As a forensic scientist, whenever I tell people that I'm now in school to become a nurse their first response is "but you have such a cool job!!!" I'll have to agree with them, I do have a really cool job, and explaining the reason for wanting to switch can always take people by surprise. I work as a Forensic Scientist for one of the largest Police Departments not only in the United States, but in the entire world. When I was growing up, I always bounced around what I wanted to be when I was older. It varied from lawyer, to doctor, to teacher, to even actress before I eventually found what I thought I wanted to pursue. I come from a family where my father was a truck driver and my mother was a bank teller, two things that are very distant and unrelated to both forensics and nursing. It wasn't until I was 15 years old when my sister's apartment was broken into and she had much of her property stolen that I considered a career in law enforcement. Seeing the way detectives came to lift fingerprints and take photographs of the area gave me such an adrenaline rush. In 2019 I graduated with my Bachelor's of Science in Forensic Science and went on to work at a crime lab which I currently still do. Although I do enjoy my job and feel as though it is pretty rewarding work, I knew that I wanted something where I could directly see the impact of my efforts firsthand on someone else. I made a very daunting decision after working for three years full time to pursue nursing now by going after my accelerated BSN. I knew that my forensics degree would limit me in terms of being able to do anything related to the healthcare field. I came to the realization that if I wanted to satiate the desire that I had within me to help others one on one, I would have to do it. To me being a nurse is more than just an average job. It is being there for someone in their worst time, in their time of absolute need, and providing them the care, respect, and comfort that they are seeking. When I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis back in May of 2018, it was a nurse who provided me with comfort and reassurance that I would make it through whatever was going to lie ahead for me. Her impact is something that has stayed with me til this day and I oftentimes think of her when I'm in school, at clinical, or just having any sort of patient interaction. Because of the nurse that I had in 2018, I now know what it takes to be the kind of nurse someone would want to have caring for them. I definitely consider myself to be the type of person who refuses to say complacent with anything in life and I always feel that there is an opportunity for more growth despite my personal health obstacles. As the daughter of immigrants who came to this country with nothing, I feel as though I owe it to my parents and everyone else that I have back in the Dominican Republic to take every option at higher education that is available to me. I know that although this is my first degree in the field of nursing, considering all the opportunities that there are for expansion, I know that it for sure won't be my last.

I have always believed in the idea that the most important contribution we can make toward our health are through diet and exercise. I know it can seem so cliche, and like everyone says it just to say it, but it is something that I am a firm believer in. Almost five years ago now, I was diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. My life felt as though it had totally changed and I was no longer in control. I was only 20 years old, just shy of my 21st birthday which I was excited to spend having my first legal drink and eating lots of greasy unhealthy foods the next day if I woke up hungover. This wasn't the case though, and in a way I am so glad it didn't go that way. Immediately after my diagnosis, I had felt as though I was now second in command to this disease that I didn't even know much about and I would now have to change some important aspects of my life. Since I knew that MS had no cure, I took it upon myself to research the different things that I could do to improve my overall wellness and health. I made proper eating and exercise a major priority in my life. I began going to the gym 3-4 times a week, adding in bike riding, meal prepping, and eliminating fast food and sugary drinks altogether. Within a couple weeks of beginning to do this, I had noticed a change in my mood, my skin, and my overall strength. I took my own experience and shared it with people in my family closest to me who suffer from things such as diabetes and hypertension, so that they could also attempt to improve their own wellness. Over the course of the next couple of years I realized that I wanted to be apart of the medical field in some aspect to help change the lives of others, which is why I chose nursing. As an immunocompromised person, I know the importance of having access to good quality medical professionals who will hear you out and give you the proper treatment that you'll need. However, I also know that it is sometimes very easy for patients to feel like they don't have much of a say when it comes to how certain pathophysiologies affect their bodies which is why I want to be able to counsel them on diet and exercise. I think education is a major asset and valuable contribution that you could give to anyone who may be needing it especially when it comes to overall health and wellness. I hope that one day I can be more to someone than just the person who gives them their medications but someone who shares important beneficial information with them.

I will never forget the ruffling of the paper on the exam table at my neurologist's office as I heard the words "you have MS". It was as if I had been cruising on a smooth sea and suddenly had gone under an immense wave that had taken over everything I once knew. I had no idea where to begin in grasping the concept that I had now been diagnosed with a chronic incurable illness at only 20 years old. In the five minutes that I had been given to process my diagnosis, I had gone through all seven stages of grief. As I was hearing the doctor explain what the next steps are I just remembered zoning out completely, almost as if the shock had seized my body and was now in control. Before I knew it, my neurologist was already done explaining the next steps to me and it was now time to go see Nurse Rita. I vividly remember the long walk down a narrow hallway to her office where I was greeted by a short and petite woman with dirty blonde hair who looked at me with a big smile and said "Hi, I'm Rita!". I was so confused as to why she was happy to see me. After all, I had just received the most terrible news of my life and there for sure wasn't a single thing to be enthusiastic about. Looking back on May 4th of 2018 I realize that Nurse Rita knew exactly what I needed. Nurse Rita's role at my neurologist's office was to express support for me during this difficult time and connect me with resources that I would find valuable to my diagnosis along with implementing different lifestyle changes that would be beneficial for me. Thinking back on it, I now see how soothing her presence was. I needed Rita's warm and inviting smile. After all, she knew exactly what I was feeling inside because she had done this many times before. Now as a nursing student myself, I can comprehend what patients need apart from the physical aspects of care. I realized through the interactions that I have had with amazing nurses like Rita in my lifetime, it is so much more than doing practical tasks when it comes to caring for someone. Being a nurse comes down to having the heart for it. I know firsthand how it feels to get a scary and unpredictable diagnosis as well as all the stress and anxiety that comes with constant doctor's appointments and routine examinations. I am a firm believer that a hug can heal, and so can pure genuine compassion which embodies the type of nurse that I want to become. I hope that once I graduate and do begin working that my patients can say that I brought them some kind of comfort during one of their worst days. Nurse Rita has retired since her days as a nurse at my neurologist's office, but I have and will never forget the contagious impact she has made on me. Whenever I am studying for an exam, or in clinical rounding on patients with the nurse, I make sure to always put myself back in the shoes I was in on the day of my diagnosis. Doing this allows me to do better on assignments and exams to ensure that I can reach my goals of licensure and give the patients my best self so that I can be for them what Nurse Rita was to me.

I've always been a hard-working student who has always strived for success in school ever since I was in kindergarten. I grew up in a middle-class family and was the youngest of three girls who all attended public school and public colleges. I always wondered what it would be like to attend a private school where I got to wear a nice freshly polished uniform and eat the healthiest and most appetizing school lunches. Even though I didn't have any of that, it still never discouraged me and I never thought of the education that I was receiving to be less than in any aspect. "The most important thing about education is appetite" - Winston Churchill. I hunger for learning, success, and accomplishing what once may have seemed impossible. Growing up, I was always taught that life is what you make of it and it is up to you to turn whatever resources you have into the best outcome possible for yourself. Being the daughter of immigrant parents instilled this in me from a young age because I learned about how much my parents didn't have growing up, yet saw how much they were able to accomplish. I have looked to my parents as my inspiration all my life and have wanted nothing more than to make them proud of me. In school, I was always motivated to do my best and get good grades because I knew that this would be the blueprint for my future. I maintained good grades throughout high school when a lot of people may have folded into peer pressure because I always kept my eyes on the prize. My parents came to this country so that they and their children could have better opportunities and access to the framework for success. After I decided to go back to school for my Bachelor's in Nursing after taking 3 years off, it was a rough adjustment. However, after a couple of weeks, I was easily able to get back into the flow of things and finish the semester with straight A's. I had some doubts in the beginning about my capabilities, but all it took was me looking in the mirror and giving myself the pep talk that I needed. I knew that I could do this, I knew that this was no challenge I couldn't face, and I knew it would be worth everything in the end when I can show my parents all I'd accomplished.

Growing up, my older sisters were ten and fourteen years older than me, and oftentimes I felt like an only child. It wasn't until my sisters had children of their own that I began to see what it was like to play all the games I had felt like I missed out on when I was younger because I didn't have anyone else my age to play with. When I became an aunt at 12 years old, I learned about how fun interacting with kids could honestly be, and how you could also connect with them and even learn from them. When I got into nursing school, I thought about all of the different routes and paths that I could take with this career. When I initially started school, I was set on pediatrics. I thought that as I went through different rotations my interests would eventually change. I was wrong. As someone who likes a challenge and problem-solving, I think pediatric nursing is the way to go. The pediatric population is an incredibly challenging population to work with. A demographic who has rapid changes in their physiology and different presentations of certain conditions depending on gender would keep any idle mind thinking. Nursing to me is one of the most rewarding careers out there for sure, but there is something about pediatric nursing that has always attracted my attention. I've always felt like children are the angels among us and it is up to us as adults to do everything we can to keep them safe and protected. Their innocence, joy, and laughter can allow anyone to live life through their eyes. Unfortunately though, when they are sick and in the hospital, they are often scared of what might be happening to them. As an aunt to four girls and two boys, all of varying ages, I can say for a fact that watching them grow up has been the most interesting experience of my life. I do not doubt that when I graduate from school I would love a job in a pediatric hospital. I think that kids might be the most fun population to work with and it'll always keep the job interesting. It's very easy to get caught up in the stressors of day-to-day adult life, bills, relationships, and the overall problems that one may encounter. I have always been a firm believer in the idea that a positive work environment could play a role in someone's overall mental health. Although pediatric nursing may not be sunshine and rainbows all the time, I think it would be a rewarding career that I would love.

My name is Melissa Valdez. I am a 25-year-old nursing student who has just recently decided that I have finally found my calling in healthcare. Ever since I was a little girl, the things I wanted to be when I grew up were constantly changing as I went through new phases. Although my goals and aspirations are things that have tended to change from time to time, one thing has always remained constant – my desire to help others. I’ve always loved a challenge, hard work, and thinking quickly on my feet. My path toward being enrolled in my current program was not necessarily linear. After trying different things out and getting my feet wet in a different discipline, I decided that I wanted to pursue nursing which is where my heart was. My current goal is to be a Registered Nurse and once I get through my BSN program, work full-time at a children’s hospital or in a Post Anesthesia Care Unit. My journey to get to this point though has been far from simple. When I was just 20 years old, I was diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. It was just one month shy of my 21st birthday, what was supposed to be the best years of my life coming up and I got this devasting news. I felt defeated and confused as if the rug had just been swept from right under my feet. As you could imagine, it was appointment after appointment, after specialist after specialist. It took a toll on me. Trying to come to terms with the diagnosis I had just received, it was as if I didn't even have time to fully process it. This to me was the most challenging experience of my life. It is something that impacts me daily. From getting tired faster than others, feeling the fatigue in my body when I don't sleep enough, to having to be more conscious of my diet which could mean having to prepare lunches ahead of time and not always being able to have fast food on the go due to its high sodium content. The reason that I decided to pursue nursing would have to be because of an RN at my infusion center where I get my semi-annual medication for my MS named Marissa. Marissa is the kindest soul; her smile and her attentiveness bring me an incredible amount of comfort whenever I go in for my procedure. She truly makes me feel like everything is always going to be okay even after being so nervous every single time as if it is the first. Marissa made me realize how important nurses are. Nurses aren't just important because of the life-saving work that they do, they are important because of their empathy and how easily they can calm a nervous person down. With everything going on in the world and the severe nursing shortage that facilities are facing, I know that now more than ever is that the public needs us. A nurse is more than just someone who works at a hospital and follows orders. A nurse is someone who is an empath, comforting, understanding, and patient. When I first met Marissa, I knew that she was what I wanted to be for someone else. I wanted to be the person who brings them relief in stressful situations, and I think I'd be the perfect candidate because I know exactly where to begin.

"You have MS." I will never forget hearing those words come from the mouth of my neurologist back in May of 2018. I would have never thought that the cause of my eye pain and dizziness would be due to an autoimmune disease that would now change my life. I was one month shy of my 21st birthday and I couldn't wait. I could finally have my first legal drink and I would now be old enough for everything. I felt like I had gone skydiving without a parachute. I cried for days, I didn't want to get out of bed, and struggled to focus in school. I was devastated. What was supposed to be the best decade of my life, where it all would begin, was now occluded by this monster who went by the name of MS. I felt like I had lost my identity. On top of being terrified at the diagnosis that I was receiving, I also worried about how my symptoms were going to change my quality of life. Having to always go to the doctor, get constant MRIs, and blood tests, it was all tiring. I felt so helpless. It was a disease that wasn't visible to the world and somehow I was going to have to go about my life accepting that although I may look great on the outside, I could be feeling terrible on the inside. I was at a crossroads and I knew that I needed to make a decision. Was I going to let this control my life and let it limit me? Or was I going to take this and turn it into a part of my identity by using it to make me a more resilient person? I chose the latter, and when I did that, my life completely changed. I stopped eating garbage, signed up for the gym, and started doing my research. I needed to learn what other ways aside from medication I would be able to help myself deal with my condition better. I looked up natural remedies, homeopathic approaches to pain, and even started doing yoga. My Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis lit a fire under me where I was committed to not letting this control my life. I owned my diagnosis. It was either it or me, and I decided that I was going to use this to make a difference in my life and the lives of others around me. I got my mom and best friend on board with everything from yoga classes to vegan diets. Although they weren't dealing with a diagnosis of an autoimmune illness like I was, I was able to get them on board. I was even pleased to know that they had noticed improvements in their own overall well-being. This truly inspired me to keep learning more about my disease and see what about it I could incorporate into the lives of others. Although I will never be happy that I have MS, I will always be happy that I now live my life in a more healthy manner because of it. It has given me the motivation that I've always needed to push harder against any adversities that I may face throughout my life. I truly believe that those who can deal with having a chronic illness and all the issues that come with it can deal with anything. Because of my MS, I live my life to the fullest, I never take any day for granted, and I always appreciate the simple things in life that others may not be able to always enjoy.

Coming from a family where I have two sisters who are much older than me, most of my childhood years were spent playing alone, and using much of my imagination to entertain myself. When I eventually grew bored of this, I started to resort to something that I felt would be more mentally stimulating. Once I reached the age of about 8, I found myself more interested in researching varying topics, monuments, places, and even started learning the different capitals of states and countries. Being called a "nerd" in school was never something that really offended me. Whenever the other kids at school would tease me for being so interested in math and asking so many questions during history, I wouldn't ever let it get to me - not even a little bit. I truly felt that by being inquisitive in so many disciplines would give me an exceptional foundation for whatever path I may have decided to pursue in life. My teachers would always talk to my mom at parent-teacher conferences about how I was always so interested in learning and was usually the most involved student in the class. Ever since I was a little girl, the idea of knowing a lot of information was incredibly appealing to me. I remember begging my mom whenever we went to a store to buy me whatever intriguing books I saw. Whether they were about geography, science, or puzzles, I wanted them all. I was always hungry for more resources to keep expanding my grasp on many different things in life. Learning is important to me because I've always seen it as a privilege. There are many places around the globe where learning is strictly controlled, sometimes not even allowed if you're a woman. Being a young girl who's being the daughter of two immigrants that came to the US to make a better life for themselves and their families, I feel obligated to take in every opportunity I get to obtain more knowledge. The only limitations I've ever felt like I've had on my learning was the financial aspect of it. With the rising cost of education and life in general, the aspirations I had for myself to strive for higher degrees tends to dwindle down at times. However, when I think about the little girl that still lives deep inside of me and her burning desire to absorb as much knowledge as she can. I want to eventually become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist once I complete my BSN, and then probably go into teaching. The opportunities are limitless, and I don't always know where my path may take me. If there is one thing I do know though, it's that I can't let that little girl down. I'll always do my best to find a way, any way possible to keep growing and expanding my knowledge, no matter what financial obstacles I may encounter.

My mom did everything she absolutely could for me regardless of what odds were against her. My mom had three children, all girls, worked a regular 9-5 and still managed to make everything possible for us even while being divorced. Now as an adult, I realize just how much of herself she gave to us and sacrificed to make sure that we never went without anything that we needed. As the youngest of three girls, for much of the time where my mom struggled, my sisters were already moved out and financially independent. Even then, it was still difficult for her to make ends meet. I remember being in high school, senior year specifically, where all of the pre-graduation activities began to pile up. Senior trips, proms, limousines, yearbooks, sweatshirts, cap and gowns, anything you could possibly associate with a graduating student came with a cost. I felt terrible knowing that I wanted to participate in all of these things knowing that my mom probably couldn't afford it, but she never said no to me. Rather than deny me these experiences that she knew I wanted to partake in, she instead encouraged me to sign up, order whatever it was, and participate in everything. My mom never wanted me to feel like I was missing out on anything due to our financial situation so she made it a point to find a way to get me to be apart of the fun. No matter what my mom was struggling through financially, she always had a smile on her face. My mom always believed that no matter how bad the storm was, she would always make it out eventually. What I learned from this experience at such a young age was the value of hard work and humility. I learned to never take anything for granted and always appreciate anything anyone ever does for you regardless of how big or small. My mom gave so much of herself that she didn't have, and still to this day continues to through her selfless actions. Any time I face a challenge in my life, I always try to see the positive in things and never let my situation get me too far down. I was incredibly appreciative and grateful of everything my mom had done for me while struggling through her own financial burdens and I truly hope that one day I will be able to pay her back tenfold for it. Eventually when I have children of my own, I would like to show them the same values my mom showed me. I think it would be paramount to teach them about not letting the worst of times get you down and always having hope that your situation will turn around. My mom made such a positive impact on me growing up and showing me what it truly meant to be selfless. It's because of my mother that I know how important it is to be appreciative for all of the things that you have, and keep your head up regardless of what obstacles you may be facing. Now that I'm a nursing student and I'm learning about being there for others as their caregiver, I always think of my moms values of sometimes putting other people's needs before your own and just being a constant giver. I am thankful for all of my experiences in my childhood, and although this one wasn't easy, I definitely think it's what will make me a better nurse.

Self-discovery to me, is one of those things that is constantly evolving. As humans, we are constantly going through so many different changes in our lives which have a tremendous impact on the type of people we will become. Looking back at my life over the past year, I can definitely highlight some changes which have certainly shaped who I am. One of these would be having to become my father's caregiver as he grew progressively ill. My dad began suffering complications of his MS in the fall of 2019 which then became so bad that he lost his ability to walk, suffered three strokes, and began relying on a feeding tube for his nutrition. The decline of my father's this was immensely difficult for me to watch. I struggled everyday being there at his side knowing that he was so different from what I remembered him to be. I discovered within myself an enormous amount of compassion that I never knew I even had. It takes a lot of robustness to be able to care for someone you love while you are witnessing their health diminish firsthand. My experience with my father gave me a totally different outlook on life. I began to put myself in people's shoes more than I had before and really start to empathize with what they were going through. I'm not ashamed to admit that prior to this experience I was a bit of a selfish person. I was always only looking out for my own best interest rather than seeing how I could extend a helping hand to someone who needed it. Once I was tasked with being there for my father through his medical complications, I completely put my own needs aside and I found myself constantly looking for ways in which I could be of service to others. When I start to think of things that have remained the same, what immediately comes to mind is my resilience. Although I was going through all of these things with my father's health, I was also making sure to stay on top of my tasks at work and in school. I assumed more responsibility, but I made sure that I was always managing things well and in a timely manner. Seeing your parent on the decline is an incredibly emotional rollercoaster that you can sometimes feel like completely flies off of the track, but I used it as motivation to work harder and be the best version of myself so that I could show up for him. Taking everything into account, I now believe that this all happened for a reason to push me into the direction of my purpose. My purpose is to help people, to be there for them in their time of need, without judgement and with a whole lot of compassion. Being there for my father allowed me to learn the much-needed intrapersonal skills that would ultimately help me in the beginning of my nursing academic career. I am eternally grateful for this experience, and I know that in the long run I will be able to look back and see how the pieces fit together so well for my benefit. Most importantly however, I hope that I will be able to make my dad proud since it all started with him.

It was supposed to be the best decade of my life, lots of amazing things happening, big exciting changes, and boom, it hit me. Although I did not grow up with Multiple Sclerosis, it did reach me just one month shy of my 21st birthday. I was shocked, incredibly devastated, but at the same time also a little bit relieved that they knew what was wrong with me now. I was in college at the time, and I just remember not being able to concentrate. I was finding it hard to do simple arithmetic, and I felt like I was no longer quick on my feet when it came to comprehending information. The best way that I could describe it to anyone would be like being on the highest floor of a skyscraper on a very foggy day. I had no idea what was going on right in front of me and my brain felt like it was constantly in a fog that wouldn't clear up. I was having a hard time keeping up in my classes in school, getting homework done, and just overall focusing on simple tasks that were helping me to stay organized. Aside from the struggles I was facing in school, I was constantly in and out of doctor's offices trying to figure out what would be the best treatment regimen for my condition. This was mentally exhausting. I began to feel helpless and defeated, like I no longer had control over my life and that my autonomy had been hijacked before I could even figure out what was going on. I won't lie, it wasn't always rainbows and clear skies when I was going through my struggle with my diagnosis, but I learned to deal with it in a better way than I had originally thought I would. It took me a couple of months, a lot of tears, and a lot of prayer to get to the point that I am at now where I have accepted the reality of my chronic illness and the effects it may have on my daily life. Growing up, I was always a fast learner, even so fast that I would always volunteer to show other people before the actual teacher could. Adjusting to my new reality and giving myself the grace that I needed to be able to accept that I would need some extra patience was tough, but not impossible. Like all things in life, it was just a slight learning curve that I had to get the hang of. I think that when you go through something life changing, it is important to maintain a positive outlook on life because you have no other choice. Dealing with a difficult diagnosis that unpredictably impacts your daily living and that not everyone can necessarily see is also a challenge in itself. I don't like to tell myself "it can always be worse", because that takes away the validity of the emotions that I may be feeling. I instead tell myself that this is all apart of my journey and the plan that is written out for me. Who knows how my life will pan out with my disability in the future? I try not to think too much about it and focus a lot on living in the moment because after all, we don't even know if we'll make it to tomorrow.

I believe that clean living is important because of the impact that it can make on one's everyday life. I've always been a firm believer in the idea that you can feel good from the inside out because I've seen it in myself. Small changes that contribute to clean eating are important because they help your body reach its maximum potential so that you can achieve as much as possible throughout your day. When I was a teenager, like all teenagers, I hated cleaning my room. On the off chance that I did clean my room at the orders of my mother, it didn't last very long. I was super disorganized, I never wanted to put my clean laundry away, and I'd often leave candy wrappers or drinks laying out in the open; just the typical teenage behavior. It wasn't until I was in my early 20s that I began to enjoy cleaning and staying organized - mainly for what it did for me mentally. I began to notice when I was older how accomplished I felt when I had a clean room. Just a simple task like making my bed in the morning does such wonders for my day and how I start it. On top of physical cleaning, I've also been taking into consideration eating clean. Diet is definitely a big part of physical health and I think its amazing to see the changes in your lifestyle and your body when you start incorporating healthy clean eating habits into your daily regimen. I used to always take the easy way out, especially when I was younger and didn't know much about nutrition. I was often having french fries and cheeseburgers from a local fast food restaurant after school instead of wanting to eat the boring lunches that my mom would pack. As someone with a chronic illness that I've been living with for the past four years I take a little bit of extra seriousness when it comes to what I put into my body now. I decided that I wanted to go into nursing because I really wanted to help people be the best versions of themselves. In nursing school, although we learn a lot about treatments and helping people after they have already fallen ill, we also learn about prevention of illness. We are taught in the very beginning in fundamentals the importance of primary intervention and showing patients what they can achieve before their condition worsens or develops. I would love to be the person who can help someone realize the importance of clean living and have them be ready to incorporate and make changes in their lives for the better.

Mental health is truly the foundation for our society. Over the past couple of years, I have definitely witnessed the change in the approach when we talk about mental health. I've realized that it is now much less stigmatized, but it wasn't always like that. I remember in my early teenage years when I first started feeling anxiety. I wasn't too sure what it was exactly, but I can very clearly remember the feeling in my stomach, the sweaty palms, and the racing thoughts. Since I had no clue what was wrong with me, I didn't know what to say when people asked. This resulted in me then just becoming a total grouch and not wanting to engage with anyone. This was a feeling that followed me into my early 20s until I finally decided to start seeing someone about it. For a while, I was scared to tell anyone what I was feeling because I didn't think they'd understand. For example, my mother would simply tell me that I just needed to "relax" or that I was just too stressed out about school, but I knew that wasn't the case. When I started seeing my therapist Saudia, I realized the things that I needed to work on, and she taught me a lot of exercises to be able to decompress these feelings whenever I had them. This in turn helped me become a much calmer person who could handle adversity and stress a little bit better. I was no longer taking out my anger and frustrations on people who had nothing to do with it because I now knew of a better way to control myself. In my 20s I picked up hobbies such as meditation, yoga, and going to the gym which I now share with other people who may express similar feelings to me. I've also become a real strong advocate in my social circle to encourage people to talk about the things that are bothering them rather than just bottling it up inside. It sometimes helps to know that there is always someone who cares. I no longer judge people who need to take breaks off of work for mental health reasons or who sometimes just don't know how to control their emotions. I instead now have decided to try to imagine myself in their shoes. Sometimes people don't know how to control their emotions because they don't even know what these emotions are. Given that I've now been through that, I can say with certainty that it isn't easy to not know what you're feeling, but through some self-analyzation, I think you can figure it out. Everyone deserves to be able to be the best version of themselves possible. My goal is to just let everyone that I meet know that I care about them, and always make myself available to listen. Sometimes people just need to talk it out.

Something about college that excites me the most is really seeing how much I'm going to be able to learn about my upcoming profession. I'm currently enrolled at Mercy College in an accelerated nursing program to obtain my BSN and I can already see the growth in my knowledge that I have already obtained in just half a semester. My favorite thing though is for sure the hands-on experience I'm able to get by doing my clinical rotations. I have always been a very active learner who enjoys seeing things in real time and even doing them myself, which is why I feel that I'm able to learn so quickly. I know that although it is important, especially in nursing school, to maintain good grades and a positive outlook on any situation, I know that it is also easy to sometimes get carried away. I have found times where I have been so laser-focused on a specific assignment that was due, and I would sometimes forget that I needed to even eat dinner. I immediately noticed that although this was making the most of my study time, I was not taking care of my mind or body, and especially not my soul. I would study so much to the point where I knew nothing going on around me except for whatever was in my notebook. I stopped doing the things that I enjoyed and had fun with that I wasn't even having any time throughout the day to decompress and unwind for myself. I realized that in order to be successful while also maintaining my sanity, I was going to have to be able to find the proper balance that I need to take care of myself. It's oftentimes so easy to think that our responsibilities, whether it be work or school, are more important than the care that we give to our own bodies to be able to function efficiently. I now make sure to make enough time to get to the gym at least 4 times a week, see my friends whenever there is an opportunity, and make sure I'm eating enough throughout the day and not settling for junk food whenever I'm just on the go. It isn't always easy in school and there are some instances where I need to dedicate some more time to my studies than I normally would, and this is when I have begun to incorporate meditation to bring my soul back to center. Overall though, I've learned that the balance that I need encompasses the three of those health aspects and it is imperative to maintain to ensure that I will still have a successful outcome in my college experience.

I am a strong believer in the idea that mental health is the most important health that one could have. I remember waking up over the course of a few days and feeling like the rug was pulled from right under me. I felt so incredibly overwhelmed and like I was a tiny fish who had just been taken from a pet shop tank to the depths of the sea. Being a nursing student for the past two months while working full time has definitely showed me the importance of mental health. Mental health is the most important aspect of the human body and its function. I've always believed that mental health is the basis for a healthy lifestyle for all age groups. The way people think, react, and respond to certain situations is definitely dependent on the things that are influencing their mind. I've never been a fan of the a stigma surrounding mental health. A lot of people are afraid to seek help or speak out about what they're going through out of the fear of being considered crazy, weak, being retaliated against at work, or it impacting other opportunities for them in their lives. However, I personally feel that those who speak up for themselves are actually the strongest and bravest. It takes a lot of courage to be able to look at yourself in the mirror and say "this isn't me, and I need to change something". I myself struggled with my mental health, like most people back in the winter of 2020. With the pandemic, my hours at work being shifted from days to nights, to my father falling ill in the hospital, it all took a toll on me slowly but surely. For me, my experience with mental health pretty much has shaped how I approach relationships with people now. I know the importance of nourishing relationships and making sure that they have a healthy dynamic between everyone involved. It's definitely true when people talk about the importance of knowing the company that you keep. I learned that it is important to be mindful of the people who you choose to hang out with because they may not always be the best contributing factor to your mental health. Being under so much stress and trying to manage a million different things definitely taught me about what I would want out of a future career. I know for sure that I would definitely want something that provides a good work-life balance that won't leave me feeling overwhelmed and exhausted all the time. I certainly don't want to always feel like my mental health battery is running low and I want to make sure I'm giving my mind the attention that it needs to still be healthy. I want to eventually complete my nursing program and be able to go on to help others take the best care of themselves possible, but I realize this isn't really something I can do unless I make sure I'm taken care of, especially mentally. Life is undeniably tough, more for some than for others. However, I think it's important that people make sure they are always treating their mental health like a priority. If you wouldn't let yourself walk around with a cold for weeks without taking care of it, why would you allow yourself to neglect your mind?

I've often found that it can sometimes be very easy to get stressed, overwhelmed, and just feel like you need to immediately shut down. I remember two months ago, when I first started nursing school, I was constantly feeling like I never had enough time to do anything. In turn, this resulted in me focusing solely on studying and ignoring important things like my friends, working out, and playing sports. I was so dedicated to school and my grades were good, but it was at the expense of everything else. I was always someone who loved the balance I had in my life, between responsibilities, going to the gym several times a week, and being social, I felt like I had it all under control. I realized once I started school how intense and how rigorous it was going to be, and it made me feel like I needed to sacrifice everything I enjoyed in order to be successful. I realized that putting everything on the back burner was only going to hurt me, even though I thought it was the best possible thing I was doing for my studies. I learned shortly that I was just going to have to manage my time better because I needed all of my hobbies and activities to be able to remain well-rounded and level-headed. I started creating a schedule for myself where I would plan things out day by day while also making sure I included a day during the week where I would be taking a break from studying. To ensure my physical health I used this schedule to help me figure out the best way to tackle my days. By studying in the early afternoon and still making it to the gym in the evening, I'm able to work out for at least an hour 4 times a week to give my body the exercise it needs. I started meal prepping and stopped buying junk food when I was at school and decided to take the initiative to make sure that I was getting quality meals when I wasn't at home. I know that nutritional health is important to how someone feels overall, especially given that we learn the importance of nutrition in nursing school. This is how I made sure I would maintain my nutritional health throughout my time at my college. My mental health is something that I've always struggled with for a while. It took me a long time to realize what made me happy and what activities I enjoyed. As I've done some more self-exploration and reflection over my life and the past couple of months that I've been in school, I realized what matters to me. Being with my friends, watching movies, and trying new restaurants are all social things that I feel like greatly impact my mental health for the better. I've also taken up things like meditation. I never used to think that this would help me, but I learned that trying out new things can sometimes workout in better ways than you expected because it gives you a new approach to handling stressful situations. All in all, I feel like I've definitely learned the importance of having a balance between the two. Although it has only been two months of having these plans in place, I'm excited to see how they will benefit these three areas of my health overall.

My dream goal for my life is to be able to repay my mother for how much she has done for me. There is no price tag that can be put on all of the sacrifices she has made for me, but I would sure love to show her that they are extremely appreciated. My mother is my rock and without her, I wouldn't know what it means to be a hard worker, so I sure do hope I can one day demonstrate my appreciation to her.

My mom was just 14 years old when she came to the US from the Dominican Republic. I always think about her story whenever the holidays roll around. She said it was a cold December day, probably the 27th to be exact, when her plane landed from the Dominican Republic at JFK and all she had were her two sisters and a bag filled with essentials. My mom came here knowing no English. She enrolled in the local high school out in Brentwood, NY where a family friend had lived where she would also be staying. There, she was placed into the English as a Second Language class with other students who had immigrated from other countries and that's where she learned to read and write in English. My mom then found a part time job at a local grocery store where she would work a couple hours to make some extra money to help support her other siblings. My mom came here with so many challenges against her, but still managed to push forward and achieve amazing things and set an incredible example for me. Being from a Hispanic family, especially living in the United States, you are always taught to never stop achieving, keep going higher, and the sky is the limit. I always felt like my mom could be a little rough on my sisters and I, but as I grew older it was because she wanted the best for us. My mom knew from her own experience that being an immigrant in the United States, the odds are against you, and you always have to push harder than the next person to be able to advance. This instilled an incredible fire in me from the time I was young. I knew that I wanted to do more and achieve as much as I possibly could, the same way my mother did. I felt like I was at an advantage being able to have both English and Spanish as my first languages and living in such an opportunistic country like the United States. I owe the way that I see the world entirely to my Hispanic heritage. It taught me the value of hard work, learning, and setting goals for yourself in a place where the sky is the limit. Every time I achieve something new, like an award at work, getting any sort of recognition, and even just getting into a Nursing Program, I think of my background. I think of how I can make my grandmother and my mother proud. I think of the millions of people like my mom who came to this country to strive to be better. But most importantly, I think of all the people who will come after me, and I always strive so that one day my children can call me their inspiration as well.

I remember waking up over the course of a few days and feeling like the rug was pulled from right under me. I felt so incredibly overwhelmed and like I was a tiny fish who had just been taken from a pet shop tank to the depths of the sea. Being a nursing student for the past two months while working full time has definitely showed me the importance of mental health. Mental health is the most important aspect of the human body and its function. I've always believed that mental health is the basis for a healthy lifestyle for all age groups. The way people think, react, and respond to certain situations is definitely dependent on the things that are influencing their mind. I've never been a fan of the a stigma surrounding mental health. A lot of people are afraid to seek help or speak out about what they're going through out of the fear of being considered crazy, weak, being retaliated against at work, or it impacting other opportunities for them in their lives. However, I personally feel that those who speak up for themselves are actually the strongest and bravest. It takes a lot of courage to be able to look at yourself in the mirror and say "this isn't me, and I need to change something". I myself struggled with my mental health, like most people back in the winter of 2020. With the pandemic, my hours at work being shifted from days to nights, to my father falling ill in the hospital, it all took a toll on me slowly but surely. I live in New York, our winters can be pretty cold and rough. I remember I woke up on a cold morning, close to Christmas time, when you'd normally be excited about the holidays coming up and all the celebrations, but this was very far from what I felt. I woke up with the urge to just cry. I had just gone through a pretty difficult breakup months earlier, my father still wasn't out of the woods in regards to his health, my oldest sisters and their families had just relocated to San Antonio, Texas and it was just me and my mom. Our home felt empty, I couldn't focus on anything at work, my relationships with my friends suffered as I began to ignore them, and I found myself lashing out on people without meaning to. This was a wake-up call for me when I knew I was no longer happy and I needed to prioritize fixing my mentality before I sabotaged everything else. I didn't know just exactly what was wrong, but I knew that I needed to find an outlet and talk to someone who may be able to help. Thats when I found my lovely therapist Saudia, two years later, she's still helping me get through this rollercoaster of a life especially now that I've taken on another endeavor. Having someone to talk to is an incredible relief. Being able to be open and express myself with her along with finding joy in the things that fulfill me like working out, adult coloring books, and listening to music help me on some of the rough days. Life is undeniably tough, more for some than for others. However, I think it's important that people make sure they are always treating their mental health like a priority. If you wouldn't let yourself walk around with a cold for weeks without taking care of it, why would you allow yourself to neglect your mind? Thank you for your consideration.

My name is Melissa Valdez. I am a 25-year-old nursing student who has just recently decided that I have finally found my calling in healthcare. Ever since I was a little girl, the things I wanted to be when I grew up were constantly changing as I went through new phases. Although my goals and aspirations are things that have tended to change from time to time, one thing has always remained constant – my desire to help others. I’ve always loved a challenge, hard work, and thinking quick on my feet. My current goal is to be a Registered Nurse and once I get through my BSN program, work full-time at a children’s hospital or in a Post Anesthesia Care Unit. Education has always been very important to me since I was a little girl. I’m very passionate about education and I feel like I would be a great teacher or mentor for someone in the future once I get through my nursing program. I know what it is like to feel like you don't know where to begin with certain things or that you may not be able to find your footing, and I figured most people are like me when it comes to needing some guidance. I personally know what having a good teacher can do for someone who may be lost, confused, or just simply lacking the confidence, and I feel like eventually being an educator would be a good way for me to pay it forward. My journey to get to this point though has been far from simple. When I was just 20 years old, I was diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. It was just one month shy of my 21st birthday, what was supposed to be the best years of my life coming up and I got this devasting news. I felt defeated, confused, as if the rug had just been swept from right under my feet. As you could imagine, it was appointment after appointment, after specialist after specialist. It took a toll on me. Trying to come to terms with the diagnosis I had just received, it was as if I didn't even have time to fully process it. This to me was the most challenging experience of my life. It is something that impacts me daily. From getting tired faster than others, feeling the fatigue on my body when I don't sleep enough, to having to be more conscious of my diet which could mean having to prepare lunches ahead of time and not always being able to have fast food on the go due to its high sodium content. The reason that I decided to pursue nursing would have to be because of an RN at my infusion center where I get my semi-annual medication for my MS named Marissa. Marissa is the kindest soul; her smile and her attentiveness brings me an incredible amount of comfort whenever I go in for my procedure. She truly makes me feel like everything is always going to be okay even after being so nervous every single time as if it is the first. Marissa made me realize how important nurses are. Nurses aren't just important because of the life-saving work that they do, they are important because of their empathy and how easily they can calm a nervous person down. I knew that that's what I wanted to be for someone else. I wanted to be the person who brings them relief in stressful situations, and I think I'd be the perfect candidate because I know exactly where to begin.

For me, what motivated me the most to go to college would be seeing how my parents first struggled when they came to this country. My parents came from the Dominican Republic when they were both teenagers who didn't know much English. They got here and got straight to work. Both my parents picked up odd jobs here and there to get by and help support their families. I know how difficult it can be when you lack the education to make the appropriate moves to put yourself in a better living situation. Which is why ever since I was young it was instilled in me to always do my best in school. It will cost you a lot when you are young sure, but it will save you so much in the long run.

My name is Melissa Valdez. I am a 25-year-old nursing student who has just recently decided that I have finally found my calling in healthcare. Ever since I was a little girl, the things I wanted to be when I grew up were constantly changing as I went through new phases. Although my goals and aspirations are things that have tended to change from time to time, one thing has always remained constant – my desire to help others. I’ve always loved a challenge, hard work, and thinking quick on my feet. My current goal is to be a Registered Nurse and once I get through my BSN program, work full-time at a children’s hospital or in a Post Anesthesia Care Unit. Education has always been very important to me since I was a little girl. I’m very passionate about education and I feel like I would be a great teacher or mentor for someone in the future once I get through my nursing program. I know what it is like to feel like you don't know where to begin with certain things or that you may not be able to find your footing, and I figured most people are like me when it comes to needing some guidance. I personally know what having a good teacher can do for someone who may be lost, confused, or just simply lacking the confidence, and I feel like eventually being an educator would be a good way for me to pay it forward. My journey to get to this point though has been far from simple. When I was just 20 years old, I was diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. It was just one month shy of my 21st birthday, what was supposed to be the best years of my life coming up and I got this devasting news. I felt defeated, confused, as if the rug had just been swept from right under my feet. As you could imagine, it was appointment after appointment, after specialist after specialist. It took a toll on me. Trying to come to terms with the diagnosis I had just received, it was as if I didn't even have time to fully process it. This to me was the most challenging experience of my life. It is something that impacts me daily. From getting tired faster than others, feeling the fatigue on my body when I don't sleep enough, to having to be more conscious of my diet which could mean having to prepare lunches ahead of time and not always being able to have fast food on the go due to its high sodium content. The reason that I decided to pursue nursing would have to be because of an RN at my infusion center where I get my semi-annual medication for my MS named Marissa. Marissa is the kindest soul; her smile and her attentiveness brings me an incredible amount of comfort whenever I go in for my procedure. She truly makes me feel like everything is always going to be okay even after being so nervous every single time as if it is the first. Marissa made me realize how important nurses are. Nurses aren't just important because of the life-saving work that they do, they are important because of their empathy and how easily they can calm a nervous person down. I knew that that's what I wanted to be for someone else. I wanted to be the person who brings them relief in stressful situations, and I think I'd be the perfect candidate because I know exactly where to begin.

My goals and aspirations are things that tend to change from time to time, but one thing has always remained constant – my desire to help others. I’ve always loved a challenge, hard work, and thinking quick on my feet, which is what I felt like I was not currently getting at my present job. My current goal is to be a Registered Nurse and once I get through my Accelerated BSN program, work full-time at a children’s hospital and then maybe hopefully onto some sort of educational role or administration role. One thing that inspired me to continue my education was my need to help others. I've never enjoyed standing by the sidelines or not being useful in certain situations because I truly do enjoy the feeling of being able to contribute something to someone else's life. I felt like nursing was the perfect career because where else could you get to go home everyday feeling like you made a difference? Education has always been very important to me since I was a little girl. I’m very passionate about education and I feel like I would be a great teacher or mentor for someone in the future once I get through my nursing program. As I progress through my program now, I see how helpful having a mentor would be. At times I feel lost or confused as to which next step to take and I know that sometimes all you need is someone there to tell you its going to be fine and that you will make it through. I personally know what having a good teacher can do for someone who may be lost, confused, or just simply lacking the confidence, and I feel like eventually being an educator would be a good way for me to pay it forward. I know for sure that once I get through the ABSN program I will definitely seek out more opportunities to keep learning. Whether it be pursuing a Nurse Practitioner degree or enrolling in a CRNA program, I will always find a way to always keep climbing the educational ladder. I think I would be an excellent candidate for this scholarship because I’m not a person who puts any limitations on myself and I know that I would be a great nurse because the profession incorporates everything that I’ve always been interested in into one field. Thank you for your consideration.

I think it is certainly true that our response to life's challenges shapes our life. Some people are born on different areas of the spectrum in terms if money, opportunity, family, and accessibility. Ever since I was young, I faced a lot of challenges that I definitely feel like ended up preparing me for life. From my parents divorcing and almost losing our house to a foreclosure, there was nothing that I felt like I couldn't handle. From as young as I could remember, my dad struggled with a gambling addiction. Between horse racing and lottery tickets, my dad prioritized gambling so much to the point that he was using funds that should have been designated to buy groceries and pay bills to feed his addiction. This was incredibly difficult on my mother because now she had to make up for us coming up short every month financially. My dad never realized the toll that his behaviors and bad habits were taking on our family as a whole by slowly growing more and more irresponsible. My sisters and I didn't always have all the things that we needed. For example, I remember my parents discussing what they were going to do for my need of braces. My mom explained to my father that she simply could not do it on her own. My dad didn't have an answer for her as to where all of his money was going, but my mom just knew. My dad not being able to provide everything for me that I needed because of his poor habits was an eye-opener to me for sure. I realized just how different my life was than other kids at school because their parents didn't have this issue. I saw the type of man that my dad had become due to his addiction and from the moment I was 12 years old, it solidified for me in my mind the type of father that I did not want my children to have. I never wanted my kids to have to worry about getting their necessities because of my spouse's irresponsible habits. I wanted my future children to have what I didn't have, which was a childhood without worry. This experience definitely shaped my life for sure. It taught me a lot about myself and I'd like to think that it's the reason why I am usually always up for any sort of challenge life had to throw at me because I've made it through some of the most difficult things as a child. So therefore, I completely agree with this statement in full, and if anyone were to question why I do, I'd gladly tell them my story. Thank you for reading.

My experience with COVID-19 was definitely one of the things I will always remember. It definitely gave me an incredibly different outlook on the world as things began to shut down and become much more restricted. It started out with the anxiety, the unsureness, and the worry that I faced everyday watching the news which began to stress me out incredibly. As things started to get more and more restricted, I felt helpless and frustrated. At the time I had gone through a difficult breakup and I felt like I had no outlets to be able to relieve some of the pain that I was feeling. I went from being someone who would go to the gym at least 4 times a week to now having to do makeshift at home workouts. I wasn't able to see my friends or even get a hug from some of the members in my family who lived in different households. I started to feel hopeless and like the walls were closing in on me. As the months went on and the lockdown continued, I realized that this wasn't something that was going to be ending any time soon and I was going to have to try to adapt one way or another. My health was something that was also on the forefront of my mind. I was incredibly nervous that I would catch COVID some way or some how which terrified me as an immunocompromised person. I was obsessively washing my hands and monitoring myself for even the mildest of symptoms and any time I felt even slightly tired, I was worried that I would end up in an overcrowded hospital without being able to have anyone at my bedside. With everything that was going on in the world at the time and how often I kept up with the news and how many new deaths there were, I was starting to feel like I was slowly going crazy. The entire COVID-19 pandemic experience simply taught me the importance of mental health. It look an immense toll on me and I never truly realized how fragile mental health could be when you lose those creative outlets that you had at one point. Missing social interaction, missing being in a physical gym with different types of equipment and feeling like I couldn't even see my own family was one of the most difficult experience of my life. Although this was a terrible experience, it also gave me a new feeling of finding my purpose. I saw how hard the nurses and doctors were working in the hospital day in and day out and it inspired me to go after this higher calling. I can only imagine the fear that people felt as they were put on hospital ventilators and not allowed to be with their family for the duration of their stays. I felt inspired and motivated to possibly do something that could give me this feeling of helping others and possibly being able to reduce any feelings of stress and anxiety. This is one of the main reasons why I decided to go into nursing. I wanted to be a shining light for someone facing difficult stressful times because I know exactly how something like this feels. No one wants to feel anxiety, no one wants stress, and certainly no one wants helplessness. For this reason, I feel like I would be the perfect person for this profession and I look forward to be able to help others have some peace of mind in my new role. Thank you for your consideration.

My name is Melissa Valdez and I am currently enrolled in a nursing school here in New York City. As you know, the basis of the nursing profession is all about health and wellness which I feel is exactly where healthy eating habits are tied in. Growing up, I was always a kid who wanted to eat junk food - McDonald's, Wendy's... you name it! I would always butt heads with my mom at home because she wanted me to eat broccoli, spinach, and whole wheat bread (which I ABSOLUTELY hate). It wasn't until I had grown older and learned about the importance of eating healthy that I made it a priority to try to incorporate more healthy foods into my diet. When I grew older, and started to incorporate healthier foods into my diet, I saw how much better I felt almost instantly. I started making it important to learn about the benefits of different foods It felt good to know that I was doing my body a favor by consuming things that would benefit me. I was proud of myself and the direction that I was headed in with my new eating habits, so much that I even started to encourage my friends and close family members to try new things with me. I switched out McDonald's and Wendy's for home cooked meals that I knew what the ingredients were. I paired healthy eating along with my new found fitness journey and realized that the combination of the two gives me a better feeling than fast food ever could. I no longer feel tired and sluggish after eating, but instead energized and ready to put the nutrients in my body to good use for the day. I feel inspired to hit new milestones at the gym after a healthy protein shake than lounge around and possibly take a nap after my meals. I also feel that eating healthy has also made a positive impact on my mental health as well. I'm now more inspired to go after things that I want to achieve because I feel more energized with the healthy foods that I am consuming. Being in nursing school, you learn a lot about different diseases and illnesses that may be treatable with certain medications, but the important thing that I've learned is that they are usually preventable with a healthy diet. A healthy lifestyle is exactly what I want to maintain for myself, and now that I've finally begun I'm excited to see what new foods it will lead me to next.

Between 2019 and 2020 my father grew progressively ill as he faced his aggressive battle with Multiple Sclerosis every single day. My father went from being someone who would run daily, take trips to the beach, and drive his truck to work every day where he did intense heavy lifting, to someone who’s bed-ridden and unable to walk or do anything independently. Over the course of the year 2020 my father was constantly in and out of hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and invasive surgeries as doctors kept finding things wrong with him and needed to find solutions. I felt helpless not being able to be there for my father as my full-time commitment to the Police Department and the COVID-19 pandemic prevented me from doing so. However, although I couldn’t be there for him, I knew that during his hospital stays especially at Northwell Health North Shore Hospital, that he was in the greatest of hands. I knew I felt that way because of the hospital’s reputation and knowing that my dad was going to have access to quality care. I couldn’t imagine how it must feel for other people who don’t have access to quality care to know that they are sick and may not feel confident in the care they are receiving. Whenever I would go visit my father, I was always amazed at how much attention and quality care he was getting from complete strangers. Seeing someone who had no knowledge of or connection to my dad work so hard to ensure his comfort and care meant the world to me as his daughter. I was relying on these men and women whom I had never met to pay attention to and care for my father who was completely incapable of fending for himself. I knew that although my dad hadn’t expressed it explicitly, he was grateful and appreciative of their dedication to him. I never considered or even thought of a career in healthcare until I witnessed what my father had to go through and how reassuring the nurses, PA’s, and doctors were that took care of him. Not only was this important to me for my dad, it was also important to me as a family member who was watching a loved one go through such a difficult battle with a debilitating disease to know that he could have his medical needs met. After my father left the hospital, I found myself constantly thinking of the work these men and women do day in and day out and how much reassurance they gave me. I realized that I wanted more of a challenge and to feel the impact of my work after the end of a long day just a little more. I wanted to be what those nurses were for my father and for myself and the rest of my family – a shining light in a valley of darkness. I want to be able to give someone the same comfort and reassurance that those nurses gave me and my family when we feared my dad wasn’t being taken good care of. Thank you for reading.

Just four weeks short of my 21st birthday, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. I couldn't believe it. I felt like my life as I knew it was completely over. I felt like my youth was taken from me... I felt helpless. It was something that for me was very difficult to accept, I didn't want to believe that I was now going to have to live with this disease that had only treatments and no cure. I didn't know what to do, and for the first time in my life, I felt totally helpless. I kept trying to desperately get a grip on what I could grasp that was within my control and it took me a while to realize what it was - my health. I sat around for at least a month before I decided that I was going to join a gym and get active. Throughout my entire life, I had never played sports or done anything remotely physical that could consider me athletic, so this was a big step and certainly a weird feeling, but boy was I glad that I did it. I had stepped completely out of my comfort zone by doing this. I was working out consistently 4 times a week, watching YouTube videos to learn different exercises and facts about nutrition and the body that I was completely unaware about which in turn made my workouts more effective. Once I was starting to get the hang of things at the gym, I had paired it with a meal plan. I was starting to do research to see what foods were good for what parts of your body, specifically someone with an auto immune disorder. I incorporated those foods into my diet, started eating out at fast food restaurants way less and cooking at home most of the time. Once I was doing these two things, I felt inspired to make more changes to my daily living. I was now making it a priority to get more sleep through the night. This for me was the most difficult because I've always been a night owl. From studying, to cleaning, to reading, it's always just felt better for me at night. The first night that I got a full 8 hours of sleep was probably one of the best of my life. I felt well rested, motivated, and I felt an instant change in my mood. It inspired me to stay consistent with all the healthy progress I had been making and I did. That was 4 years ago now, and I look back on it and although my MS diagnosis was one of the most difficult things I had ever been through, I'm glad it happened. It gave me the push that I needed in the right direction to make these changes and create a healthier lifestyle for myself. Although there is no cure for MS, the doctors that I've seen had constantly commented on how taking care of yourself is the best thing that you could do. It also inspired me to get others around me to join me on this journey. From my best friend to my mom, we have all made small changes in our lifestyles that have now left us with big positive changes towards our health. I'm glad I started taking care of myself when I did, and I will always be an advocate to others to do the same.

I know first hand what it's like to feel disadvantaged. I am a 25 year old first generation college student who is going back to school to become a Registered Nurse. Since I was a little girl, I've always been a giver, always shared my toys and snacks in school, always helped others who were struggling as I went on to high school and college, and have always been a hard worker with aspirations of joining the medical field. The best way I could describe myself would be someone who wants to simply help others have a better relationship/experience with healthcare, especially those in underserved communities. Throughout my time at CVS, my role as a pharmacy technician was to dispense, count, and fill prescriptions, and answer whatever questions I could within my range of knowledge. While I was bouncing around to different stores, I noticed how different some people’s approach to health care was. There were some individuals who were not comfortable with asking questions to the pharmacists or the techs, some people who had no idea what their medications were even for, and others who would not come pick them up at all. It was during my time there that I realized that some people did not have the same attitude about health care that I had always had. Some people were very apprehensive about speaking to anyone at all and simply did not feel comfortable with the idea of seeking care. To me personally, I felt that this was a huge red flag. Patients should feel comfortable enough to ask the necessary questions and get the proper care that they are seeking without their circumstances playing a large role in inhibiting it from happening. I knew that the best way to deal with these kinds of individuals would be to change my approach to let them know that it is safe and okay to ask questions and that there are people out there who truly care about their health. This is something that inspired me to somehow try to bridge the gap between health professionals and underserved communities by giving them the quality care and reassurance that they have been lacking. I know there are some people in this world who have never been fortunate enough to have good health insurance that allows them to see different kinds of doctors and specialists whenever they need to. I want to be the person on someone’s healthcare team that inspires them to seek out the help that they need and answers for their questions. I feel truly grateful to know that I have been extremely blessed by always having access to good quality care and I could only hope to be that for others and contribute to a healthier society.

For starters, I would like to thank Maida for her work in MS research. As someone with MS myself, I am incredibly thankful that there are people out there like her who are looking to end this terrible disease. Her dedication to that alone shows what an amazing person she was to dedicate her time and effort to that. I'm a first generation college student in my family who is currently going back to school for nursing. I've always had a desire myself to help others specifically because it takes a lot of time and dedication to devote yourself to someone other than yourself. I've always been someone who loves to extend a helping hand, which is why I feel like nursing is the perfect route for me to go. Being a first generation student has always been challenging. I was not always the most educated on the college process, finances, loans, and how to go about balancing studies and life. My parents also did not have the means to fund my education themselves, so I've always been working part-time jobs or taking money out of my savings to cover the bill. However, this was something that I've never let stop me. I've always found a way to get to what I wanted and eventually my goal of going to nursing school which I am now attending. On the contrary, this is something that has simply just motivated me more in life to succeed, to go after what I want, to put myself in a comfortable position where I wouldn't have to struggle anymore. My parents both came to this country from the Dominican Republic with absolutely nothing. They worked hard and picked up whatever jobs they could to get by. I'm sure my parents wish they could have had the opportunity and the means to get through school, but I know for a fact they didn't let that stop them from fighting to achieve as much as they could. After watching my parents struggle for so many years and stress about finances, I always told myself that I need to aim as high as possible and change my circumstances. I believe that life is truly what you make of it and it's up to me to make it what I want it to be. Sure some people are born with more benefits and access to other things than most, but I truly feel like anyone can change their circumstances as long as they are willing to strive high enough. My entire life I've never let anything stop me, not being economically disadvantaged, not getting diagnosed with MS just before my 21st birthday, and not even my parents divorcing when I was only 12. I've always aimed to overcome these challenges that I was faced with and was never mad at life for giving me these trials to endure.

In 2020, in the midst of a very scary time in the world filled with Much uncertainty, my father became very ill. I remember him being in and out of hospitals and rehabilitation centers all the time without an actual firm diagnosis. Although this time was very overwhelming and scary for me, I do remember the relief I got from a nurse who was taking care of my father named Anna. Anna was the sweetest woman in the world. She was somewhere in her mid to late forties, and I just remember how caring and attentive she was towards my father. She encouraged my father to eat when he was not up for it, which we couldn’t blame him because who wants disgusting hospital food anyway? My father has always been very stubborn and hard headed when it came to everything. He would often reject her efforts to get him to eat or take his medication, but this didn’t matter to her, she still tried. Anna always put her compassionate face on with my dad and was always extremely patient and never complained even though I knew he was definitely complaint worthy. I was without a doubt definitely scared for my father being in the hospital, especially with how much was going on in the world already, but I just felt so much relief knowing that Anna was there to take care of him. She always had a smile under her mask, always had a positive attitude, and always reassured me that she was advocating for my dad in the best way possible. To me, this meant everything because it gave me an incredible feeling of relief. That was one of the moments in which I knew personally that I wanted to be for someone else what Anna was to me - a ray of light. Anna’s professionalism and character had such an impact on me that she motivated me to change careers completely. I knew I wanted to help people and have more of a personal connection with them in my day to day work. This is what inspired me to step away from my position at the NYPDs drug chemistry lab and focus more on something that I would likely find more rewarding. I don’t know where Anna is today, and I don’t know her full story, but surely I do know that she is the nurse I will aspire to be once I finish my program. I can only hope to do half as good of a job as she does everyday.