My path to adulthood did not start out in a traditional way; you know the go off to college, meet your soulmate, big wedding, start a family, and live blissfully, happily ever after. When all of my peers were out doing teen things I found myself pregnant with my first child 22 years ago during my junior year of high school. What I thought was the end of the world actually has proved to be one of the reasons financial peace is deeper than just "having money". So now I bet you're probably wondering what has happened since then. Well, things were definitely financially stressful. I often found myself living from paycheck to paycheck however resiliency has become second nature to me. Even with the adversities I faced in 2011 I graduated with my associate's degree in applied science with a concentration in Medical Assisting and have since been able to build a very comfortable life for my children and me. Building this financial peace through educating myself gave me control over my life, as a teen mother I felt a lot of stress came from things that I created for myself but were out of my control. Unexpected expenses, setbacks and inconsistency became my norm during these times. As I attained my degree and stepped into my career role, I found that financial peace gave me decision power. I didn't have to wait for anyone else to show up for me financially, I could handle unexpected emergencies without panic, I found I had the ability to choose instead of constantly reacting. Financial peace means stability for my children and I, not just for today but for the long term as well. It means that my bills are paid without the stress spilling into my home and emotionally damaging my children because of my personal frustrations. This gives way for opportunities for my children to learn through behavior as it models what responsibility and resilience looks like. Behavior as such is legacy building, and because of what I modeled to my children the daughter that I gave birth to as a teenager went on to become a first-generation college graduate from a prestigious university and is building her journey to financial freedom the proper way. Looking back, I wouldn't change my journey and the things I have went through as it has shaped me into the person, I am today. Financial freedom gave me the freedom to grow into a much more secure woman. I understand that my journey is still unfolding as I advance my career and return back to school to become a registered nurse. However, this time around the financial freedom I have built will be a strong foundation that will help to carry me through to the finish line.

1.Becoming a mother as a teenager was never part of my plan, but it became the moment that shaped my purpose and would eventually become my inspiration for choosing a career path in nursing. While others were discovering who they wanted to be, I was learning how to care for another human being. That responsibility forced me to grow quickly and introduced me to resilience, sacrifice, and unconditional love, qualities that now guide my desire and inspiration to pursue a degree in nursing. As time has passed I have learned that what I thought was a hindrance was actually a blessing that came to guide me down my true life path. Raising my daughter came with challenges; long nights, financial strain, and moments of doubt. However, those experiences strengthened my ability to remain calm under pressure, think critically, and put someone else's needs before my own. I learned how to advocate, how to nurture, and how to persevere even when I felt exhausted. These are the same qualities that define a compassionate and effective nurse. Pursuing a nursing degree is the next step in continuing my legacy I began as a teen mother. My story reflects strength, growth, and purpose, and I am committed to using my experience to make an impact in the lives of others. As my daughter grew, so did my purpose, I became intentional about the example I was setting, emphasizing discipline, education, and perseverance. Watching my daughter overcome obstacles and eventually become a college graduate is one of the proudest accomplishments. It reinforced my belief that dedication and care can transform lives. Something I now want to extend beyond my own family dynamic. Nursing, to me, is more than a career, it is a calling rooted in service and empathy. My journey has given me a deep understanding of what it means to care for others during vulnerable moments. I want to provide not only medical support, but emotional reassurance to patients and their families. So to put it shortly my daughter and myself would be my greatest inspiration in pursuing a nursing degree. Pursuing this degree is the next step in continuing the legacy I began as a teen mother. My story is inspirational and reflects strength, growth and purpose, and I am committed to using those experiences to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. 2. Human touch in nursing refers to the compassionate, personal connection a nurse provides beyond clinical tasks. It is the ability to make patients feel seen, heard, valued, and safe during some of their most vulnerable moments. It includes both physical and emotional care. Physically, it can be as simple as holding a patient's hand gently or offering comfort through presence. Emotionally, it involves active listening. empathy, patience, and genuine concern for a patient's well being, not just their symptoms. Human touch means treating patients as people and not just a condition or diagnosis. It is recognizing their fears, respecting their dignity, an responding with kindness and understanding. For many patients, especially those experiencing pain, anxiety, or uncertainty, this connection can be just as healing as medical treatment. In nursing, human touch builds trust, improves patient outcomes, and creates a sense of comfort and security. It is what transforms technical care into holistic care, making nursing not just a profession, but a deeply human centered practice.

Not too long ago I found myself sitting in a New Patient consultation at Levine Cancer Institute Breast Clinic in Charlotte, NC awaiting the results of a PET scan. Silently praying that just maybe what the doctors saw on the scan was perhaps a mistake. Silently praying that maybe if I pinch myself hard and long enough, I will wake up from the nightmare I had found myself trapped in. As the Oncologist walked in, I tried to read her face maybe she would show some inclination that her and her medical team had made a mistake. I envisioned her words, "Sorry Mrs. Drakeford for your inconvenience all the results came back negative you are free to go home now". Instead, she opened her mouth to apologetically tell us that the PET scan showed DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ) a noninvasive form of breast cancer. As the words left the doctors lips, I could hear the gasp and cries from my siblings. I sat there silent and in disbelief. Scanning the room all I could see is fear in the faces of my family, as the healthcare professional and oldest child I felt it was my duty to step in and be the strength my mother needed during this difficult diagnosis. With my years of healthcare experience, I worked in Ob/Gyn for a long time where I was educated on the importance of breast health. The importance on getting routine breast checks via mammograms. The proper methods to check your breast at home and at the slightest change to notify your physician so that a diagnostic mammogram can be ordered not just a routine one. Years before this diagnosis I always advocated to my mother, sister, aunts, cousins, any woman that would listen, the importance on getting routine mammograms and making sure they were doing routine breast checks in the shower. Making sure that even at the slightest change they were calling their physician to notify them of the changes. So, in February of 2025 when my mother called me to notify me that she was leaking what looked like to be milk out of her breast at the age of 60 plus years old I knew something was not quite right. Through her rapid notification to her Ob/Gyn care team she was given the resources and put in contact with an Oncology medical team through Levine who jumped into action quickly. Thankfully for my mom, through being educated on the signs and symptoms on what to look for when dealing with breast abnormalities she caught her breast Cancer early at stage one. I remind her every day that she gave me life so that I could help to save her life. She is still early into her journey and is currently undergoing a treatment plan that will help to ensure that the cancer stays away. My mother and many women like her are the reason why breast health is so important to me if I am here to help just one person to make a difference then I feel that I have done more than enough. However, since my calling is healthcare, I am here to spread the word to the masses on the importance of educating yourself on breast health it has truly changed my life and the lives of those around me and has given me more time to spend with the women I love most my mom!

Some people choose nursing as a career; I am choosing it as a calling shaped by resilience, responsibility, and the desire to change lives. Hi, my name is Michelle I am a dedicated healthcare professional with over fifteen years of clinical experience practicing as a Registered Medical Assistant. I have worked in a variety of different specialties such as Pediatrics, Endocrinology, Family Medicine, Cardiology, and Surgical Pre and Post-Op just to name a few. I have come to a point in my journey where I am ready to expand my knowledge, take on greater responsibility, and directly impact patient outcomes. However, my personal journey to nursing did not begin in a classroom, as a matter of fact, it began in everyday moments of caring for others when I had no choice but to be strong. My decision is deeply personal. As a mother of six I have had to delay my journey to becoming a registered nurse many times, yet I have not been denied. During the years of earing my Associates degree my children were young and although it was tough I achieved my goal, graduated and started my career. Through these challenges I have learned that I am resilient, consistent and carry strength, even in the face of exhaustion and uncertainty. I have navigated life challenges, emotional strain, and the demands of raising children. These experiences have shaped me into someone who understands care beyond a clinical definition. These attributes show patience, sacrifice, and the importance of showing up every day regardless of circumstances. Nursing reflects who I already am. Now that my children are older, having one who completed college, while the second one just entered college, I feel now is the time that I pursue my dream of becoming a registered nurse. Currently as a medical assistant and as I transition into becoming a nurse I am committed to helping others, advocating for those who may not have a voice, and providing stability during difficult moments. I want to make a difference by becoming a nurse who combines clinical skill with genuine compassion through advocating for patients, educating families and the community, and leaving each patient I encounter better then I found them in some aspect or another. Pursuing this degree is also about legacy for me as I am building a future not only for myself but for my children. I want them to be a witness to seeing perseverance in action and understand that obstacles do not define their path. By advancing my education and becoming a nurse, I am breaking cycles and creating a foundation of financial stability and opportunity.

My personal journey to nursing did not begin in a classroom, as a matter of fact, it began in everyday moments of caring for others when I had no choice but to be strong. Nursing has always been rooted in compassion, resilience, and a deep commitment to caring for others. Long before civilization recognized nursing as a career field, people were using holistic remedies to care for the ill. The foundation of nursing was built from a human instinct to help others survive because people have and will always need care when they are sick, injured, dying or bringing in new life. It is this balance that draws me to pursue a degree in nursing. My decision is deeply personal. As a mother, I have learned to be resilient, consistent and carry strength, even in the face of exhaustion and uncertainty. I have navigated life challenges, emotional strain, and the demands of raising children. These experiences have shaped me into someone who understands care beyond a clinical definition. These attributes show patience, sacrifice, and showing up every day regardless of circumstances. Nursing reflects who I already am. I am committed to helping others, advocating for those who may not have a voice, and providing stability during difficult moments. My background as a Registered Medical Assistant has strengthened my interest in advancing my education to become a Registered Nurse. After 15 years in the registered medical assistant role, I am ready to expand my knowledge, take on greater responsibility, and directly impact patient outcomes. As a Registered Nurse, I hope to be a source of both care and stability within my community, especially for individuals and families who may feel overlooked or unsupported. Nursing is a vast field and should also be about building trust, educating patients, and advocating for better health outcomes. I hope one day that I get the opportunity to serve as a bridge between healthcare systems and the people who often struggle to navigate them. Empowering individuals with knowledge can change not only their lives but the well-being of entire families. Contributing by being an example of perseverance and growth within my community is a very important goal I have set for myself. By advancing my education and stepping onto this role I am showing others, especially my children that challenges can be overcome and that giving back to others is a powerful way to create change. Nursing is more than the path I have chosen; it is the purpose I have been preparing for, and I am ready to answer that call with strength, compassion, and unwavering dedication.