From the time I was three years old, I knew I wanted to enter the medical field. For proof, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY0VVkml94E. Perhaps this knowledge didn't exactly help me with my anatomy and physiology final exam, but it shows my passion for the human body from a young age. Growing up, both my parents were medical professionals, and our house was always full of a mixture of "body fluid talk" and helping others. My father is a pediatrician, and many a time on Saturday afternoon, we would hear a knock on the door; a parent and a child, seeking medical help, but could not drive to a local clinic, would instead stop by our house. His go-to question was: "Is your blood flowing round and round? Is your breath going in and out?" I remember his pager going off at odd hours of the night, and him immediately calling back to help that mom in distress. My father also works in a lower-class neighborhood, and many of his patients are low-income, single-mother families on federal insurance. But that doesn't stop him from giving high-quality care to those individuals. Living in a house surrounded by medical terminology and the value of helping others has influenced my career decision to become a nurse. My own experiences have also developed me into the person I am today and have influenced my desire to enter the nursing field. Throughout high school and beyond, I have been involved in many community service positions, which have solidified my passion for helping others. Whether it was teaching or volunteering at a hospital, assisting a country devastated by war, or babysitting in my community, each experience uniquely contributed to who I am as a person and showed me the importance of being a community helper. I've also had the privilege of participating in extracurricular activities and other pastimes that make me who I am. In high school (beyond!), I was on the basketball team and acted in my school's bi-annual play. I also love to do art, and even took a Graphic Design course in college to further my skills. Other hobbies I enjoy include reading, running, and being in nature. To sum it up, I love being busy and trying new things! I think that nursing will combine my wide array of passions in a beautiful blend. My love of the medical field, my passion for helping others, and my need to stay busy will all work perfectly together as a nurse. Thank you for considering me for your scholarship. My three-year-old self practicing what's inside her body thanks you, and my future self as an experienced nurse does as well.

From the time I was three years old, I knew I wanted to enter the medical field. For proof, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY0VVkml94E. Perhaps this knowledge didn't exactly help me with my anatomy and physiology final exam, but it shows my passion for the human body from a young age. Growing up, both my parents were medical professionals, and our house was always full of a mixture of "body fluid talk" and helping others. My father is a pediatrician, and many a time on Shabbat afternoon, we would hear a knock on the door; a parent and a child, seeking medical help, but could not drive to a local clinic, would instead stop by our house. His go-to question was: "Is your blood flowing round and round? Is your breath going in and out?" If so, it's not an emergency. I remember his pager going off at odd hours of the night, and him immediately calling back to help that mom in distress. My father also works in a lower-class neighborhood, and many of his patients are low-income, single-mother families on federal insurance. But that doesn't stop him from giving high-quality care to those individuals. Living in a house surrounded by medical terminology and the value of assisting others in need has influenced my career decision to become a nurse. Human touch is one of the most fundamental ways to connect with eachother. To me, it represents compassion, presence, and understanding. A simple gesture—a reassuring hand on a shoulder, holding a patient’s hand, or a kind smile—can communicate care and empathy in ways that rote medical care cannot. Human touch is not just physical; it is an expression of kindness and a bridge between people, especially in moments of vulnerability, fear, or pain. My understanding of human touch deepened during my time volunteering at a hospital in Israel on Purim (a Jewish holiday). Dressed in a colorful costume, I helped distribute food gifts and bring cheer to patients, including those battling cancer. I remember seeing their smiles and hearing their laughter, and I realized how simply being present, offering attention, and sharing joy could lift spirits and create connection. It was a powerful reminder that care goes beyond medicine; it is human, emotional, and deeply relational. In nursing, human touch plays a critical role in patient care. Patients often face uncertainty, discomfort, or isolation, and a nurse’s touch or kind word can provide comfort and reassurance, reducing anxiety and fostering a sense of security. It strengthens the patient-nurse relationship, building trust and encouraging communication. When patients feel safe and supported, they are more likely to engage in their care, follow treatment plans, and share concerns openly. For me, nursing is not solely about administering medication or performing procedures; it is about connecting with people as human beings. "Human touch" embodies this philosophy. It reminds patients that they are not alone and that someone is genuinely invested in their well-being. As I pursue a career in nursing, I aspire to embrace human touch as both a practical and symbolic tool—one that communicates empathy, fosters healing, and strengthens the bonds between caregiver and patient. In essence, human touch is the language of care. Through a simple, compassionate gesture, nurses can make patients feel understood, valued, and comforted—reminding us all that medicine is as much about connection as it is about treatment.

From the time I was three years old, I knew I wanted to enter the medical field. For proof, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY0VVkml94E. Perhaps this knowledge didn't exactly help me with my anatomy and physiology final exam, but it shows my passion for the human body from a young age. Growing up, both my parents were medical professionals, and our house was always full of a mixture of "body fluid talk" and helping others. My father is a pediatrician, and many a time on Saturday afternoons, we would hear a knock on the door- a parent and a child from our community seeking medical help would be standing on the other side. His go-to question was: "Is your blood flowing round and round? Is your breath going in and out?" I remember his pager going off at odd hours of the night, and him immediately calling back to help that mom in distress. My father also works in a lower-class neighborhood, and many of his patients are low-income, single-mother families on federal insurance. But that doesn't stop him from giving high-quality care to those individuals. Living in a house surrounded by medical terminology and the value of community service has influenced my career decision to become a nurse. To me, empathy means being able to truly understand what someone else is feeling and to respond with genuine care. It’s more than just being kind—it’s taking the time to listen, to notice, and to meet people where they are. It's taking a bit of the burden onto your shoulders. In nursing, empathy is essential because patients aren’t just dealing with illness; they’re often scared, vulnerable, and uncertain. When I volunteered at the hospital, I saw how much of a difference it made when nurses took the time to connect with patients beyond their charts—holding a hand, sharing a smile, or simply listening. Those moments reminded me that while medicine heals the body, empathy heals the spirit. During the war in Israel, my volunteer work deepened that understanding in ways I’ll never forget. I helped distribute supplies and assisted families who were frightened or displaced. Even when I couldn’t fix their situation, I learned that sometimes the most meaningful thing you can do is just be there—offering support, reassurance, or simply your presence. Seeing people show strength and hope in the middle of hardship showed me what resilience and compassion really look like. It also reinforced why empathy is at the heart of nursing: because care isn’t only about treatment, it’s about connection. As I work toward becoming a nurse, I want to carry those lessons with me. I want every patient I care for to feel heard, respected, and valued—not just as a patient, but as a person. Approaching my work through a human-centered lens means always asking what’s most important to the person in front of me, adapting care to fit their needs, and being mindful of how my actions affect their experience. Nursing is a science, but it’s also deeply human. My goal is to bring both together—to provide excellent care grounded in empathy, understanding, and compassion.

From the time I was three years old, I knew I wanted to enter the medical field. For proof, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY0VVkml94E. Perhaps this knowledge didn't exactly help me with my anatomy and physiology final exam, but it shows my passion for the human body from a young age. Growing up, both my parents were medical professionals, and our house was always full of a mixture of "body fluid talk" and Chessed (kindness). My father is a pediatrician, and many a time on Shabbat afternoon, we would hear a knock on the door- a parent and a child, seeking medical help, but who could not drive to a local clinic, would instead stop by our house. His go-to question was: "Is your blood flowing round and round? Is your breath going in and out?" If so, it's not an emergency. I remember his pager going off at odd hours of the night, and him immediately calling back to help that mom in distress. My father also works in a lower-class neighborhood, and many of his patients are low-income, single-mother families on federal insurance. But that doesn't stop him from giving high-quality care to those individuals. Living in a house surrounded by medical terminology and the value of helping others has influenced my career decision to become a nurse. Aside from growing up in a house with these values, my faith as a Jewish woman has also played a part in my nursing journey (and perhaps, these two points are interconnected). The Jewish religion emphasizes two things: the importance of Chessed (kindness, volunteering) and the concept of "Ve'nishmartem meod le'nafshoseichem," which loosely translates to, "You should guard your souls (your life) very much." From this verse in the Torah, we understand the idea of prioritizing our health and taking care of our bodies. The nursing field is a perfect combination of these two ideas. As a nurse, you are constantly on your feet helping others by taking care of their medical needs. However, nursing school is expensive! It will require years of paying back student loans and hard work before I am fully debt-free. I was shocked when I saw the price tag for my nursing education. But I thought about it, and I decided my values and passion overwhelmed the steep investment. Because that's really what it is- an investment. An investment for my future, a sacrifice for my values, and a service to others. So thank you for considering me for your scholarship. My three-year-old self practicing what's inside her body thanks you, and my future self, living a life of purpose according to her faith, does as well.