Growing up, I had a lot of family members in and out of the hospital, and while that was not an ideal situation, it taught me that nurses can make or break someone's experience. When my grandmother was in the hospital for several weeks, there was one nurse who made a lasting impression on me. She always took the time to talk to my grandma and reassure her when she was anxious or in pain. I know she was extremely busy, but she still took time out of her busy shift to talk to my grandma and listen to her worries. Seeing that level of compassion and patience stuck with me. I started noticing that when I visited a family member in the hospital, the nurses were the most hands-on and provided the most care. While doctors are important, nurses are the ones who can advocate for patients' needs and spend the most time with them to understand what they need. I want to be the kind of nurse who cares not only about a patient's physical health but also their mental health. I was there for my family while they were in the hospital, but what about the people who don't have a family, who don't have support, and who only have the people in the hospital to check up on them? I am going to be the nurse who is there, the nurse who checks on them and listens. I am going to be someone they can count on, regardless of whether they have a support system. Watching the compassion, dedication, and strength it takes to be a nurse inspired me when I was young to become one. I am drawn to a STEM career because it allows me to use science and critical thinking to improve people's lives. When I was a kid, science was always my best subject, and I would go beyond what we were learning in school to learn more. I love learning about the human body, chemistry, and what is happening in the world around us because science is truly everywhere. Nursing requires a strong understanding of STEM subjects, such as biology, chemistry, anatomy, and technology, and also involves the service side, caring for patients at some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. By having knowledge of the STEM subjects, I can also inform patients about the best route to take, and I will have the problem-solving skills to address problems that arise during treatment. I love that nursing will give me the ability to combine my knowledge of STEM subjects with my compassionate traits to make a difference in so many people's lives. As a nurse, I hope to use my STEM knowledge to uplift the community by promoting health, educating patients, and advocating for those without a strong support system. There are many barriers to healthcare, including limited access to information and resources. As a nurse, I hope to use my education to equip patients with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their health. The experiences I had supporting my family through illness taught me to be patient, resilient, and adaptable, even when facing uncertainty or stress. These challenges helped me become more empathetic and driven to support others in difficult times. By applying scientific knowledge, I hope to make informed decisions about patient needs and improve patient care, so they can leave the hospital feeling respected and cared for.

Change can start with small, consistent acts of kindness, which can lead to instrumental results. Through serving, I have grown as a person while also assisting in the development of my community. Volunteering has shaped me into the person I am today. Serving other people is so powerful, and I hope that everyone dedicates themselves to serving, even if it is just small acts. Those acts could change someone’s life in an unimaginable way. During high school I have been involved in HOSA-Health Occupations Students of America, BETA club, and the National Honor Society. These clubs have given me the opportunity to serve my community by participating in peer tutoring, donating clothes and goods for people in need, setting up events for the community, and much more. Through HOSA, I developed my passion for healthcare. I have developed a passion for helping others which and this made me love nursing and pursue my career in the field as it is deeply rooted in helping others. Contributing to BETA club and National Honor Society has enhanced my leadership and service skills. As a member of these organizations, I have participated events that have aided the community like 5k’s and events for surrounding schools. These events have helped me grow as a person reminding me that everything that someone can do to help other matters. I have boosted my qualities and traits through participating in these club and plan to continue doing similar activities as I flip the page and venture into college. My most impactful and heartfelt commitment has been volunteering every Sunday morning at my church since the tenth grade. I serve as a small group leader for elementary-aged children, where I have moved up in grade with them, starting in third grade, and they are graduating this year in fifth grade. Through these three years, I have led my kids through lessons and activities that will aid in their character and faith. This role is so much more than teaching for me; it is about building relationships and being consistent in their lives. I could never know what is going on in their home life, I could be the only consistent part of their lives, so I prioritize showing up whenever I physically can so I can be a person that they expect to always be there for them. I strive to create a space where every kid feels seen and valued. I have watched so many kids blossom throughout the years and open as I have become a steady person in their lives. Volunteering at church has improved my patience and empathy skills and highlighted that showing up matters. Every week, I look forward to Sundays to be there for the kids and growing my relationships with them. These experiences have helped me love serving. Service is not about the recognition you may gain from it or being in charge; it is about helping people and lifting others up. I plan to continue living a life in healthcare, not only by pursuing a career in healthcare but also by volunteering in my community as I continue into college.

Growing up, mental health was never a prevalent conversation in my household. Mental health was a topic that was overlooked in my family, making it a bigger problem than it already is. However, I could observe the struggles that my family and I were going through. Many of these instances inflicted my choice of becoming a nurse. Growing up, I moved seven times. With relocating that many times and having my life rearranged about every three years, I have had my fair share of anxiety and isolation. These parts of my life were complex. I grappled with finding new friends and a new sense of normal each time. However, these instances taught me how crucial mental health is and the toll it can take on your well-being. I started talking to trusted adults who knew the importance of mental health and slowly started learning how big an impact mental health can make on someone’s life. My experiences in elementary and middle school helped shape the person I became in high school. I went into all my friendships knowing that mental health should be talked about and not bottled up. Many conversations that I have had with my peers made me realize that the majority of people are facing their mental health struggles on their own. I realized that mental health conversations need to start becoming more normalized. I genuinely believe all these conversations with my peers have helped them and me become more compassionate and open. As I went through high school, having the conversations and developing into a more emotionally conscious person helped me discover my passion for nursing. I believe that mental health should be a big part of patient care and not treated as an afterthought. While patients are going through treatment, their mental health should not be overlooked because I have seen how having bad mental health can impact people’s bodies, and why would something that would have an impact on the very thing the healthcare professional is trying to cure be overlooked? I want to be the nurse who treats them medically and emotionally. Far too many patients deal with depression, anxiety, or trauma while being treated, and some do not even have family or friends to be with them through the challenging portion of their lives. Whether in a hospital, private practice, or just going about my daily life, I will continue to advocate for policies that will aid mental health. I want to use my nursing career to truly change nursing, for it is a way to bridge the gap between physical and psychological health. My experience growing up and how my personality has evolved make me confident that I will use my career holistically to care about physical and mental health.