“Molly Grontkowski”. I remember the beaming smile I was greeted with by the nurse who was going to be helping me that day. Her kindness and friendly nature made me feel more comfortable in a high anxiety-ridden situation. Walking through the doors of the hospital that day, I had anticipated learning about new stretches to help ease my hip pain. But as the doctor began talking to me, my heart dropped. He was not explaining new stretches, rather he came in with a new diagnosis. I was diagnosed with idiopathic adolescent scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, at the age of 14. And so, visits to Cincinnati Children's Hospital became my norm. I remember checking in at the kiosk and waiting for my name to be called to head back to my appointment. Every few months I would visit the Crawford Spine Clinic for X-rays, measurements and brace adjustments. When receiving care for my scoliosis, I had an incredible team working with me every step of the way. From nurses to residents to orthotists, the healthcare team worked hard to ensure I was receiving the best treatment possible. The nurse's kindness and caring demeanor spread like a wildfire on the floor. From helping with vitals to providing support, the nurses made my hospital experiences a thousand times less intimidating. Having this first-hand experience of nurses as protectors and advocates, I want to help people of all ages feel welcomed and supported the same way I was supported. Being able to put myself in the shoes of patients and empathize with them has motivated me to pursue a career in nursing. After copious doctor visits, I realized that I wanted to be the friendly face a person sees when they are receiving all types of news—good or bad. I was able to observe the positive characteristics that nurses show towards their patients and I want the opportunity to bring a smile to people's faces, as the one nurse did mine. After I discovered my passion and appreciation for the nursing profession through my own personal medical experiences, I wanted to make sure this indeed was the right profession for me, so I’ve immersed myself in several experiences and classes to prepare for my nursing education. From attending a hands-on nursing careers camp at Northern Kentucky University where I learned various basic nursing skills in the skills lab, to taking Psychology and Sociology classes at the University of Cincinnati and earning CPR and QPR training, my career exploration experiences have validated my passion for nursing. Additionally, my experience as a volunteer in the Radiology Unit at Cincinnati Children's Hospital allowed me to observe the flow of the hospital and gain a deeper understanding of patient care. Therefore, as I think about my future self, I see a caring pediatric nurse who uses her own personal journey with scoliosis to support and empathize with my patients. My experience with kind and caring nurses has inspired me to give back to those facing chronic conditions, and I hope to bring those qualities and empathy to my job as an RN. My personal experience combined with my career exploration activities have confirmed my desire to positively impact people's lives through the field of nursing.