First-generation college students face several trials and tribulations that may never be a challenge to college students who come from a family of college-educated professionals. My name is Melody, and I am a senior nursing student. I do not fall under the traditional category of a student in various ways. Not only am I a first-gen, but I am also an adult learner in my thirties, a single mother, and a minority. Growing up I have always known that I wanted to help people and save lives. I have never felt as rewarded and whole as I have while taking care of others. Being in nursing school has given me a sense of belonging and purpose. It was always important to me to get myself into college and pursue a career in medicine. While I had this in mind, I was met with many of the obstacles that come along with living in low-income housing from a single parent. Even though it has taken me many years to get where I am, I am determined to finish and not only be the first college student with a degree in my family but achieve my goal of saving lives. When in my career I intend on being a patient advocate, while also showing my children that with hard work they can achieve anything! It is important for me to show other little girls, like my daughter, who look like us, that regardless of where you come from you can be anything you want to be. This is my WHY. Children of minority backgrounds NEED to see people who look like them in medical professions. It is important to me to live a life of stability, which is something I have never experienced as a child or as an adult. There have been several times when I have faced hard decisions that no parent should have to make. Some of these decisions were choosing between providing a roof over our heads (my children and I), or keeping lights on, or even paying tuition. Along with the financial and logistical stresses that I have encountered while being a first-generation student, I have also faced the struggles of being the first student nurse in my family. It has been quite a challenge to know what steps I need to take regarding my future career and how to get through the hard months of schooling without having someone I can go to for guidance. Ideally, I hope the countless hours of Google searches, and reaching out to strangers about college and nursing school is something my children will never have to do. Even if my children do follow a completely different career path, it is my hope that my knowledge and experience on this journey will put me in a position to give them all the guidance they could possibly need. Long term, once I finally receive my bachelor’s degree I hope to go back to school for a master’s degree and become a nurse practitioner. When it comes to my career, my specialty of choice is pediatric oncology. I have always felt these patients are the patients in the greatest need of great care and support. Professionally I want to change the world one patient at a time, personally, I want to set the best example I can to my children and offer them all the support they could ever need. Winning a scholarship like this would make a huge difference for my family and relieve some of the financial stressors we face. Thank you so much for your consideration.

Coming from a low-income minority family has given me many obstacles on my journey for an education. While I have faced those obstacles it has kept me motivated to continue fighting for myself and my future. As an adult learner, I am currently a single mother of two with a dream and a passion. My ultimate goal is to not only award my children with a great life but to become a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology nurse. My passion is to provide care for these patients and be the voice and advocate for children coming from low-income homes. I consistently work on these goals as the months and years go by. Fortunately, I have not given up no matter how many times I have fallen. Providing for my children is always my priority, however, there are often times when I am left with deciding between paying for a necessity or paying for my tuition. It is a path I have chosen to pursue, but it is my passion and I have always remained driven. I am no stranger to sacrifice and am so much prouder of where I am today because of it. Wholeheartedly, I want my children to see that if there is anything they want out of life if they set their mind to they can do it! At the same time, I hope to show them that even if we weather our own storms, caring for others, especially those that need it the most is not only fulfilling but needed in our world. My passion for making patients smile even in the hardest journeys they face, like cancer, is just the beginning of how I intend to do so. Ultimately once I graduate with my Bachelor's, I would love to go back for my doctorate and become a nurse practitioner. This would give me the ability to provide care more independently in the communities with children that are under-served and may be facing the same trials and tribulations I once faced by no fault of their own. They have a voice and I intend to make it heard. I love to imagine a world where healthcare is equal. A world where everyone regardless of where they live, come from, or look like receives great unbiased quality care. Having more healthcare providers of color that come from complex backgrounds helps in making this happen. It provides children with similar experiences to feel seen and understood. It helps inspire those who may think they could never make it, to know that anything is possible. Remembering the daily struggles my mother faced always replays in my mind when I face some of those same struggles today. I hold these memories near and dear to me as I am now a mother. I value the sacrifices my mother made to give me the best life she could. I value the hours of volunteer work I did way back when in a hospital during high school. These experiences helped me find my purpose. I remember those hours of studying for exams and working a part-time job to help my mother with bills, and I remember that these experiences made me who I am today. Without her perseverance, I wouldn't be so resilient. I look at my children and think of the life I want them to have and I will never stop trying until I get there. I owe it not only to them but to my mother. I especially owe this to all the patients whose lives I have yet to touch! Thank you for your consideration.

Coming from a low-income minority family has given me many obstacles on my journey for an education. While I have faced those obstacles it has kept me motivated to continue fighting for myself and my future. As an adult learner, I am currently a single mother of two with a dream and a passion. My ultimate goal is to not only award my children with a great life but to become a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology nurse. My passion is to provide care for these patients and be the voice and advocate for children coming from low-income homes. I consistently work on these goals as the months and years go by. Fortunately, I have not given up no matter how many times I have fallen. Providing for my children is always my priority, however, there are often times when I am left with deciding between paying for a necessity or paying for my tuition. It is a path I have chosen to pursue, but it is my passion and I have always remained driven. I am no stranger to sacrifice and am so much prouder of where I am today because of it. Wholeheartedly, I want my children to see that if there is anything they want out of life if they set their mind to they can do it! At the same time, I hope to show them that even if we weather our own storms, caring for others, especially those that need it the most is not only fulfilling but needed in our world. My passion for making patients smile even in the hardest journeys they face, like cancer, is just the beginning of how I intend to do so. Ultimately once I graduate with my Bachelors, I would love to go back for my doctorate and become a nurse practitioner. This would give me the ability to provide care more independently in the communities with children that are under-served and may be facing the same trials and tribulations I once faced by no fault of their own. They have a voice and I intend to make it heard. I love to imagine a world where healthcare is equal. A world where everyone regardless of where they live, come from, or look like receives great unbiased quality care. Having more healthcare providers of color that come from complex backgrounds helps in making this happen. It provides children with similar experiences to feel seen and understood. It helps inspire those who may think they could never make it, to know that anything is possible. This is my WHY. Remembering the daily struggles my mother faced always replays in my mind when I face some of those same struggles today. I hold these memories near and dear to me as I am now a mother. I value the sacrifices my mother made to give me the best life she could. I value the hours of volunteer work I did way back when in a hospital during high school. These experiences helped me find my purpose. I remember those hours of studying for exams and working a part-time job to help my mother with bills, and I remember that these experiences made me who I am today. Without her perseverance, I wouldn't be so resilient. I look at my children and think of the life I want them to have and I will never stop trying until I get there. I owe it not only to them but to my mother. I especially owe this to all the patients whose lives I have yet to touch! Thank you for your consideration.

Coming from a low-income Hispanic family has given me many obstacles on my journey for quality education. While I have faced those obstacles it has kept me motivated to continue fighting for myself and my future. As a Hispanic adult learner, I am currently a single mother of two with a dream and a passion. My ultimate goal is to not only award my children with a great life but to become a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology nurse. My passion is to not only provide care for these patients but to be the voice and advocate for children coming from low-income and minority homes. It is no surprise that the Hispanic communities don't always receive the care we should, and I want to be in a position to make sure I am giving to those same communities I come from. I consistently work on this goal as the months and years go by. Fortunately, I have not given up no matter how many times I have fallen. Providing for my children is always my priority, however, there are often times when I am left with deciding between paying for a necessity or paying for my tuition. It is a path I have chosen to pursue, but it is my passion and I have always remained driven. I am no stranger to sacrifice and am so much prouder of where I am today because of it. Wholeheartedly, I want my children to see that we must be the voices of our people! At the same time, I hope to show them that even if we weather our own storms, caring for others, especially those that need it the most is not only fulfilling but needed. My passion for making patients smile even in the hardest journeys they face, like cancer, is just the beginning of how I intend to do so. Ultimately once I graduate with my bachelors, I would love to go back and become a nurse practitioner. This would give me the ability to provide care more independently in the communities with children that are under-served and may be facing the same trials and tribulations I once faced by no fault of their own. I love to imagine a world where healthcare is equal. A world where everyone regardless of where they live, come from, or look like receives great unbiased quality care. Having more Hispanic healthcare providers helps in making this happen. It provides children of similar backgrounds to feel seen and understood. It helps inspire those who may think they could never make it, to know that anything is possible. Remembering the daily struggles my mother faced always replays in my mind when I face some of those same struggles today. I hold these memories near and dear to me as I am now a mother. I value the sacrifices my mother made to give me the best life she could. These experiences helped me find my purpose. I remember those hours of studying for exams and working a part-time job to help my mother with bills, and I remember that these experiences made me who I am today. Without her perseverance, I wouldn't be so resilient. I look at my children and think of the life I want them to have and I will never stop trying until I get there. I want patients to see me as a provider, and realize I am them. I owe it not only to my children but to my mother. I especially owe this to all the patients whose lives I have yet to touch! Thank you for your consideration.

Coming from a low-income minority family has given me many obstacles on my journey for an education. While I have faced those obstacles it has kept me motivated to continue fighting for myself and my future. As an adult learner, I am currently a single mother of two with a dream and a passion. My ultimate goal is to not only award my children with a great life but to become a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology nurse. My passion is to provide care for these patients and be the voice and advocate for children coming from low-income homes. I consistently work on these goals as the months and years go by. Fortunately, I have not given up no matter how many times I have fallen. Providing for my children is always my priority, however, there are often times when I am left with deciding between paying for a necessity or paying for my tuition. It is a path I have chosen to pursue, but it is my passion and I have always remained driven. I am no stranger to sacrifice and am so much prouder of where I am today because of it. Wholeheartedly, I want my children to see that if there is anything they want out of life if they set their mind to they can do it! At the same time, I hope to show them that even if we weather our own storms, caring for others, especially those that need it the most is not only fulfilling but needed in our world. My passion for making patients smile even in the hardest journeys they face, like cancer, is just the beginning of how I intend to do so. Ultimately once I graduate with my Bachelors, I would love to go back for my doctorate and become a nurse practitioner. This would give me the ability to provide care more independently in the communities with children that are under-served and may be facing the same trials and tribulations I once faced by no fault of their own. They have a voice and I intend to make it heard. I love to imagine a world where healthcare is equal. A world where everyone regardless of where they live, come from, or look like receives great unbiased quality care. Having more healthcare providers of color that come from complex backgrounds helps in making this happen. It provides children with similar experiences to feel seen and understood. It helps inspire those who may think they could never make it, to know that anything is possible. Remembering the daily struggles my mother faced always replays in my mind when I face some of those same struggles today. I hold these memories near and dear to me as I am now a mother. I value the sacrifices my mother made to give me the best life she could. I value the hours of volunteer work I did way back when in a hospital during high school. These experiences helped me find my purpose. I remember those hours of studying for exams and working a part-time job to help my mother with bills, and I remember that these experiences made me who I am today. Without her perseverance, I wouldn't be so resilient. I look at my children and think of the life I want them to have and I will never stop trying until I get there. I owe it not only to them but to my mother. I especially owe this to all the patients whose lives I have yet to touch! Thank you for your consideration.

Coming from a low-income minority family has given me many obstacles on my journey for an education. While I have faced those obstacles it has kept me motivated to continue fighting for myself and my future. As an adult learner, I am currently a single mother of two with a dream and a passion. My ultimate goal is to not only award my children with a great life, but to become a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology nurse. My passion is to not only provide care for these patients but to be the voice and advocate for children coming from low-income homes. I consistently work on these goal as the months and years go by. Fortunately, I have not given up no matter how many times I have fallen. Providing for my children is always my priority, however there are often times where I am left with deciding between paying for a necessity or paying for my tuition. It is a path I have chosen to pursue, but it is my passion and I have always remained driven. I am no stranger to sacrifice and am so much prouder of where I am today because of it. Wholeheartedly, I want my children to see that if there is anything they want out of life, if they set their mind to they can do it! At the same time I hope to show them that even if we weather our own storms, caring for others, especially those that need it the most is not only fulfilling but needed in our world. My passion for making patients smile even in the hardest journeys they face, like cancer, is just the beginning of how I intend to do so. Ultimately once I graduate with my Bachelors, I would love to go back for my Doctorates and become a nurse practitioner. This would give me the ability to provide care more independently in the communities with children that are under-served and may be facing the same trials and tribulations I once faced by no fault of their own. They have a voice and I intend to make it be heard. I love to imagine a world where healthcare is equal. A world where everyone regardless of where they live, come from, or look like receive great unbiased quality care. Having more healthcare providers of color that come from difficult backgrounds helps in making this happen. It provides children of similar backgrounds to feel seen and understood. It helps inspire those who may think they could never make it, know that anything is possible. Remembering the daily struggles my mother faced always replays in my mind when I face some of those same struggles today. I hold these memories near and dear to me as I am now a mother. I value the sacrifices my mother made to give me the best life she could. I value the hours of volunteer work I did way back when, in a hospital during high school. These experiences helped me find my purpose. I remember those hours of studying for exams and working a part time job to help my mother with bills, and I remember that these experiences made me who I am today. Without her perseverance I wouldn't be so resilient. I look at my children and think of the life I want them to have and I will never stop trying until I get there. I owe it not only to them, but to my mother. I especially owe this to all the patients whose lives I have yet to touch! Thank you for your consideration.

Becoming a nurse means many different things to those who choose to pursue this career path. For as long as I can remember in my thirty years of life it is all I've ever wanted to be. Personally, it would allow me the ability to not only open several doors on a personal level for myself and my children, but completely change the experience a patient will have within the hospital setting and positively affect their relationship with healthcare. The nurse is the backbone of the healthcare team and can truly make or break a patient’s experience and opinions of their care. Throughout my journey in nursing school at Cedar Crest College, I have had my share of trials and tribulations. As a senior in the nursing program I am also a single mother of two, an employee, and a first generation minority. My circumstances alone place several roadblocks in my path however I slowly have overcome them and am so much closer to my goal of being a Pediatric Oncology nurse. My two beautiful children Elias(6) and Amina(4) have been my motivation to continue pursuing my goals. While it is a constant struggle to manage the schedule and routine of two small children while working and going to school, looking at their faces gives me the push I need to keep going. Having my children watch me fight to accomplish my goals gives them the example that if I can do it in my circumstances they can do it as well. My only hope as their mother would be that they pursue their own goals and dreams in a much easier way than I have. The constant struggle of juggling my time with all the responsibilities on my plate along with the ever constant "mom-guilt" has brought me to moments of despair and wanting to quit but I always remind myself that they are watching and quitting is not an option. Aside from these circumstances, I am also an adult learner whom pays completely out of pocket for my education. Paying for my education has been a true challenge in itself because there are often times when I have to choose between paying a bill, paying for an extracurricular activity/sport, and making a tuition payment. While I know that I am choosing to continue my education and it is not necessarily an obligation, it is a terrible weight on your shoulders to carry when you have to choose between providing something to your child or being dropped from a course due to lack of payments. The stressors of the financial burdens do weigh heavy on my conscious and have often made me question if I am doing the right thing in attempting to pursue my dreams. Fortunately I know without this it is not likely I will be in the position to give my children the life they deserve and not let my children become another minority statistic. It is important for me to make a difference in Pediatric Oncology for all the patients I interact with. As a pediatric oncology nurse it will be my mission to make sure all my patients are heard and treated justly. A great nurse makes a happy patient and if I could have my patients smile even just once, I've done my job. It is also incredibly important for me to represent women of color in medicine. I want little girls of color see that they can also become whatever they so choose and will not be limited due to their ethnicity, their low-income homes, and overall the cards they are dealt.

Becoming a nurse means many different things to those who choose to pursue this career path. For as long as I can remember in my thirty years of life it is all I've ever wanted to be. Personally, it would allow me the ability to not only open several doors on a personal level for myself and my children, but completely change the experience a patient will have within the hospital setting and positively affect their relationship with healthcare. The nurse is the backbone of the healthcare team and can truly make or break a patient’s experience and opinions of their care. Throughout my journey in nursing school at Cedar Crest College, I have had my share of trials and tribulations. As a senior in the nursing program I am also a single mother of two, an employee, and a first generation minority. My circumstances alone place several roadblocks in my path however I slowly have overcome them and am so much closer to my goal of being a Pediatric Oncology nurse. My two beautiful children Elias(6) and Amina(4) have been my motivation to continue pursuing my goals. While it is a constant struggle to manage the schedule and routine of two small children while working and going to school, looking at their faces gives me the push I need to keep going. Having my children watch me fight to accomplish my goals gives them the example that if I can do it in my circumstances they can do it as well. My only hope as their mother would be that they pursue their own goals and dreams in a much easier way than I have. The constant struggle of juggling my time with all the responsibilities on my plate along with the ever constant "mom-guilt" has brought me to moments of despair and wanting to quit but I always remind myself that they are watching and quitting is not an option. Aside from these circumstances, I am also an adult learner whom pays completely out of pocket for my education. Paying for my education has been a true challenge in itself because there are often times when I have to choose between paying a bill, paying for an extracurricular activity/sport, and making a tuition payment. While I know that I am choosing to continue my education and it is not necessarily an obligation, it is a terrible weight on your shoulders to carry when you have to choose between providing something to your child or being dropped from a course due to lack of payments. The stressors of the financial burdens do weigh heavy on my conscious and have often made me question if I am doing the right thing in attempting to pursue my dreams. Fortunately I know without this it is not likely I will be in the position to give my children the life they deserve and not let my children become another minority statistic. It is important for me to make a difference in Pediatric Oncology for all the patients I interact with. As a pediatric oncology nurse it will be my mission to make sure all my patients are heard and treated justly. A great nurse makes a happy patient and if I could have my patients smile even just once, I've done my job. It is also incredibly important for me to represent women of color in medicine. I want little girls of color see that they can also become whatever they so choose and will not be limited due to their ethnicity, their low-income homes, and overall the cards they are dealt.

Becoming a nurse means many different things to those who choose to pursue this career path. For as long as I can remember in my thirty years of life it is all I've ever wanted to be. Personally, it would allow me the ability to not only open several doors on a personal level for myself and my children, but to completely change the experience a patient will have within the hospital setting and positively affect their relationship with healthcare. The nurse is the backbone of the healthcare team and can truly make or break a patient’s experience and opinions of their care. Throughout my journey in nursing school at Cedar Crest College, I have had my share of trials and tribulations. As a senior in the nursing program I am also a single mother of two, an employee, and a minority. My circumstances alone place several roadblocks in my path however I slowly have overcome them and am so much closer to my goal of being a Pediatric Oncology nurse. My two beautiful children Elias(6) and Amina (4) have been my motivation to continue pursuing my goals. While it is a constant struggle to manage the schedule and routine of two small children while working and going to school, looking at their faces gives me the push I need to keep going. Having my children watch me fight to accomplish my goals gives them the example that if I can do it in my circumstances they can do it as well. My only hope would be that they pursue their own goals and dreams in a much easier way than I have. The constant struggle of juggling my time with all the responsibilities on my plate along with the ever constant "mom-guilt" has brought me to moments of despair and wanting to quit but I always remind myself that they are watching and quitting is not an option. Aside from these circumstances, I am also an adult learner whom pays completely out of pocket for my education. Paying for my education has been a true challenge in itself because there are often times when I have to choose between paying a bill, paying for an extracurricular activity/sport, and making a tuition payment. While I know that I am choosing to continue my education and it is not necessarily an obligation, it is a terrible weight to carry when you have to choose between providing something to your child or being dropped from a course due to lack of payment. The stressors of the financial burdens do weigh heavy on my conscious and have often made me question if I am doing the right thing in attempting to pursue my dreams. Fortunately I know without this it is not likely I will be in the position to give my children the life they deserve. Winning a scholarship will greatly lessen the load of the burden and my children and I will be incredibly grateful.

Becoming a nurse means many different things to those who choose to pursue this career path. For as long as I can remember in my thirty years of life it is all I've ever wanted to be. Personally, it would allow me the ability to not only open several doors but to completely change the experience a patient will have within the hospital setting and positively affect their relationship with healthcare. The nurse is the backbone of the healthcare team and can truly make or break a patient’s experience and opinions of their care. Throughout my journey in nursing school at Cedar Crest College, I have had my share of trials and tribulations. While my troubles were not life or death, the comfort I was provided by experienced nurses on my clinical units made a world of a difference to me. As a nursing student on different units, I was able to make personal connections and gain a better understanding of what a blessing a good nurse truly is and to what lengths I would go to become one myself. As a senior in the nursing program I am also a single mother of two, an employee, and a minority. My circumstances alone place several roadblocks in my path however I have overcome them and am so much closer to my goal of being a Pediatric Oncology nurse. In a pediatric hematology/oncology unit I have witnessed that there is a huge need for patient advocacy as these patients face several issues including legal as well as ethical. The age of a patient could determine whether their wishes and feelings are not only respected but genuinely heard. Pediatric care involves a unique dynamic that is not seen in many other areas of healthcare. The relationship is not only between the provider and the patient but the provider-patient and parent. A nurse must adhere to all ethical guidelines when providing care to patients but will run into challenging issues like a minor not being able to make their own treatment decisions. As a pediatric hematology/oncology nurse it will be my mission to make sure all my patients are heard and treated justly. While I cannot base my care of a patient on my personal feelings, I will do my best to teach my patient and their parents all that I can about their conditions, the treatment options, and what the physician feels is the best care. With the proper information being given to the patient not only am I doing my best to keep everyone informed and on the same page, but I will be following one of the many ethical guidelines for nurses. In this case, the guideline I would be adhering to would be Provision 1.4 The Right to Self-Determination. Being the voice of all my patients will be my primary goal. If my patients are in their last moments I want to be there. If my patients are struggling with their treatments and want to be heard, I desire to be there. When my patients feel they need someone to explain their thoughts and feelings to someone in this very difficult triad that is provider-patient-parent, I want to be there. Ultimately my mission is to be the biggest support system my patients can have. If I could give a child just one smile, I would have done my job. I intend to use all my skills and all the years of my career to do just that.

As a single mother of two who is also a minority and comes from a low-income family, I have had many obstacles stacked against me. My background alone made me a statistic and gave me many roadblocks. However, even if the entire world was against me, in my heart I have always known that I wanted a career in medicine helping to heal people. There is nothing more rewarding than being there for someone in need at their most vulnerable points in life. To share these moments with patients is the most rewarding thing I could experience, aside from watching my children grow. For the past seven years as I have been slowly working my way towards obtaining my nursing degree I have worked in a pediatric dental office. While this isn’t the same side of healthcare, working along these children and being there to provide them comfort and reassurance has made every long day filled with the difficult sides of pediatrics well worth it. After seven years of working with children, I have been able to hone my skills with them and strengthen my natural abilities to connect with them and make them feel not only safe but heard. Even before becoming a mother, I knew working with children is where I was meant to be. When a patient is leaving my chair with a new love for the dentist along with a relationship with me, I know I have done my job. Pediatrics can be a trying field, and while I am sure there are some nurses who would never want to step foot on this unit my end goal after obtaining my degree is pediatric oncology. I cannot imagine how hard it is to hear that you have a sick child or to watch them go through their treatments and fight for their life. A parent in that position needs all the support they can get, but mostly the children who are fighting for their life. The children need someone to advocate for them for their treatments and make them happy. If I could just make my patients smile and make just one day better for them and comfort them, I would have done my job right. Nurses are not just keeping their patients safe and attempting to improve their health, but they are also making their experiences within health care better.