Becoming a nurse has always been a dream of mine. I grew up always being surrounded by the medical field. This would range from seeing my parents always in and out of hospitals and seeing my sister being a medical assistant for most of my life. Both of these factors inspired me to want to be a nurse and help the ones that are in need the most. In high school, I was part of a medical assistant program and became a CMA. It was a difficult journey, especially during COVID-19, but it was a journey that I never gave up on. I ended up with a great education, and many awards for my overachievement in the program. This program also opened up my eyes to what it would be like to work in the medical field and I fell in love with it. I did my clinical at a clinic, Volunteer In Medince, and it was an amazing experience. It showed me that there is still care that is provided to the ones that do not have health insurance. A part of me felt bad because there were always so many people who didn't have health insurance, but another part of me felt like I was helping my community. I was able to provide care and make my patients feel heard in their tough situations. I felt good about what I was doing and had a passion for helping these people and giving them the care they deserved. This is when I realized that nursing was truly my passion, and that is why I am now a nursing major at Alvernia University. Another factor why I am so passionate about nursing is because of my father. My father passed away in 2021, due to COVID-19. It was a difficult time for me but I also had a very good experience with the nurses who cared for my father. When I went to say my last goodbyes, the nurses pulled me aside and told me how they were sorry for my loss and how great of a patient he was. Now that might not be included in the nurses' duties, but it made my day. It made me feel better knowing that my dad got the care he deserved from the amazing faculty. It inspired me to be like those nurses. I want my future patients to feel safe, and be viewed as a person instead of some number or valued less than others. I want to treat my patients with respect and feel for them just like the nurses that cared for my father. I dedicate my time to becoming a nurse and being a great one. I want to make a difference by showing people that they are valued and that each patient is just as important as the next patient that walks in. I did my fair share in the medical environment and it was an amazing experience as a CMA. Now I hope to continue that amazing experience as an RN after completing my 4 years of nursing at Alvernia.