My name is Makaela Jenkins, and I am a first-generation college student currently pursuing my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. Born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, I am also a proud mother to a young daughter who has been one of my greatest motivators. My journey has not been easy—but it has been rooted in purpose, service, and the determination to break generational cycles and create lasting change. What drew me to the medical field is my belief that healthcare is a basic human right. My passion lies in making high-quality, culturally competent care accessible to people who are often forgotten—low-income families, women of color, and underserved communities. As a young mother navigating the healthcare system alone, I experienced both kindness and indifference. Those moments helped shape my belief that every patient deserves dignity, empathy, and access to information. I chose nursing because I want to be the kind of provider who listens deeply, advocates fiercely, and heals holistically. I was deeply moved by the life and legacy of Catrina Celestine Aquilino. Her belief that justice—and by extension, care—should not be determined by where someone was born or what family they came from speaks to my own philosophy as a future healthcare provider. Like Catrina, I believe in reaching beyond boundaries and meeting people where they are, with a spirit of generosity and commitment. Her global work, from volunteering at the U.S. Holocaust Museum to traveling and learning in Ghana, Guatemala, and France, is proof of what it means to be a servant leader and a citizen of the world. That is exactly the kind of nurse I aspire to become. After completing my degree, my goal is to open a nonprofit community clinic that focuses on preventive care, maternal support, and chronic disease management for underserved populations. I envision this clinic as a safe haven—a place where people feel heard and empowered to take control of their health. I also plan to partner with schools and youth programs to educate young people on topics like mental health, reproductive health, and nutrition—building health literacy and confidence from a young age. Beyond clinical work, I want to mentor other first-generation students and young women of color who are interested in healthcare but may not know where to start. I want to help them navigate the system, believe in their potential, and see that they too can become leaders in spaces where we’ve historically been underrepresented. Catrina’s legacy teaches us that we don’t just succeed for ourselves—we succeed so we can reach back and lift others up. That’s the kind of legacy I hope to leave behind. Receiving this scholarship would not only lighten the financial burden of graduate school but would allow me to remain focused on my mission of creating impact. I carry my story, my daughter, and my community with me in every step of this journey. I may be the first in my family to walk this path, but I am paving the way for many more to come. In honoring Catrina’s life, I’m reminded that brilliance and kindness are not mutually exclusive—that one can be both a scholar and a servant. I am committed to living out those values in my career, and using nursing as my tool to bring healing, hope, and justice to the world.

From the moment I first stepped into a hospital as a young mother, overwhelmed and uncertain, I knew that nursing was more than a job—it was a calling. I remember how a nurse held my hand, reassured me without judgment, and made me feel like I was not alone. That moment stayed with me, and years later, it became the foundation for my decision to pursue a career in nursing. I’m drawn to nursing not only because of my love for helping others, but also because I understand what it means to be vulnerable, to need someone who truly cares. Becoming a mother during my senior year of high school taught me resilience, empathy, and the power of support during life’s most difficult seasons. It made me realize how important it is for patients to feel heard, respected, and cared for—no matter their background or circumstances. Eric Maurice Brandon’s story deeply resonates with me. His commitment to nursing, to service, and to humanity reflects the very heart of why I am pursuing this path. He didn’t just work as a nurse—he lived it. His years in military service, caring for burn patients, children, and veterans, show the breadth and depth of his compassion. He gave his life while doing what he loved, returning home from caring for a young patient. That kind of sacrifice and dedication is not only humbling—it’s inspiring. Like Eric, I want to provide care that makes a lasting impact. I am currently working toward my Doctor of Nursing Practice to become a Family Nurse Practitioner, with a vision of creating a community-based health clinic in an underserved area. My goal is to serve families who often fall through the cracks—those without insurance, single mothers like I once was, and children who need not just treatment, but a provider who will advocate for their future. I want to bridge the gap between quality healthcare and those who need it most. To me, nursing is a sacred responsibility. It requires more than knowledge—it demands compassion, cultural sensitivity, emotional strength, and patience. It’s about being present in moments of crisis and calm alike. It’s about listening deeply, educating patients, and uplifting them with dignity. These are the values I hold close, and I believe they mirror the legacy Eric left behind. Eric’s life teaches us that nursing is not just about the shift you work, but the lives you touch. The fact that he served his country, cared for burn victims, and later focused on children with tracheostomies shows a rare and powerful versatility—something I strive to embody in my own journey. His story is a reminder of what it means to be truly committed to this profession, and I would be honored to carry a piece of that legacy forward. I want my daughter to grow up watching her mother make a difference. I want her to see that with hard work, compassion, and purpose, you can change lives—starting with your own. This scholarship would not just help me financially; it would empower me to continue the journey I’ve started and stay focused on the mission ahead. In honoring Eric’s memory, I hope to reflect even a portion of the impact he made throughout his life. I will serve with heart, with humility, and with the same unwavering dedication he showed until his very last day. I’m not just becoming a nurse—I’m becoming the kind of nurse who changes lives, just like he did.

When I imagine myself living the life of my dreams, I see a life rooted in purpose, service, and legacy. I see myself thriving as a Family Nurse Practitioner, leading my own community-based clinic that provides accessible, holistic care to families who often feel overlooked by the healthcare system. I envision a space filled with warmth, cultural understanding, and trust—where Black women, children, and underserved families feel seen, valued, and safe. In this dream life, I’ve not only achieved my educational and professional goals, but I’ve used them to create generational change. I’m financially stable, giving my daughter opportunities I didn’t have growing up. I’m able to be fully present as a mother, a provider, and a leader in my community. I’ve broken generational cycles of struggle and turned them into cycles of empowerment and healing. That’s the dream I’m working toward every single day. I didn’t grow up seeing many people who looked like me in positions of power in healthcare. I didn’t always feel like I belonged in academic spaces or professional settings. But I also didn’t let that stop me. I’ve chosen to rewrite the narrative—starting with myself. As a young African American woman and mother, I’ve had to fight for my future, often while being underestimated or misunderstood. But those experiences only deepened my desire to show other young Black women that we can be both nurturers and professionals, caretakers and leaders, soft and strong. Living the life of my dreams also means mentoring other young women of color who want to enter the medical field. I imagine hosting workshops, offering shadowing opportunities, and sharing my story to help others find strength in theirs. Representation matters, and I want to be the face that reminds someone else that they can do it too. Spiritually and emotionally, my dream life is grounded in peace. I’ve learned to protect my energy, honor my boundaries, and lead with integrity. I want to wake up each morning knowing that I’m fulfilling the purpose God gave me—not just earning a paycheck, but truly making a difference. I want to leave behind a legacy that says, “She didn’t just survive—she lifted others while she rose.” Academically, pursuing my DNP is a major part of this vision. It’s not just about the degree—it’s about what I’ll be able to do with it. I want to gain the knowledge, skills, and credibility to influence healthcare policy, expand access to care, and amplify the voices of those too often silenced. My dream life isn’t just about personal success—it’s about impact. And while this dream may seem bold, I know it’s possible because I’m already living parts of it every day. I’m showing up for myself, for my daughter, and for every little girl who’s ever been told that her dreams were too big. I’m proof that you can come from hard beginnings and still create a beautiful, powerful future.

I decided to pursue a career in nursing because caring for others has always come naturally to me, and I’ve seen firsthand how powerful compassionate, skilled care can be. From a young age, I was drawn to the idea of helping people heal—not just physically, but emotionally and mentally as well. My journey into the nursing field, however, became truly personal when I became a mother during my senior year of high school. That experience changed everything for me. It taught me what strength really looks like, what it means to put someone else’s needs before your own, and how essential the support of others is during challenging times. As a young mother navigating the healthcare system, I often felt overwhelmed. There were moments of fear and uncertainty, but what stood out most were the times when nurses made me feel seen, heard, and respected. One nurse in particular took the time to walk me through what to expect during delivery, talked to me about postpartum care, and even offered emotional encouragement without judgment. That experience planted a seed in me. I knew I wanted to be that person for someone else—the person who could offer care and compassion when it was needed the most. Nursing is more than just a career path to me—it’s a calling rooted in empathy, resilience, and purpose. Over time, I became increasingly aware of the disparities in healthcare, particularly for women, children, and families in underserved communities. I saw how cultural and economic barriers affected the quality of care that people received. These observations only fueled my determination to become a nurse who not only treats symptoms but advocates for equity, education, and access. I am now pursuing my Doctor of Nursing Practice to become a Family Nurse Practitioner, with a long-term goal of opening a community-based health clinic. This clinic will focus on preventive care, health education, maternal support, and wellness programs tailored for low-income families. I want to create a safe space where patients feel comfortable asking questions, seeking help, and taking charge of their health without fear of judgment or financial strain. My vision is to be a provider who truly listens and meets people where they are—both medically and emotionally. Balancing school, motherhood, and work hasn’t been easy, but it has shaped me into someone who is disciplined, compassionate, and unshakably driven. Every challenge I’ve faced has made me more certain that this path is the right one. I want to be a role model for my daughter and for others who may be doubting themselves. If I can inspire even one person to chase their dreams despite their circumstances, I’ll feel like I’ve done something meaningful. Nursing allows me to combine my passion for healthcare with my desire to uplift and empower others. I know this is what I’m meant to do, and I am committed to continuing my education, expanding my clinical skills, and becoming the kind of nurse who changes lives—one patient at a time. I found out about this scholarship on Bold.org.