I have always been drawn to being a caregiver. From a very young age, I started babysitting for family friends. When I got my first job in high school, I worked as a veterinary assistant. I knew then that I had a passion for caring for those who were in need or suffering. I loved taking care of animals, but I felt a calling to go to nursing school when my grandmother became very sick with cancer. I spent a great deal of time with her in the hospital, and I loved the smile it put on her face when I took the time to make sure she was cared for, comfortable, and felt loved. That experience showed me how meaningful compassion and kindness can be during someone's most difficult moments. I began my nursing career right out of high school. I completed LVN school and began working with geriatric patients when I was 21 years old. I have always wanted to go back to school for my RN degree, but I chose to put my role as a mother first. I also didn't want to leave the skilled nursing facility where I work because it has become like a second home to me. Over the past 21 years, I have devoted my career to caring for the elderly members of my community. Building relationships with my patients and their families has been one of the most rewarding parts of my life, and I am honored to provide comfort, dignity, and support during every stage of their care. My goal has always been to become an RN and to work at our local hospital while continuing to serve the community I proudly call home. I believe earning my RN will allow me to expand my knowledge, take on greater responsibilities, and make an even greater impact on the lives of my patients. Over the past few years, I have committed myself to finishing school, and I was accepted into the LVN-to-RN Bridge Program through Arkansas State University. This is truly a dream come true for me, but it also comes with significant financial challenges, including out-of-state tuition, books, supplies, and travel expenses for clinical rotations. Receiving this scholarship would ease that financial burden and allow me to focus on succeeding in my program. More importantly, it would help me achieve my lifelong dream of becoming an RN so I can continue giving back to those in need with the same compassion and dedication that has guided me throughout my career. Thank you for your consideration.

My decision to pursue a Registered Nurse (RN) program is rooted in the two people who inspire me most—my daughters. As a devoted mother and a full-time Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), returning to school is both a challenge and an act of courage. That courage comes from watching my daughters grow, learn, and believe in possibility. They remind me every day that fear should never stand in the way of pursuing a better future. Working as an LVN has given me invaluable experience and a strong foundation in patient care. I have had the privilege of supporting patients during vulnerable moments and advocating for their needs. While I am proud of the work I do, I know I can contribute more to the healthcare field by furthering my education. Becoming an RN will allow me to expand my scope of practice and pursue my passion for working in obstetrics or pediatrics, where compassionate care has a lifelong impact on families and children. Motherhood has shaped the nurse I am and the professional I strive to become. Caring for my daughters has deepened my empathy, patience, and resilience—qualities that are essential in OB and pediatric nursing. I want to be present for families during moments of joy, uncertainty, and healing, just as I have been present for my own children. Advancing to an RN role will enable me to provide a higher level of care while advocating more effectively for women and children. Returning to school while working full time and raising a family requires sacrifice, but my daughters give me the strength to move forward. Each late night of studying and every demanding shift is driven by the example I want to set for them. I want them to see that growth often requires stepping outside of comfort zones and that perseverance can overcome fear. By continuing my education, I am showing them that it is never too late to chase a dream and that hard work truly pays off. Receiving this scholarship would provide essential support as I take this next step in my education. It would ease the financial burden of pursuing an RN program and allow me to focus fully on my academic and professional development. More importantly, it would reinforce the lesson I hope to pass on to my daughters—that determination, education, and courage can open doors to opportunities once thought out of reach. Completing an RN program will allow me to serve my community with greater skill, compassion, and confidence. It will also stand as a lasting example to my daughters that dreams are achievable through dedication and resilience. I am committed to honoring this opportunity by becoming a nurse who uplifts families and reflects the values this scholarship represents. Thank you for your time and thoughtful consideration.

Pursuing a Registered Nurse (RN) program represents more than a professional goal for me—it is a commitment to my family, my patients, and my future. As a devoted mother of two daughters and a full-time Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), I have learned firsthand the value of perseverance, compassion, and lifelong learning. Furthering my education to become an RN will allow me to expand my impact in healthcare while setting a powerful example for my children. Working as an LVN has been both challenging and rewarding. Each day, I am reminded of the trust patients place in nurses during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Through my experience, I have developed strong clinical skills, empathy, and a deep respect for the nursing profession. However, I have also recognized the limitations of my current role and the desire to do more—particularly in obstetrics or pediatrics, where compassionate, knowledgeable care can shape the earliest stages of life. My passion for working in OB or pediatrics is deeply personal. As a mother, I understand the importance of quality care for women and children. I want to be a nurse who supports families during life-changing moments, whether welcoming a newborn into the world or advocating for a child’s health and well-being. Completing an RN program will equip me with the advanced knowledge, leadership skills, and scope of practice necessary to provide that level of care. Balancing full-time work, motherhood, and education has not been easy, but it has strengthened my determination. My daughters are my greatest motivation. Every decision I have made since the day my oldest daughter was born was for their best interest. Every long shift and late-night study session is fueled by my desire to show them that anything is possible with hard work, discipline, and belief in oneself. I want them to see that challenges do not define us—our response to them does. By continuing my education, I am teaching them the importance of setting goals and seeing them through, even when the path is difficult. Receiving this scholarship would significantly support my journey by easing the financial burden of returning to school. It would allow me to focus more fully on my studies while continuing to provide for my family. More importantly, it would be an investment in a future RN who is committed to compassionate care, professional excellence, and lifelong service to others. I am dedicated to making the most of this opportunity—not only for myself, but for my daughters and the patients I will serve. Completing an RN program will empower me to grow as a nurse and inspire my children to pursue their own dreams with confidence. Thank you for considering my application and for supporting students who strive to create meaningful change through education.

Nursing wasn’t something I consciously chose to pursue. It chose me. When I was 18 years old I watched my grandmother suffer from metastatic colon cancer which spread to her bladder. I was very close to her. I spent many days in the hospital with her and at home caring for her. I naturally felt called to care for her and help her be as comfortable as possible. I cherish those last days I spent with her. After she passed I decided to enroll into a nursing program in her memory. I was accepted into a LVN program at a local junior college and decided to take the opportunity. I always knew that becoming an RN was my end goal and my dream but knew this would be a great way for me to start my journey. After I graduated from LVN school I applied for a position at a skilled nursing facility. I thought that job would just be temporary until I finished school, but God had other plans for me. I fell in love with caring for the elderly. I felt like after the experience I had with my own grandmother passing, God was using me to be a light and care for others’ family members who needed love and care during their last days. I have sincerely loved my career. I know I have been able to make a difference in many people’s lives. That being said, I have never lost that drive to finish school and pursue my degree as an RN. I am very thankful that I have been able to work as a LVN and raise my two beautiful daughters who are now 18 and 13. I began completing the prerequisite courses required to apply to RN programs in 2020 when the covid pandemic hit. I was able to finish most of my prerequisite courses online during that time. The facility I worked for was experiencing a severe nursing shortage during the pandemic and I was called to work overtime shifts, sometimes 16 hours a day to help cover the shortage. My dream of finishing school was put on hold for a few years as I did not want to abandon the facility I worked for. After years of struggling to cover shifts and countless overtime shifts to ensure our patients were cared for, I started to see a light at the end of the tunnel. I decided to pursue my dream once again and I applied to Arkansas State University with a goal of being accepted into their LVN- RN online program. In November of 2025 I received a letter stating I had been accepted into the RN program! I begin the program on 1/12/2026. I am beyond excited to start this journey, but I know it will be difficult. I live in California and will be traveling to Arkansas every 6 weeks for my clinical rotations. There will be many expenses including air fare, hotels, books and tuition. I have spent the last 20 years caring for geriatric patients. It has been very rewarding but I have always had a love and a passion for children and babies. I would love to spend the next chapter of my nursing career caring for babies and children. Completing this RN program will open up opportunities for me to apply for positions in pediatric or neonatal nursing. I am extremely grateful for your consideration of me for this scholarship. Thank you for supporting students who are committed to making a difference in other people’s lives through the profession of nursing.

Nursing wasn’t something I consciously chose to pursue. It chose me. When I was 18 years old I watched my grandmother suffer from metastatic colon cancer which spread to her bladder. I was very close to her. I spent many days in the hospital with her and at home caring for her. I naturally felt called to care for her and help her be as comfortable as possible. I cherish those last days I spent with her. After she passed I decided to enroll into a nursing program in her memory. I was accepted into a LVN program at a local junior college and decided to take the opportunity. I always knew that becoming an RN was my end goal and my dream but knew this would be a great way for me to start my journey. After I graduated from LVN school I applied for a position at a skilled nursing facility. I thought that job would just be temporary until I finished school, but God had other plans for me. I fell in love with caring for the elderly. I felt like after the experience I had with my own grandmother passing, God was using me to be a light and care for others who needed love and care during their last days. I have sincerely loved my career. I know I have been able to make a difference in many people’s lives. That being said, I have never lost that drive to finish school and pursue my degree as an RN. I am very thankful that I have been able to work as a LVN and raise my two beautiful daughters who are now 18 and 13. I began completing the prerequisite courses required to apply to RN programs in 2020 when the covid pandemic hit. I was able to finish most of my prerequisite courses online during that time. The facility I worked for was experiencing a severe nursing shortage during the pandemic and I was called to work overtime shifts, sometimes 16 hours a day to help cover the shortage and care for the elderly. My dream of finishing school was put on hold for a few years as I did not want to abandon the facility I worked for. After years of struggling to cover shifts and countless overtime shifts to ensure our patients were cared for, I started to see a light at the end of the tunnel. We are finally back to a sense of “normal” and I feel confident I can balance my work schedule with school. I decided to pursue my dream once again and I applied to Arkansas State University with a goal of being accepted into their LVN- RN online program. In November of 2025 I received a letter stating I had been accepted into the RN program! I begin the program on 1/12/2026. I am beyond excited to start this journey, but I know it will be difficult. I live in California and will be traveling to Arkansas every 6 weeks for my clinical rotations. There will be many expenses including air fare, hotels, books and tuition. I am extremely grateful for your consideration of me for this scholarship. Thank you for supporting students who are committed to making a difference in other people’s lives through the profession of nursing.