I became interested in nursing two years ago when my nine-year-old niece was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. My interest to work with children with chronic conditions rose when I saw the struggles that came with having diabetes. My sister is a single mother of four children, therefore anytime I have the chance I help her take care of my niece. I administer her insulin and keep track of the food she eats and when she eats it. I am constantly checking her blood sugar, so it won’t be too high or drop too low. If there’s not a lot of glucose in the bloodstream, it could result in seizures and even death. I am always attentive to her moods because she tends to start shaking or starts having slurred speech when her glucose starts dropping. Having diabetes is exhausting, stressful, and difficult. Diabetes type 1 is also an alarming condition, especially in children because they’re still developing, and their basal insulin fluctuates a lot. Having diabetes takes a lot away from anyone’s childhood. You can’t participate in school parties without feeling left out, and you must be very careful during outdoor events because glucose drops very fast when doing any sort of activity. You also can’t eat whenever you want, you must have a strict schedule and follow it. I see my niece miss out on a lot of stuff, especially because she’s the only diabetic in her whole school. Having a chronic illness, myself, allows me to understand how frustrating it can be to constantly have to take care of yourself. Children with chronic conditions are more likely to develop psychosocial problems. Having a child with a chronic condition can bring extra tasks and responsibilities to any family. This means a family system can either protect the child or put him or her more at risk. Thus, being one of the main reasons why it is essential to support and guide individuals that are involved in situations like these. My sister always reminds me that dealing with diabetes is a daily battle. Every day there is a risk and every day there is a possibility that it can be their last breath. The health of our children determines the health of the next generation and the challenges that will arise in the public health system. If we intervene properly, we are significantly increasing the possibilities of having positive outcomes. We are diabetes strong!

My name is Maria Isabel Trejo, and I am a senior at UT Health San Antonio. I am majoring in nursing, and I will graduate in May 2024 with my second bachelor's degree. I am the youngest of thirteen siblings. Unfortunately, my mom lost six children due to diseases and poor nutrition. I come from a very small town in rural Mexico. My parents always struggled to feed us and to provide for us when we were sick which led us to emigrate to the United States. After a lot of sacrifices, my father was able to enroll me and some of my siblings in the U.S. education system. I was fortunate enough to complete my whole education here. However, half of my siblings didn't have the same opportunity, and neither did my parents. My parents only finished third grade and were forced to leave school to work and provide for their brothers and sisters. That being so, my parents are one of the reasons why I put every grain of my effort into anything I do. I was always fascinated by the human body and its complexity which is the reason I wanted to become a doctor. I was two years away from attending medical school when personal obstacles started forthcoming. My ex-husband was sentenced to prison for homicide, I became a domestic violence survivor, an attempted murder survivor, I became a single mother, I experienced hunger for eight months, and I was diagnosed with a chronic autoimmune disease called Hashimoto's. I must get blood drawn every three months and take medication every day for the rest of my life. A few months ago, they found a nodule on my right upper thyroid lobe which must be monitored every year for any growth or signs of malignancy. As an individual who suffers from Hashimoto’s disease, I find it very hard to stay on top of everything. My disease affects my metabolism greatly leading to lethargy and fatigue. There are very hard days for me because the fatigue I have just overpowers my body and mind. I could sleep for hours and still wake up tired. Nursing school requires a large amount of attention and endless nights of little to no sleep. However, as a single mother, I am forced to have a job to provide for my daughter and my education since I no longer received federal help. Today I plan to make a positive impact by paving the way to become a nurse. As a person who must constantly be in and out of clinics, I want to give back to my community. I want to take care of patients who feel the same way as me. Having a chronic disease can be challenging. Approximately 45% of Americans suffer from at least one chronic illness. Having chronic illnesses could potentially lead to mental health problems. Mental health is one of the topics that is least talked about. Many individuals decide to stay quiet because of all the stigma behind it. Mental health reduces a person's lifespan by twenty-five years. If we can prevent it, then we could increase productivity and improve relationships. It all starts with our nurses. Nurses educate, support, and advocate for patients. They build a strong relationship with the patient, help the patient adhere to medications, and refer the patient to support groups. Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare team.

The most challenging aspect of being a student is trying to balance being an exemplary mother while having the ability to financially support my daughter. I found out I was pregnant when I was beginning my second semester at my local community college. I was surprised, shocked, and in disbelief. My husband was ecstatic with the news of becoming a father which brought a sense of relief for me. However, the honeymoon phase of the relationship quickly ended when instead of being comforted and supported like most pregnant women, I was beaten constantly and left on the floor until I would consciously wake up again. After ten months of experiencing hunger and living one of my worst nightmares, my husband was sent to prison for homicide. He tried to involve me in the crime, and I was interrogated on multiple occasions, but everything was sorted out in the end. However, I still suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder because I panic when reminded of the trauma. Despite the circumstances, I still had the motivation to go to school every day and eventually graduated with my associate in science. I graduated with a 3.8 GPA and honors, I was also invited into Phi Theta Kappa, an honor organization for students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher and was awarded to be on the dean's list for the whole time I was enrolled. After finishing my associate degree, I went on to graduate with my first bachelor's degree in biology. I graduated with a 3.9 GPA and received the top honor of being a summa cum laude graduate. My undergraduate education began approximately five years ago. However, the challenges have stayed with me throughout my journey. I've sacrificed a lot of my daughter's infancy for my education, and I feel guilty every day. I go to school for approximately ten hours a day and come home to study for three to four hours. I am exhausted and mentally drained by the end of the week influencing greatly the time I should be spending with my daughter. As an individual who suffers from Hashimoto’s disease, I find it very hard to stay on top of everything. My disease affects my metabolism greatly leading to lethargy and fatigue. There are very hard days for me because the fatigue I have just overpowers my body and mind. I could sleep for hours and still wake up tired. Nursing school requires a large amount of attention and endless nights of little to no sleep. However, as a single mother, I am forced to have a job to provide for my daughter and my education since I no longer received federal help. I have been working during my undergraduate education since the day I started. Being a recipient of this scholarship will allow me to focus more on my education. I will continue to put the same amount of effort into my studies if not more. I will make learning and helping others the top of my priorities. It will also allow me to expand my ability to volunteer more in health promotion within underserved communities. Lastly, it will help me cover expenses which in return will allow me to work fewer hours and have a more relaxed and flexible educational experience. As for my daughter, I am paving the way for a brighter future. By being invested in my education I am showing my daughter to be a disciplined individual. An individual who will strive for more instead of settling for less. An individual who is resilient, optimistic, and determined. I will pave the way for my daughter, so she doesn't have to experience the struggles that forth came in my journey. Most importantly I will guide and assist her in every step of her education because I know how different I would have felt if I had that same opportunity.

I was always fascinated by the human body and its complexity which is the reason I wanted to become a doctor. I was two years away from attending medical school when personal obstacles started forthcoming. My ex-husband was sentenced to prison for homicide, I became a single mother, I experienced hunger for eight months, and I was diagnosed with a chronic autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s. I must get blood drawn every three months and take medication every day. Months ago, they found a nodule on my right upper thyroid lobe which must be monitored every year for any growth or signs of malignancy. I've been in and out of clinics for four years and the emotional support I have from my nurses made me realize how incredibly inspirational they were to their patients. However, what sparked my inspiration for nursing, even more, was when my nine-year-old niece was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. My interest to work with children with chronic conditions rose when I saw the struggles that came with having diabetes. My sister is a single mother of four children, therefore anytime I have the chance I help her take care of my niece. I administer her insulin and keep track of the food she eats and when she eats it. I am constantly checking her blood sugar, so it won’t be too high or drop too low. If there’s not a lot of glucose in the bloodstream, it could result in seizures and even death. I am always attentive to her moods because she tends to start shaking or starts having slurred speech when her glucose starts dropping. Diabetes type 1 is an alarming condition, especially in children because they’re still developing, and their basal insulin fluctuates a lot. Having diabetes takes a lot away from anyone’s childhood. You can’t participate in school parties without feeling left out, and you must be very careful during outdoor events because glucose drops very fast when doing any sort of activity. You also can’t eat whenever you want, you must have a strict schedule and follow it. I see my niece miss out on a lot of stuff, especially because she’s the only diabetic in her whole school. Having a chronic illness myself, allows me to understand how frustrating it can be to constantly have to take care of yourself. Children with chronic conditions are more likely to develop psychosocial problems. Having a child with a chronic condition can bring extra tasks and responsibilities to any family. This means a family system can either protect the child or put him/her at more risk. Nurses are every family's friend. We are there to educate them and help them get through any situation. Odds may not always be in our favor, but we will have the certainty that we fought till the end. My sister always reminds me that dealing with diabetes is a daily battle. Every day there is a risk and every day there is a possibility that it can be their last breath. We are diabetes strong!

My name is Maria Trejo, and I am a senior at UT Health San Antonio. I am majoring in nursing, and I will graduate in May 2024 with my second bachelor's degree. I am the youngest of thirteen siblings. Unfortunately, my mom lost six children due to diseases and poor nutrition. I come from a very small town in rural Mexico. My parents always struggled to feed us and to provide for us when we were sick which led us to emigrate to the United States. After a lot of sacrifices, my father was able to enroll us in the U.S. education system. I was fortunate enough to complete my whole education here. However, half of my brothers and sisters didn't have the same opportunity, and neither did my parents. My parents only finished third grade and were forced to leave school to work and provide for their siblings. Thus, they are the reason why I put every grain of my effort into anything I do. I was always fascinated by the human body and its complexity which is the reason I wanted to become a doctor. I was two years away from attending medical school when personal obstacles started forthcoming. My ex-husband was sentenced to prison for homicide, I became a single mother, I experienced hunger for eight months, and I was diagnosed with a chronic autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s. I must get blood drawn every three months and take medication every day. Months ago, they found a nodule on my right upper thyroid lobe which must be monitored every year for any growth or signs of malignancy. I became interested in nursing two years ago when my nine-year-old niece was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. My interest to work with children with chronic conditions rose when I saw the struggles that came with having diabetes. My sister is a single mother of four children, therefore anytime I have the chance I help her take care of my niece. I administer her insulin and keep track of the food she eats and when she eats it. I am constantly checking her blood sugar, so it won’t be too high or drop too low. If there’s not a lot of glucose in the bloodstream, it could result in seizures and even death. I am always attentive to her moods because she tends to start shaking or starts having slurred speech when her glucose starts dropping. Diabetes type 1 is an alarming condition, especially in children because they’re still developing, and their basal insulin fluctuates a lot. Having diabetes takes a lot away from anyone’s childhood. You can’t participate in school parties without feeling left out, and you must be very careful during outdoor events because glucose drops very fast when doing any sort of activity. You also can’t eat whenever you want, you must have a strict schedule and follow it. I see my niece miss out on a lot of stuff, especially because she’s the only diabetic in her whole school. Having a chronic illness myself, allows me to understand how frustrating it can be to constantly have to take care of yourself. Children with chronic conditions are more likely to develop psychosocial problems. Having a child with a chronic condition can bring extra tasks and responsibilities to any family. This means a family system can either protect the child or put him or her at more risk. Nurses are every family's friend. Odds may not always be in our favor, but we will have the certainty that we fought till the end.

I must admit that the day I found out I was pregnant, I thought it was the end of my education. I still remember that day very vividly. The moment I saw the two lines visibly appear, I was surprised, confused, and in denial. Two years into my college education I graduated with my first associate degree in science. It was that same day I learned what I was capable of; I felt confident. After graduating with my associate, I attended the University of Texas at San Antonio. Shortly before graduating with my bachelor's in pre-medical studies from UTSA, I decided I didn’t want to go to medical school after all. I remembered the impact the nurse made on me when I gave birth and I wanted to do the same for patients in my community. Therefore, I enrolled in my local community college and started taking the required prerequisites while I was still finishing my education at UTSA. I was enrolled in two institutions at the same time majoring in two distinct fields. I show determination to my daughter by waking up early every morning and attending school, coming home from school to study for 4-5 hours straight every day, working full time and still being able to recognize by peers and instructors for achieving the best grades in tests and in the classes. I also show determination by getting frustrated and failing one day but smiling and getting up the next day. I believe that is crucial to show my child that failure is okay. It's going to happen occasionally and that's just part of life itself. As for self-improvement I still have a lot of work to do. During the first semester of nursing school, I would eat out a lot and now I recognize that setting that example would eventually hurt my daughter since her body is still developing and needs nutritional food. Today, I have joined the gym and when I can't make it, I work out at home. My daughter loves working out with me at home. I also teach her to drink water by sticking to a water-only house. Lastly, I show self-improvement by being compassionate of myself and others. I apologize when I've made a mistake, offer to help someone during a task, accept people for who they are, and express gratitude to my surroundings. Motherhood is exhausting and soul-sucking, but I found my inspiration and motivation thanks to it. I never knew what I was capable of until I became a mother. I handled staying up all night when my daughter was sick and still made it to school the next morning. My daughter trained me to be a resistant individual. She trained me to understand that your body has no limits, it’s all in your mind. You are truly worthy of what you desire. Being a mother makes you shift your life, it makes you have priorities, and it makes your life full of purpose and worth. I like to think that giving birth to my daughter was god’s way of letting me know that my role in the healthcare team was to be next to a patient supporting and advocating for them.

As a daughter of immigrant parents and a first-generation student, many believe that the endless obstacles that sometimes cross our way will make us quit. Only 15% of Hispanics have a bachelor’s degree. Financial obstacles are the primary reason for many Latinos not attending college/universities. Since day one of elementary school, I knew school would be my happy place. After taking biology in 9th grade, my goals shifted completely. I fell in love with the human body and with the complexity of its systems. I decided to major in biology and currently hold a bachelor’s in that field. Now I am currently going toward a BSN. After receiving my nursing license, I would like to sign up with different organizations and volunteer to provide healthcare to underserved communities. This semester while in nursing school I learned about the lack of healthcare for pregnant women who are incarcerated. It was extremely shocking to realize how badly these women are treated. If they pose a risk to themselves or other inmates, they are secluded and left there for hours. They are not checked on and some inmates go into delivery while still being in seclusion. There are an estimated 300-400 women incarcerated every month. These women are not being checked by a provider monthly or weekly like they're supposed to. This means that these women do not know how their baby is doing or if the baby has any type of fetal anomaly. They are not screened for STIs, Strep B infections, or UTIs. Untreated infections could cross the placenta and harm the baby which could eventually cause fetal demise. Pregnant women require a lot of care and education. They need to be educated on the physiological changes that come with being pregnant. My goal is to volunteer this summer in a county facility to care for these women. I want to educate them on what to expect. On what cues to look for as to what is normal and what is not. Incarcerated women should receive the same care as any other mom because their life and the life of their fetus matter just like anyone else. As a person who must constantly be in and out of clinics, another mission for joining the healthcare industry is to give back to my community. I want to take care of patients who feel the same way as me. Having a chronic disease can be challenging. Approximately 45% of Americans suffer from at least one chronic illness. Having chronic illnesses could potentially lead to mental health problems. Mental health is one of the topics that is least talked about. Many individuals decide to stay quiet because of all the stigma behind it. Mental health reduces a person's lifespan by 25 years. If we can prevent it, then we could increase productivity and improve relationships. It all starts with our nurses. Nurses educate, support, and advocate for patients. They build a strong relationship with the patient, help the patient adhere to medications, and refer the patient to support groups. Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare team. Nurses use their voices to make a positive change for their patients. Nurses are the most trusted profession for a reason.

As a daughter of immigrant parents and a first-generation student, many believe that the endless obstacles that sometimes cross our way will make us quit. Only 15% of Hispanics have a bachelor’s degree. Financial obstacles are the primary reason for many Latinos not attending college/universities. Since day one of elementary school, I knew school would be my happy place. After taking biology in 9th grade, my goals shifted completely. I fell in love with the human body and with the complexity of its systems. I decided to major in biology and currently hold a bachelor’s in that field. Now I am currently going toward a BSN. After receiving my nursing license, I would like to sign up with different organizations and volunteer to provide healthcare to underserved communities. This semester while in nursing school I learned about the lack of healthcare for pregnant women who are incarcerated. It was extremely shocking to realize how badly these women are treated. If they pose a risk to themselves or other inmates, they are secluded and left there for hours. They are not checked on and some inmates go into delivery while still being in seclusion. There are an estimated 300-400 women incarcerated every month. These women are not being checked by a provider monthly or weekly like they're supposed to. This means that these women do not know how their baby is doing or if the baby has any type of fetal anomaly. They are not screened for STIs, Strep B infections, or UTIs. Untreated infections could cross the placenta and harm the baby which could eventually cause fetal demise. Pregnant women require a lot of care and education. They need to be educated on the physiological changes that come with being pregnant. My goal is to volunteer this summer in a county facility to care for these women. I want to educate them on what to expect. On what cues to look for as to what is normal and what is not. Incarcerated women should receive the same care as any other mom because their life and the life of their fetus matter just like anyone else. As a person who must constantly be in and out of clinics, another mission for joining the healthcare industry is to give back to my community. I want to take care of patients who feel the same way as me. Having a chronic disease can be challenging. Approximately 45% of Americans suffer from at least one chronic illness. Having chronic illnesses could potentially lead to mental health problems. Mental health is one of the topics that is least talked about. Many individuals decide to stay quiet because of all the stigma behind it. Mental health reduces a person's lifespan by 25 years. If we can prevent it, then we could increase productivity and improve relationships. It all starts with our nurses. Nurses educate, support, and advocate for patients. They build a strong relationship with the patient, help the patient adhere to medications, and refer the patient to support groups. Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare team. Nurses use their voices to make a positive change for their patients. Nurses are the most trusted profession for a reason.

I am a first-generation student who has been in school for nearly six years. I considered myself a very motivated and optimistic person. I don't quit very easily especially if it's something related to my education. I have loved school since I can remember and was always categorized as the nerd of the class. I am a domestic violence survivor and a survivor of an attempted murder. I truly believe everything happens for a reason; Good and bad. Either we learn from our mistakes or we stay in our comfort zone and never change the patterns we were taught as children. It wasn't until I took biology in high school that I realized that I wanted to major in that field. I did a pre-med biology major when I attended college. My dream was to go to medical school. Halfway through my program, I got pregnant and became a single mother at the age of twenty. My husband was sentenced to life in prison for homicide. I knew that I needed extensive support to go to medical school and I didn't have it which led me to abandon my dream. On the day I went into labor I was scared, nervous, but overall, very excited. The moment I arrived at the hospital I felt my heart beating so fast. I could almost feel it wanting to come out of my chest. This was my first pregnancy. I felt very naive regarding the situation. I was induced with oxytocin because I wasn't dilating efficiently. Twenty-nine hours into my labor my daughter stopped moving. Doctors and nurses started rushing in. They put an oxygen mask on me and started another IV. They informed me that if I didn't dilate to 10 cm within one hour, I was going to need an emergency C-section. I remember I started crying because c-sections required much more care than vaginal deliveries. I needed to work to be able to support my daughter and pay for my school. If I got a c-section I wasn't going to be able to work as soon as I planned to. There was a shift change and my new nurse came in. Her name was Brandy. She is one of the reasons why I chose nursing as a career. As I was getting ready to push, she asked if she could hold my hand. She instilled in me strength and hope. It was that day I realized the impact nurses make on their patients. It was that day I chose to continue my education and look for a better future for my daughter and me. Nurses are very underestimated individuals, but nurses are the ones who go out of their way to take care of you. Nurses are compassionate, empathetic, and supportive individuals. This semester I got to experience clinical in the obstetrics department. I remembered Brandy. I was able to witness a vaginal delivery and since the patient was alone, I asked her if she wanted to hold my hand; the patient accepted. When it was time to go the patient thanked me and wished me good luck on my journey. It felt good to be thanked for a gesture that seems so small but makes the biggest impact on the confidence of an individual. As of now, I want to work in the labor and delivery unit. I still have one more year to go and understand that plans don't always go the way we want, but the one thing I'm positive about is that I won't abandon this dream.

It wasn't until I took biology in high school that I realized that I wanted to major in that field. I did a pre-med biology major when I attended college. My dream was to go to medical school. Halfway through my program, I got pregnant and became a single mother at the age of twenty. My husband was sentenced to life in prison for homicide. I knew that I needed extensive support to go to medical school and I didn't have it which led me to abandon my dream. On the day I went into labor I was scared, nervous, but overall, very excited. The moment I arrived at the hospital I felt my heart beating so fast. I could almost feel it wanting to come out of my chest. This was my first pregnancy. I felt very naive regarding the situation. I was induced with oxytocin because I wasn't dilating efficiently. Twenty-nine hours into my labor my daughter stopped moving. Doctors and nurses started rushing in. They put an oxygen mask on me and started another IV. They informed me that if I didn't dilate to ten cm within one hour, I was going to need an emergency C-section. I remembered I started crying because c-sections required much more care than vaginal deliveries. I needed to find a job to be able to support my daughter and pay for my school. If I got a c-section I wasn't going to be able to work as soon as I planned to. There was a shift change and my new nurse came in; her name was Brandy. Brandy is the reason why I chose nursing as a career. As I was getting ready to push, she asked if she could hold my hand. She instilled in me strength and hope. It was that day I realized the impact nurses make on their patients. It was that day I chose to continue my education and look for a better future for my daughter and me. Nurses are very underestimated individuals, but nurses go out of their way to take care of their patients. Nurses are compassionate, empathetic, and dedicated individuals. This semester I got to experience clinical in the OB department. I remembered Brandy. I was able to witness a vaginal delivery and since the patient was alone, I asked her if she wanted to hold my hand; the patient accepted. When it was time to go the patient thanked me and wished me good luck on my journey. It felt good to be thanked for a gesture that seems so small but makes the biggest impact on the confidence of an individual. As of now, I want to work in the labor and delivery unit. I still have one more year to go and understand that plans don't always turn out the way we want, but the one thing I'm positive about is that I won't abandon this dream.

"Lup-dub, lup-dup, lup-dup," my heart said. It kept pounding harder with every beat. I cleaned my sweaty hands in my lap and took a deep breath. I slowly clicked on the submit button. It was my first pharmacology exam, and I didn’t know what to expect. Pharmacology was categorized as the hardest course nurses had to take. I was doing very well on the weekly quizzes and the exam didn’t seem so bad. The screen kept loading. I waited impatiently until two numbers showed up: 39/50. I quickly took out my phone and calculated my grade. "A 78!!!" I exclaimed in my inner voice. As I walked out of the classroom I was in disbelief. I kept trying to maintain a positive attitude as I approached my classmates. Everybody was talking about their grades. Many got B’s and some got A’s. When I was asked what grade I got, I hesitated. However, I eventually answered, “I got a 78, but it’s okay it was a hard exam”, when the truth was, I felt disappointed in myself. I felt like a failure. It was my first C in the nursing program. I had been a straight-A student for so long and I felt like it was the end of my career. I felt like I was not going to be able to recover from this. How could I pass future tests with an A if I wasn't able to pass the test that was considered to be the “easiest"? After the exam, we had to go back to the lecture and start on the next topic. I could not concentrate. I couldn’t stop thinking about the exam. Had I not studied enough? Was I not meant to be in this program after all? I asked myself. Many things kept crossing my mind. Class ended and as I walked to my car, I knew I needed to stop thinking so negatively about what had happened. It was already done, and I couldn’t go back and change the outcome. What I could change was the way I was analyzing the situation. I needed to set up a different strategy to approach the next exam. Maybe studying differently was a good start. Pharmacology exams were not hard because of the material; they were hard because there was too much material that needed to be memorized and recalled in a very short amount of time. Therefore, I took the initiative and started to study sooner instead of waiting for the exam date to approach. I started studying daily for two to three hours. I would put my notes away and quiz myself. I repeated the same thing until test day came. On test day I felt very anxious, but I knew I had studied the best I could. I truly gave it my all. I submitted my test and hoped for the best. When I looked at my grade, I felt an adrenaline rush throughout my whole body. A 96 showed up on the screen; I gasped and couldn't stop myself from smiling. I felt very proud of myself. This experience taught me that a grade does not define you. It does not define your potential or your capabilities. Everybody has strengths and weaknesses but there's always a way to improve our weaknesses. I learned that nobody should be discouraged by a bad grade, grades don't define your worth as a student. Instead, we should use the situation as a type of motivator to get out of our comfort zone and try different approaches to get the outcome we want.

I wasn't always a big fan of science. I was however a big fan of math. I enrolled in the hardest math class when I was in high school. I took Calculus BC at the age of 17. During my senior year, I was allowed to choose the science course I wanted to take. Options included physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, and earth sciences. I had already taken most of them in the previous years and I did not know which one to pick. I decided to go with AP biology. From the first lecture to the last, the professor had me engaged. Biology lit a spark in me. I knew once I graduated, I wanted to major in that field; So, I did. I enrolled in my local community college and after two years graduated with an associate in science. During my education journey, I started noticing changes in myself. I was losing a lot of hair and was very tired all the time. It didn't matter if I slept eight or even nine hours, I still woke up with a lot of fatigue. I didn't take it seriously because I thought maybe it was just stress related to school. After a month the hair loss started showing more. I started having bald spots and I thought, this is not normal anymore. I went to my primary provider, and they ran multiple tests. I came back positive for hypothyroidism also called Hashimoto's disease. Hashimoto's is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland. The thyroid hormone produced by the thyroid gland is responsible for growth, development, cardiac conduction, metabolism/energy, and for regulation of temperature. My thyroid gland produces too little hormone thus I don't have the energy that many other people have; I always feel tired and weak. I must take medication for the rest of my life because there is no cure for it. Stress, not eating well, or any type of agitation makes my condition worse. Despite the circumstances, I continued my education and graduated with a bachelor's in biology. Today I plan to contribute to the field of science by becoming a nurse. As a person who must constantly be in and out of clinics, I want to give back to my community. I want to take care of patients who feel the same way as me. Having a chronic disease can be challenging. Approximately 45% of Americans suffer from at least one chronic illness. Having chronic illnesses could potentially lead to mental health problems. Mental health is one of the topics that is least talked about. Many individuals decide to stay quiet because of all the stigma behind it. Mental health reduces a person's lifespan by 25 years. If we can prevent it, then we could increase productivity and improve relationships. It all starts with our nurses. Nurses educate, support, and advocate for patients. They build a strong relationship with the patient, help the patient adhere to treatments, and refer the patient to support groups. Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare team. Nurses use their voices to make a positive change for their patients.

As a daughter of immigrant parents and a first-generation student, many believe that the endless obstacles that sometimes cross our way will make us quit. Only 15% of Hispanics have a bachelor’s degree. Financial obstacles are the primary reason for many Latinos not attending college/universities. Since day one of elementary school, I knew school would be my happy place. I always tried to be the perfect student, have the best grades, and be competitive in many aspects. I struggled a lot in the first few years because learning English became difficult, especially since Spanish was the only language I spoke at home. I was put in an ESL program when I was in second grade and since I did not do as expected in the state exams, I was told I needed to go to another school because the school I was currently at was an English-only institution. The following year my parents registered me in a bilingual school and from day one I tried my best to speak and write English appropriately. I became even more competitive after that. I took education more seriously and got outstanding scores in state exams. I enrolled in the hardest math classes in middle school and even took college math in high school. I also took pre-AP and AP classes throughout high school. After taking biology in 9th grade, my goals shifted completely. I fell in love with the human body and with the complexity of its systems. I decided to major in biology and currently hold a bachelor’s in that field. Now I am currently going towards a bachelor's of nursing. After receiving my nursing license, I would like to sign up with different organizations and volunteer to provide healthcare to underserved communities. This semester while in nursing school I learned about the lack of healthcare for pregnant women who are incarcerated. It was extremely shocking to realize how badly these women are treated. If they pose a risk to themselves or other inmates, they are secluded and left there for hours. They are not checked on and some even go into delivery while still being in seclusion. There are an estimated 300-400 women incarcerated every month. These women are not being checked by a provider monthly or weekly like they're supposed to. This means that these women do not know how their baby is doing or if the baby has any type of fetal anomaly. They are not screened for STIs, Strep B infections, or UTIs. Untreated infections could cross the placenta and harm the baby which could eventually cause fetal demise. Pregnant women require a lot of care and education. They need to be educated on the physiological changes that come with being pregnant. I plan to volunteer this summer in a county facility to care for these women. I want to educate them on what to expect. On what cues to look for as to what is normal and what is not. Incarcerated women should receive the same care as any other mom because their life and the life of their fetus matter just like anyone else.

In a blink of an eye, everything changed for me. The enthusiastic woman who was always full of joy quickly became a dull woman full of sadness and without any hope to live for. At the age of twenty, I became a domestic violence survivor. I would be hit, spit on, and constantly dragged around my apartment floor. The man that promised to respect and protect me until his last day was the one who would leave me without food for days and unconscious on the floor. I was four months pregnant at the time and going back to my parent’s house would be seen as a setback in my life. I grew up in a household where marriage was sacred especially if you were having a child within it. I feared being judged. One year into my marriage my husband was sentenced to prison for homicide. Four months into his imprisonment I gave birth to my daughter. I was alone in the hospital and the only support I had at the time was my nurse. I must admit that the day I found out I was pregnant, I thought it was the end of my education. I still remember that day very vividly. The moment I saw the two lines visibly appear, I was surprised, confused, and in denial. I admit the first few days of going back to school were rigorous. I doubted myself multiple times, but my mother kept telling me “No eres la primera ni la ultima madre soltera, so I felt pressured and kept going, taking it one day at a time. Two years into my college education I graduated with my first associate degree in science. It was that same day I learned what I was capable of; I felt confident. After graduating with my associate, I attended the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Shortly before graduating with my bachelor's in pre-medical studies from UTSA, I decided I didn’t want to go to medical school after all. I remembered the impact the nurse made on me when I gave birth and I wanted to do the same for patients in my community. Therefore, I enrolled in my local community college and started taking the necessary prerequisites while I was still finishing my education at UTSA. I was enrolled in two institutions at the same time majoring in two distinct fields. Motherhood is exhausting and soul-sucking, but I found my inspiration and motivation thanks to it. I never knew what I was capable of until I became a mother. I handled staying up all night when my daughter was sick and still made it to school the next morning. My daughter trained me to be a resistant individual. She trained me to understand that your body has no limits, it’s all in your mind. You are truly worthy of what you desire. Being a mother makes you shift your life, it makes you have priorities, and it makes your life full of purpose and worth. I like to think that giving birth to my daughter was god’s way of letting me know that my role in the healthcare team was to be next to a patient supporting and advocating for them. My future goal is to expand my knowledge in different fields of nursing. I don’t want to be stuck in one unit. I want to travel and help underserved communities. Learn about different cultures and their values.