When people ask why I want to become a nurse, I usually find it difficult to give a simple answer because there wasn't one moment that made me decide. Instead, it came from a combination of experiences that gradually showed me that healthcare is where I belong. Growing up, I was exposed to medicine through my mom, who is a cardiologist at UW Health. I had the opportunity to volunteer there and spend time in a healthcare environment from a young age. What stood out to me wasn't just the science or technology, it was the people. I saw how much trust patients place in their healthcare providers and how a single interaction could make someone feel more comfortable, hopeful, or understood during a stressful time. Those experiences gave me an appreciation for healthcare long before I began considering it as a career. My interest became much more personal during the past few years. For a long time, I struggled with severe sleep apnea without knowing what was wrong. I was constantly exhausted, had trouble focusing, got sick frequently, and felt like I was fighting my way through every day. It affected my academics, relationships, and overall quality of life. After finally receiving a diagnosis and learning more about the condition, I became fascinated by the science behind sleep, breathing, and the human body. More importantly, I experienced firsthand how life-changing good healthcare can be. Having providers who listened, investigated my symptoms, and helped me find answers showed me the kind of impact healthcare professionals can have on someone's life. Outside of healthcare settings, I have spent years babysitting and working as a lifeguard. While those jobs may seem unrelated to nursing, they have taught me many of the qualities that nurses need every day. Babysitting taught me patience, communication, and how to adapt to the needs of different children and families. Lifeguarding taught me responsibility, situational awareness, and how to stay calm when others are depending on me. Through both experiences, I discovered that I genuinely enjoy caring for people and helping them feel safe. I will be attending Northern Michigan University to pursue my Bachelor of Science in Nursing and become a registered nurse. While I am still exploring different specialties, I am especially interested in pediatrics and labor and delivery. I love working with children, and I am drawn to the idea of supporting families during some of the most important and vulnerable moments of their lives. My long-term goal is to become a nurse who combines strong clinical knowledge with genuine compassion. I want patients to feel heard and respected, not just treated. Nursing appeals to me because it is a career built on both science and human connection. It offers the opportunity to continue learning throughout my life while making a meaningful difference in the lives of others every single day. That combination is what makes nursing the perfect path for me.

1) I am a hard working, determined, young woman who wants to help the most people she can. My deep core values are hard work and compassion for others. My dad, the most hard working person I've ever met, instilled in me at an early age that "the only way to do things is to do them right". This was also known as the "Grant" way (Last name being Grant and all that). If my sister or I did something- washed the dishes, grew a plant, talked to a friend, we were taught to do it thoughtfully, compassionately, and with as much care as we could muster. To this day, this is how I approach any task- big or small. The women in my family shaped my value of compassion. My great grandma served as an Army-nurse, my grandma was a midwife, and my mom works in cardiac rehab. Their actions and choices to help humanity in these ways is one of the most inspiring things to me. The idea that I can use the things I learn to help other people is my dream. When I got to college, I decided that I would combine my hard work ethic and compassion for others to become a powerful and intelligent healthcare worker. 2) I was always a very empathetic person. For better or for worse, I felt my own feelings and other's feelings very deeply. When I was younger, this was usually a disadvantage. I was labeled too sensitive, too soft, and not tough enough. I considered a role in healthcare and was told that I wasn't hard core enough for anything in the medical field. Throughout high school and my first year of college, I have realized that my empathy is one of the most powerful aspects about me. I learned how to use it to help others while protecting myself. When I became a lifeguard and had to save an older man drowning in the pool, my intrigue for healthcare was ignited. This time, I understood that empathy is an incredibly valuable tool- and although I can be subject to absorbing too many emotions, if I keep learning to wield my empathy in combination with knowledge and academics, I can help so many people. I knew from an early age that I wanted a career where I could dedicate myself to helping others. Nursing, especially in surgical trauma and emergency care, is where I can see myself helping the most people in need. I want to be the person who can come in with knowledge, steadiness, and compassion during urgent and stressful events, to provide both medical skill and human comfort when it is needed most. I'm never going to lose sight of my empathy and compassion for others, even if it means that sometimes I "feel" too much. Rather than let that sensitivity become a weakness, I am determined to make it my greatest strength. Empathy, combined with my love of learning and academics will set me on a path to become a powerful and compassionate nurse. I can't wait to get there.

1) I have always been an empathetic person. I feel my own emotions—and the emotions of others—very deeply. When I was younger, this often seemed like a disadvantage. I was told I was too sensitive, too soft, and not tough enough for the medical field. Over time, I realized that empathy is not a weakness but one of my greatest strengths. In high school and my first year of college, I learned to use empathy to help others while protecting my own well-being. When I worked as a lifeguard and saved an older man from drowning, my passion for healthcare was ignited. I saw clearly that empathy, combined with skill and knowledge, could save lives. Nursing, especially in surgical trauma and emergency care, is where I can make the greatest impact. In urgent and stressful situations, I want to be the person who brings steadiness, knowledge, and compassion. I want to provide both medical expertise and human comfort when it is needed most. My dream has also been shaped by the women in my family who came before me. My great-grandmother served as an Army nurse, my grandmother worked as a midwife, and my mother now helps patients in cardiac rehab. Their perseverance, empathy, and service inspire me to follow in their footsteps while forging my own path in nursing. I believe everyone deserves access to high-quality care, regardless of their circumstances. My empathy, once considered a weakness, has become my greatest strength. Combined with my determination and love of learning, it will guide me toward becoming a nurse who is not only skilled, but also deeply compassionate. 2) Human touch is the most fundamental expression of love, connection, and humanity. It is the merging of emotional presence with physical closeness, and serves as a reminder that we are not alone in this world. A hand to hold, a hug, or even a reassuring pat on the back may seem small on the surface, but what truly matters is the feeling behind that interaction. In those moments, something intangible is transferred from one person to another: comfort, understanding, reassurance, and love. In nursing, human touch is far more than a gesture. A patient may not always remember every medication or procedure, but they will remember how they were made to feel in their most vulnerable moments. A gentle hand on the shoulder during a frightening diagnosis, holding someone’s hand through pain, or simply offering steady presence in a crisis can create a sense of safety and trust that no words can fully provide. To me, nursing is not just about delivering medical care; it is about pairing knowledge and skill with compassion and human connection. Human touch allows nurses to remind patients that they are seen, valued, and not alone, even in their hardest battles. This idea of human touch, and my determination to use empathy and compassion in unison with knowledge go hand in hand. Human touch helps patients both mentally and physically. A more calm, more loved patient will always have better outcomes. While human "touch" implies the actual physical act of touching someone else, it can also mean touching someone's heart or mind through your words and actions. Its about being there for someone and reminding them that they aren't alone- one of the most important parts of healthcare.

I was always a very empathetic person. For better or for worse, I felt my own feelings and other's feelings very deeply. When I was younger, this was usually a disadvantage. I was labeled too sensitive, too soft, and not tough enough. I considered a role in healthcare and was told that I wasn't hard core enough for anything in the medical field. Throughout high school and my first year of college, I have realized that my empathy is one of the most powerful aspects about me. I learned how to use it to help others while protecting myself. When I became a lifeguard and had to save an older man drowning in the pool, my intrigue for healthcare was ignited again. This time, I understood that empathy is an incredibly valuable tool- and although I can be subject to absorbing too many emotions, if I keep learning to wield my empathy in combination with knowledge and academics, I can help so many people. I knew from an early age, that I wanted a career where I could dedicate myself to helping others. Nursing, especially in surgical trauma and emergency care, is where I can see myself helping the most people in need. I want to be the person who can come in with knowledge, steadiness, and compassion during urgent and stressful events, to provide both medical skill and human comfort when it is needed most. My dream has been shaped by the strong women in my family who came before me. My great-grandmother served as an Army nurse, my grandmother worked as a midwife, and my mother helps patients every day in cardiac rehabilitation. They have shown me the power of perseverance, empathy, and service. I believe everyone deserves access to high-quality care, no matter their background or circumstances, and I want to be an advocate for that belief. My goal is to carry forward the legacy of the women who inspired me while forging my own path in the field of nursing. I'm never going to lose sight of my empathy and compassion for others, even if it means that sometimes I "feel" too much. Rather than let that sensitivity become a weakness, I am determined to make it my greatest strength. Empathy, combined with my love of learning and academics will set me on a path to become a powerful and compassionate nurse. I can't wait to get there.

As I started High School, I developed some mental health problems including an eating disorder. This challenge created a lack of passion and drive that caused me to miss out on so many beautiful things life has to offer, including a lot of school which I have always cherished so much. The eating disorder drained my energy, sense of personality, and will to live. I lost myself and my fire that had burned for so long dwindled out. I started a recovery program, and over the past two years, I rebuilt and regained my entire identity. At first, finding things to replace the eating disorder was an uphill battle. I had no spark, and missed out on those character-shaping years when most teens find their passion and become independent. So I started small. Helping people always brought me joy, so I started volunteering and helping to take care of my family. Thinking about other people’s needs gave me something to focus on while I reclaimed my life. I also loved to learn, so I threw myself into my school work as much as I can. School gave me an outlet to let out some of my anger at the world and myself, as well as give me a reason to keep striving for recovery. Through hard work and commitment, the eating disorder and I started to diverge and Maia started to shine through. The fire inside me sparked once again, and I found the strength to fight back against the dark cloud that had trapped, crushed, and suffocated me. I started figuring out what I value and what makes me happy. Not only did my body begin to recover, but my brain also began to thrive. I had so much more brain power to spend time learning new things. As I did, I realized that I love learning about the human body. Recovering from the eating disorder, I learned how important it is to give your body enough fuel, which sparked my interest in all of the amazing functions your body does. I got really into learning about the body and all things in it. With my fire fully ablaze and the strength to really focus on school, I want to continue to learn about anything and everything. Although the human body is amazing, I want to learn about all sorts of things, from rocks and minerals to stars and space. The universe has been smiling down at me and beckoning me to come and learn about it, and I have now gained the strength to smile back. While continuing to learn, I will always prioritize my mental health. I understand that having good mental health will allow me to continue to learn and be inspired by all the beautiful things in life. Through this experience, I have learned how to use school and learning to help show me the reason to keep living and not get trapped by that dark cloud I was under for so long. School helps me understand all the things worth living for and that there's bigger and better things awaiting me. But I have to make sure I stay on top of my physical and mental health to get there.

During my early teen years, I developed some mental health problems including an eating disorder. This challenge created a lack of passion and drive that caused me to miss out on so many beautiful things life has to offer. The eating disorder drained my energy, sense of personality, and will to live. I lost myself and my fire that had burned for so long dwindled out. I started a recovery program, and over the past two years, I rebuilt and regained my entire identity. At first, finding things to replace the eating disorder was an uphill battle. I had no spark, and missed out on those character-shaping years when most teens find their passion and become independent. So I started small. Helping people always brought me joy, so I started volunteering and helping to take care of my family. Thinking about other people’s needs gave me something to focus on while I reclaimed my life. I also loved to learn, so I kept my mind busy learning everything from solving Rubik’s cubes to surgical suturing. Through hard work and commitment, the eating disorder and I started to diverge and Maia started to shine through. The fire inside me sparked once again, and I found the strength to fight back against the dark cloud that had trapped, crushed, and suffocated me. I started figuring out what I value and what makes me happy. My identity developed its roots as a young woman who wants to help people, lives with integrity, and has a strong love for life and everything in it. My newfound energy allowed me to hike, ski, camp, and do all the outdoorsy things that help stoke my fire. I had always enjoyed these things in the past but I had developed a deeper appreciation for them. With this new appreciation, I was also able to go further with my swim team, something I had been doing since I was 7. I became a captain of the swim team at my school and a coach for my summer swim team. I also found new things I’m passionate about, like soccer and rock climbing. Every day as the cloud continues to disperse, I feel more and more free and can't help but try out everything I can. My brain also began to thrive. Now that it could breathe and explore the world again, I realized that I love learning about the human body. Recovering from the eating disorder, I learned how important it is to give your body enough fuel, which sparked my interest in all of the amazing functions your body does. Combined with my love of helping people and learning that I had always carried with me, I got really into the medical field and the idea of having patients I can help directly. Although the eating disorder took away two years of my life, I gained valuable lessons that have changed me for the better. Through rebuilding my identity, I was able to recognize what things actually make me happy and learn about new things that also bring me joy. I learned about the importance of love, positivity, and appreciation of life. I’ll take these lessons with me to wherever I end up going. With my fire full ablaze, I want to continue my passion for learning about the body, but also explore all different types of things, from astronomy and geology to hiking in the mountains and scuba diving in the ocean. Another valuable lesson I learned is that you never know what you might enjoy, and life is too short not to try out everything you can. There is so much joy to be had in trying new things and spending time finding your passion. So, my main goal is to explore, accomplish, enjoy, and try everything, and I want to find a way to help people while doing that.

During my early teen years, I developed some mental health problems including an eating disorder. This challenge created a lack of passion and drive that caused me to miss out on so many beautiful things life has to offer. The eating disorder drained my energy, sense of personality, and will to live. I lost myself and my fire that had burned for so long dwindled out. I started a recovery program, and over the past two years, I rebuilt and regained my entire identity. At first, finding things to replace the eating disorder was an uphill battle. I had no spark, and missed out on those character-shaping years when most teens find their passion and become independent. So I started small. Helping people always brought me joy, so I started volunteering and helping to take care of my family. Thinking about other people’s needs gave me something to focus on while I reclaimed my life. I also loved to learn, so I kept my mind busy learning everything from solving Rubik’s cubes to surgical suturing. Through hard work and commitment, the eating disorder and I started to diverge and Maia started to shine through. The fire inside me sparked once again, and I found the strength to fight back against the dark cloud that had trapped, crushed, and suffocated me. I started figuring out what I value and what makes me happy. My identity developed its roots as a young woman who wants to help people, lives with integrity, and has a strong love for life and everything in it. My newfound energy allowed me to hike, ski, camp, and do all the outdoorsy things that help stoke my fire. I had always enjoyed these things in the past but I had developed a deeper appreciation for them. With this new appreciation, I was also able to go further with my swim team, something I had been doing since I was 7. I became a captain of the swim team at my school and a coach for my summer swim team. I also found new things I’m passionate about, like soccer and rock climbing. Every day as the cloud continues to disperse, I feel more and more free and can't help but try out everything I can. My brain also began to thrive. Now that it could breathe and explore the world again, I realized that I love learning about the human body. Recovering from the eating disorder, I learned how important it is to give your body enough fuel, which sparked my interest in all of the amazing functions your body does. Combined with my love of helping people and learning that I had always carried with me, I got really into the medical field and the idea of having patients I can help directly. Although the eating disorder took away two years of my life, I gained valuable lessons that have changed me for the better. Through rebuilding my identity, I was able to recognize what things actually make me happy and learn about new things that also bring me joy. I learned about the importance of love, positivity, and appreciation of life. I’ll take these lessons with me to wherever I end up going. With my fire full ablaze, I want to continue my passion for learning about the body, but also explore all different types of things, from astronomy and geology to hiking in the mountains and scuba diving in the ocean. Another valuable lesson I learned is that you never know what you might enjoy, and life is too short not to try out everything you can. There is so much joy to be had in trying new things and spending time finding your passion. So, my main goal is to explore, accomplish, enjoy, and try everything, and I want to find a way to help people while doing that.

As I started High School, I developed some mental health problems including an eating disorder. This challenge created a lack of passion and drive that caused me to miss out on so many beautiful things life has to offer, including a lot of school which I have always cherished so much. The eating disorder drained my energy, sense of personality, and will to live. I lost myself and my fire that had burned for so long dwindled out. I started a recovery program, and over the past two years, I rebuilt and regained my entire identity. At first, finding things to replace the eating disorder was an uphill battle. I had no spark, and missed out on those character-shaping years when most teens find their passion and become independent. So I started small. Helping people always brought me joy, so I started volunteering and helping to take care of my family. Thinking about other people’s needs gave me something to focus on while I reclaimed my life. I also loved to learn, so I threw myself into my school work as much as I can. School gave me an outlet to let out some of my anger at the world and myself, as well as give me a reason to keep striving for recovery. Through hard work and commitment, the eating disorder and I started to diverge and Maia started to shine through. The fire inside me sparked once again, and I found the strength to fight back against the dark cloud that had trapped, crushed, and suffocated me. I started figuring out what I value and what makes me happy. Not only did my body begin to recover, but my brain also began to thrive. I had so much more brain power to spend time learning new things. As I did, I realized that I love learning about the human body. Recovering from the eating disorder, I learned how important it is to give your body enough fuel, which sparked my interest in all of the amazing functions your body does. I got really into learning about the body and all things in it. With my fire fully ablaze and the strength to really focus on school, I want to continue to learn about anything and everything. Although the human body is amazing, I want to learn about all sorts of things, from rocks and minerals to stars and space. The universe has been smiling down at me and beckoning me to come and learn about it, and I have now gained the strength to smile back. While continuing to learn, I will always prioritize my mental health. I understand that having good mental health will allow me to continue to learn and be inspired by all the beautiful things in life. Through this experience, I have learned how to use school and learning to help show me the reason to keep living and not get trapped by that dark cloud I was under for so long. School helps me understand all the things worth living for and that there's bigger and better things awaiting me. But I have to make sure I stay on top of my physical and mental health to get there.