educational journey thus far and my future endeavors. One of the great hopes in entering higher education for me was to have that avenue through which barriers are to be broken for a better life and to have a bright future in view. Being the first in my family to work through this system, it gives me great pride and motivates me to see it through. Education is also an opportunity to transcend the limitations of a struggling childhood with the stability and fulfillment my parents have strived so diligently to give me. It is not only a personal aspiration but also one way to give back to my family and community and to uphold the values of hard work and perseverance inculcated into me since childhood. The road to this day has not been free of apprehensions, though. Without a roadmap or guidance from family members who have been through this educational system, many things I have had to learn the hard way. From learning the ins and outs of financial aid applications to finding a balance between work and school and life, everything has been a steep learning curve. At times, I find myself struggling with imposter syndrome, wondering if this is really a space for people like me. These stresses have only made me stronger to succeed and reminded me about resilience from being part of an immigrant family. Growing up as the child of minorities has deeply influenced my view on education and my future goals. I have faced many difficulties that my family had to go through: long work hours, language barriers, and giving up their hopes and dreams for me. The strength in them inspires me to pursue my dream of being a critical care nurse and serving others in my community. This has further been ignited in my background: the will to contribute to health inequity, especially within marginalized communities, so that no person is left without care and the necessary resources. While being an outsider to higher education has presented challenges, it has ultimately given me a unique perspective and unshakeable drive. A first-generation college student and child of immigrants, my life's journey has been defined by experiences of resilience, empathy, and a commitment to making a difference in the world. I want to break away from any expectations or statistics and be an asset to my community and be a source of strength on my patient's worst days in the critical care setting and beyond.

Education is equipping me with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to pursue my dream of becoming a critical care nurse and transforming my life. In fact, education is a way out for me-not just for me but for other first-generation college students: breaking cycles of hardship, redefining their future, and inspiring others around. It is the foundation upon which I am building a life of purpose, one committed to serving others and contributing meaningfully to society. Through my education, I am learning the science and art of nursing, developing the critical thinking, clinical skills, and empathy necessary to provide exceptional care. Every lecture, every clinical rotation, and every practical exposure improve my technical skills, but also give me an insight into the complex needs of patients and their families. My studies have taught me the importance of holistic care: it is not just about physical health, but emotional, social, and mental well-being. It is making me a complete professional who will be able to bring about a real difference in healthcare. Education instills in me the sense of responsibility to give back to society. Later on, I want to apply my nursing skills in order to eliminate healthcare disparities, especially among underprivileged communities. Having volunteered for several organizations such as Metropolitan Ministries and Buddy Walk, I have seen how access to resources and education can change lives. I plan to continue this work as a nurse outside of critical care settings, advocating for equity in care and developing outreach programs to equip individuals with the tools they need to lead healthier lives. My education is also allowing me to be a role model to others. I would be able to inspire others—especially those from similar backgrounds—and let them know that one can pursue their dreams in spite of challenges. I will mentor aspiring healthcare professionals in the future, sharing my experiences with them and encouraging them to embrace education as a force for change. Beyond my personal contribution, I hope to influence the nursing profession in the need for innovation and systemic change. There are many faults that can in part be addressed through imparting knowledge, using a growth mindset and spreading education among nurses and patients alike. I would do this through community health initiatives, mental health advocacy, and mentoring, all of which can help amplify the voices of both patients and nurses in the pursuit of making our healthcare system more compassionate and effective. I want to use my education as a bridge to achieving my own goals, but also to lift others up and be the rock some people need on their worst days as my patient.

My vision for myself as a nurse is to be a knowledgeable, empathetic advocate for my patients, especially in critical care. I want to be a reliable source of poise, strength and knowledge in people's worst moments. I see myself giving my best quality, patient-centered care that incorporates clinical ability with emotional support, making sure individuals and their families feel empowered and valued at their most vulnerable moments. It is my intent to be able to meet the acute, physical needs of my patients in an ICU setting but also to create an environment conducive to trust, understanding, and open communication as their critical care nurse. I want to specialize in critical care nursing because it goes in line with my serving interest for the life-threatened patients wherein every decision plays a vital role in the patient's outcome. I strive to become exemplary in clinical practice, update myself with modern changes in medical technology and evidence-based practice to provide the highest quality of care. In the future, I will strive to be trained in open-heart cases, to be able to work with Impella pump patients, ECMO patients, CRRT patients, balloon pump patients and all manner of high acuity critical care needs. My vision further extends beyond the bedside into community outreach to effect health education and preventive care, particularly in underserved communities. Having volunteered at Metropolitan Ministries and through my participation in community health clinical rotations, I have witnessed the transformative power of education and resources in improving lives. I know that even after begining an ICU career that I will be making a continuation of these efforts, knowing full well how much each contributes to equity in health care access. I wish in the long run to become a mentor to incoming nurses with the knowledge and resilience built from my ups and downs along my journey. Being the first generation in my family through college with so many trials, it has made me sensitive to the need for support and guidance to meet goals. I want to inspire others into nursing and instill among professionals a culture of collaboration, empathy, and lifelong learning. Another important part of my nursing career is mental health advocacy. Having gone through mental health issues myself, I consider it to be an essential part of one's well-being. I would like to incorporate mental health into my practice so that the psychological needs of my patients are not left unmet. In the end, my vision as a nurse is to be the spark that ignites healing, hope, and empowerment. I want to approach each patient, family, and community I serve with the same humility and dedication this profession requires, always striving to make a meaningful and lasting difference. I hope that in the future I can be there, even if I am the only one there, for my patients on their worst days.

I am a first-generation college student pursuing my dream of becoming a critical care nurse. Overcoming personal adversity and working multiple jobs with little support has instilled in me a deep sense of perseverance and compassion. These qualities fuel my desire to serve others, particularly in vulnerable and underserved populations. I want to be the change I see in my community, from the micro-level in my patient's improvement, to the macro-level at city-wide improvement. My journey, shaped by challenges and a passion for healthcare, has allowed me to develop an appreciation for the interconnectedness of health, community, and service. One of the most valuable ways that I give back to my community is through my volunteer work with Metropolitan Ministries. I help provide food and clothing, among other vital resources, to homeless or economically burdened individuals and families. The thanks I see from those we have helped show me that the ripples of hope continue even from small acts of kindness. Volunteering at Buddy Walk has also proved to be one of those highly rewarding activities. Supporting young kids with Down syndrome and their families in this great celebratory initiative has developed my sense of inclusivity and the power of community contact. In partnership with my hospital, serving my own local community has also allowed me to gain insight and perspective into the every day struggles of every day people that may become my patient's one day in the ICU or ER. Clinical rotations in pediatrics, neonatal care, and community health this semester in nursing school, as well as my ER, ICU and medical-surgical rotations became other substantial sources of service delivery. In all these situations, I could practice my nursing skills and immediately influence patients' care. Throughout the pediatric rotation, I have provided teaching and emotional support for the families in the case of a chronic illness. In neonatal care, I assisted in creating an environment for nurturing premature infants and often bonding with parents during their most vulnerable times. I helped to asses newborn babies, their mothers and provide education on warning signs to look for in their new lives. My community health rotation has given me the opportunity to focus on prevention and health education with an emphasis on destigmatizing seeking help and being proactive in treatment. These experiences have galvanized and affirmed my commitment to becoming a nurse who not only provides medical care but also emotional and social support. Service has become a cornerstone of my identity. Whether volunteering at events, assisting through clinical rotations, or simply offering a listening ear to a friend or stranger alike, I am dedicated to making a positive impact. These experiences have shaped my understanding of healthcare as a profession that is underpinned by empathy, advocacy, and the relentless pursuit of bettering others' lives. I want to be a stable, reliable source of strength, poise and to be there in people's worst moments as a healthcare professional and otherwise, to let them know that they can be pulled up from those depths and improve. That is my primary drive and underlying reason to wanting to become a critical care nurse and help my community.

Adversity has marked my entire life, especially being a first-generation college student. Growing up, I didn't have the same kinds of guidance or resources many of my peers had access to. Many times, I just had to figure it all out on my own: the intricacies of education, financial aid, and life in general. Trying to balance multiple jobs, pay for school, and keep up academically made me feel overwhelmed and stretched too thin. There were times when I wondered if I was even capable of achieving my dreams. One of the most challenging moments was when I had to choose between picking up extra shifts at work to make ends meet or attending my classes. Whichever way I went, it seemed like I was compromising either way—either in fulfilling my financial responsibilities or in keeping up with my academic progress. This cycle of sacrifice and exhaustion weighed heavily on me, impacting not just my performance but my mental health. It was an isolating experience, yet I knew, deep down, that I had to keep going. I overcame this adversity by leaning into my resilience and seeking help when I needed it. I started prioritizing my time and energy, making sure that each decision I made aligned with my long-term goals. I reached out to professors for flexibility, took advantage of campus resources like counseling and tutoring, and leaned on friends who encouraged me to keep moving forward. Most importantly, I reminded myself of my "why." I wanted to be a critical care nurse-a profession that emanates compassion, strength, and service. Holding onto that vision gave me the strength to persevere through tough times. That phase of my life was an invaluable teacher. It taught me how to speak up for myself, ask for help, and find creative solutions to complex problems. Adversity molded me into someone who is empathetic, resourceful, and driven to support others in stuck or overwhelming feelings. Moreover, it furthered the feeling in me that struggles don't define you, they build you. To anyone facing similar challenges, I’d say this: Believe in your ability to overcome, and don’t hesitate to ask for help. Lean on the support systems around you, even if they’re small, and keep your focus on the bigger picture. Your journey may be difficult, but every step forward is proof of your strength and resilience. I cant wait to be a critical care nurse, and I hope you stay on the path striving towards your goals!

My path, as with most of those who are first-generation college students, has not been straightforward. I have had to work several jobs, and currently work 2 with little or no support to continue my education and sustain myself. My parents have mostly been unable to assist me in my pursuits of aid, figuring out schedules, buying textbooks, studying and working on extracurricular activities. These experiences have shaped my resilience and determination to pursue a career that truly aligns with my values and passions. I love caring for those around me, family, friend or stranger, and I truly love nursing. I want to be a tool and asset for positive changes in my community and help every day people. While I am currently an accelerated BSN student, initially I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I tried one or two other paths and was never satisfied, and if you had asked me five years ago what career path I wanted, my answer would not have been critical care or nursing. My "aha" moment came at one of the lowest points in my life. I was dealing with some personal issues, ironically working as a PRN nursing assistant and full time as a travel nurse recruiter in a corporate office and struggling to see the vision for my future. I was sitting in the office one morning alone, and I saw a nurse friend fishing at the beach. I had the sudden epiphany that I would rather enjoy working at bedside 3 days a week with my patients as a nurse, than work 5 days a week in a cubicle for the rest of my life. A few conversations with nurses at my hospital reinforced that idea. It was then that I realized nursing was not just a career, but it was a calling. I wanted to be that person for someone else: to be able to care for and understand people when they needed it most. That experience set a solid foundation for my goal of becoming a critical care nurse, combining my passion for helping others with my interest in medicine. Each step I have taken since then-through long nights studying, clinical rotations, or juggling work and school-has brought me one step closer to this dream. While the journey wasn't easy, I know it made me more sensitive and determined to be the best nurse I can be.

My experiences with mental health have contributed significantly toward shaping my goals, personal relations, and world outlook-particularly as I work toward becoming a critical care nurse. Life is not easy, loss and grief are very heavy things to deal with, and sometimes feeling isolated or alone in the pursuit of goals can weigh heavily on a person. The process of dealing with the challenges of poor mental health has deepened my empathy, hardiness, and motivation to enable me to care for others, which are all indispensable characteristics in nursing. As a depression and suicide survivor, this journey has deeply influenced me toward my commitment to a healthcare career, further building my capacity for the art of communication with patients, patient advocacy, and providing holistic care. I do not just want to be any nurse, but I aspire to be a human being that people can turn to when they really just need someone. I have been there, I have suffered loss before and I want to be the person that helps keep someone grounded just one more day, if it means saving a life or pulling someone out of a depression. Mental health struggles taught me resiliency. During the most challenging times, I gained valuable strategies in managing the stressors: seeking assistance when needed, finding the grit and perseverance to battle along with adversities. It took me over 5 years to finally get help, I went through relationships, a 4 year degree, many jobs, and many memories in my early 20s being depressed, but it made me a much stronger man. Being a first-generation college student working multiple jobs, I often felt overwhelmed. This resilience that I built fuels the drive to apply to become a critical care nurse-a role that calls for mental fortitude. These pressures, in a high-stakes environment where patients' lives are at stake, require a great deal of composure, critical thinking, and compassion; thus, giving meaning to my experiences. How I handle these pressures is guided through my experience. I want to be there for my friends, my family, and my patients in the worst moment of their life, look them in the face, and let them know that everything will be okay. Further, my personal struggles with mental health have given me a unique perspective on relationships. I have definitely learned the importance of building, striving for, and nurturing supportive, nurturing relationships both in personal and professional areas. Translating this into the context of my aim-to be a nurse-this means building trust with a patient and his family. I have come to realize that care is not just about the procedures but about support, listening to concerns, and building relationships that will help make patients feel safe and understood. People need to be seem, not just treated. This exposure to vulnerability brings me into the present moment and helps me connect with others on their emotional and psychological levels. This is particularly important in the critical care environments, where most of the patients and families are experiencing some of the worst times of their lives. My journey of mental health has opened my view on the world, mostly in relation to health and healthcare. I have become more cognizant of systemic barriers to mental health care and how stigma stands in the way of someone seeking it out far too often. This awareness stokes the fire in me to be an advocate for patient-centered care, in which mental and emotional well-being is as valued as physical health. As a future nurse, I would want to see myself being part of a health care setting that provides holistic health care; the mind is closely related to recovery from one's illness, particularly in critical care. Such understanding enables me to be more empathetic and highly considerate as a caregiver; It will be very rewarding to get a patient off of a critical situation and back on their way to normal life, or to give a patient dignity even in death. Therefore, my own experience with mental health has molded me finally as an individual and the kind of professional aspirations I have within my heart. It has made me strong, compassionate, and sensitive toward holistic patient care. These qualities will remain tall while pursuing the ambition of a career as a critical care nurse wherein I can help patients and their families in those moments of extreme fragility by lending a helping hand not only towards medical expertise but also towards emotional understanding. For these reasons, I am grateful for the struggles, the times where I did not see the light at the end of the tunnel, for they allowed me to be my own torch during dark times. I hope I can inspire others to gain resiliency and this scholarship would be a huge aid in reaching those goals. Thank you!

LeBron James is a figure bigger than the sport of basketball, and my admiration for him goes beyond his game on the court. The most striking feature to me, of course, would have to be his amazing longevity. To date, LeBron has sustained an elite level over the course of over two decades-a streak rarely seen within professional sports. He took very great care of his body, having invested millions into fitness and recovery, and so he has avoided the decline that others have in these later stages of his career. He still happens to be one of the most feared players in the NBA even in his late 30s. This says much about not only his physical abilities but also his adaptability and basketball IQ. He has constantly adapted his game to fit the ever-changing NBA landscape and has been nothing short of great over the years as a scorer, playmaker, and defender. His versatility allows him to impact the game in almost too many ways, making him simply a nightmare to strategize against. But LeBron's legacy goes far beyond on-court accomplishments. What really sets him apart in my mind is his dedication to using his platform to effect change off the court. The most notable example is his commitment to education and community service with the opening of the I Promise School in Akron, Ohio. The school nurtures and educates at-risk children, and LeBron being so personally involved in this project really brings into view how much he truly wants to give back to his community. Beyond philanthropy, LeBron has been quite outspoken concerning social justice. He's used his platform to speak out against racial inequality, police violence, and other societal issues, even when it hasn't always been popular or easy to do so. I will include that in his ability to take a stand on most matters and yet still be at the elite of the world. For he had the audacity to take time and promote causes that were close to his heart, and that such promotion placed at jeopardy some existing and future roles in the sport. The debate as to whether LeBron is the best basketball player of all time is rather subjective and complex. Most feel Michael Jordan makes up GOAT status not only because of his six championships and perfect record in NBA Finals appearances but due to his influence on the culture of the sport worldwide. Jordan was simply the ultimate competitor, and his ability to dominate the game in clutch situations was second to none. LeBron brings other qualities to the table. His leading different teams to success across multiple eras, longevity, and all-around game-just about make him the most versatile player ever to take part in the NBA. He is not strictly a scorer but also a facilitator and elite defender in his prime. Undeniably, he also had a huge influence on the modern NBA in which player mobility and empowerment have become key themes. Of course, I respect the greatness of LeBron; to me, he's not necessarily the GOAT. It means just a little more than that to me-championships or stats-impact, legacy, influence; Jordan and LeBron have both left their marks on the game in their own ways.

There are up to three songs by Billie Eilish-a real sensation-that display the emotions I go through as a man: "everything i wanted", "when the party's over", and "bury a friend". Each one of these songs delves deep into those emotions that, in themselves, are rather hard to let out, even more so when men feel that society compels them to be unemotional. What separates "everything i wanted" by Billie is its focus on self-doubt and vulnerability-two of the most difficult feelings to confront. This song is really about the inner struggle, the dreams, and the burdening pressure that may come along with success. This is where my ears ring, since it speaks deep about mental health and the growing need for emotional protection. Within the context of a world where men, especially, are taught to withhold their emotions, this song basically reminds you that even when you don't see your worth, it's crucial to find people who do. What is really touching, though, is Billie's relationship with her brother Finneas and how he tries to take her through life's hard times. It covers, in detail, the strong emotional bonds we have in our lives when times seem to get us down and in disbelief about ourselves. Another song that speaks to me is "when the party's over." This track represents the emotional isolation that many men feel, having difficulty in expressing their own emotions. It is very relatable to hear Billie's quiet vulnerability in this song, how it pains her to let go of something toxic-be that a relationship or an attachment that isn't healthy. It shows the turmoil inside that one goes through when one suppresses one's emotions and yet tries to be in control. The minimalist production on this track amplifies the emotional weight in letting go, with the listener feeling the silence and solitude often accompanying such a decision. What's often expected of men is to "tough it out" and keep emotional pain concealed, but this song captures the reality of how hard it is to move on while still working through and fighting feelings that have not been resolved. This is a raw expression of the emotional isolation that may come with trying to keep everything intact on the surface. Finally, "bury a friend" is one of Billie's darker, more experimental tracks; it resonates because it taps into the fear of confronting inner demons. There's just something hauntingly eerie to this song that really speaks to the discomfort many face when battling their own personal mental health struggles. For men, this often means pressure to maintain a facade of strength-to hide vulnerabilities and emotional battles. This song, however, clings to the darker, uncomfortable aspects of mental health, forcing the listener to face those internal fears. The lyrics dive into fear, identity, and self-destruction, echoing a mantra of inner turmoil that many men could suppress. Aggressive beats and eerie production almost capture the suppressed emotions of one's body clawing its way to the surface. It tells us, quite poignantly, that there are moments in time when we must confront the very things we work the hardest to hide, even when it's unsettling. All three of these songs collectively create this sense of vulnerability, fear, and emotional conflict in a way that feels so real to me. Billie Eilish's music creates a realization that it is okay to confront such struggles openly and that there is strength in allowing ourselves to be vulnerable, no matter how difficult that may feel.

As a first-generation college graduate originally from Queens, New York, I might not fit the typical mold of someone passionate about agriculture or farming. However, my experiences and interests have led me down a unique path that connects my love for healthcare with a desire to contribute to my community through sustainable farming and urban agriculture. I am proud to be an alumnus of the University of South Florida in Tampa, where I initially studied biomedical sciences. Now, I am pursuing a second bachelor’s degree in nursing at Keiser University, with a focus on becoming a critical care nurse in the ICU. While much of my background has involved long shifts in hospitals—working in air-conditioned rooms and at the bedsides of patients—I have always had a deep appreciation for the outdoors. Outside of the clinical setting, I am always yearning for grass under my feet, the sun shining down, and some outdoor activity. My passion for outdoor activities, from camping and hiking to fishing, has inspired me to pursue a dream of owning land and growing my own food. Although healthcare and nursing are at the core of my career aspirations, my love for nature and the environment runs parallel to these interests. As someone who envisions themselves not only caring for patients but also caring for the community, I dream of being involved in agriculture and learning more about farming, hydroponics, and sustainable food production. Tampa Bay is growing rapidly, with urban sprawl consuming much of the green space that is essential for a healthy, thriving community. I believe it is crucial to preserve as much green space as possible, and I am especially passionate about seeing more community gardens and urban farms become integrated into the city’s landscape. Shared green spaces provide immense benefits to communities, offering a source of food, joy, peace and engagement for both young people and the elderly. They foster community involvement, promote mental health, and offer educational opportunities that can inspire future generations to live more sustainably. As I continue my journey toward becoming a critical care nurse, I also see myself working to create initiatives that promote urban agriculture in Tampa Bay. I envision a future where community gardens and urban farms play a critical role in ensuring food security, improving environmental sustainability, and fostering a greater sense of belonging for residents. Receiving this scholarship would be an incredible support in helping me achieve my goals, both in healthcare and in contributing to a more sustainable and connected community. It would be another push towards my goals in life that will enable me to really make an impact in my community. I am grateful for your time and consideration as I work toward making a lasting impact in Tampa Bay. Thank you!

I'm a male nursing student in Tampa, Florida who is contributing to the positive changes in nursing by challenging the stereotype, fighting for diversity, and showing patient-centered care can be performed just as well by male nursing staff. Nursing has always been seen as a female-dominated profession, and it would be an opportunity to help break down such barriers. I look forward to showing that nursing can be a career that aptly suits any man who has passion and the right skill set to deliver quality, compassionate patient care. I look forward to being a role model for men who consider joining the nursing profession, hence bringing diversity into the profession, which improves patient care due to different perspectives at the bedside. Clear-headed under pressure, thinking critically and working collaboratively within interdisciplinary teams will form the basis of my performance in the setting to which I am deeply committed: critical care. I bring resilience and determination into my work, borne from overcoming adversity and striving toward goals. I understand that empathy, communication, and attention to detail are essential in environments such as critical care, where high stakes are inherent. These characteristics would help me gain their trust and the trust of their family members, which would promote a healing environment. I also plan to be an advocate for mental health and wellness, both with patients and with co-workers. Many times, nurses burn out due to emotional and physical demands from the job. It is through this promotion of self-care, stress management techniques, and fostering a work culture of support that I am able to offer a much healthier environment to coworkers. This would improve individual well-being and, finally, the quality of patient care. I am committed to lifelong learning and finding joy in keeping updated on current healthcare issues. Nursing is, after all, a field in constant evolution, and by way of further education and professional development, I will be able to give the best level of care possible to my patients. Through this, and living in Tampa, with its vast populations of individuals from diverse backgrounds, I will also nurture cultural awareness, consideration, and appreciation of the different walks of life and needs of all individuals with whom I will have contact. My interest in community outreach, especially regarding under-served areas, keeps me volunteering within the community by educating the public on health concerns and working out ways to reduce the gaps of health disparities to improve livelihoods in Tampa. As a male nurse, my role is to provide service not only within a hospital but to contribute more extensively toward the health of a community. In short, a male nurse in Tampa will be able to bring diversity, empathy, resilience, and a commitment toward professional growth within the field of nursing. It is my hope that through patient advocacy, supportive colleagues, and community contribution, an enduring and positive impact on the profession will be made.

As a student nurse, my passion for math is more than just a fondness for numbers—it's a crucial component of providing effective and safe patient care. Math intersects with nursing in numerous ways, and my love for it stems from several key areas where it enhances my clinical practice. First and foremost, math is integral to accurate medication administration. In my classes and real life clinical days, calculating dosages, determining infusion rates, and adjusting medication quantities based on patient weight or other factors require precise mathematical skills. Mistakes in these calculations can have serious consequences, so my enjoyment of math helps me to stay meticulous and focused. It gives me confidence in handling complex dosage problems, which is vital in ensuring patient safety. Moreover, math aids in interpreting and analyzing vital signs and lab results. Understanding the normal ranges for blood pressure, heart rate, and lab values involves math. It allows me to quickly identify deviations from normal ranges, which can be critical for early detection of potential health issues. My affinity for math enables me to process these values with greater ease, ensuring timely and accurate responses to patient needs. In addition, mathematical concepts are essential for understanding statistical data and research in nursing. Whether it’s evaluating the effectiveness of a new treatment protocol or understanding the prevalence of certain conditions, math provides the tools to analyze data critically and make evidence-based decisions. My enthusiasm for math enhances my ability to engage with research literature, contributing to better-informed clinical practices. Finally, my love for math supports my organizational and problem-solving skills. From creating schedules and managing time efficiently to handling complex care plans and prioritizing tasks, math underpins my ability to remain organized and effective in a fast-paced environment. In essence, my appreciation for math enriches my nursing practice by ensuring accuracy, enhancing data interpretation, supporting research engagement, and bolstering organizational skills. It transforms complex clinical tasks into manageable and precise actions, ultimately leading to better patient care and outcomes.

As a student pursuing a second bachelor degree, I chose nursing because I came to the realization that I love the interpersonal nature of direct patient care at the bedside. I love challenging myself to engage in critical thinking about the needs of patients, and I am always willing to be there in someone's worst moments. I was most inspired to pursue nursing, develop my skills and turned it into my passion when I worked alongside numerous amazing nurses during the covid pandemic, who performed miracles day in and day out to make patients safer, improve outcomes and make patients more comfortable. The hospital I started in went from 24 covid patients to over 160 in a 6 week span, and I was thrown into the fire on a busy cardiac unit. I quickly learned the basics, experienced losing patients, experienced working alongside new nurses and veterans nurses alike, and grew to respect the profession at a new level. All of these experiences gifted me a fresh perspective on my goals as a healthcare professional, and gave me a renewed sense of direction as a former pre-medical student that had gone through a few years of feeling lost. I understood that I prioritized people, interpersonal connections, flexibility, work life balance, and the opportunities to expand my scope in nursing as a career after some of these experiences. I want to be there for people in my community. My goals are to complete my current accelerated BSN program and hopefully enter a nurse residency program in the ICU at Tampa General Hospital or one of the larger hospitals in the area that can provide the most opportunity to expand my skillset. While being a huge first step, I know that with patience, guidance, and an open mind to learn and acquire new skills, that I can accomplish my goal of starting in the ICU. I have always leaned towards critical care, as I saw ICU nurses perform at the highest levels during the pandemic. I always appreciated the critical care nurses' vast knowledge and the way that they were always eager to show me how the ventilators worked, or how certain medications worked along with other details of critical care. They made me realize my desire to be there in patient's worst moments and handle the most critical cases. I would love to serve my community and grow into a competent, skilled, knowledgeable ICU nurse and be able to work in any setting eventually. The dream is to travel in other states, save up and hopefully be admitted to CRNA school a few years down the line, and hopefully this scholarship can aid in reaching those goals one day!

From a young age, I was very invested in the world of science. As far back as kindergarten, I would watch animal planet, discovery channel, read science magazines, read about astronomy, biology and learn about new inventions. Now I read about epidemiology, pathophysiology, healthcare innovations, the nursing field and disease processes as a nursing student. My curiosity to understand how things worked around me and profound interest in the human body set the foundation for my future aspirations. My career goals initially involved medicine, however I am now pursuing a career in critical care nursing, with the end goal of becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist and to do work in research as well. My interest in the sciences began during elementary school when I encountered my first tastes of biology and physical sciences. This initial spark was further ignited in high school, where I had the opportunity to participate in a hands-on laboratory experience, learn chemistry, and more advanced biology. These experiences solidified the foundation for my desire to delve deeper into the scientific world and explore a career in healthcare. The journey to where I am now has not been easy. Coming from a background with limited financial resources and support, I had to work multiple jobs to support my education. Balancing work and studies was a constant challenge, but it taught me invaluable lessons in time management, resilience, and determination. Earning a scholarship such as this one would be an enormous aid in my pursuit of a career as a critical care nurse, as it would assist me in affording books and other resources I need to be successful. The pathway to achieving my dreams is to finish my accelerated BSN program, pass the NCLEX exam and become a registered nurse working in the ICU. This aspiration stems from a deeply rooted desire to make a tangible difference in people's lives during their most vulnerable moments. I want to be there in my patient's worst moments. In conclusion, my journey towards a career in science and healthcare has been shaped by a deep-seated passion for understanding the human body and a commitment to making a difference in people's lives. The challenges I have faced as a first-generation college student have only strengthened my determination to succeed. With the support of this scholarship, I am more confident that I can achieve my goal of becoming a critical care nurse and contribute positively to the field of healthcare. Thank you for considering my application and for supporting students like myself in their educational and professional endeavors.

As a first-generation college student of Latino origin, my identity as an underrepresented minority man has profoundly shaped my journey at every stop in my life and continues to influence my path forward. From a young age I was always drilled on the importance of education and attending college in order to climb the socioeconomic ladder, so that one day I would not struggle as my parents and grandparents have. However, growing up I often found myself navigating landscapes where higher education was not a common experience within my family or community, or often where I had to reckon with imposter syndrome. I am a first generation student from a primarily single income household for much of my upbringing pursuing a second bachelor degree in nursing on my own. My goal is to gain experience as an ICU nurse, work as a travel nurse in order to pay off debts and save up to hopefully one day attend CRNA school and earn my doctorate in nurse anesthesia. The realization of this lifetime goal would enable me to truly help my parents, family and friends, and ultimately that is at the core of my motivations for my life goals. As a first generation student, one of the most prominent challenges for me was the lack of a roadmap and a lack of guidance from my family. Neither of my parents had gone through the college experience, so I have navigated the complexities of procuring loans for school, the overall intricacies of surviving a 4 year degree once, and a 16 month accelerated BSN in the present. This has included everything from understanding the admissions process, securing financial aid, and balancing academic responsibilities with the need to work multiple jobs to support myself. I am currently working as a nurse extern in a local hospital as much as I can, and it has not been enough. There have been times where I have had finances in the single digits to my name, as recently as a month ago. I have had to sell some of my belongings to make ends meet and afford my books and car payment without resorting to borrowing any more loans. Despite these difficulties, I know that my perseverance and resilience will prepare me for the arduous road ahead as a first generation student and future new grad nurse in critical care, and that any scholarships will help me reach my goals. My identity also brought a unique perspective to my educational journey. Being part of an underrepresented minority population meant that I frequently found myself in environments where few shared my background. This is evident in my cohort, as I am one of two Hispanic students in a class that is overwhelmingly white and affluent. This sometimes led to feelings of inadequacy in terms of resources, as well as some feelings of not belonging at times, but it also fuels my determination to succeed and to represent my community and family. I am acutely aware of the importance of diversity in education and in the nursing field, and as a first generation, Latino, male nursing student, I will always advocate for others following similar paths. In summary, my journey as a first-generation college student has been shaped by both challenges and strengths that have molded me. These experiences have equipped me with resilience, and a commitment to fostering diversity and inclusivity for others looking to advance their careers and especially in healthcare. As I work towards becoming a critical care nurse, I carry lessons learned and the determination to make a difference despite my background.

As a first-generation college student of Latino origin, my identity as an underrepresented minority man has profoundly shaped my journey at every stop in my life and continues to influence my path forward. From a young age I was always drilled on the importance of education and attending college in order to climb the socioeconomic ladder, so that one day I would not struggle as my parents and grandparents have. However, growing up I often found myself navigating landscapes where higher education was not a common experience within my family or community, or often where I had to reckon with imposter syndrome. I am a first generation student from a primarily single income household for much of my upbringing pursuing a second bachelor degree in nursing on my own. My goal is to gain experience as an ICU nurse, work as a travel nurse in order to pay off debts and save up to hopefully one day attend CRNA school and earn my doctorate in nurse anesthesia. The realization of this lifetime goal would enable me to truly help my parents, family and friends, and ultimately that is at the core of my motivations for my life goals. As a first generation student, one of the most prominent challenges for me was the lack of a roadmap and a lack of guidance from my family. Neither of my parents had gone through the college experience, so I have navigated the complexities of procuring loans for school, the overall intricacies of surviving a 4 year degree once, and a 16 month accelerated BSN in the present. This has included everything from understanding the admissions process, securing financial aid, and balancing academic responsibilities with the need to work multiple jobs to support myself. I am currently working as a nurse extern in a local hospital as much as I can, and it has not been enough. There have been times where I have had finances in the single digits to my name, as recently as a month ago. I have had to sell some of my belongings to make ends meet and afford my books and car payment without resorting to borrowing any more loans. Despite these difficulties, I know that my perseverance and resilience I developed during this time will prepare me for the arduous road ahead as a first generation student and future new grad nurse in critical care. My identity also brought a unique perspective to my educational journey. Being part of an underrepresented minority population meant that I frequently found myself in environments where few shared my background. This is evident in my cohort, as I am one of two Hispanic students in a class that is overwhelmingly white and affluent. This sometimes led to feelings of inadequacy in terms of resources, as well as some feelings of not belonging at times, but it also fuels my determination to succeed and to represent my community and family. I am acutely aware of the importance of diversity in education and in the nursing field, and as a first generation, Latino, male nursing student, I will always advocate for others following similar paths. In summary, my journey as a first-generation college student has been shaped by both challenges and strengths that have molded me. These experiences have equipped me with resilience, and a commitment to fostering diversity and inclusivity for others looking to advance their careers and especially in healthcare. As I work towards becoming a critical care nurse, I carry lessons learned and the determination to make a positive impact for my future patients and for my community.

As a first-generation college student of Latino origin, my identity as an underrepresented minority man has profoundly shaped my journey at every stop in my life and continues to influence my path forward. Growing up, I often found myself navigating landscapes where higher education was not a common experience within my family or community, or often where I had to reckon with imposter syndrome. I am a first generation student from a primarily single income household for much of my upbringing pursuing a second bachelor degree in nursing on my own. These issues brought both unique challenges and opportunities that have significantly impacted my life. One of the most prominent challenges for me was the lack of a roadmap and a lack of guidance from my family. Neither of my parents had gone through the college experience, so I have navigated the complexities of procuring loans for school, the overall intricacies of surviving a 4 year degree once, and a 16 month accelerated BSN in the present. This has included everything from understanding the admissions process, securing financial aid, and balancing academic responsibilities with the need to work multiple jobs to support myself. I am currently working as a nurse extern in a local hospital as much as I can, and it has not been enough. There have been times where I have had finances in the single digits to my name, as recently as a month ago. The financial pressures have been so high that at times I have had to sell some of my belongings to make ends meet and afford my books and car payment without resorting to borrowing any more loans. Despite these difficulties, I know that my perseverance and resilience I developed during this time will prepare me for the arduous road ahead as a first generation student and future new grad nurse in critical care. My identity also brought a unique perspective to my educational journey. Being part of an underrepresented minority population meant that I frequently found myself in environments where few shared my background. This is evident in my cohort, as I am one of two Hispanic students in a class that is overwhelmingly white and affluent. This sometimes led to feelings of inadequacy in terms of resources, as well as some feelings of not belonging at times, but it also fuels my determination to succeed and to represent my community and family. I am acutely aware of the importance of diversity in education and in the nursing field, and as a first generation, Latino, male nursing student, I will always advocate for others following similar paths. In summary, my journey as a first-generation college student of Latino origin has been shaped by both challenges and strengths that have molded me. These experiences have equipped me with resilience, and a commitment to fostering diversity and inclusivity for others looking to advance their careers and especially in healthcare. As I work towards becoming a critical care nurse, I carry lessons learned and the determination to make a positive impact.

If you had asked me 5 years ago if I would be pursuing a BSN degree and a career in nursing I would have denied it, but time, experience and seeing some of the realities of healthcare made me change my tune in the last couple of years. I was always interested in science, mathematics, and going back to high school I knew that my future was likely rooted in healthcare or engineering. I attended USF Tampa for a pre-medical degree and was grateful to graduate in 4 years, however I knew that I was not going to pursue medicine due to the financial requirements that come with such an endeavor. I began working in a local hospital in 2021 in the middle of the worst stretch of the pandemic as a PCT, and worked on a cardiac unit where we also took care of covid patients and through that first year, I gained so much respect for the nursing profession. The nurses were some of the toughest, most flexible, and hardest working individuals I have had the honor of working alongside. They were always willing to teach me new things, make me a better healthcare professional, and inspired me to pursue nursing overall. I never realized how rewarding it is to be at the bedside during a patient's worst moments and be there when they make it out of those moments. I felt pride in being emotional and physical support for a family that had just lost their loved one in my unit, and felt pride giving a deceased patient dignity while performing post-mortem care. These experiences, on the cardiac floor for a year, and now another 2 years on a women's health and med surg unit, in addition to floating through the ICU, ortho, surgical, and emergency units have both prepared me and inspired me to pursue a career in nursing. I have thoroughly enjoyed floating to the ICU and emergency department, and realize that I enjoy critical care most so far out of any specialty within nursing. During my time working at my hospital I have been nominated as PCT of the month multiple times, and I take great pride in being part of the nursing team despite not being an RN, and I look forward to finishing my accelerated BSN program in 9 months and becoming an ICU nurse! My dream is to get some experience in the ICU and travel through the US as a travel nurse, and if things align, to eventually pursue anesthesia after that! If chosen, this scholarship will be a great aid in helping me reach my goals and dreams.

Everyone encounters adversity, and these challenges often shape who we become. I am no stranger to such challenges in life, and as a young man trying to cultivate my life, I have faced adversity and made plenty of mistakes. I am a first-generation college student, my parents dreamed of college but could not afford to pursue those dreams when they were my age. Growing up and for most of my college experience, we lived on one income in a 5-6 person household. I have earned everything that has come my way in life, and I have no fear of facing adversity. I am proud to represent my family today while pursuing my goals of becoming a critical care nurse and hopefully, one day a travel nurse, and certified registered nurse anesthetist after that. During my first undergraduate degree, I was juggling the demands of college, the pressures of multiple jobs, and the isolation of navigating higher education without a support system. I did not have many friends at this time, and I was fresh off of a very bad relationship. This is a reality for many first-generation students and young men in general. Balancing coursework, studying, and job responsibilities is no easy task. However, this stressful time in my life allowed me to be the first person in my family to earn a bachelor degree and graduate from a 4 year university. The challenges during my first degree helped me to mature, grow new relationships, and discover my passions for healthcare. I am currently pursuing a second bachelor degree in nursing to obtain the title of Registered Nurse after 3 years out of college from my previous degree. I am enrolled in an accelerated BSN program in Tampa, FL, and I am so eager to learn, grow and be able to serve my community. The times of adversity in my first degree, and the myriad of times where I doubted myself during the 3 years between, forced me to look in the mirror and internalize the advice that I would give to others trying to figure out what they want from life. I would tell them; No matter how old you are, how long it has been, or what doubts you may have, just go for it. Time will still pass, you will get older and not make the progress you are so very capable of making. Take the leap and push to create the life you have always been capable of living. My goals are to become an ICU nurse at one of the larger hospitals in my area, get a few years of experience, volunteer in my community, save and pay my debts, work travel contracts, and one day in the near future be able to pay my parent's house off. Whether I become a certified registered nurse anesthetist or not, I always want to help my family, those less fortunate than myself, and serve my community through local clinics and benefit trips, and it all comes from pushing through adversity.

As a non-traditional student now pursuing a second degree, life has been very difficult. I am 26 years old, and even though my age begins with a 2, I feel so far behind the curve compared to my peers. I am pursuing a second bachelor degree in nursing, which has proven to be very tedious and expensive in my accelerated program. I was previously interested in physician assistant school, but after 3 years of working in a hospital alongside nurses, I grew to love their work, their schedule, flexibility, and very personal care for patients. When I first starting working in the hospital, the idea was to get one year of experience and apply for physician assistant school, and this was in 2021 during the height of the pandemic. My introduction to healthcare was helping to take care of my grandmother after an Alzheimer's diagnosis, and a few years later being hired onto a short staffed cardiac unit that was converted to have covid patients on half of the unit, and we had some very sick patients. My second day on the job, I had to help perform post-mortem care for a patient, and I found myself realizing how much I appreciated the job that the nursing staff was doing. I realized that I was not afraid of having very sick patients under my care, or afraid of the responsibilities that come with direct patient care, but rather that I welcomed the challenges that came with them. As my experience compounded, I learned more and more from picking the nurses' brains in the ICU, med surg, surgical, cardiac, emergency department and other units, leading me to come to the conclusion that I was very interested in pivoting to nursing as my career path. After 3 years of not being in school, I was very intimidated by the idea of going back to school, and I did experience a bit of imposter syndrome being a non traditional student. At first I did not feel as if I were good enough to do an accelerated BSN, in part due to being a non traditional student at 26, due to financial constraints, and also due to being out of school for 3 years. Once I leaned into my experience at the hospital, my experiences as a first generation student, and my overall life experiences, I found the confidence to push forward and I am nearly half way through my journey to become a nurse! Once I complete my program, pass my boards and begin work, my dream is to save lives in the ICU and inspire other non traditional student to pivot and find their calling!

Being a first generation, first time college student was difficult enough coming from a family that could not afford to send me there without scholarships in the first place, but being a non-traditional student now pursuing a second degree has been just as difficult. I am 26 years old, and even though my age begins with a 2, I feel so far behind the curve compared to my peers. I am pursuing a second bachelor degree in nursing, which has proven to be very tedious and expensive. I was previously interested in physician assistant school, but after 3 years of working in a hospital alongside nurses, I grew to love their work, their schedule, flexibility, and very personal care for patients. When I first starting working in the hospital, the idea was to get one year of experience and apply for physician assistant school, and this was in 2021 during the height of the pandemic. My introduction to healthcare was being hired onto a short staffed cardiac unit that was converted to have covid patients on half of the unit, and we had some very sick patients. My second day on the job, I had to help perform post-mortem care for a patient, and I found myself realizing how much I appreciated the job that the nursing staff was doing. I realized that I was not afraid of having very sick patients under my care, or afraid of the responsibilities that come with direct patient care, but rather that I welcomed the challenges that came with them. As my experience compounded and I learned more and more from picking the nurses' brains in the ICU, med surg, surgical, cardiac, emergency department and other units, leading me to come to the conclusion that I was very interested in pivoting to nursing as my career path. After 3 years of not being in school, I was very intimidated by the idea of going back to school, and I did experience a bit of imposter syndrome being a non traditional student. At first I did not feel as if I were good enough to do an accelerated BSN, in part due to being a non traditional student at 26, due to financial constraints, and also due to being out of school for 3 years. Once I leaned into my experience at the hospital, my experiences as a first generation student, and my overall life experiences, I found the confidence to push forward and I am nearly half way through my journey to become a nurse! Once I complete my program, pass my boards and begin work, my dream is to save lives in the ICU and inspire other non traditional student to pivot and find their calling!

As a student pursuing a second bachelor degree, I chose nursing because I came to the realization that I love the interpersonal nature of direct patient care at the bedside. I love challenging myself to engage in critical thinking about the needs of patients, and I am always willing to be there in someone's worst moments. I was most inspired to pursue nursing when I worked alongside numerous amazing nurses during the covid pandemic, who performed miracles day in and day out to make patients safer, improve outcomes and make patients more comfortable. The hospital I started in went from 24 covid patients to over 160 in a 6 week span, and I was thrown into the fire on a busy cardiac unit. I quickly learned the basics, experienced losing patients, experienced working alongside new nurses and veterans nurses alike, and grew to respect the profession at a new level. All of these experiences gifted me a fresh perspective on my goals as a healthcare professional, and gave me a renewed sense of direction as a former pre-medical student that had gone through a few years of feeling lost. I understood that I prioritized people, interpersonal connections, flexibility, work life balance, and the opportunities to expand my scope in nursing as a career after some of these experiences. My goals are to complete my current accelerated BSN program and hopefully enter a nurse residency program in the ICU at Tampa General Hospital or one of the larger hospitals in the area that can provide the most opportunity to expand my skillset. While being a huge first step, I know that with patience, guidance, and an open mind to learn and acquire new skills, that I can accomplish my goal of starting in the ICU. I have always leaned towards critical care, as I saw ICU nurses perform at the highest levels during the pandemic. I always appreciated the critical care nurses' vast knowledge and the way that they were always eager to show me how the ventilators worked, or how certain medications worked along with other details of critical care. They made me realize my desire to be there in patient's worst moments and handle the most critical cases. I would love to serve my community and grow into a competent, skilled, knowledgeable ICU nurse and be able to work in any setting eventually. The dream is to travel in other states, save up and hopefully be admitted to CRNA school a few years down the line, and hopefully this scholarship can aid in reaching those goals one day!