Millennials and Gen Z have played a pivotal role in raising awareness about mental health issues. They have fostered open dialogues about depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges, removing the stigma associated with seeking help. I believe this is important because I've seen so many people struggle with mental health, my mother being one of these people. From a young age, I watched my single mother of four struggle with the financial hardships of life, raising four kids on her own and trying to find herself as she was still young. I watched my mother struggle silently, never receiving help because she was too ashamed to admit she needed it. She would put a big smile on her face and pretend like everything was okay. I am grateful I live in a generation where we talk about mental health struggles and it's no longer seen as a sign of weakness but a sign of strength. My mother sadly never received the help she needs and I now have guardianship of my younger brother. I am struggling financially, as she was, and I struggle with anxiety and depression, as she was but the big difference and why I can handle this is one thing; I know I am not alone. My generation has made it 'normal' to talk about these things and I am so grateful for this because we all live similar lives and have similar experiences even when it doesn't feel like it. I will continue to be an advocate for mental health because it is so important and If it just helps one person, it is enough for me.

It is important to me to pursue nursing as a career path because we need more people who care. We currently have a nursing shortage and need nurses more than ever. I believe we need more nurses so that everyone isn't burnt out and more patients can be treated more diligently with more one-on-one care. Nurses have so many patients and different roles to play that often patients are only getting the bare minimum care. I want to be a nurse and give it my all. I want my patients to feel safe and comfortable with me. I want them to know they can count on me and aren't alone in this scary world. I believe a nurse is one of the most crucial jobs in our world because they do so much. Nurses are patient advocates, ensuring that their rights, needs, and concerns are heard and respected within the healthcare system. This advocacy role aligns with my belief in the importance of advocating for the welfare of others and ensuring that every individual receives the best care possible. The impact of nursing reaches far beyond individual patients. By providing essential healthcare services, promoting health education, and contributing to public health initiatives, nurses have a substantial influence on the overall well-being of society. I come from a single-parent household and am the oldest of 4 children. I have learned from a young age that the most important thing in this world is kindness. Helping others is something I've always wanted to do since I have been helped so much in my childhood coming from poverty. I cannot wait to give back to this world and help others in need. In conclusion, the decision to pursue nursing as a career is not just about personal ambition but a commitment to a profession that embodies compassion, service, and a profound impact on the lives of individuals and communities. I am deeply committed to caring for others and believe that nursing is the ideal path to channel that dedication into a purposeful and fulfilling career. I am excited to embark on this journey, knowing that it represents not only my professional aspirations but also my commitment to making a positive difference in the world. Nursing is more than a career; it is a vocation driven by compassion and a desire to enhance the lives of those in need. I am a great candidate for this scholarship because I am eager to become a nurse and the financial aspect is the only thing holding me back.

I grew up with a single mom who raised four children on her own. I am the oldest of the four, alongside my twin brother and she taught me a lot about life. She taught me to be thankful for every opportunity given and to never take food or shelter for granted. My mother hid our struggle for a very long time until I was older and could understand. She always did the best she could with what she was given. My mother taught me to dream big and make the most out of what you are given in life. Life is hard and it will walk all over you if you let it. Unfortunately, my mom was weighed down by life and I now have guardianship of my youngest brother. Nonetheless, she taught me to stand up for myself and to be brave. My mother's hardships will forever inspire me because she showed me that my life doesn't have to be that way and that I can make something of myself. My goal is to help others in need. It has always been my passion to help people and I love working with children. I think I love working with children mostly because it's of comfort to me, I've babysat and helped raise my siblings from a very young age and took on the second parent role. I do well with children and am good at forming relationships with them. My goal is to become a pediatric nurse and make a difference in childrens lives. I want to provide them with comfort, safety, love and belonging. Most importantly I just want to make sure they know they are not alone in this scary world and that they can count on me. I hope to leave a positive impact on every child or adult I encounter. The world needs more kindness and I do my best every day to spread it. Childhood is a very crucial and formative stage of your life and I want to make sure I can help children going through anything. A person's childhood has a lot of effect on the rest of their life and I want to help children who need extra support or comfort. Growing up in a single-parent household has been a defining aspect of my life, shaping me into a resilient, ambitious, and determined individual. I believe that these qualities, combined with my commitment to academic excellence and community engagement, make me a deserving candidate for a scholarship. With the financial support that a scholarship can provide, I can continue to pursue my dreams, break the cycle of financial instability, and ultimately make a positive impact on my community and society as a whole. I can focus on school more and not have to decide on studying or working so that I can afford food. This will also help me be the best possible role model I can be for my brother and support him better as well.

I plan to make my community a better place after college by caring for children as a nurse. I believe your childhood helps sculpt a person and I want to make a difference in their life. Not only do I want to care for them while they're sick or in need but I also want to be their friend, their safe place and let them know they're not alone in this scary world. I want my patients, or anyone I meet for that matter, to know they can come to me for anything. My passion has always been to help others and I plan to use my time after college doing so. During my free time after college, I plan on joining clubs and organizations that give back and help others in need. I am interested in these things now but unfortunately working full time, attending school full time, clinicals, and raising my brother my schedule doesn't allow the time necessary to do these things. Currently, I help in my community by doing daily things to help people. I open the doors for others, I smile at people, I am kind, I go above and beyond at work, I give people transportation when needed, I babysit free of charge when needed, and I would give my last meal to someone else in need. I support local businesses, I aim to be a good role model for my brother, and I advocate for change. I believe the world needs kindness and without it we are nothing. I may be financially struggling myself but I know someone always has it worse and we all need to help each other out and give what we have. As a nurse, I will support the community by being an advocate for my patients, educating them, and most of all being the support system that they need. Whether that be holding their hand, assisting with everyday living, or just being a friendly face. I will always put all my effort and give it my all when making a difference in someone's life. I believe humans just need someone to care or listen to them and that is what I will forever do. I will be their voice, their safety and their comfort. Thank you for considering me as an applicant. I'm a first-time college student and would greatly appreciate the financial support. I hope to make a difference in our society.