My father was a career military helicopter pilot, spending 21 years active duty flying the AH-64 (and its many variants) before finally retiring in August of 2024. As such, I grew up as a military brat and moved all over the country from Ft. Rucker, AL (twice); Hunter AAF, GA; Ft. Leavenworth, KS; Ft. Bliss, TX; Nellis AFB, NV; and Ft. Bragg, NC (twice), while also experiencing my dad deploy to both Afghanistan and Iraq while I was younger. While hectic, growing up in the military lifestyle was one that taught me much about how duty and service can impact one’s life. Sacrificing one’s time, energy, life, and other pursuits to serve the United States is a challenge that not many take up, but is an incredibly honorable one. Seeing this as I grew up, influenced who I am morally and mentally to this very day. Over the last year and a half, I’ve become very interested in the healthcare field. Last year, I wanted to be healthier myself so I started learning more about diet and exercise, the human body, and chemistry. I was also interested in becoming a 68W combat medic, as many of my friends from JROTC were joining or planning on joining the military. I was only a junior, so I had some time to think. Between the desire to help others, the leadership characteristics I gained in JROTC, my own religious convictions, and my high capabilities in academics, going to college to pursue an education in nursing felt right. Although I have decided not to join the United States military at this time, I wish to serve in another way through nursing. I have been accepted as a direct admit to the nursing program and honors program at West Virginia University. I am excited to be able to obtain a quality education at WVU where I will have the opportunity to do most of my clinicals at a Level 1 trauma hospital and gain invaluable experience. I will also be able to network within the world of nursing, and to look for opportunities to serve in and improve in the field. WVU is around 90 minutes from Pittsburg, PA, where a large veteran population lives. I hope to be able to volunteer and work with the veteran population while I am there. My long-term career goals are to gain experience in the emergency room and critical care sector of nursing which are required for graduate school. I plan to apply to a Doctorate in Nursing Practice in Anesthesia program and eventually become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). I want to become a CRNA to help make others as comfortable from pain and suffering as possible. Whether it be providing a nerve block during a surgery, giving a laboring mother an epidural, or helping others sleep through uncomfortable procedures, I hope to serve whoever I come in contact with, to the highest degree of professionalism and expertise plus some humility mixed in. Nursing is a field that constantly needs expanding to serve the ever-growing demand for health care workers. Healthcare is a rapidly changing field, with new techniques and innovations constantly being made. Staying up to date could be the difference in saving or improving a patient’s quality of life for the better. Staying on top of the advances in nursing will be a priority for myself while I work. Additionally, I plan to serve in underprivileged areas, specifically rural areas with little support. Being able to provide for those who need it more than ever is a way I hope to impact my communities.