In the army, you have what's known as a frontline. This is the military line that's closest to the enemy with the highest possibility of facing injury or even death. It takes courage, passion, and skill to be on the frontline because everyone else is counting on you. Similarly, nurses are placed on the frontline every single day. They are consistently met with deadly illnesses, infections, and wounds that all depend on their care. If that does not scream superhero, I don’t know what does. As a result, observing nurses being masterful in their work has increased my desire to become one tenfold. For example, when I had COVID-19, the person that was by my side was a nurse. She checked up on me regularly, cleaned my surroundings when I was incapable, and talked to me when I yearned for an open ear. My assigned nurse catered to every aspect of my health, not just the physical. This is what told me that nursing is not just a career it is a calling; therefore, I answered the call. I firmly believe that in this life we were made to serve God first, and second, serve others. Romans 15:1 explains “we who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” Amazingly, nursing does a phenomenal job of combining these same virtues in the form of ultimate servitude. Consequently, while completing my nursing studies, I make it a necessity to serve those in my community. Within my church Champions Cathedral, I am heavily involved in ministries that include feeding the homeless, leading worship with families, and hosting bible studies for young adults that are local. This has not only taught me how to serve but has taught me to be committed to others. Because as hospital systems become increasingly based on the financial parameters of their clients, providers are left with little to no room to actually deliver meaningful care. Now, it is less of a hassle to put a band-aid on a worsening illness by offering a prescription. However, thankfully, the bridge to becoming a provider has become more accessible to nurses. Being a nurse practitioner combines the elements of communication and trust with diagnosing as well as managing. If there were more providers with nursing experience in their back pockets, I believe the outcome of the healthcare system would be a lot brighter. Hence, when I graduate nursing school, I feel as though I have a significant obligation to pursue the practitioner role to be the compassionate and genuine provider many patients do not have. Carrying on the true meaning behind being a nurse helps me to believe that the burden of unfair healthcare will be alleviated. Thus, I will suit up and stand on the frontline locked and loaded, if that is what it takes.

One day out of the academic year my former elementary school had an event called “career day.” Doctors, lawyers, firefighters, and policemen would come in to teach us about career options we could pursue as we grew older. It was like seeing superheroes walk among us. We entered one particular classroom with an African American woman dressed in a white-coat and scrubs. As soon as my eyes met hers, I melted. This was the first time I witnessed someone come to career day that looked like me and of course, I was ecstatic. But as I got older, I always questioned why she was the one of the only black women I’d seen in my lifetime, representing the healthcare system. Consequently, I started researching African American involvement in medicine. I was blown away when I learned that African Americans constitute a minute 13.4 percent of healthcare providers in the United States. So, in that moment I decided I was going to be the change I wanted to see. Advocacy is one of my biggest why’s for pursuing my dreams of becoming a nurse practitioner. African Americans are less likely to be taken seriously when being delivered care which results in more health issues affecting their quality of life. Therefore, it is my duty to ensure equality is being exercised in all aspects of care. Throughout history we have seen repeated events of minorities being treated unfairly in medical settings. To name a few, the Tuskegee Syphilis study, J. Marion Sims’ procedures on enslaved black women, and the forced sterilization of women of color. Not only do these events in history create a distrust in providers but they lead to African Americans avoiding seeking the care they need. Granting me this scholarship will allow me to be that trustworthy healthcare provider for the underrepresented population. However, the costs of schooling can be quite high. Every year my tuition amounts to a whopping $19,800. This scholarship will significantly lower this cost and allow me to focus on my studies rather than worry about how my tuition is going to get paid. Moreover, I will graduate with significantly less debt so I can smoothly transition into my nurse practitioner program. Schooling seemed impossible for me when I reviewed the hefty price tag that came along with it so in the future, I want to ensure that finances will not be a barrier for another hopeful student. As a result, I will provide scholarships and financial aid to assist the generations that come after me. In the next ten years, I will also fund educational programs in underserved communities enlightening the minority population about ways to take control of their lives and their health. This is only the beginning to what I am called to do in my career, and I am excited to do so much more. I am not the president of the United States, I don’t have the highest IQ, and I am not Bill Gates either. But I am Naomi Taylor, and I am going to do as much as I can to make this world a better place

Dating all the way back to his birth in BC 4, is the person I admire the most: Jesus Christ. Many say he never lived, his story is good folklore, or simply a tall tale. However, regardless of what others think, there has been no one else in history that has left such a gargantuan footprint on this earth. Therefore, my admiration for him runs deep. He was the greatest teacher to ever live, performed miracles that science could not explain, and offered his life to people that you and I would put in jail today. If there was a word to describe those actions it would be love; Jesus was the epitome of it. During his time in Nazareth, a countless number of individuals despised Jesus because they could not understand why anyone would want to love on those that committed heinous crimes, carried leprosy, or collected taxes. As a result, Christ was perceived as a threat to the temple which led to his crucifixion. But what is extremely admirable to me is that even when Jesus was being crucified, he was still exercising the virtue of love. Luke 23:34 recounts Jesus’ words, “father forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” In the face of death, Jesus was still looking out for those that wronged him. Consequently, every day I try my best to be like Christ. By walking in his footsteps, I become passionate about loving, forgiving, and serving others. If we all worked together to act in ways of love, there wouldn’t be so many mass shootings or wars repeating themselves. The bible explicitly states, “above all, love each other deeply, because love covers all wrongs.” Now, I will restructure my mind to love on others even if it doesn't benefit me.

Being patient is important to me because it allows me to test my faith as well as my mentality. I love Romans 5:3-4 because it reads, “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulations produce perseverance; and perseverance, character, and character, hope.” As a nursing student at AdventHealth University, there are countless times when I’ve wanted to throw in the towel. The endless exams, long clinical hours, and arduous validations seem to never stop piling up. For example, there were two exams I had due in the same week. I spent a total of 32 hours studying for both. Exam day came for my first test and it felt as though my mind went completely blank. In the middle of the assessment, I could’ve sworn I started decorating a Christmas Tree. However, I remembered that I put in the hours and the time necessary to reap exceptional results. In the end, patience won. I managed to score A’s on both exams and realized the true power of simply being patient. Patience involves putting in the necessary time, effort, and elbow grease, to see the fruit of your labor. This virtue is so important to me because it allows me to realize that although it may seem difficult in the present moment, it doesn’t even compare to the joy that will be felt after. Although I am living in a world where instant gratification is craved, I am learning that there is self-control, humility, and endurance that come along with being patient.

I remember going to Busch Gardens one summer and having a fantastic time. My family and I were walking around the park looking for more rollercoasters, but the mood of our trip changed when we heard hostile yelling behind us. We turned around and saw an argument taking place between two men one of whom, was mentally ill. We heard words like retard, stupid, and other profane words I will not mention. My parents and I exchanged a glance that said more than words could, then I immediately ran to help. Other bystanders were clearly bothered by the situation, but I was confused as to they did not intervene. This situation allowed me to realize that I am a strong advocate for others. Every day I wonder if what I did was wrong because no one else had the same reaction, but then I remember that there is never anything wrong with lending a helping hand. I find happiness knowing that I can be there for others when nobody else will step up to the plate. There is value in putting others before yourself and I’ve learned that throughout my life. The Bible accentuates to love your neighbor as you love yourself because, in the end, it always brings good measures.

The most helpful financial advice I have ever received was to save my money and invest early. It is easy to work a nine to five and spend your rewards, but when you’re 65 and wrinkly, where will all that money have gone? Growing up in a low-income family has consistently reminded me that I need to work hard to provide a better future for my family and I. My dad used to take me and my five siblings to see million-dollar homes to open our eyes to a world outside of our three-bedroom two bath house. He wanted to make sure we knew that there’s more to life than what we had at the time. Since then, I have invested in my nursing education so that I can fund multiple stock, real estate, and business investments. Although there is a large debt burden that students face in the United States, I am doing my part to avoid it. Investing time into signing up for scholarships and grants, gives me peace that the Naomi 25 years from now will be financially as well as debt-free.