One of the patients who most shaped my understanding of nursing was an older gentleman I cared for while working as a Certified Nursing Assistant at MD Anderson Cancer Center. He was a middle-school principal who had traveled from out of state for cancer treatment, and because he remained on our unit for several weeks, I had the opportunity to care for him frequently and get to know the person beyond the diagnosis. He loved talking about his family, his dogs, his work, and the children in his community. He was deeply proud of the impact he had made as an educator, father, and grandfather. He was also known for his corny dad jokes. No matter how difficult a treatment day had been, he could usually find a way to make me laugh. Over time, I started returning the favor. Before entering his room to check his vital signs, blood sugar, or assist with activities of daily living, I would look up two or three dad jokes on my phone and memorize them. I wanted to have something new ready for him each time. Some were terrible, but that was part of the fun. On good days we laughed easily, and on difficult days humor became a small way to make the room feel lighter. We both agreed that laughter could sometimes be its own kind of medicine. His treatment ultimately went well, and before leaving, he gave me a handwritten thank-you card. Inside were several more dad jokes, but also words I have never forgotten. He told me that he believed I would become an amazing nurse and that my positivity had helped him through chemotherapy and its difficult side effects. That experience taught me that meaningful care is not always found in a procedure or medication. Sometimes it is found in consistency, connection, and making someone feel like themselves when illness has taken over so much of their life. It showed me the kind of nurse I want to become: clinically knowledgeable, but also someone who notices the person behind the illness and helps them feel seen, supported, and hopeful. Today, I am a full-time BSN student at Texas Woman’s University in the Texas Medical Center and continue working at MD Anderson as a student nurse extern in the ICU. Receiving this scholarship would help ease the financial burden of supporting myself through nursing school and allow me to devote more energy to my education and clinical growth as I work toward becoming the nurse that patient believed I could be.

I originally began working as a Certified Nursing Assistant at MD Anderson Cancer Center while pursuing a pre-med path and gaining patient-care experience for medical school. At the time, I thought I understood the kind of role I wanted to have in medicine. But after spending a year and a half working closely alongside nurses, my perspective began to change. Many of the patients I cared for had hematologic cancers and remained on the unit for four to six weeks during the stem cell transplant process. Because of the length and intensity of those hospitalizations, I was able to see how deeply nurses influenced every part of a patient’s experience. They used an advanced level of clinical knowledge to recognize subtle changes, respond quickly to complications, and guide patients through complex treatment. At the same time, they brought compassion and consistency to patients who were often isolated from their normal routines and support systems for weeks at a time. What affected me most was the bond nurses developed with their patients. Over the course of those long admissions, they came to understand each patient’s personality, fears, routines, and the small things that helped them cope. They became more than the people administering medications or monitoring labs. They were advocates, educators, sources of reassurance, and often one of the most consistent human connections a patient had during an exhausting and uncertain process. I saw firsthand how that connection could influence not only a patient’s physical recovery, but also their mental health, outlook, and ability to endure treatment. That experience changed the direction of my life. I realized that nursing aligned more closely with the kind of impact I wanted to have in medicine. I wanted to be the person at the bedside who understood the complexity of a patient’s condition, noticed when something changed, advocated for them, built trust, and helped guide them through both the physical and emotional parts of healing. That realization is what led me to pursue nursing. Today, I am a full-time Bachelor of Science in Nursing student at Texas Woman’s University in the Texas Medical Center, and I continue working at MD Anderson as a student nurse extern in the intensive care unit. Working in the ICU allows me to keep learning from experienced nurses while building the clinical judgment, knowledge, confidence, and compassion I will need once I earn my license. I have pursued that goal with discipline and consistency. While attending nursing school full time and working as an extern, I have maintained a GPA above 3.6 and earned Dean’s List recognition throughout my college journey. I am also involved with the Texas Student Nurses Association through Texas Woman’s University, which has allowed me to stay connected to the nursing community beyond the classroom and continue developing as a future professional. Balancing academics, clinical preparation, work, and student involvement has required sacrifice, but it has also reinforced how committed I am to becoming an excellent nurse. The nurses I once worked beside changed the way I saw healthcare and ultimately changed the direction of my own life. My goal is to have that same kind of impact one day—to use nursing not only to treat illness, but to help people heal, cope, and feel supported during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

My mother taught me what resilience looked like long before I had a word for it. My parents divorced when I was one, and for a period of time she raised my sister and me as a single mother while working three jobs. I was too young to understand the pressure she carried, but as I grew older, I began to recognize how much sacrifice was behind the stability she created for us. When I was around three or four, my mother remarried and our family became a blended household. My stepfather had three older children from his previous marriage, and later my mother and stepfather had my younger brother together. At one point, while the three older children were still in high school, my mother was helping raise six children. My stepfather worked in a factory, and my mother worked part-time jobs around his schedule while managing the needs of a large household. We were lower middle class, so money had to be stretched carefully, and everyone learned the value of working hard and making the most of what we had. Watching my mother balance work, parenting, and the needs of a blended family shaped the way I approach my own life. I learned that resilience is not something dramatic. It is consistency. It is getting up, going to work, taking care of responsibilities, and continuing to move forward even when life is demanding. Those lessons became especially important when I began building a life for myself. I moved across the country, supported myself independently, and worked while completing my education. During my prerequisites and while earning my associate degree, I worked two jobs at one point to support myself. Today, I am a full-time nursing student at Texas Woman’s University while also working as a Patient Care Student Nurse Extern in the intensive care unit at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Despite balancing work, school, and the responsibilities of living independently, I have maintained strong grades and earned Dean’s List recognition. For me, those accomplishments are not separate from the way I was raised. They are a continuation of it. My mother showed me that perseverance is built through everyday choices, and I have tried to carry that same mindset into my own education and career. Nursing is where I hope to turn those lessons into something that benefits other people. Working in an intensive care setting has shown me how quickly illness can change a person’s life. Patients and families often face fear, uncertainty, financial strain, and loss of control all at once. I want to become the kind of nurse who brings both skill and steadiness into those moments. In the future, I hope to build a career in critical care and use my education to serve people when they are at their most vulnerable. I also hope to mentor future nursing students and eventually participate in humanitarian or disaster-response work. My mother’s sacrifices taught me that doing good often begins with simply showing up for others, even when it is difficult. I want to honor what she gave me by using my education, work ethic, and compassion to create that same sense of support for the people I care for.

My sister was one of the first people who showed me what a career in nursing could look like. Watching her work in multiple areas of healthcare, including the emergency room, intensive care unit, and obstetrics and gynecology, showed me how broad and impactful the nursing profession can be. I saw that nursing was not limited to one specialty or one type of patient. It required adaptability, strong clinical judgment, compassion, and the ability to care for people through very different stages and circumstances of life. Her example played a major role in inspiring me to pursue nursing for myself. As a first-generation college student, I have had to work hard to create opportunities while balancing school, employment, and living independently. Those experiences have shaped the way I view healthcare and service. They have also made me more aware of how financial instability, limited resources, and lack of support can affect a person’s health and future. My experiences in nursing school and in the intensive care unit at MD Anderson as a Professional Student Nurse Extern have strengthened my commitment to this path. Working around critically ill patients has shown me how important clinical knowledge, calm decision-making, compassion, and teamwork are. It has also reinforced something I first learned by watching my sister: nurses often meet people at some of the most vulnerable points in their lives, and the way they are treated during those moments matters. I plan to make a difference by becoming a highly skilled critical care nurse who provides care with both competence and dignity. I also intend to continue my education and eventually earn a doctorate in nursing so I can expand my ability to lead, educate, advocate, and contribute to improvements in patient care. My goals also extend beyond the bedside. I want to give back to communities that may have limited access to healthcare, education, or financial support. I hope to volunteer in underserved areas, provide health education, and help people better understand prevention, warning signs, chronic disease management, and available resources. Eventually, I would also like to start a nonprofit organization focused on helping individuals and families who are struggling. I want to support people who may need healthcare assistance, educational resources, or financial help, including students trying to continue their education despite financial instability. When I reach a point of greater success and stability, I want to pay forward the support and opportunities that helped me get there. My sister helped show me what nursing could be. My own experiences have shown me what I want to do with it. I want to build a career that combines clinical skill, leadership, service, and compassion, and use that career not only to care for patients, but also to create opportunities and support for others.

“Be like the promontory against which the waves continually break, but it stands firm and tames the fury of the water around it. Unhappy am I because this has happened to me.—Not so, but happy am I, though this has happened to me, because I continue free from pain, neither crushed by the present nor fearing the future... Remember too on every occasion which leads thee to vexation to apply this principle: not that this is a misfortune, but that to bear it nobly is good fortune.” —Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book IV, translated by George Long Marcus Aurelius’ image of a promontory standing against relentless waves is not simply an encouragement to “be strong.” His deeper argument is that adversity does not possess the authority to determine a person’s character. Circumstances may strike us with tremendous force, but Aurelius distinguishes between what happens to a person and what that person becomes because of it. The passage argues that genuine strength is found in preserving one’s principles when external events cannot be controlled, in which you must change the perception of a circumstance. The metaphor of the promontory establishes this idea immediately. A promontory is not protected from the sea. In fact, it is continually exposed to it. Aurelius does not describe a person who has successfully escaped suffering, but one who remains stable while suffering repeatedly reaches him. The waves therefore represent the unavoidable difficulties of life: loss, disappointment, uncertainty, failure, and circumstances beyond individual control. The interpretation is that you cannot control what happens to you or when, but rather that you control how you respond to these adversities. The phrase “continually break” is particularly important. Aurelius does not imagine adversity as a single challenge that, once defeated, disappears forever. The waves return just like the relentless challenges we face in life. His philosophy therefore requires something more durable than temporary motivation. The promontory does not negotiate with the sea or expect it to stop. It remains what it is despite what strikes it, therefore you must remain true to yourself as well as firm in your foundation. Yet Aurelius goes further when he writes that the promontory “tames the fury of the water around it.” The rock does not defeat the ocean through force. Instead, the waves lose their destructive meaning when they fail to move it. This suggests that adversity receives much of its power from the interpretation we give it. An event may be painful or unwanted, but Aurelius argues that it becomes a deeper personal defeat only when it is allowed to destroy judgment, virtue, or purpose. This idea becomes clearer when he challenges the statement, “Unhappy am I because this has happened to me.” Aurelius replaces it with a radically different interpretation: one can consider oneself fortunate because hardship occurred and yet did not destroy one’s character. He is not claiming that suffering itself is desirable. Rather, he relocates the source of good fortune. Good fortune is no longer defined as avoiding difficulty; it is having the ability to endure difficulty without being “crushed by the present” or controlled by fear of the future. The distinction between the present and future is also significant. Adversity can dominate a person twice: first through the immediate event and then through anxiety about what might happen next. Aurelius rejects both forms of surrender. The disciplined person experiences the present without allowing it to destroy him and approaches the future without becoming imprisoned by fear. His final statement—that the event itself is not necessarily misfortune, but “to bear it nobly is good fortune”—reveals the central meaning of the passage. Aurelius shifts attention from outcome to character. We cannot always choose whether hardship enters our lives, but we can choose whether hardship prevents us from remaining just, thoughtful, courageous, and purposeful. That distinction is what makes the passage enduring. Resilience is often described as recovering after something difficult happens, but Aurelius presents a more demanding form of resilience: remaining committed to one’s values while the difficulty is still occurring. Strength is therefore not the absence of pain, uncertainty, or struggle. It is the refusal to allow those forces to decide who we become. The promontory ultimately represents a person whose identity is anchored more deeply than circumstance. Waves may alter the surface, but they do not determine the foundation. Aurelius' message is that an individual’s greatest freedom lies not in controlling the world around them, but in maintaining command over the principles by which they respond to it.

I want my education to become more than a degree. I want it to become a tool I can use to serve people who are often overlooked, create opportunities for others, and eventually build something that continues helping people long after I leave the bedside. As a first-generation college student pursuing nursing, I understand how important opportunity and support can be. I live independently in Houston, Texas, provide for myself financially, and balance the demands of nursing school with working in an intensive care unit at MD Anderson as a Professional Student Nurse Extern. These experiences have taught me resilience, discipline, and how meaningful even small forms of support can be when someone is trying to build a better future. My nursing education has also shown me that health is influenced by much more than a diagnosis. Financial hardship, lack of health education, homelessness, limited access to care, and difficulty navigating resources can all prevent people from getting the help they need. I want to use my education to help close some of those gaps, especially for underserved communities and veterans who may be facing disability, homelessness, or other barriers to care. The people who inspire me most are those who give back to their communities and show leadership through service. I admire first responders, service members, nonprofit leaders, and others who consistently put the needs of people around them ahead of themselves. To me, leadership is not simply holding a title. It is having the courage to take responsibility, the humility to serve, and the willingness to use your skills and resources to improve someone else’s life. My long-term goals include continuing my education and eventually earning a doctorate in nursing. I want to grow into a nurse who is clinically strong but also capable of leading, educating, advocating, and creating change on a larger scale. Ultimately, I hope to establish a nonprofit organization that supports underserved individuals and families through healthcare outreach, education, resources, and financial assistance. When I reach a place of greater stability and success, I want to pay forward the opportunities and support that helped me along the way. I hope to financially assist students who are struggling to stay in school because of tuition, books, housing, or other academic expenses. I also want to help people in the community who may be unable to afford basic healthcare needs or who lack access to trustworthy health information and services. Whether that means funding scholarships, supporting community health programs, volunteering my time, or using my nursing skills directly, I want my success to become a resource for someone else. Success, to me, will not simply mean earning an advanced degree or having a stable career. It will mean being able to provide a better life for myself and my future family while also being in a position to bless others who may be struggling financially, academically, or medically. My education is the foundation for that vision, and I hope the opportunities I receive will eventually become opportunities I can create for someone else.

Being the first person in my family to earn a college degree means creating a better life for myself and laying a stronger foundation for my future children. To me, higher education is not only about personal achievement. It is about creating stability, increasing opportunity, and putting myself in a position where I can one day give back to the people and communities that helped shape me. As a first-generation college student, I have had to learn how to navigate college largely on my own while also supporting myself financially and living independently in Houston, Texas. Balancing school, work, bills, and everyday responsibilities has required discipline and sacrifice. At the same time, it has taught me how much I value independence and how determined I am to build a future where financial stress does not control every decision. I am pursuing nursing because I want a career that allows me to create that stability while also serving others. I currently work in an intensive care unit at MD Anderson as a Professional Student Nurse Extern, and I am involved with the Texas Nursing Students’ Association through my school. These experiences have helped me grow professionally and have reinforced how meaningful it is to care for people during vulnerable moments in their lives. My long-term goals extend beyond earning my bachelor’s degree. I plan to continue my education and eventually pursue a doctorate in nursing so I can expand my clinical knowledge, leadership abilities, and impact within healthcare. I want to become a highly skilled nurse and leader who can contribute not only at the bedside, but also through education, advocacy, and improving the way care is delivered. I also hope to eventually start a nonprofit organization focused on giving back to the community. I want to create something that can support people who face financial, educational, or healthcare barriers and connect them with resources, education, and opportunities they may not otherwise have. As I become more financially successful, I also want to be able to give back through donations, scholarships, community programs, and direct service. Success, to me, is not simply earning a degree or reaching a certain income level. It is being able to provide a better life for myself and my future children while also using what I have built to help someone else move forward. I want my children to grow up knowing that higher education, financial stability, and meaningful careers are within reach, but I also want them to understand the importance of generosity and service. Being first-generation means I am building something that extends beyond myself. My nursing education is the first major step toward a future centered on stability, advanced education, leadership, service, and giving back to the community.

I want to build a nursing career that allows me to serve people who are too often overlooked, especially homeless and disabled veterans. My goal is not only to become a skilled nurse, but to use my education, time, and clinical abilities to help veterans obtain healthcare, resources, and support when they may not have the means or ability to advocate for themselves. As a first-generation college student pursuing nursing, I have had to build my future through persistence and self-discipline. I live independently in Houston, support myself financially, and balance nursing school with working in an intensive care unit at MD Anderson as a Professional Student Nurse Extern. These experiences have taught me that meaningful change is created through consistency, service, and a willingness to take responsibility for the people around you. As a veteran myself, I feel a particular responsibility toward other veterans who are struggling. In the future, I want to dedicate more of my time to volunteering with organizations that serve homeless veterans and veterans living with disabilities. I hope to help connect them with healthcare, housing resources, mental health support, benefits, and other services that can improve their quality of life. As my nursing skills continue to develop, I also want to provide direct health education, basic health services, screenings, or other forms of care whenever I am qualified and able to facilitate them through community programs. I believe healthcare can be especially difficult to navigate for someone who is experiencing homelessness, disability, financial hardship, or isolation. Sometimes the difference between receiving care and going without it is simply having someone willing to listen, explain available resources, and help that person take the next step. I want to become that kind of advocate. Ultimately, I am building a future where my nursing degree becomes more than a career. I want it to become a tool for service. My goal is to develop the clinical judgment necessary to care for critically ill patients while also remaining involved in my community and helping veterans who may otherwise fall through the gaps of the healthcare system. This scholarship would help lessen the financial burden of supporting myself through nursing school and allow me to continue building the education and skills I hope to return to my community through service.

My grandfather taught me that keeping your word can change the direction of an entire family. Before I knew him as the steady, dependable father figure in my life, he had struggled with alcoholism. At some point, he made the decision to put the bottle down and prioritize his family and the people around him. He stayed true to that decision, and the example he set became one of the strongest influences on the person I am today. His sobriety showed me that recovery is not only about stopping a harmful behavior. It is about rebuilding trust, choosing responsibility, and proving through consistent actions that change is possible. He became someone I could depend on, and because he was such an important father figure in my life, I paid close attention to the way he carried himself. What inspired me most was that when he said he was going to do something, he followed through. His decision to become sober was not temporary or symbolic; it became part of the way he lived. That lesson has shaped how I approach my own education and goals. I am a first-generation college student pursuing nursing while living independently in Houston and financially supporting myself. Nursing school requires a great deal of discipline, and there are times when balancing school, work, and everyday responsibilities is difficult. In those moments, I think about the standard my grandfather set: once you make a commitment, you continue showing up for it. I currently work in an intensive care unit at MD Anderson as a Professional Student Nurse Extern and am involved with the Texas Nursing Students’ Association through my school. These experiences continue to teach me that healthcare is about more than treating a diagnosis. Patients often come to us carrying complicated personal histories, family struggles, mental health concerns, or substance-use challenges. My grandfather’s story has helped me understand that people should never be reduced to the hardest period of their lives. Recovery, dignity, and second chances matter. My Christian faith also shapes the way I hope to practice nursing. I want my work to reflect compassion, humility, service, and respect for every person, especially those who may feel judged or forgotten. As I continue my education, I hope to spend more time volunteering in underserved communities and participating in health education and outreach. I want to help people understand their health, connect with resources, and feel supported rather than ashamed when they need help. My grandfather’s sobriety gave me more than a role model. It taught me that courage can look like choosing a different path and remaining faithful to that choice every day. I intend to carry that lesson into nursing by being dependable, serving others, and helping people believe that their past does not have to determine their future.

I have learned that ambition is not always loud. Sometimes it looks like showing up to class exhausted but prepared, working a long shift and still finding time to study, or continuing toward a goal even when there is no one else carrying the financial burden for you. As a first-generation college student pursuing nursing, I have had to learn how to balance independence, responsibility, and long-term goals while supporting myself. I currently live on my own in Houston, Texas, and provide for myself while attending nursing school. Managing rent, bills, work, and a demanding academic schedule has required discipline and sacrifice, but it has also made me more determined to succeed. Nursing school has challenged me academically and personally, yet every semester has reinforced why I chose this path. I want a career where my knowledge, judgment, and compassion can directly affect another person’s life. My faith is also an important part of how I view nursing and service. As a Christian student, I see caring for others as an opportunity to reflect values such as compassion, humility, patience, and respect for the dignity of every person. I hope that the way I interact with patients, families, and coworkers will reflect those values. For me, working in healthcare is not only about treating illness, but also about being present for people during some of the most difficult and vulnerable moments of their lives. Outside of the classroom, I am involved with the Texas Nursing Students’ Association through my school, where I continue to grow professionally and develop leadership skills. I also work at MD Anderson in an intensive care unit as a Professional Student Nurse Extern. Working around critically ill patients has shown me the importance of teamwork, communication, attention to detail, and remaining calm when situations become serious. It has also helped me become more confident in the kind of nurse I hope to become. Service is something I want to make a larger part of my future as well. I hope to spend more time volunteering in underserved communities and participating in healthcare outreach. I am especially interested in helping educate people about prevention, warning signs, chronic disease management, and available healthcare resources. I believe nursing extends beyond the hospital, and I want to use my education to help people feel more informed and empowered in their own health. Receiving the Kalia D. Davis Memorial Scholarship would help reduce some of the financial pressure I carry while supporting myself through school. It would allow me to put more time and energy into my education, clinical experiences, professional development, and community service. More importantly, it would help me continue building a future centered on hard work, faith, leadership, compassion, and service to others.

One of the most significant community health challenges I have witnessed is the gap between having healthcare available and actually being able to access, understand, and use it. During nursing school and my clinical experiences, I have seen how financial hardship, limited health literacy, transportation barriers, and lack of preventive care can affect patients long before they enter a hospital. By the time some patients receive care, conditions that could have been addressed earlier have progressed into more serious problems. As a first-generation college student pursuing nursing, I understand how important access to resources and support can be. I live independently in Houston, Texas, and financially provide for myself while completing nursing school. Balancing school, work, and living expenses has taught me discipline, resilience, and the importance of making the most of every opportunity. It has also made me more aware of how financial stress can influence a person’s ability to prioritize health, attend appointments, afford medications, or seek care early. My nursing education is teaching me to look beyond a diagnosis and understand the whole person. Through my coursework and clinical experiences, I am learning how physical illness can be influenced by psychological, social, and environmental factors. I am also involved with the Texas Nursing Students’ Association through my school, which has helped me continue developing leadership, professionalism, and a stronger connection to the nursing community. I currently work in an intensive care unit at MD Anderson as a Professional Student Nurse Extern. Working in critical care has shown me how serious illness can become and how important prevention, early intervention, patient education, and follow-up care are. Although I am drawn to the complexity and fast-paced decision-making of critical care nursing, these experiences have also made me think about what could have been done earlier in a patient’s healthcare journey. As I continue my education, I want to become more involved in volunteering and serving underserved communities where barriers to healthcare may be even greater. I would like to participate in outreach efforts that provide health education, preventive care resources, and guidance to people who may not otherwise have easy access to reliable healthcare information. Education can be a powerful form of prevention. Helping someone understand their condition, recognize warning signs, manage risk factors, or know when and where to seek care can make a meaningful difference before a health problem becomes a crisis. Ultimately, I want to become a nurse who combines strong clinical judgment with patient advocacy, leadership, and community service. My goal is not only to care for patients when they are critically ill, but also to help communities become better informed and empowered to protect their health. My nursing education and clinical experiences are giving me the knowledge and skills to help close the gap between healthcare resources and the people who need them most.

Nutrition is one of the most practical ways nurses can influence long-term health because eating habits affect nearly every major body system. As a nursing student and Professional Student Nurse Extern in an intensive care unit at MD Anderson Cancer Center, I have seen how nutrition can become especially important when patients are dealing with serious illness, treatment side effects, weakness, weight changes, or difficulty maintaining adequate intake. Those experiences have shown me that nutrition is not simply about dieting. It can be an essential part of recovery, disease management, and quality of life. In the ICU, I work alongside registered dietitians and the broader healthcare team to support nutrition plans for critically ill cancer patients. I help monitor intake, reinforce recommendations, and communicate concerns that may affect a patient’s nutritional status. Many patients experience nausea, loss of appetite, swallowing difficulties, taste changes, or increased nutritional needs during treatment. Seeing these challenges firsthand has taught me how individualized nutrition care needs to be and how important collaboration is in helping patients maintain strength and support recovery. In my nursing career, I plan to help patients understand how everyday food choices can support their health without making nutrition feel overwhelming or unrealistic. One of the most important roles nurses have is education, and I want to use that role to translate medical recommendations into practical steps patients can actually follow. Instead of simply telling someone to “eat healthier,” I want to help them understand why a change matters and how it can fit into their lifestyle, culture, budget, and medical needs. I also plan to encourage healthier eating by focusing on small, sustainable changes. For some patients, that may mean increasing fruits, vegetables, fiber, or protein. For others, it may mean reducing excessive sodium, added sugars, or highly processed foods. Patients with conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, or cancer may have very different nutritional needs, so education should never be one-size-fits-all. Another important step is recognizing the barriers that make healthy eating difficult. Cost, transportation, food access, work schedules, cultural preferences, and limited nutrition knowledge can all affect a person’s ability to follow dietary recommendations. As a nurse, I hope to identify those barriers early and connect patients with resources such as dietitians, community programs, food assistance, or educational support. As I continue my nursing education, I hope to eventually earn a doctorate in nursing and continue caring for critically ill patients in a clinical setting. I also want to participate in community health education, volunteer events, and opportunities to teach future nurses. Nutrition and prevention will be important parts of that work because improving health often begins long before a patient reaches the hospital. My goal is to help patients see nutrition as a tool they can use to support their health rather than another set of rules they are expected to follow. Through practical education, individualized support, and collaboration with other healthcare professionals, I hope to help patients make healthier choices that are realistic, sustainable, and meaningful to their lives.

Breast health education is important to me because I have seen firsthand how deeply breast cancer can affect a patient’s life long after the initial diagnosis. As a nursing student working as a Professional Student Nurse Extern in an intensive care unit at MD Anderson Cancer Center, I have helped care for patients with breast cancer who were admitted because of complications related to their disease or treatment, including patients whose cancer had metastasized to other parts of the body. Those experiences have shown me that breast health education is not simply about awareness. It can influence how early someone seeks care, how well they understand their diagnosis, and how prepared they feel to navigate treatment. Cancer can be overwhelming because patients are often asked to process complex medical information at the same time they are coping with fear, uncertainty, and major changes in their lives. Breast cancer can involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapies, hormonal treatments, imaging, genetic testing, and long-term follow-up. For someone who does not have a strong healthcare background, understanding all of that can be intimidating. Education can give patients a greater sense of control during a time when so much may feel outside of their control. My experience in critical care has also shown me what can happen when cancer becomes more advanced or when serious complications develop. I have cared for patients whose breast cancer had spread beyond the breast and patients experiencing complications related to their cancer or treatment. Seeing those situations has reinforced the importance of early detection, regular screening, understanding changes in one’s body, and having access to healthcare professionals who can explain information clearly and without judgment. Breast health education is also important because not everyone begins with the same level of knowledge or access to care. Some people may not understand when screening should begin, what symptoms deserve medical attention, or how family history and genetics may affect their risk. Others may delay care because of fear, cost, lack of insurance, cultural beliefs, or difficulty navigating the healthcare system. Education cannot solve every barrier, but it can help people recognize when something is wrong and feel more confident seeking help. As a future nurse, I want to be someone who helps close that gap. Nursing gives me the opportunity to educate patients in a way that is personal and understandable. Sometimes that may mean reinforcing why follow-up appointments matter, helping a patient understand a treatment plan, answering questions, or making sure concerns are communicated to the healthcare team. I have learned that patients often need information repeated in different ways, especially when they are frightened or overwhelmed. Good education requires patience, compassion, and the ability to meet people where they are. My long-term goal is to continue working with critically ill patients and eventually pursue advanced education in nursing. I also hope to remain involved in community outreach and health education. Whether through patient care, community screening events, educational programs, or mentoring future nurses, I want to use my nursing career to help people better understand their health and feel empowered to advocate for themselves. Working with breast cancer patients in the intensive care unit has taught me that knowledge can be a form of support. Breast health education can encourage early action, reduce fear, improve communication, and help patients participate more actively in their own care. For me, that is what makes it so important. Every person deserves access not only to treatment, but also to the understanding and guidance that help them navigate it.

I am a first-generation, nontraditional nursing student who has built my education around one central goal: using my career to care for people during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. I currently work part-time as a Professional Student Nurse Extern in an intensive care unit at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where I help care for patients facing cancer and critical illness. That experience has reinforced that nursing is not simply the career I chose; it is the way I hope to make a lasting impact on others. My path to this point has required persistence. After my first year of college, I moved from Michigan to Houston and continued pursuing my education while supporting myself independently. I have had to balance tuition, housing, transportation, clinical expenses, and everyday living costs while remaining focused on school. I have also relied on student loans to help cover educational and living expenses. Despite those challenges, I have continued to work toward academic excellence, earning recognition on the Dean’s List and remaining involved in the Texas Nursing Students’ Association. Working in healthcare has shown me that making a positive impact often begins with small, consistent acts of care. In the intensive care unit, patients and families are often dealing with fear, uncertainty, and life-changing diagnoses. I try to support them by being attentive, listening to their concerns, helping them feel comfortable, and advocating for their needs within the healthcare team. These experiences have taught me that clinical skill matters, but compassion and communication can be just as meaningful to someone going through a difficult moment. My long-term goals extend beyond earning my nursing degree. I hope to continue my education and eventually earn a doctorate in nursing so I can care for critically ill patients at an advanced level while remaining active in a clinical setting. I want to continue building the knowledge and leadership skills necessary to improve patient outcomes, advocate for vulnerable populations, and contribute to high-quality care. I also want my impact to extend beyond the patients directly in front of me. As I progress in my career, I hope to give back through community outreach, health education, volunteer events, and mentorship. I want to help people better understand their health and feel more confident navigating the healthcare system. I also hope to support future nursing students and new nurses by sharing what I have learned and helping educate the next generation of healthcare professionals. As a first-generation student, I understand how valuable encouragement and guidance can be when you are trying to build a future without a clear roadmap. I hope to become someone who provides that support for others. My goal is not simply to have a successful career. I want to build a career that improves lives through direct patient care, education, mentorship, advocacy, and service. This scholarship would help reduce the financial burden of completing my nursing education and allow me to continue investing in the skills and experiences that will help me serve others for years to come.

My plans for the future are centered on becoming a highly skilled nurse, continuing my education, and using my career to serve others. As a first-generation, nontraditional college student, I have learned that reaching those goals requires more than ambition. It requires persistence, adaptability, and the willingness to keep moving forward even when the path is unfamiliar. After my first year of college, I moved from Michigan to Houston and continued building my life and education independently. Since then, I have supported myself while pursuing nursing school, balancing tuition, housing, transportation, clinical expenses, and everyday living costs. To help cover both tuition and living expenses, I have also had to take out student loans. While those loans have allowed me to continue my education, they have added another layer of financial pressure to an already demanding journey. Despite those challenges, I have remained committed to academic and professional growth. I have earned recognition on the Dean’s List, stay involved in the Texas Nursing Students’ Association, and currently work part-time as a Professional Student Nurse Extern in an intensive care unit at MD Anderson Cancer Center. In that role, I help care for patients facing cancer and critical illness, and I see every day how much skill, compassion, advocacy, and sound clinical judgment matter in nursing. My immediate goal is to complete my nursing degree and begin working as a registered nurse in critical care. Long term, I hope to continue my education and eventually earn a doctorate in nursing so I can care for critically ill patients at an advanced level in a clinical setting. I want to continue developing the knowledge and leadership skills necessary to make a meaningful impact on complex patient care while remaining directly connected to the bedside and the patients I serve. I also want education and mentorship to become part of the way I give back. As I progress in my career, I hope to support future nursing students, share what I have learned, and participate in opportunities that help educate the next generation of nurses. I understand how valuable guidance can be when you are navigating an unfamiliar path, especially as a first-generation student. I want to become the kind of nurse who not only cares for patients, but also helps other students and new nurses grow in confidence, knowledge, and clinical judgment. This scholarship would help me continue pursuing these goals with greater financial stability. Because I support myself, scholarship assistance could reduce how much I need to rely on student loans and help offset the costs of tuition, clinical requirements, and everyday living expenses. That support would allow me to focus more of my energy on coursework, clinical preparation, professional development, and community involvement instead of continually worrying about the financial burden of completing my degree. To me, this scholarship would represent more than financial assistance. It would be an investment in the future I am working to create: one where I continue my education, care for critically ill patients, support future nurses, and use both my clinical work and education to serve others.

My experience with mental health has changed the way I understand strength, relationships, and the kind of person I want to become. As a military veteran, I have dealt with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression related to my service. I have also experienced the loss of people close to me because of mental health struggles, which has made this issue deeply personal. When I was younger, my cousin died by suicide at only sixteen years old while we were both still in high school. We were close, and losing someone so young forced me to confront how serious mental health struggles can be long before I fully understood them. Later, during and after my military service, I also lost friends I served with who died by suicide while on deployment or overdose after struggling with their mental health as a veteran themselves. Those losses changed the way I see people. They taught me that someone can appear strong, capable, or even happy while carrying pain that others cannot see. My own mental health journey has reinforced that lesson. For a long time, I believed strength meant pushing through difficult experiences without showing how much they affected me. Over time, I learned that ignoring mental health does not make it disappear. Managing my own post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression has required me to become more honest with myself and more willing to accept support. I use academic accommodations because panic attacks can interfere with my ability to perform in certain environments, and I take medication to help me maintain a stable baseline so I can continue meeting the demands of nursing school. My mental health has also affected the way I balance work and school. I currently work part-time as a Professional Student Nurse Extern in an intensive care unit at MD Anderson Cancer Center. At times, I have reduced my work hours so I can manage my symptoms and protect my academic performance. Because I support myself, that decision has created financial strain, but it has also taught me that caring for my mental health is necessary if I want to continue progressing toward my goals. These experiences have shaped my relationships by making me more patient, observant, and willing to listen without judgment. I understand that people often hide what they are experiencing, especially in environments like the military where strength and resilience are highly valued. I have learned that sometimes the most important thing you can do for someone is create a space where they feel safe admitting that they are struggling. My experiences have also shaped the kind of nurse I want to become. Working with critically ill cancer patients has shown me how closely physical illness and mental health are connected. A cancer diagnosis can bring fear, grief, anxiety, uncertainty, and major changes to a person’s sense of normalcy. I try to advocate for my patients by listening to their concerns, communicating their needs to the healthcare team, and making sure their emotional well-being is not overlooked while their physical condition is being treated. In the future, I hope to continue my education through graduate school and use my career to advocate for mental health through patient care, community education, volunteer work, and outreach. I also hope to help reduce the stigma that prevents veterans, students, patients, and families from asking for support. Losing people I loved and facing my own mental health challenges has taught me that silence can be dangerous and compassion can be powerful. I want my life and career to reflect that lesson by helping people feel seen, heard, and supported before they reach a point where they believe they have nowhere else to turn.

Mental health is important to me as a student because I know firsthand how deeply it can affect academic performance, work, relationships, and everyday life. As a military veteran, I live with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression related to my service. Managing these conditions while pursuing a demanding nursing degree has taught me that mental health is not separate from success in school; it is part of what makes success possible. There have been times when panic attacks, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating have made it harder to perform at the level I expect from myself. I have academic accommodations through my school that help me manage these challenges, and I also take medication that helps me maintain a more stable baseline so I can focus and function effectively. Learning to accept that support was important for me. I used to think that pushing through everything on my own was the strongest response, but I have learned that recognizing when you need support is often what allows you to keep progressing. My mental health has also affected the way I balance work and school. I currently work part-time as a Professional Student Nurse Extern in an intensive care unit at MD Anderson Cancer Center while completing nursing school. At times, I have had to reduce my work hours so I can manage my symptoms and maintain the academic performance required of me. That decision has created financial strain because I support myself, but it has also taught me the importance of protecting my long-term well-being. I advocate for mental health both in my personal life and through the way I care for patients. Many of the cancer patients I work with are navigating not only a serious diagnosis, but also fear, uncertainty, grief, anxiety, and changes in their sense of normalcy. I try to advocate for them by listening closely, communicating their concerns to the healthcare team, helping them understand what is happening, and making sure their emotional needs are not overlooked while their physical condition is being treated. Sometimes advocacy means helping a patient feel heard during a frightening moment or recognizing that they may need additional emotional or psychological support. These experiences have reinforced my belief that mental health should never be treated as secondary to physical health. In school and healthcare environments, I try to make conversations about mental health feel normal rather than shameful. When appropriate, I am open about the fact that seeking treatment, using accommodations, or taking medication does not make someone less capable. Support can be what allows someone to continue succeeding. My nursing education has strengthened my commitment to this kind of advocacy. I want to become a nurse who listens without judgment, recognizes emotional distress, and helps patients navigate both the physical and psychological impact of illness. In the future, I hope to continue advocating through patient education, community outreach, volunteer events, and conversations that reduce stigma, especially among veterans, students, and patients facing serious illness. My experiences with PTSD, anxiety, and depression have made my educational journey more difficult, but they have also deepened my empathy. I want to use that understanding not only to succeed as a student, but also to help others feel seen, supported, and less alone.

Mental illness has affected nearly every part of my life, but it has also changed the way I understand strength, compassion, and perseverance. I am a nursing student, a first-generation college student, and a military veteran. After my service, I began dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression related to my military experiences. Learning how to manage those conditions while continuing my education has been one of the most difficult parts of my journey. For me, mental health challenges are not always visible. Anxiety can become overwhelming without warning, and panic attacks can make ordinary situations much harder to navigate. In school, I have needed academic accommodations to help manage these episodes and create an environment where I can perform to the best of my ability. Accepting those accommodations was an important step because it required me to recognize that asking for support is sometimes necessary in order to keep moving forward. Medication has also become part of how I manage my mental health. It does not erase what I have experienced, but it helps bring me closer to a stable baseline so I can focus, function, and meet the demands of nursing school and daily life. Learning to accept treatment taught me that managing mental illness is often an ongoing process rather than a single solution. These challenges have also made it difficult to balance work and school. Nursing school requires intense focus, clinical preparation, studying, and long hours, and there have been times when trying to maintain the same workload while managing my mental health was no longer realistic. I have had to reduce my work hours so I can protect my academic performance, manage my symptoms, and make sure I am able to meet the responsibilities of my program. While that decision has been necessary, it has also created greater financial strain because I support myself independently and rely on my income for living and educational expenses. Despite these challenges, I have remained committed to my education and future in nursing. I have earned recognition on the Dean’s List, stay involved in the Texas Nursing Students’ Association, and work part-time as a Professional Student Nurse Extern in an intensive care unit at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Balancing nursing school, work, finances, and my mental health has required consistency and resilience, but it has also shown me how much I am capable of accomplishing when I have the right support and remain committed to my goals. My experiences have also changed the kind of nurse I want to become. I understand that a person can look composed on the outside while struggling internally. Because of that, I want to approach patients with patience, empathy, and an awareness that not every challenge can be seen. Mental health should be treated with the same seriousness and dignity as physical health, and I hope to carry that belief into every patient interaction. Receiving this scholarship would help relieve some of the financial pressure created by reducing my work hours so I can succeed academically and care for my mental health. More importantly, it would support my goal of becoming a nurse who understands that sometimes the most meaningful care begins with compassion, patience, and the willingness to see what others may not.

Online learning has become one of the most important parts of how I succeed as a nursing student because it allows me to turn difficult material into something I can review, practice, and apply at my own pace. As a veteran and nontraditional student, I have learned to value flexibility, structure, and resources that help me make the most of limited time. In nursing school, online platforms have become essential tools that help me connect classroom knowledge to real patient care. I regularly use Canvas to organize my coursework, review assignments, access lecture materials, and keep track of deadlines. I also rely on platforms such as Elsevier Sherpath, Lippincott, Shadow Health, vSIM, digital textbooks, recorded lectures, and online NCLEX-style question banks. Each resource supports my learning in a different way. Recorded lectures allow me to revisit complex topics that I may not fully understand the first time. Digital textbooks and course platforms give me quick access to explanations, practice activities, and clinical examples. Simulation tools such as Shadow Health and vSIM help me practice assessment, prioritization, communication, and clinical decision-making in a low-risk environment before applying those skills in real patient settings. Online question banks have been especially helpful because they force me to move beyond memorization. Nursing requires understanding why one intervention is safer or more appropriate than another, and practice questions help me strengthen that judgment. Reviewing rationales helps me identify weak areas and understand how concepts connect across different conditions. These tools have also helped me apply my knowledge in my current role as a Professional Student Nurse Extern in an intensive care unit at MD Anderson Cancer Center. When I study topics such as respiratory failure, cardiovascular changes, infection, medications, or laboratory values online, I am often able to recognize those same concepts in the patients I help care for at work. That connection makes the information more meaningful because I am not simply studying to pass an exam. I am learning information that can directly affect how I understand a patient’s condition and how I contribute to their care. As someone who balances school, work, and independent living responsibilities, online learning also gives me the flexibility to study whenever time is available. I can review a lecture after work, complete practice questions between responsibilities, or revisit a simulation before clinical. That accessibility has helped me remain consistent and academically focused even during demanding weeks. My educational journey has taught me that learning does not have to stop when class ends. Technology has allowed me to become a more independent, adaptable, and intentional learner. I plan to continue using online resources throughout nursing school, graduate education, and my professional career because healthcare is constantly evolving. For me, online learning is not simply a convenience. It is a tool that helps me transform knowledge into better clinical judgment, stronger preparation, and ultimately better care for the patients I serve.

What gives me an advantage is not one accomplishment by itself, but the path I have taken to reach this point. I am a first-generation, nontraditional nursing student who moved from Michigan to Houston after my first year of college and has continued pursuing my education while supporting myself independently. Along the way, I have learned how to adapt, make sacrifices, and continue moving forward even when the path has not been easy or clearly laid out. Supporting myself while completing nursing school has required me to balance responsibilities that often compete for the same time and energy. I have worked while completing prerequisites, changed between day and night shifts to accommodate my class schedule, completed assignments during lunch breaks, and studied whenever I could find the time. Those experiences taught me that success is not always about having ideal circumstances. Sometimes it is about learning how to make progress with the circumstances you have. Despite those demands, I have remained committed to academic excellence. I have earned recognition on the Dean’s List and stay involved in the Texas Nursing Students’ Association. I currently work part-time as a Professional Student Nurse Extern in an intensive care unit at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where I help care for patients facing cancer and critical illness. Before joining the ICU, I worked on a stem cell transplant unit, which gave me an early understanding of how deeply illness can affect not only patients, but also their families. My work in healthcare has given my education a sense of purpose that goes beyond earning a degree. I am able to see concepts from the classroom applied to real patients, and every shift reminds me of the responsibility I will carry as a nurse. It has also strengthened qualities that cannot be measured by a GPA alone: compassion, communication, adaptability, teamwork, and the ability to remain present for someone during a difficult moment. I believe my advantage is that I have already had to practice many of the qualities that my future career will demand. I know how to remain focused when I am tired, adapt when plans change, manage competing responsibilities, and continue showing up for others while working toward my own goals. My journey has required independence, but it has also taught me the importance of community and service. My goals do not end with earning my nursing degree. I hope to attend graduate school in the future, continue developing my clinical knowledge, and use my career to serve others through patient care, community outreach, volunteer work, and health education. I also hope to encourage other first-generation and nontraditional students who may question whether they belong in higher education. I believe I deserve consideration because I have consistently made the most of the opportunities available to me. I have turned challenges into discipline, work experience into professional growth, and education into a way to serve others. This scholarship would help me continue that path with greater financial stability and allow me to invest even more of my energy into becoming the nurse, leader, and community member I am working to become.

I served four years in the U.S. Navy overseas, completing three deployments that shaped the way I view service, responsibility, and my future. My military experience required discipline, adaptability, teamwork, and a willingness to place the needs of others alongside my own. Although my time in uniform has ended, those values continue to influence the way I approach my education, career, and community. Serving overseas exposed me to different cultures, perspectives, and challenges while reinforcing how important trust and teamwork are when people depend on one another. It also taught me that service can take many forms. After transitioning out of the military, I chose to pursue nursing because I wanted to continue helping others in a direct and meaningful way. Today, I am a first-generation nursing student who supports myself while completing a demanding degree. I also work part-time as a Professional Student Nurse Extern in an intensive care unit at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where I help care for patients facing cancer and critical illness. Balancing school, work, and financial responsibilities has required the same persistence and flexibility that I developed during my Navy service. My connection to the veteran community remains important to me. In the future, I hope to attend graduate school and potentially work within the VA healthcare system, where I can care for fellow veterans while also giving back through community outreach, health education, and volunteer service. Military service taught me that leadership is rooted in responsibility to others. Nursing has given me a new way to carry that lesson forward.

To me, selflessness means choosing to be present for other people even when life is already demanding. It does not always require a dramatic act. Sometimes it looks like giving your time, attention, patience, or knowledge to someone who needs it, even when you have your own responsibilities waiting for you. That idea has shaped the way I have approached both nursing and my life as a student. I currently work part-time as a Professional Student Nurse Extern in an intensive care unit at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where I help care for patients facing cancer and critical illness. Before moving into the ICU, I worked on a stem cell transplant unit. Both experiences have taught me how vulnerable people can feel when they are sick and how meaningful even small acts of support can be. There have been many moments when a patient needed more than a task completed. They needed someone to listen, help them feel comfortable, explain what was happening in a way they could understand, or simply stay calm when they were afraid. Those moments have taught me that healthcare is deeply personal. A patient may not remember every detail of their treatment, but they often remember whether they felt respected, heard, and cared for. I try to bring that mindset into every interaction. My commitment to helping others also extends beyond the hospital. I am involved in the Texas Nursing Students’ Association, and I hope to continue becoming more active in opportunities that allow me to serve and educate the community. As I grow in nursing, I want to participate in volunteer events, health education programs, and community outreach efforts where I can help people better understand their health and connect with resources they may not otherwise know are available. Perseverance has also been a major part of my journey. I am a first-generation, nontraditional student who moved from Michigan to Houston after my first year of college and has supported myself while pursuing my education. I have balanced classes, clinicals, work, and daily living expenses while continuing to move toward my goal of becoming a nurse. There were periods when I completed schoolwork during lunch breaks, studied between patient-care responsibilities, and changed between day and night shifts to make my work schedule fit around my classes. Those experiences taught me that perseverance is not just continuing when something is difficult; it is continuing while still trying to show up for other people. My long-term goal is to become a nurse who combines clinical skill with genuine service. I also hope to attend graduate school someday and expand the ways I can contribute to patient care and my community. I want to use my education not only to advance professionally, but also to mentor others, participate in outreach, and help people feel more confident navigating healthcare. I believe selflessness is something practiced repeatedly through everyday choices. Nursing has given me the opportunity to make those choices now, and I hope my career will allow me to spend a lifetime continuing to make them.

Being a first-generation college student means learning how to build a path that no one in your immediate family has walked before. For me, that has meant navigating college, financial aid, nursing school, and professional opportunities largely through my own research, persistence, and willingness to ask questions. It also means knowing that the decisions I make now can create a different future for myself and set a new example for my family. My path through college has not been traditional. After my first year, I moved from Michigan to Houston to continue building my future in a new state. That transition required me to become more independent, adaptable, and intentional about my goals. Since then, I have supported myself while pursuing a demanding nursing degree and balancing the costs of housing, transportation, tuition, textbooks, and clinical expenses. At times, that balance has required significant sacrifice. I have completed assignments during lunch breaks, studied between patient-care responsibilities, and repeatedly adjusted my work schedule around classes. Earlier in my education, I even switched between day and night shifts while completing prerequisites so I could remain on track for nursing school. Those experiences have taught me resilience, discipline, and how to keep moving forward even when there is no perfect balance. I have earned recognition on the Dean’s List, remain involved in the Texas Nursing Students’ Association, and currently work part-time as a Professional Student Nurse Extern in an intensive care unit at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where I help care for patients facing cancer and critical illness. My dream extends beyond earning my nursing degree. I hope to attend graduate school in the future, continue developing my clinical knowledge, and use that education to make an even greater impact in healthcare. I also want service to remain a meaningful part of my life. Through my work, volunteer opportunities, community events, and health-education initiatives, I hope to give back to the community that has helped me grow. Whether I am caring for a critically ill patient, educating someone about their health, volunteering, or mentoring another student, I want my career to be defined by service as much as professional achievement. What drives me is the belief that my circumstances should not determine the limits of what I can achieve. Being first-generation has made every accomplishment more meaningful because each step forward has required me to create my own roadmap. This scholarship would reduce the financial pressure of supporting myself while completing nursing school and allow me to devote more energy to my education, clinical development, and service to others. More than financial assistance, it would be an investment in the future I am working to create one centered on education, service, and making a positive impact on others.

Working while pursuing my nursing degree has been a constant part of my educational journey. Today, I work part-time as a Professional Student Nurse Extern in an intensive care unit at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where I help care for critically ill cancer patients while completing my nursing education. Being able to work alongside nurses in such a specialized environment has strengthened both my clinical skills and my motivation to become a nurse. However, balancing that opportunity with the demands of being a full-time student requires discipline, sacrifice, and careful planning. As a first-generation, nontraditional student who supports myself independently, working while attending school has never been optional. It has been part of what allows me to continue pursuing my education. At the same time, I have remained committed to excelling academically. I have earned recognition on the Dean’s List and stay involved in the Texas Nursing Students’ Association while managing classes, clinical responsibilities, studying, and work. My experience balancing work and school began even before I entered the nursing program. Before working in the ICU, I worked at MD Anderson on a stem cell transplant unit while completing my prerequisite courses. During that period, my school schedule changed frequently, and I had to continually adjust my work schedule around my classes. There were times when I switched between day and night shifts simply because that was what I needed to do to remain enrolled in the courses required for nursing school. Some of my most memorable study sessions did not happen in a library or at a desk at home. They happened during lunch breaks at the hospital or during quiet moments between patient-care responsibilities. I would bring assignments to work, complete coursework during my breaks, and study whenever I had an opportunity. After working a shift caring for patients, I often still had assignments to complete or exams to prepare for. There were days when I had to transition from being an employee to being a student almost immediately, regardless of how tired I was. Balancing those responsibilities was particularly challenging because both deserved my full attention. My patients depended on me to be present and attentive at work, while my education required the same level of commitment outside of it. I learned that overcoming this challenge was not about finding more hours in the day; it was about becoming more intentional with the hours I had. I planned ahead, used small periods of downtime productively, adjusted my work schedule when necessary, and learned to make sacrifices in my personal time so that neither my patients nor my education received less than my best effort. Those experiences have shaped the student and future nurse I am today. Working at MD Anderson while completing my education has allowed me to see the purpose behind what I learn in the classroom. The challenges of working through school have taught me resilience, accountability, adaptability, and time management. I am proud that I have continued progressing toward my nursing degree while supporting myself, maintaining strong academic performance, and gaining meaningful experience caring for patients. My journey has required sacrifice, but it has also confirmed how deeply committed I am to nursing. Receiving this scholarship would reduce some of the financial pressure that makes balancing work and school necessary and allow me to devote even more energy to my education and clinical development. Ultimately, the same persistence that has carried me through long shifts, changing schedules, lunch-break assignments, and late-night studying is the persistence I will bring to caring for my future patients.

As a first-generation and nontraditional college student, earning my nursing degree represents more than reaching a personal goal. It represents building a future through persistence, discipline, and a commitment to serving others. I believe I should be chosen for the EBG Nursing Scholarship because I have worked hard to excel academically and professionally while carrying the financial responsibilities that come with supporting myself throughout nursing school. I am currently a nursing student in Texas, where I have earned recognition on the Dean’s List and remained involved in the Texas Nursing Students’ Association. Outside of the classroom, I work as a Professional Student Nurse Extern in an intensive care unit at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Working in the ICU has strengthened my commitment to nursing because I see firsthand how much patients and families rely on nurses during some of the most difficult and uncertain moments of their lives. It has also taught me that excellent nursing requires more than clinical knowledge. It requires compassion, advocacy, patience, teamwork, and the ability to make patients feel safe and supported. My financial need is shaped by the reality of pursuing a demanding nursing degree while independently managing the cost of living and education. Unlike many traditional students, I am responsible for maintaining my own household and covering everyday expenses while also paying for tuition, textbooks, clinical requirements, transportation, and other costs associated with nursing school. Because my support system is not nearby, I have had to become especially self-reliant and intentional about balancing work, school, and finances. Nursing school also requires significant time outside of class for studying, clinical preparation, labs, and assignments, which limits how much I can work without compromising my academic performance. Receiving this scholarship would ease that pressure and allow me to devote more time and energy to succeeding in my program and preparing for my future career. Once established as a nurse, I plan to help others by providing skilled and compassionate care to critically ill patients and by serving as an advocate for patients and families who may feel overwhelmed by the healthcare system. I also hope to continue my education, grow into advanced nursing roles, and mentor future nurses. As a first-generation student who has had to navigate higher education with a great deal of independence, I want to encourage other students from similar backgrounds to believe that they belong in nursing and that their circumstances do not have to limit what they can achieve. This scholarship would do more than help cover the cost of my education. It would support a student who has demonstrated academic excellence, professional commitment, resilience, and a genuine desire to serve others. I intend to carry that support forward throughout my career by giving my patients the same compassion, dignity, and encouragement that have shaped the kind of nurse I hope to become.

My academic and career goals are closely tied to my personal experiences and my desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and my goal is to work as a nurse in a critical care or inpatient hospital setting where I can care for patients during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Nursing feels like a natural continuation of the values and skills I have developed through service, hardship, and hands-on patient care. Before beginning my academic journey, I served four years in the United States Navy and completed three overseas deployments. That experience taught me discipline, accountability, and the importance of teamwork in high-pressure environments. It also pushed me mentally and emotionally and forced me to develop resilience and perseverance. Those lessons stayed with me when I transitioned out of the military and returned to school, where I had to balance academics, work, and supporting myself independently. While completing my nursing prerequisites, I worked as a Patient Care Technician and Certified Nursing Assistant at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Caring for patients undergoing rigorous treatment for hematologic cancers had a major influence on my academic motivation. I saw firsthand how nurses combined technical skill with compassion and advocacy, and I realized how much impact they had on both patients and families. Even small interactions such as helping someone feel comfortable, listening when they were scared, or simply being present all made a big difference. Those experiences reinforced my commitment to nursing and pushed me to stay focused and disciplined in my studies. Academically, my goal is to successfully complete my BSN program and continue building a strong foundation of clinical knowledge and critical thinking skills. I am intentional about my education because I know that strong preparation will allow me to provide safer, more effective care. I plan to seek opportunities such as student nurse externships and clinical experiences that will prepare me for working in high-acuity environments after graduation. Career-wise, I hope to work in critical care or inpatient settings where patients often feel vulnerable, overwhelmed, or afraid. I also plan to use my nursing education beyond the bedside by participating in community outreach and health education, particularly in underserved or lower-income communities. Having supported myself financially and lived far from family support, I understand how access to care and education can be limited, and I want to be part of addressing those gaps. Ultimately, my academic and career goals are driven by purpose rather than prestige. I want a career where I can serve others, be part of a team working toward the greater good and make a real difference one patient at a time. Nursing allows me to combine my background in service, my personal experiences, and my education into a career rooted in compassion, responsibility, and impact.

My experience with mental health has had a profound influence on my beliefs, relationships, and career aspirations. It has reshaped how I view strength, empathy, and what it truly means to care for others. Rather than being something I try to separate from my goals, my mental health journey has become one of the strongest reasons I am pursuing a career in nursing. My struggles with anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) stem largely from my time serving in the United States Navy. During my four years of service, including three overseas deployments, I was exposed to high-stress environments that demanded constant alertness, discipline, and emotional control. While I was proud to serve, transitioning out of the military forced me to confront the mental and emotional toll those experiences had taken on me. Living with anxiety and PTSD challenged many of my beliefs about what it meant to be strong. I learned that strength is not about suppressing pain, but about acknowledging it and continuing forward despite it. My faith as a Christian has played an important role in helping me navigate these challenges. It has grounded me during moments of fear and uncertainty and has shaped my belief that suffering can deepen compassion rather than diminish it. Through prayer and reflection, I learned to extend grace not only to others, but to myself. This perspective has influenced how I relate to people, making me more patient, understanding, and present in my relationships. Experiencing mental health struggles firsthand has allowed me to show up more authentically for others, especially those who may feel misunderstood or alone. These experiences strongly influenced my career aspirations. After leaving the military, I worked as a Patient Care Technician and Certified Nursing Assistant at MD Anderson Cancer Center while completing my nursing prerequisites. Caring for patients undergoing rigorous treatment for hematologic cancers showed me how closely physical and mental health are connected. I saw patients experiencing fear, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion alongside their medical diagnoses. Because of my own experiences, I was able to approach patients with empathy and compassion, understanding that sometimes the greatest need was simply to feel heard or supported. One of the most meaningful lessons I learned is that healing is not always about fixing something—it is often about being present. This realization is what draws me to inpatient and critical care settings, where patients are often at their most vulnerable. My mental health journey has prepared me to sit with discomfort, offer reassurance, and care for patients as whole individuals rather than just symptoms. Ultimately, my experiences with mental health have shaped the nurse I hope to become. They have taught me empathy, humility, and the importance of compassionate care. I aspire to be a nurse who advocates for mental health awareness, supports patients during their lowest moments, and provides care rooted in understanding, faith, and genuine human connection.

The idea that every experience shapes who we become strongly reflects my own journey and the reasons I chose to pursue a career in healthcare. My path has not been linear, and many of my most meaningful lessons came from personal challenges that forced me to grow, reflect, and better understand both myself and others. These experiences ultimately shaped my desire to work in healthcare and continue to guide how I hope to make a positive impact as a future nurse. My foundation was built during my four years of service in the United States Navy, where I was stationed overseas and completed three deployments. The military taught me discipline, responsibility, and how to function in high-pressure environments. At the same time, it also challenged me mentally and emotionally. I struggled with anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which made me realize how complex health truly is. Going through those struggles firsthand gave me a deeper sense of empathy for others facing invisible challenges and helped me understand how important mental health care is within the larger healthcare system. After leaving the military, I worked as a Patient Care Technician and Certified Nursing Assistant at MD Anderson Cancer Center while completing my nursing prerequisites. That experience had a profound impact on me. I cared for patients undergoing intensive treatment for hematologic cancers and saw how physically and emotionally demanding their journeys were. I also witnessed how nurses played a critical role in supporting patients, not just medically, but emotionally. Watching nurses comfort patients, advocate for them, and build trust reinforced my desire to pursue nursing as a career where compassion truly matters. One moment that has stayed with me involved sitting one-on-one with a confused patient who could only rest while holding his wife’s hand. When she had to leave to get some sleep, he became anxious and restless. I sat beside him and held his hand throughout the night, allowing him to finally relax and sleep. That experience showed me that healing is not always about medications or procedures—it can also come from simple human connection. My personal challenges have shaped the way I approach healthcare and how I relate to patients. They have taught me patience, humility, and the importance of meeting people where they are. As I pursue a career in nursing, I hope to use these experiences to provide compassionate, patient-centered care and advocate for individuals who may feel overwhelmed, scared, or unheard. My journey has prepared me not only to care for patients clinically, but to truly understand and support them during some of the hardest moments of their lives.

My motivation for pursuing advanced education is rooted in a lifelong commitment to service, growth, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. From my time serving in the United States Navy to my current journey as a nursing student, I have consistently sought roles that challenge me, push me to grow, and allow me to contribute to something greater than myself. Advanced education is not just a personal goal for me—it is a necessary step toward maximizing the impact I can have on individuals, families, and communities. During my four years of military service, including three overseas deployments, I learned the value of discipline, resilience, and perseverance under pressure. That experience shaped my ambition and gave me the confidence to pursue challenging goals, even when the path forward felt uncertain. It also exposed me to the realities of mental health struggles, including my own experiences with anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Rather than discouraging me, those challenges strengthened my desire to help others who are navigating difficult circumstances, especially in healthcare settings. After transitioning out of the military, I worked as a Patient Care Technician and Certified Nursing Assistant at MD Anderson Cancer Center while completing my nursing prerequisites. There, I cared for patients undergoing intensive treatment for hematologic cancers and worked closely alongside nurses who exemplified both clinical excellence and compassion. Witnessing the difference nurses made—often through small but meaningful acts of care—reinforced my drive to pursue nursing at a higher level. It showed me that advanced education would allow me to provide more comprehensive care, advocate more effectively for patients, and take on greater responsibility in critical care environments. This scholarship would significantly benefit me by helping alleviate the financial burden that comes with pursuing higher education as a self-supporting student. I live independently, away from my family, and have supported myself throughout my academic journey, often working while balancing rigorous coursework. Financial support through this scholarship would allow me to focus more fully on my education, clinical training, and professional development, rather than dividing my attention between school and financial stress. Ultimately, my ambition is not defined solely by career advancement, but by impact. Through advanced education, I aim to work in critical care settings, serve underserved populations, and contribute to community education and outreach efforts. This scholarship would be an investment not only in my education, but in my continued commitment to service, leadership, and compassionate care.

My inspiration for pursuing a career in nursing comes from a deep desire to serve others and to be present for people during the most difficult moments of their lives. That desire was shaped early on during my four years of service in the United States Navy, where I was stationed overseas and completed three deployments. Military life taught me discipline, resilience, and the importance of teamwork, but it also exposed me to the emotional and mental challenges that come with high-stress environments. Through that experience, I faced my own struggles with anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, which gave me a new level of empathy for others who are hurting, both physically and emotionally. After leaving the military, I worked as a Patient Care Technician and Certified Nursing Assistant at MD Anderson Cancer Center while completing my nursing prerequisites. Caring for patients undergoing intense treatment for hematologic cancers changed me. I witnessed fear, strength, and hope all existing at once, and I saw how much a compassionate nurse could impact someone’s experience. Some of the most meaningful moments were simple ones helping a patient feel comfortable, listening when they needed to talk, or seeing them smile despite everything they were facing. Those moments made it clear to me that I wanted a career where I could truly make a difference. Nursing feels like a natural continuation of who I am and what I’ve been called to do. It allows me to combine my background in service, my personal experiences, and my passion for helping others into a profession rooted in compassion and purpose. I am pursuing nursing not just to treat illness, but to care for people as whole individuals and to support them when they need it most. To me, the phrase “human touch” represents presence, reassurance, and connection—especially in moments when words are not enough. In healthcare, human touch is a reminder to patients that they are not alone, that they are seen as people rather than diagnoses, and that someone genuinely cares about their comfort and well-being. It is one of the simplest yet most powerful tools we have in patient care. I came to fully understand the impact of human touch while working as a one-on-one sitter at MD Anderson Cancer Center. I was caring for a patient who was confused, anxious, and unable to rest. Throughout the evening, the only way he was able to remain calm enough to sleep was by holding his wife’s hand. Eventually, she needed to leave to get rest herself, but as soon as she did, his anxiety returned. He became restless and frightened, unable to settle back into sleep. Recognizing how much that physical connection meant to him, I pulled a chair up next to his bed and gently held his hand. Almost immediately, his breathing slowed, his body relaxed, and he was able to fall asleep. I remained by his side for most of the night, holding his hand so he could rest peacefully. In that moment, I realized that no medication or monitor could replace the comfort that simple human touch provided. That experience reinforced my belief that healing goes beyond clinical interventions. Human touch can reduce anxiety, provide emotional security, and foster trust between patients and caregivers. It can be especially meaningful for patients who are confused, frightened, or facing serious illness, as it offers grounding and reassurance when they feel out of control. Touch can communicate compassion, patience, and understanding in ways that words often cannot. As I pursue a career in nursing, I carry this experience with me. It serves as a reminder that while technical skills and medical knowledge are essential, compassionate presence is just as important. Human touch has the power to calm, comfort, and heal, and I strive to bring that level of empathy into every patient interaction. Ultimately, it is these moments of connection that define quality patient care and make a lasting difference in patients’ lives.

I am a nursing student, U.S. Navy veteran, and former patient care technician who has always been drawn to service-oriented work. Serving others has been a consistent theme throughout my young adult life, shaping both who I am and the career path I am pursuing today. My earliest and most formative experience with servitude began during my time in the United States Navy, where I completed three overseas deployments in the Asia-Pacific region. During these deployments, I participated in missions that brought us to developing and third-world communities for short periods of time. These experiences exposed me to populations with limited resources and healthcare access and reinforced the importance of teamwork, humility, and service without expectation of recognition. Military service taught me that meaningful impact often comes from showing up consistently, working as a team to prioritize others less who are less fortunate in difficult environments, and putting the needs of others first. After transitioning out of the military, I sought a way to continue serving my community on a more personal level. While completing my nursing prerequisites, I worked as a patient care technician and certified nursing assistant at MD Anderson Cancer Center. In this role, I cared for patients undergoing intensive and often life-altering treatments, particularly those battling hematologic cancers. My responsibilities included assisting with daily care, providing emotional support, and ensuring patient comfort during long hospital stays. One of the most meaningful ways I made a positive impact was simply being present for patients during their most vulnerable moments. Many patients faced fear, exhaustion, and uncertainty, and I learned that compassion, patience, and genuine human connection could make a significant difference. Helping a patient smile during a difficult day or offering reassurance during treatment reinforced my belief that servitude does not always require grand gestures—sometimes it is about consistent kindness and attentiveness. Now, as a nursing student, I continue to serve my community by building the clinical knowledge and skills necessary to provide safe, compassionate, and effective care. My experiences in the military and at MD Anderson have shaped my approach to nursing, emphasizing empathy, teamwork, and advocacy. I strive to carry these values into my education and future practice, knowing that my role as a nurse will allow me to continue making a positive impact on individuals, families, and communities. Service has guided every major decision in my life, and I am committed to continuing that mission through nursing.

I want to pursue a degree in nursing because it allows me to combine my passion for service, human connection, and clinical excellence into a career that directly impacts the lives of others. Nursing is not just a profession to me, but it is a calling that aligns with my values, life experiences, and long-term goals. My desire to serve began during my time in the United States Navy, where I completed multiple overseas deployments in the Asia-Pacific region. Military service taught me discipline, resilience, teamwork, and the importance of placing the needs of others above my own. Operating in high-stress environments required me to remain calm, adaptable, and accountable. Skills that naturally translate to patient care. Most importantly, my time in service instilled in me a lifelong commitment to contributing to something greater than myself. After transitioning out of the military, I sought a path where I could continue serving others in a meaningful and personal way. This led me to healthcare. While completing my nursing prerequisites, I worked as a patient care technician and certified nursing assistant at MD Anderson Cancer Center. There, I cared for patients undergoing intensive treatments for hematologic and other cancers. Supporting patients through long hospital stays, managing basic care needs, and offering comfort during emotionally difficult moments gave me a firsthand understanding of how powerful compassionate nursing care can be. Working closely alongside nurses in this environment solidified my decision to pursue nursing. I witnessed how nurses advocate for patients, coordinate complex care, and provide emotional support not only to patients but also to their families. Being able to make patients smile, even in the midst of rigorous treatment, reinforced my desire to become a nurse and confirmed that this profession aligns with my purpose. As a nurse, I hope to contribute to my community through both direct patient care and community outreach. I plan to work in critical care settings, where nurses play a vital role in stabilizing patients, supporting families, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to achieve the best outcomes. Critical care appeals to me because it demands strong clinical judgment, teamwork, and compassion. These are qualities I have developed through my military service and healthcare experience. Beyond the hospital setting, I aim to give back to my community by promoting health education, preventative care, and health equity, particularly in underserved and lower socioeconomic areas. I believe nurses have a responsibility to advocate for accessible healthcare and to educate individuals and families so they can make informed decisions about their health. Through volunteer work, community programs, and patient education, I hope to help bridge gaps in care and improve overall community wellness. Pursuing a nursing degree will allow me to continue a life of service while making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and the communities I serve. Nursing offers me the opportunity to lead with compassion, advocate for those in need, and contribute positively to the future of healthcare.

I am a Bachelor of Science in Nursing student and a U.S. Navy veteran who is deeply committed to serving others through healthcare. My desire to pursue nursing is rooted in a lifelong sense of service, shaped by both my military background and my hands-on experience caring for patients in high-acuity clinical settings. I served four years in the United States Navy, completing multiple overseas deployments in the Asia-Pacific region. During my time in service, I learned the importance of discipline, teamwork, accountability, and performing under pressure. Operating in high-stress environments taught me how to remain calm, focused, and adaptable skills that directly translate to patient care. Most importantly, my military service instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility to serve something greater than myself, a value that continues to guide my personal and professional goals. After transitioning out of the military, I pursued healthcare as a way to continue serving others in a meaningful and personal way. While completing my nursing prerequisites, I worked as a patient care technician and certified nursing assistant at MD Anderson Cancer Center. In this role, I cared for patients undergoing rigorous cancer treatments, many of whom were facing some of the most difficult moments of their lives. I assisted with daily patient care, monitored vital signs, supported mobility, and provided comfort during long hospital stays. Working alongside nurses in this environment gave me firsthand insight into the impact nurses have on patients and their families. I saw how skilled nursing care could ease fear, restore dignity, and bring comfort even when outcomes were uncertain. One of the most meaningful aspects of my experience was being able to make patients smile during such a challenging time. Seeing those moments of relief and human connection reinforced my passion for nursing and confirmed that this is the field where I belong. I plan to work in critical care nursing after earning my BSN. I am drawn to critical care because it demands clinical excellence, teamwork, and emotional resilience. These environments allow nurses to play a vital role in patient outcomes while advocating for patients who may not be able to advocate for themselves. My background in military service and oncology care has prepared me to function effectively in fast-paced, high-acuity settings. Beyond direct patient care, I hope to use my nursing education to serve underserved communities through health education, outreach, and advocacy. I am particularly interested in promoting health literacy and access to care in lower socioeconomic areas. Nursing provides an opportunity to make a tangible difference not only at the bedside, but also within the broader community. Through my military service, healthcare experience, and academic journey, I have developed a strong commitment to compassion, service, and lifelong learning. I believe nursing will allow me to combine these values into a career where I can positively impact both individual lives and the healthcare system as a whole.

My desire to pursue nursing is rooted in my need to make a meaningful difference in the world, not in abstract ways, but through direct impact on individual lives. This purpose became clear to me while working as a patient care technician and certified nursing assistant at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where I had the opportunity to care for patients undergoing some of the most rigorous and life-altering treatments imaginable. At MD Anderson, I worked closely alongside nurses in a fast-paced, high-acuity environment. I observed how nurses served as the constant presence for patients coordinating care, advocating for needs, providing education, and offering emotional support. Watching nurses balance clinical skill with compassion showed me the depth and responsibility of the profession. They were not only administering treatments or monitoring vital signs but also serving as trusted figures during moments of fear, uncertainty, and hope. That role deeply resonated with me and helped solidify my desire to become a nurse. My responsibilities allowed me to interact closely with patients facing cancer diagnoses, long hospital stays, and physically and emotionally demanding treatments. In those moments, I learned that making a difference does not always require grand gestures. Sometimes it meant listening, offering reassurance, or helping a patient regain a sense of dignity and comfort. Seeing a patient smile after a difficult day or express gratitude for simply being present reinforced my belief that meaningful impact often comes from consistency, empathy, and human connection. Working alongside nurses also showed me how deeply patient care is influenced by advocacy and teamwork. Nurses were often the ones ensuring that patient concerns were addressed, changes were communicated to providers, and families were included in care decisions. Their ability to recognize subtle changes and speak up for patients demonstrated how nursing directly improves outcomes and quality of life. Being part of this collaborative environment motivated me to pursue a role where I could take on that level of responsibility and influence. Beyond the clinical setting, my experiences strengthened my desire to make a broader difference in the community. Nursing offers an opportunity to serve not only individuals, but also populations through education, prevention, and outreach. I am particularly interested in using my nursing education to support underserved communities where access to healthcare resources and education may be limited. By promoting health literacy and preventative care, I hope to contribute to long-term improvements in community health. Ultimately, nursing represents a career where my values, skills, and purpose align. My time at MD Anderson confirmed that I want to be part of a profession that impacts lives on both a personal and systemic level. Making a difference whether through skilled care, advocacy, or compassion—is not only what drives me, but what gives my work meaning.

My experience with mental health has profoundly shaped my beliefs, relationships, and career aspirations. Living with anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from my military service has given me a deeper understanding of what it means to feel overwhelmed, vulnerable, and unseen. These experiences have challenged me, but they have also strengthened my character and clarified my purpose. Through my own struggles with mental health, it has given me a broader understanding of all people who deal with all varieties of mental health issues. Through my mental health journey, my faith has played a central role. As a Christian, I believe that suffering is not meaningless and that compassion, grace, and service to others are core values I am called to live by. During my most difficult moments, my faith taught me to rely on God for strength and to extend patience and understanding to myself. This has shaped how I view others not through judgment, but through empathy. I have learned that everyone carries unseen struggles, and kindness can make a lasting difference. My mental health experiences have also influenced how I connect with others. I approach relationships with greater sensitivity, active listening, and emotional awareness. I am more attuned to subtle changes in mood or behavior and more willing to offer support without expectation. Having been in a place where help was desperately needed, I understand the importance of presence and reassurance, even when solutions are not immediate. These experiences have directly influenced my career aspirations in nursing. I am drawn to inpatient and acute care settings, where patients are often at their most vulnerable—physically, emotionally, and mentally. I want to be the nurse who recognizes when a patient needs more than clinical treatment, who can offer comfort, reassurance, and dignity during their lowest moments. My background allows me to approach patients with compassion rooted in lived experience, not just clinical knowledge. Which I believe helps promote a smoother physical healing process for the patient. Ultimately, my struggles with mental health have strengthened my desire to serve others and make them feel heard as well as seen. They have shaped my belief that healing is holistic, involving the mind, body, and spirit. As a future nurse, I hope to use my experiences, faith, and empathy to create a safe and supportive environment for patients, reminding them that they are not alone and that hope remains, even in the hardest seasons.

I plan to positively impact the nursing profession by bringing compassion, discipline, and a strong commitment to service into every role I take on as a nurse. My goal is not only to provide high-quality clinical care, but also to advocate for patients, support my colleagues, and contribute to healthier communities—especially those that are underserved. My foundation for nursing began with my service in the United States Navy, where I completed multiple overseas deployments. Military service taught me the importance of teamwork, accountability, and staying calm in high-stress situations. Those experiences shaped my work ethic and reinforced my desire to serve something greater than myself. The ability to perform under pressure, communicate effectively, and support others during difficult moments directly translates to the nursing profession, particularly in acute and critical care settings. I plan on implementing these skills to improve patient care, recovery, and outcomes. While completing my nursing prerequisites, I worked as a patient care technician and certified nursing assistant at MD Anderson Cancer Center, caring for patients with hematologic and oncologic diagnoses. In this role, I witnessed firsthand the physical and emotional toll that serious illness takes on patients and their families. This experience made me want to not just focus on the physical needs of my patients but also the mental and spiritual needs of my patients too. As a future nurse, I intend to work in critical care, where I can support patients during their most vulnerable moments while collaborating closely with interdisciplinary teams. I also plan to engage in community service and health education initiatives, particularly in lower-income communities where access to healthcare resources and preventative education is often limited. By promoting health literacy and early intervention, I hope to contribute to improved long-term health outcomes beyond the hospital setting. I also intend to contract with the navy as a civilian nurse to go on international relief missions to provide aid to countries who are affected by natural disaster. Additionally, I want to be a nurse who supports and uplifts others within the profession. Nursing is demanding, and fostering a culture of empathy, resilience, and teamwork is essential for both patient safety and nurse well-being. I aim to lead by example—remaining compassionate, adaptable, and committed to lifelong learning. Through my military service, clinical experience, and dedication to patient-centered care, I am confident that I will make a meaningful and positive contribution to the nursing profession and the communities I serve.