My inspiration to pursue a career in the medical field began when I was ten years old and lost my mother to cancer and scleroderma. At that age, I did not understand everything happening to her. I knew that she was sick, that I loved her, and that I wanted her to come home. Although losing her was painful, the compassion of the nurses who cared for her stayed with me. Their kindness helped me understand that healthcare is about caring for people during moments when they feel frightened and vulnerable. After my mother passed away, my grandmother took me in. She had six children of her own and took in four more children. Now that I am a mother, I understand more clearly the responsibility she accepted. Her example taught me that caring for others requires commitment, patience, and a willingness to show up even when life is difficult. The care my mother received and the support my grandmother provided both shaped my desire to become a nurse. Today, I am pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Galen College of Nursing in San Antonio, Texas, with an anticipated graduation date of September 2027. I also work as a certified pharmacy technician at Methodist Texsan Hospital while raising my son. Working in a hospital has strengthened my interest in healthcare and my desire to take a more direct role in supporting patients. My son’s experiences with asthma have added another personal reason to pursue this career. Watching him struggle to breathe and need emergency care reminded me how helpless a family member can feel. Even with healthcare experience, I have needed clear explanations and reassurance. I want to remember those feelings when I become a nurse so that I never overlook a worried parent or assume a patient understands everything they have been told. I plan to make a difference by serving patients and families in the San Antonio community. I am particularly interested in oncology nursing because cancer has affected my family deeply. I want to help patients understand their treatment, feel comfortable asking questions, and know that their concerns will be taken seriously. I cannot promise to take away someone’s fear, but I can listen and help them feel supported. I also want to look beyond the immediate medical problem. A patient may struggle to obtain medication, find transportation, or attend appointments because of work and family responsibilities. I hope to identify those barriers and collaborate with the healthcare team to connect patients with appropriate resources. As a Black woman entering nursing, I want to contribute to an environment where every patient feels respected and heard. Eventually, I hope to encourage other working parents who want to enter healthcare. I know how challenging it can be to balance school, employment, parenting, and financial pressure. My goal is to build a career that reflects the compassion that helped my family. Through safe care, patient education, and advocacy, I hope to honor my mother’s memory, follow my grandmother’s example, and create a future my son can be proud of.

As a future registered nurse, I want to help people understand how everyday food choices connect to their health without making them feel judged or overwhelmed. I am pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Galen College of Nursing in San Antonio, Texas, while working as a certified pharmacy technician and raising my son. Balancing these responsibilities has helped me understand that knowing what is healthy and having the time, money, and support to make it happen are different challenges. Through my nursing career, I plan to make nutrition education practical and personal. Before giving advice, I want to learn about a patient’s usual meals, cultural preferences, work schedule, and access to groceries. I would ask whether they have a place to prepare and store food and whether their budget affects what they buy. These conversations would help me understand their circumstances and avoid recommending changes that are unrealistic for them. My first step in encouraging healthier eating would be to help patients identify one manageable change. Depending on their needs and care plan, that might mean replacing some sugary drinks with water, adding vegetables to a familiar meal, or planning meals before grocery shopping. I want patients to recognize that progress does not require changing everything at once. Small goals can give them a starting point and a chance to build confidence. My next step would be to explain nutrition information in plain language. I would help patients understand food labels, serving sizes, and the nutrients their healthcare team recommends monitoring. Instead of handing someone a long list of foods to avoid, I would discuss choices they enjoy and explore ways to adapt them. I want healthier eating to feel connected to their life rather than separate from their family traditions. I also plan to work closely with registered dietitians and other healthcare professionals. Patients with complex nutritional needs deserve individualized guidance. As a nurse, I would reinforce their treatment plan, identify questions or barriers, and help connect them with the appropriate professional. I am particularly interested in oncology nursing, where I hope to support patients who find eating difficult during illness or treatment by communicating their concerns to the care team. Access to food would be another priority. If a patient cannot afford enough groceries, education alone will not solve the problem. I would work with social workers and community organizations to help patients explore food assistance, local food pantries, and other available resources. I would approach these conversations respectfully because asking for help can be difficult. Finally, I would use teach-back and follow-up conversations to learn whether my explanations were clear and whether the patient’s goals were working. If a change proved difficult, I would help them reconsider the plan without treating that difficulty as failure. My goal is to help people feel informed and capable of caring for their health. Through listening, realistic education, and collaboration, I hope to make healthier eating more achievable for patients and families in my community.

One moment that deepened my understanding of care was being there for my son during an asthma attack that required emergency treatment. Watching my child struggle to breathe was frightening. I work as a certified pharmacy technician and study nursing, but in that moment, I was a mother worried about her son. My healthcare background did not take away that fear. I could not make the asthma attack stop on my own. What I could do was stay with him while he received care. It may seem like a simple thing for a mother to do, but that experience helped me understand the importance of presence. Sometimes showing up means accepting that you cannot fix everything and still giving someone your attention, love, and support. That moment asked me to live with uncertainty. I wanted answers and reassurance, but I also needed to listen and understand what was happening. It reminded me that needing help does not make someone less capable. There are moments when even people who work in healthcare need someone to slow down, explain, and recognize that they are scared. My son’s experience revealed how closely the patient’s needs and the family’s needs are connected. The child receiving treatment is not the only person affected. A parent may be trying to understand instructions while worrying about what could happen next. I will carry that understanding into my nursing career. I want to remember how it felt to be on the family’s side of care, where unfamiliar information can feel overwhelming and reassurance matters. The emphasis on showing up for others in this prompt about Shaun’s legacy gives me a way to reflect on that experience. I see meaningful care as a willingness to remain present when another person is vulnerable. It does not always require a dramatic action. It can mean listening to a concern without rushing, repeating an explanation patiently, or noticing the family member who is struggling to hold everything together. I am pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Galen College of Nursing because I want to develop the knowledge and skills to care for people safely and compassionately. My mother’s death from cancer and scleroderma first inspired my interest in nursing. Becoming a mother has added another layer to that motivation: I now understand how deeply families depend on the people caring for someone they love. As a future nurse, I want my presence to be useful as well as comforting. I want to recognize when a patient needs attention, communicate concerns, and follow through on what I say I will do. I also want to ask questions that help me understand what a family needs instead of assuming I already know. Being there for my son did not make me fearless. It taught me that care can mean showing up while you are afraid. That is a lesson I hope to carry into every patient encounter: I may not be able to remove someone’s uncertainty, but I can help make sure they do not face it feeling unheard or alone.

My name is Kejuanna Heckard, and I am a mother, a certified pharmacy technician, and a nursing student at Galen College of Nursing in San Antonio, Texas. I am working toward my Bachelor of Science in Nursing while raising my son and working at Methodist Texsan Hospital. My anticipated graduation date is September 2027. The person I am today and the future I am working toward have been shaped by my grandmother, who took me in after my mother passed away. When I was ten years old, I lost my mother to cancer and scleroderma. Losing her at that age meant facing grief before I understood how to put my feelings into words. I still needed my mother’s guidance and comfort, but my life had changed in a way I could not control. During that painful time, my grandmother opened her home to me. She had six children of her own and took in four more children. As a child, I understood that my grandmother was there for us. As an adult and a mother, I have a deeper appreciation for the responsibility she accepted. Raising children involves much more than providing a place to sleep. It means making decisions, meeting daily needs, offering guidance, and continuing to care even when life is difficult. Knowing that she accepted that responsibility for four additional children has stayed with me. Being raised by my grandmother taught me that family is built through commitment. She could not take away the pain of losing my mother, but her care gave me support while I learned to live with that loss. Her example helped me understand that helping someone does not require having all the answers. Sometimes it means being present, making room, and showing through your actions that the person matters. Those lessons have influenced both my parenting and my career goals. I want my son to feel secure in knowing that I am working to build a stable future for him. Balancing motherhood, employment, and nursing school can be overwhelming, but I think about the responsibility my grandmother carried. Her example encourages me to keep going and reminds me why my efforts matter. My desire to become a nurse also comes from my mother’s illness and the compassion of the nurses who cared for her. My grandmother’s care reinforced that inspiration by showing me what consistent support looks like outside a hospital. Together, those experiences shaped my goal of becoming a nurse who considers the patient’s family, circumstances, and emotional needs alongside their medical care. I am particularly interested in oncology nursing, and I hope to serve patients and families in San Antonio. I want to explain care clearly, listen without judgment, and advocate for people who feel overwhelmed or unheard. Eventually, I hope to encourage other working parents pursuing nursing degrees. My grandmother helped shape a future that once felt uncertain. I cannot repay her simply by earning a degree, but I can honor her through how I raise my son and care for others. I want the support she gave me to continue making a difference through the life I build.

After my mother died from cancer and scleroderma when I was ten years old, my grandmother took me in. She had six children of her own and opened her home to four more children. Looking back as an adult and a mother, I understand the responsibility she accepted. She made room in her life for us when we needed family, care, and somewhere to belong. Losing my mother changed my childhood. At ten years old, I still needed her comfort and guidance, and learning to live without her was painful. My grandmother could not replace my mother, but taking us in gave us a place within a family while we faced that loss. Her decision showed me that love is something people demonstrate through what they are willing to do for others. Being raised in that household shaped how I think about responsibility. My grandmother already had children of her own, yet she accepted the responsibility of caring for more. Now that I am raising my son, I have a greater appreciation for what that meant. Caring for children requires time, patience, and energy, along with meeting their everyday needs. Her example reminds me that a person can make an enormous difference simply by being willing to show up. Her care also helped shape my future goals. I am pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Galen College of Nursing in San Antonio, Texas, while working as a certified pharmacy technician at Methodist Texsan Hospital. I anticipate graduating in September 2027. My mother’s illness and the compassion of her nurses first inspired my interest in nursing. My grandmother’s example deepened my understanding of what it means to care for people beyond a single moment. I want to carry those lessons into my career. As a nurse, I hope to recognize the person and family behind every diagnosis. A patient may be grieving, worried about their children, or struggling to manage responsibilities at home. I want to listen carefully and help people feel comfortable sharing what they need. I am particularly interested in oncology nursing because of my family’s experience with cancer, and I hope to support families through difficult and uncertain times. The future I imagine includes providing stability for my son and using my education to serve the San Antonio community. I want to help patients understand their care, advocate when they feel unheard, and work with others to connect families with support. Eventually, I also hope to encourage students who are balancing parenting, employment, and school. My grandmother’s decision to take us in taught me that helping others does not always begin with having extra time or an easy life. Sometimes it begins with recognizing that someone needs you and choosing to care. I want my son to see that same willingness in me. Through nursing and the way I treat people each day, I hope to continue the example my grandmother gave me: making room for others and helping them feel that they matter.

My educational goal is to complete my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Galen College of Nursing in San Antonio, Texas, and become a registered nurse. I anticipate graduating in September 2027. After graduation, I plan to pass the NCLEX-RN and begin working in a hospital where I can continue developing my clinical skills while serving patients and families in my community. I currently work as a certified pharmacy technician at Methodist Texsan Hospital while attending nursing school and raising my son. My pharmacy experience has given me a foundation in the healthcare environment, but I want to expand my knowledge and take a more direct role in patient care. Through my nursing education, I am learning how to assess patients, recognize changes in their condition, communicate concerns, and provide care that considers both their physical and emotional needs. My motivation for becoming a nurse is deeply personal. When I was ten years old, my mother died from cancer and scleroderma. Losing her changed my life, but the compassion of the nurses who cared for her stayed with me. Their kindness helped inspire the career I am pursuing today. I am particularly interested in oncology nursing because I want to support patients and families facing the fear and uncertainty that my family experienced. As I complete my degree, I want to become more confident in applying what I learn to real patient situations. My goal is to understand the reasoning behind nursing decisions so I can provide thoughtful, safe care. Once I begin practicing, I hope to learn from experienced nurses and eventually pursue specialty certification as I develop my career. The greatest obstacle to completing my education is financial. My tuition balance for this quarter was $5,065, and I have raised $200 toward it. I have exhausted the $12,400 funding available through SA Ready to Work, which has supported my education since 2023. With that assistance no longer available, I am struggling to cover tuition alongside childcare and household expenses. Receiving this scholarship would help reduce that financial gap and support my ability to remain enrolled. It would ease some of the worry I carry while trying to focus on coursework, clinical preparation, and caring for my son. I have worked hard to reach this stage, and I want to finish without having to interrupt my education because I cannot afford the remaining costs. Completing my BSN would also help me create a more stable future for my son. I want him to grow up knowing that pursuing a goal takes effort and that accepting support can be part of moving forward. This scholarship would help me reach graduation and prepare for a career in which I can give back through patient care, education, and advocacy. I would carry that support with me as I work to become a nurse my family and community can depend on.

My name is Kejuanna Heckard, and I am a mother, a certified pharmacy technician, and a nursing student in San Antonio, Texas. I work at Methodist Texsan Hospital while pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Galen College of Nursing. I expect to graduate in September 2027. My career goal is to become a registered nurse who can respond with knowledge, compassion, and a steady presence when patients and families need help. My family is at the center of my motivation. My son gives me a reason to keep moving forward when balancing work, school, and financial responsibilities feels overwhelming. I want to provide him with stability and show him that perseverance and caring for others can shape a meaningful life. Outside of my responsibilities, I enjoy reading, playing musical instruments, and spending time with him. My desire to help people during frightening situations began with my mother. When I was ten years old, she died from cancer and scleroderma. Losing her changed my childhood and left me with questions I was too young to understand. What stayed with me was the compassion of the nurses who cared for her. Their kindness showed me that the way healthcare professionals treat a family can make a lasting difference. That experience is part of why I am drawn to work that requires responding when people are vulnerable. My path is nursing, and I want to develop the skills needed to recognize changes in a patient’s condition, communicate concerns, and respond appropriately alongside the healthcare team. I understand that being prepared to help requires education, practice, and the willingness to keep learning. My son’s asthma has made this calling even more personal. Watching him experience breathing difficulties and need emergency care was frightening. In those moments, I was a worried mother who needed help understanding what was happening. That experience strengthened my appreciation for professionals who respond to urgent needs while also reassuring the family. I want to bring that awareness into my nursing career. When someone is scared, I hope to explain what I can, listen carefully, and help them feel less alone. I want to remember that what may be familiar to a healthcare professional could be the most frightening experience a patient or parent has ever faced. Working as a pharmacy technician has given me experience in a hospital environment, while nursing school is helping me prepare for a more direct role in patient care. I want to serve the San Antonio community and contribute to a team that patients can depend on. My family has taught me both the pain of loss and the strength that comes from love. I cannot change the loss of my mother or prevent every health challenge my son may face. However, I can use those experiences to become a thoughtful, prepared nurse. I want my career to reflect the compassion that helped my family and to offer others the reassurance that someone is ready to listen, take their concerns seriously, and help.

My motivation for pursuing advanced education is rooted in my desire to become a registered nurse, create stability for my son, and serve families in my community. I am currently pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Galen College of Nursing in San Antonio, Texas. With an anticipated graduation date of September 2027, I am working toward a goal that has been shaped by loss, motherhood, and my experience in healthcare. When I was ten years old, my mother died from cancer and scleroderma. Losing her meant growing up without someone whose love and guidance I needed. Although I could not understand everything happening during her illness, I remember the compassion of the nurses who cared for her. Their kindness made an impression that stayed with me. As I grew older, I began to see nursing as a way to honor my mother while helping other families through difficult experiences. I currently work as a certified pharmacy technician at Methodist Texsan Hospital. Continuing my education will allow me to build on that experience and prepare for the responsibilities of registered nursing. I want to develop the knowledge and clinical judgment needed to recognize patient needs, provide safe care, and communicate effectively with patients and families. I am particularly interested in oncology nursing because cancer has affected my family so deeply. Motherhood is another reason I am determined to finish. My son depends on me, and I want to provide him with a secure future. His experiences with asthma have also helped me understand how frightening it feels when your child needs medical care. I want to become a nurse who remembers that fear and responds with patience, clear explanations, and compassion. Receiving this scholarship would help me overcome a financial obstacle at a critical point in my education. My tuition balance for this quarter was $5,065, and I have raised $200 toward it. I have exhausted the $12,400 funding available through SA Ready to Work, which has supported my education since 2023. Without that assistance, paying for school while managing childcare and household expenses has become difficult. I continue working while attending nursing school, but my income must cover responsibilities beyond tuition. This scholarship would reduce the amount I still need to pay and help me remain enrolled as I work toward graduation. It would also ease some of the worry that comes with trying to meet financial obligations while keeping up with coursework and preparing for clinical experiences. The benefit would extend beyond my education. After completing my BSN and passing the NCLEX-RN, I plan to serve the San Antonio community. I want to help patients understand their care, advocate for those who feel unheard, and support families facing uncertainty. Eventually, I also hope to encourage other working parents pursuing nursing. This scholarship would help me complete the education that makes those goals possible and allow me to carry its impact forward through service to others. I would remember this support in the way I care for people.

When I was ten years old, my mother was sick with cancer and scleroderma. I was a child trying to understand something that was difficult even for the adults around me. I wanted her to get better and come home. I did not understand every medical explanation, but I could recognize kindness. The compassion of the nurses who cared for her made a meaningful difference during a time when my family was hurting. My mother passed away, and losing her changed my life. Looking back, I understand that the nurses could not take away our grief, but their care still mattered. Their compassion became part of what I remembered about that painful experience. It helped me realize that even when healthcare professionals cannot change an outcome, they can influence how supported a patient and family feel along the way. That experience taught me that nursing requires attention to the people surrounding the illness. A patient may be worried about their children, their responsibilities at home, or what tomorrow will bring. A family member may be afraid to ask a question or may need an explanation repeated. I want to become a nurse who makes room for those concerns and understands that emotional support is part of caring for someone. Today, I am pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Galen College of Nursing in San Antonio, Texas, while working as a certified pharmacy technician at Methodist Texsan Hospital and raising my son. I am particularly interested in oncology nursing because of my family’s experience with cancer. I hope to help patients understand their care, advocate for their needs, and support families through uncertainty. Becoming a mother has strengthened the lessons I learned as a child. My son has asthma, and being worried about his breathing has reminded me how much families need patience and clear communication. I want to remember that feeling when I care for someone else’s loved one. Receiving this scholarship would help me continue toward my anticipated graduation in September 2027. My tuition balance for this quarter was $5,065, and I have raised $200 toward it. I have exhausted the $12,400 assistance available through SA Ready to Work. Covering school expenses alongside childcare and household needs has become a serious challenge. This support would help reduce the financial pressure that threatens my progress. It would bring me closer to becoming the nurse I have wanted to be since childhood: someone whose compassion stays with a family, even after the hospital visit ends.

My inspiration to pursue nursing began when I was ten years old and lost my mother to cancer and scleroderma. At an age when I still needed her guidance, comfort, and reassurance, I had to begin learning how to live without her. I could not understand her illnesses or why she could not get better. What I did understand was how much I loved her and how deeply her absence would change my life. During that difficult time, the compassion of the nurses who cared for my mother left a lasting impression on me. I may not remember every medical conversation, but I remember that kindness mattered. Their care helped me see that nursing involves more than treating an illness. It also means recognizing the fear, sadness, and uncertainty surrounding a patient and the family who loves them. That understanding became part of the reason I wanted to enter healthcare. As I grew older, my mother’s memory continued to influence my goals. I wanted to do something meaningful with the pain I had experienced. Becoming a nurse felt like a way to honor her while helping other families through moments they never expected to face. I cannot change what happened to my mother, but I can choose how her life and loss shape the care I give to others. Today, I work as a certified pharmacy technician at Methodist Texsan Hospital and attend Galen College of Nursing in San Antonio, Texas. I am pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, with an anticipated graduation date of September 2027. Working in a hospital has strengthened my interest in healthcare and my desire to take a more direct role in caring for patients. I am especially interested in oncology nursing because cancer has affected my family so personally. Motherhood has given me another reason to continue. My son has asthma, and watching him experience breathing difficulties has shown me how vulnerable a parent can feel. Even with healthcare experience, it is different when the patient is your own child. Those moments have reminded me that families need patience, clear explanations, and the opportunity to ask questions without feeling rushed or embarrassed. Balancing nursing school, employment, and raising my son has not been easy. Financial pressures have made the journey even harder, but they have not changed my purpose. I want my son to see that perseverance can lead to opportunities, and I want to provide him with stability while doing work that serves others. The nurse I hope to become is someone who listens carefully, explains things clearly, and notices when a patient or family needs additional support. I want to advocate for people who struggle to express their concerns and help them feel respected throughout their care. My mother first inspired this dream, and my experiences since then have strengthened it. Nursing gives me the opportunity to carry her memory forward through compassion, helping one patient and one family at a time while building a future that would make her proud.

My name is Kejuanna Heckard, and I am a mother, a certified pharmacy technician, and a nursing student at Galen College of Nursing in San Antonio, Texas. I am pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing while working at Methodist Texsan Hospital and raising my son. When I have time outside of work and school, I enjoy reading, playing musical instruments, and spending time with him. I expect to graduate in September 2027, and completing this degree will be an important step toward the future I want for my family. My desire to become a nurse began with losing my mother to cancer and scleroderma when I was ten years old. At that age, I could not understand everything happening around me, but I understood how much I needed her. Her death changed my childhood and continues to influence the person I am today. I also remember the compassion of the nurses who cared for her. Their kindness showed me how much it matters to have someone willing to help during a frightening time. Now that I am a mother, I carry that experience with a different understanding. I want to build a stable life for my son and show him that difficult circumstances do not have to end a person’s dreams. Balancing work, childcare, tuition, and nursing school has challenged me. There are days when I worry about how I will manage everything, but I keep moving forward because I believe in the work I am preparing to do. Through my nursing career, I plan to make a positive impact by helping patients feel informed and supported. I hope to work in a San Antonio hospital, and I am particularly interested in oncology nursing. Having lost my mother to cancer, I want to support families facing similar uncertainty. I want to explain care patiently, listen when someone is afraid, and make sure patients know their questions deserve answers. My son’s experience with asthma has also shaped how I think about patient education. Watching him struggle to breathe was frightening, and it reminded me that families need understandable instructions and reassurance. As a nurse, I want to help people feel more prepared to care for themselves or their loved ones after leaving the hospital. I also hope to address the practical barriers that can make healthcare difficult to access. A patient may understand their treatment plan but lack transportation, money for medication, or time away from work. I want to ask about those challenges and collaborate with the healthcare team to connect patients with appropriate assistance. As I become established in nursing, I hope to encourage other working parents pursuing healthcare careers. I understand how discouraging the journey can feel, especially when financial problems threaten someone’s progress. Sharing what I have learned and offering support would be another way to give back. I do not expect to change the world all at once. I hope to make a lasting difference through the people I care for, the families I support, and the students I encourage. Becoming a nurse will allow me to honor my mother’s memory while helping build a healthier, more compassionate community for my son and others.

My name is Kejuanna Heckard, and I am a mother, a certified pharmacy technician, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing student at Galen College of Nursing in San Antonio, Texas. I work at Methodist Texsan Hospital while attending school and raising my son. Outside of those responsibilities, I enjoy reading, playing musical instruments, and spending time with him. My anticipated graduation date is September 2027, and I am working toward a future where I can provide stability for my family while caring for others. My reason for pursuing nursing is rooted in losing my mother when I was ten years old. She died from cancer and scleroderma, leaving a space in my life that I still feel today. As a child, I did not understand every diagnosis, procedure, or conversation. I knew that my mother was sick and that I wanted her to get better. During that painful time, the compassion of the nurses who cared for her made a lasting impression on me. That experience taught me that how healthcare professionals treat people matters. A family may not remember every medical explanation, but they can remember who listened, who showed patience, and who helped them feel less alone. I want to become that kind of nurse. I am particularly interested in oncology because of my family’s experience with cancer, and I hope to support patients and families facing the uncertainty that comes with a serious illness. Becoming a mother has given my goals even more meaning. My son has asthma, and caring for him has shown me how frightening it can be when someone you love needs medical attention. Even with my pharmacy experience and nursing education, I have had moments when I needed someone to explain things clearly and help me understand what to watch for. Those experiences remind me to approach families with patience rather than assume they already know what to do. After earning my degree and passing the NCLEX-RN, I plan to work as a registered nurse in the San Antonio community. I want to help patients understand their medications, treatment plans, and follow-up instructions. I also want to recognize when a patient’s difficulties extend beyond their health condition. Transportation, childcare, work schedules, and financial pressures can affect someone’s ability to obtain care. I hope to work with other healthcare professionals to connect patients with resources that address those barriers. As a Black woman entering nursing, I also want to contribute to a healthcare environment where people from every background feel respected. I will listen to patients’ concerns, avoid making assumptions, and speak up when their needs are not being addressed. Eventually, I hope to mentor nursing students, especially mothers and adults returning to school. Balancing tuition, employment, parenting, and coursework has been difficult, and I know how much encouragement can mean when someone feels overwhelmed. My goal is to make a positive impact through everyday care and long-term service to my community. I want to honor my mother’s memory, give my son a future he can feel secure in, and help other families receive the compassion that inspired me to become a nurse.

My name is Kejuanna Heckard, and I am a mother, a certified pharmacy technician, and a nursing student at Galen College of Nursing in San Antonio, Texas. I am pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, with an anticipated graduation date of September 2027. My life right now involves balancing work, school, and raising my son. Some days are exhausting, but I keep going because becoming a nurse means creating a better future for my family while doing work that can make a difference for others. My interest in nursing began with an experience no child should have to face. When I was ten years old, I lost my mother to cancer and scleroderma. I was too young to understand everything happening, but I understood the sadness of needing my mother and knowing she would not be coming home. I also remember the compassion of the nurses who cared for her. Their kindness stayed with me and helped shape the kind of person I want to become. Now that I am a mother myself, I understand that experience differently. I think about the fear my mother may have felt and the future she wanted for her children. I cannot change what happened, but I can honor her memory through the way I care for others. I want to become a nurse who recognizes that every patient has people who love them, responsibilities waiting at home, and worries they may not know how to express. I currently work as a certified pharmacy technician at Methodist Texsan Hospital. Working in a hospital while studying nursing has strengthened my desire to take a more direct role in patient care. I am particularly interested in oncology nursing because cancer has affected my family deeply. I hope to support patients through treatment, explain information in ways they can understand, and help families feel comfortable asking questions. I also want to make a positive impact by advocating for patients who feel overlooked. As a Black woman, I value the importance of representation and respect in healthcare. I want to listen without making assumptions about someone’s background, finances, or ability to understand their care. If a patient is having difficulty following instructions, I want to ask what is getting in the way and work with the healthcare team to help. My son’s experience with asthma has also taught me how vulnerable it feels to be on the family’s side of healthcare. Watching him struggle to breathe reminded me that reassurance and clear explanations matter, especially when fear makes it difficult to process information. Beyond caring for patients, I hope to encourage other women and working parents who want to enter nursing. I know how difficult it can be to pursue a degree while worrying about tuition, childcare, and household expenses. I want others to see that they belong in this profession, even if their journey takes longer or looks different. I plan to make a positive impact through the care I provide every day: listening closely, explaining patiently, and speaking up when someone needs support. Those actions helped my family during a painful time, and I hope to offer that same care to others.

One community health challenge I have faced is caring for a young child with asthma while balancing work, nursing school, and financial responsibilities. My son has experienced coughing, wheezing, and an asthma attack that required emergency care. As a mother, watching him struggle to breathe was frightening. Those experiences helped me understand how a health condition affects an entire household and why families need support beyond the moment they leave a hospital. For families managing childhood asthma, the challenge includes understanding medications, recognizing changes in breathing, identifying possible triggers, and knowing when to seek help. Parents may also need to arrange transportation, miss work, coordinate childcare, and schedule follow-up appointments. When money is already tight, these responsibilities can become overwhelming. A parent can care deeply about their child’s health and still struggle to manage everything that care requires. My experiences have shown me the importance of clear communication. Even as someone who works in healthcare and attends nursing school, I have had questions about my son’s symptoms and medications. Being scared for your child can make it difficult to remember information or decide what to do next. This has made me think about how confusing the experience may be for parents who are unfamiliar with medical terminology or uncomfortable asking questions. I am pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Galen College of Nursing in San Antonio, Texas. My healthcare studies are helping me understand the connection between a patient’s condition, their environment, and their ability to follow a treatment plan. I am learning to consider the whole person rather than focus only on the symptoms that brought them into care. My experience as a certified pharmacy technician at Methodist Texsan Hospital also contributes to my interest in helping families understand the role of medications in their care. As a future registered nurse, I want to help address this challenge through practical, understandable patient education. When caring for families affected by asthma, I would explain instructions in plain language and use teach-back to check that my explanations were clear. I would support parents in understanding their child’s prescribed asthma action plan and reinforce the healthcare provider’s instructions about medications and when to seek urgent care. I would also make room for questions without making parents feel embarrassed or rushed. I want to ask about barriers that may prevent families from following the plan. Can they obtain the prescribed medication? Do they have transportation to appointments? Are they worried about conditions in their home? When concerns arise, I would work with the healthcare team to connect families with appropriate resources and support. My goal is to serve the San Antonio community with the understanding I have gained as both a mother and a healthcare student. I cannot remove every challenge a family faces, but I can listen carefully, provide clear education, and advocate for their needs. My son’s experiences have taught me that helping a parent feel informed and supported is an important part of caring for the child.

I believe I should be chosen for this scholarship because I am determined to become a nurse while working and raising my son. I am pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Galen College of Nursing in San Antonio, Texas, and working as a certified pharmacy technician at Methodist Texsan Hospital. I have approximately one year remaining, and this scholarship would help me overcome the financial barrier that threatens my ability to finish. My reason for becoming a nurse began with a loss that changed my life. When I was ten years old, my mother died from cancer and scleroderma. Losing her meant growing up without the person I needed most. However, I remember the compassion of the nurses who cared for her. Their kindness helped inspire my desire to become a nurse who supports patients and families through painful and uncertain moments. Now that I am a mother, completing my education means even more. I want to provide a stable future for my son and show him that perseverance matters. Balancing employment, parenting, and nursing school has been challenging, but I continue moving forward because I know what this degree could mean for our lives. My tuition balance for this quarter was $5,065, and I have raised $200 toward it. I have exhausted the $12,400 funding available through SA Ready to Work, which has supported my education since 2023. Without that assistance, covering tuition while paying for childcare and household expenses has become difficult. This scholarship would help reduce my balance and support my progress toward graduation in September 2027. Once established in my career, I plan to work as a registered nurse serving the San Antonio community. I am particularly interested in oncology because cancer has affected my family deeply. I want to explain treatment clearly, listen when patients express concerns, and advocate for their needs. I want families to feel comfortable asking questions and know they have someone willing to help them understand what comes next. I also hope to encourage nursing students who are working parents. I understand how discouraging it can feel to be committed to a goal while wondering how to afford it. Receiving this scholarship would help me continue my education and eventually offer that same encouragement to someone else. I would honor this opportunity by caring for my patients with compassion and remembering the support that helped me reach my goal.

My goal is to become a registered nurse who makes patients feel heard, respected, and cared for during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. I am currently pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Galen College of Nursing in San Antonio, Texas, with an anticipated graduation date of September 2027. As a Black woman, a mother, and a certified pharmacy technician, I bring experiences that continue to shape the nurse I hope to become. My desire to work in healthcare began with losing my mother to cancer and scleroderma when I was ten years old. At that age, I could not fully understand everything happening to her. What stayed with me was how much kindness mattered when my family was hurting. The nurses who cared for my mother helped inspire my interest in nursing. I want to offer that same compassion to patients and to the children and families standing beside them. After graduation and passing the NCLEX-RN, I hope to work in a San Antonio hospital. I am particularly interested in oncology nursing because cancer has affected my family so deeply. I want to help patients understand their treatment, feel comfortable asking questions, and know that their concerns matter. My experience as a pharmacy technician at Methodist Texsan Hospital has given me a foundation in the healthcare environment, and I look forward to building on that experience through direct nursing care. Increasing racial diversity in healthcare matters to me because patients come from different backgrounds, and those differences deserve understanding and respect. People bring their culture, family experiences, financial circumstances, and past encounters with healthcare into every appointment. A diverse healthcare team can bring more perspectives to conversations about how to meet those needs. For some Black patients, seeing a healthcare professional who looks like them may help them feel more comfortable speaking openly. Representation can create an opportunity for connection, especially when someone is already frightened or unsure whether their concerns will be taken seriously. However, sharing a racial background does not mean we automatically understand someone’s life. I believe every patient deserves a nurse who listens without making assumptions and takes the time to learn what matters to them. Diversity also matters for the next generation. I want my son and other Black children to see people who look like them working as nurses, pharmacists, physicians, and healthcare leaders. I want them to know these careers are possible, even when the path includes financial hardship, parenting responsibilities, or returning to school later in life. Balancing work, motherhood, and nursing school has challenged me, but my goals remain clear. I want to provide stability for my son, honor my mother’s memory, and serve my community. As a nurse, I hope to contribute to a healthcare environment where every patient receives clear explanations, compassionate care, and the opportunity to be heard.

Yes, my family has been deeply affected by cancer, and the experience has shaped who I am today. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer while also living with scleroderma. She was a single mother raising four children, and despite her illness she tried her best to care for us and keep our family together. Unfortunately, as her health declined, our lives became more unstable. During her illness my siblings and I were separated while others attempted to care for us. This time in our lives was extremely difficult, and we experienced abuse, neglect, and even periods of homelessness. My mother eventually passed away when I was only ten years old, leaving us to navigate life without her love and guidance. Losing my mother at such a young age was heartbreaking and confusing. As a child, it was difficult to fully understand everything that was happening around me, but I knew that our lives had changed forever. Despite those painful experiences, they taught me important lessons about strength, perseverance, and the importance of support during difficult times. Eventually, my siblings and I were reunited with our grandmother, who stepped in and helped rebuild our family. She provided stability, love, and encouragement when we needed it the most. My grandmother’s strength was even more remarkable because she was also battling her own health challenges. She is a two-time breast cancer survivor, and watching her fight through her diagnoses showed me what true resilience looks like. She refused to give up, and her determination helped hold our family together. Seeing her survive cancer twice while still caring for us showed me the power of courage, faith, and perseverance. Her example taught me that even during the most difficult circumstances, it is possible to continue moving forward. Through these experiences, I learned that illness does not only affect the person diagnosed; it impacts entire families. Cancer brought emotional pain, financial hardship, and instability into our lives, but it also showed me the importance of compassion, healthcare, and strong support systems. I saw how important it is for families to have people around them who care, listen, and help guide them through difficult medical journeys. These experiences are a large part of what inspired my passion for healthcare. Growing up and witnessing the impact of illness on my family made me want to pursue a career where I could help others who are going through similar situations. I want to be able to provide not only medical care but also empathy and understanding to patients and their families during vulnerable moments. My goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner so that I can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives and help support families facing serious health challenges. Although my childhood included many hardships, those experiences helped shape my resilience, determination, and compassion for others. They taught me to keep moving forward even when life feels overwhelming. Today, I carry the lessons from my mother’s strength and my grandmother’s survival with me as motivation to work hard, pursue my goals, and make a positive impact in the lives of others through healthcare.

As a nursing student, I have begun to understand that meaningful community impact does not always require large-scale programs; it often starts with consistent, compassionate actions at the bedside and within everyday interactions. Through my education and clinical experiences, I have been able to positively impact my community by supporting individuals who face health disparities related to age, socioeconomic status, chronic illness, and limited access to healthcare. These experiences have shaped my commitment to using nursing as a tool for advocacy, education, and equitable care. During my clinical rotations, I have worked closely with patients who struggle with low health literacy, chronic conditions, and limited resources. Many of these individuals expressed confusion, fear, or frustration about their diagnoses and treatment plans. By taking the time to listen, explain medical information in understandable terms, and demonstrate respect for cultural and personal beliefs, I helped patients feel more empowered and involved in their care. Simple actions such as reinforcing medication education, assisting with mobility, or ensuring patient comfort created a supportive environment where patients felt seen and valued. One of the most meaningful changes my actions created was improved patient understanding and engagement. When patients better understood their care plans, they were more likely to participate actively in their treatment and express concerns or questions. This increased confidence not only improved their immediate experience but also encouraged better long-term health behaviors. Additionally, advocating for patient needs—such as communicating concerns to the healthcare team or ensuring safety measures were followed—helped reduce risks and promoted better outcomes. My nursing education has also increased my awareness of health disparities that affect many communities, including disparities related to income, education, race, age, and access to care. Witnessing these challenges firsthand has strengthened my desire to be part of the solution. I recognize that nurses are often the most consistent point of contact for patients, which places us in a unique position to influence health outcomes beyond clinical treatment alone. As I continue my education and transition into professional practice, I plan to use my nursing degree to further affect change by advocating for equitable healthcare and addressing the social determinants of health. I intend to focus on patient education, preventive care, and community outreach to help reduce avoidable hospitalizations and improve chronic disease management. By providing culturally competent care and building trusting relationships, I hope to bridge gaps in healthcare access and understanding. Ultimately, my goal as a nurse is to be a voice for individuals who may feel unheard within the healthcare system. Through compassion, education, and advocacy, I will use my degree to promote health equity, empower patients, and contribute to lasting, positive change within my community.

My mother passed away from breast cancer and scleroderma when I was a child. At the time, I did not understand what those illnesses were or why they took her from me. I only understood that she was gone, and with her absence came a silence that shaped my entire childhood. Losing my mother so young left me without the protection, guidance, and comfort every child deserves, and her loss has influenced every step of my journey since. Without my mother, I was exposed to environments filled with instability and abuse. Those experiences caused deep emotional wounds and forced me to grow up far too quickly. For many years, I carried pain, confusion, and anger, wondering why my life had unfolded the way it did. Yet even in those darkest moments, my mother’s memory remained a quiet source of strength. Though she was no longer physically present, the love she gave me early in life became the foundation that helped me survive. As I grew older, I realized I had a choice: allow my past to define me, or transform my pain into purpose. That realization became especially clear when I saw my cousin Elijah experiencing similar abuse. I could not stand by and allow history to repeat itself. When Elijah was six years old, I took him into my home and have raised him as my own ever since. Although he is my cousin by blood, he is my son in every way that matters. Today, he is thirteen, and my greatest goal is to be the role model I never had. Raising Elijah has reshaped my understanding of responsibility, love, and healing. I want him to know that even without his parents, he can still thrive, dream, and build a future filled with hope. I want him to see that a difficult beginning does not determine the ending of his story. By choosing patience, compassion, and consistency, I strive to show him that we can do better and treat others better, regardless of what we have endured. I am also raising another son, and for both of my children, I am committed to breaking generational cycles of abuse and hardship. My mother’s passing was a profound loss, but it ignited a determination within me to protect, nurture, and lead with love. Her absence has shaped my resilience, strengthened my character, and driven me to create a life rooted in stability, purpose, and hope—not only for myself, but for the children who call me Mom.