I first met my best friend back in middle school, at a time when life was full of change and uncertainty. Middle school is that awkward stage where everyone is trying to figure out who they are, what they like, and where they belong. I remember meeting her in the cafeteria one day, and we bonded over something small laughing at a joke about a teacher, I think but that moment turned into the beginning of a friendship that has lasted for years. From the start, she had this way of making me feel comfortable and understood, like I didn’t have to pretend to be someone I wasn’t. Over time, our connection grew through shared experiences sleepovers, long talks about our dreams, and surviving the ups and downs of teenage life together. What stands out most, though, is how our friendship matured into adulthood. Unlike some childhood friendships that fade, ours only became stronger. She has been a constant in my life, someone I know I can count on no matter the situation. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in recent years has been nursing school. Anyone who has been through it knows that it’s not just about studying; it’s about pushing your limits mentally, emotionally, and physically. Between long clinical hours, endless exams, and moments of self-doubt, there were times I questioned if I was truly capable of becoming a nurse. Through all of it, my best friend was there. She cheered me on when I passed exams, reassured me when I cried out of frustration, and even quizzed me before big tests. She believed in me during the moments I struggled to believe in myself. Her encouragement became one of the reasons I was able to keep going, and for that, I’ll always be grateful. But nothing tested me or our friendship more than the heartbreak I experienced when my fiancé called off our wedding just one month before the date. It felt like the ground had been pulled out from beneath me. The heartbreak was overwhelming: the loss of the future I had imagined, the embarrassment of telling family and friends, and the painful feeling of rejection. My best friend was there through every moment of it. She didn’t try to minimize my pain or rush me into “moving on.” Instead, she gave me space to grieve while constantly reminding me that I wasn’t alone. She came over late at night just to sit with me when I couldn’t stop crying. She made me laugh when I thought I’d never smile again. Slowly, with her support, I found my strength again. That experience taught me a powerful lesson about the importance of female friendships. In a society that often places romantic relationships on a pedestal, it’s easy to underestimate the life-saving power of women supporting each other. My best friend showed me that love isn’t only about romance; it’s also about loyalty, compassion, and unconditional support. Our friendship has carried me through both celebration and heartbreak, proving that some bonds are just as significant if not more than romantic ones. Today, when I look back, I see how much of who I am has been shaped by her presence in my life. She has celebrated my accomplishments, held me through my lowest points, and reminded me of my worth when I couldn’t see it myself. I believe every woman deserves to have a friendship like this a sisterhood that is built on trust, understanding, and unwavering love. After all these years, she remains one of the most important people in my life.

The nursing industry interests me because it is a profession rooted in compassion, science, and advocacy. Nurses are often the first to comfort patients and the last to leave their side. They hold a unique position in healthcare, blending clinical expertise with human connection. As someone who grew up in a Spanish-speaking household with a single mother, I witnessed how cultural and language barriers can lead to inadequate healthcare. I remember helping translate at doctor’s appointments and seeing my mom confused and overwhelmed. Those moments inspired me to pursue a career where I could stand in the gap for families like mine and be a voice for those who feel unheard. My career goal is to become a nurse practitioner serving underserved and minority communities. I want to offer holistic, culturally sensitive care and empower patients through education, prevention, and advocacy. A successful career to me doesn’t just mean professional growth, it means making a real impact in people’s lives. I want to be a healthcare provider who listens deeply, acts with integrity, and makes every patient feel safe and seen. To prepare for this path, I currently work as a behavior technician, supporting children with autism and other developmental disabilities. Through Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), I help them develop communication, social, and daily living skills. This role has strengthened my patience, empathy, and ability to tailor care to each individual’s needs, skills that are essential in nursing. Working closely with both children and their families has taught me how important it is to support the emotional well-being of not just the patient, but their loved ones as well. In addition to my professional role, I’ve also volunteered at community health fairs and through my church, where I help with health education, blood pressure screenings, and event coordination. My church has always been a source of strength, guidance, and service in my life. Giving back to my faith community by helping others has allowed me to grow spiritually and professionally. It reminds me of the importance of humility, compassion, and being a servant leader, values I will carry with me into nursing. I also take pride in being bilingual in Spanish, which has allowed me to connect with Latino patients and families in ways that build trust and reduce fear in clinical settings. I consider this a strength and a responsibility. I want to be the provider that patients feel comfortable speaking to, someone who understands their culture, their language, and their concerns without judgment. Although I have not yet completed a medical internship, my hands-on experience in behavioral health, community service, and navigating my family’s own healthcare needs has shaped me into a resilient, motivated, and empathetic individual. These experiences have prepared me to thrive in nursing school and beyond. Nursing is more than just a career choice for me, it is a calling. I am committed to lifelong learning, personal growth, and serving others with excellence and heart. My mission is to not only become a skilled nurse but to be a force of positive change for my community and every life I touch.

My journey into healthcare began long before I ever stepped into a clinic. I was raised by a single mother who worked tirelessly to provide for our family. Watching her navigate life with strength, despite financial and emotional hardships, deeply influenced who I am today. Growing up, I saw how hard it was for her to access healthcare, how language barriers, lack of insurance, and cultural misunderstandings affected the care she received. Those experiences sparked my passion to become someone who can help change that for others. Currently, I work as a behavior technician, providing one-on-one care to children with autism and other developmental disabilities. In this role, I support children in building communication, social, and behavioral skills using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). This experience has taught me the importance of patience, empathy, and the power of small wins. I’ve seen firsthand how consistent, compassionate care can change a child’s life and support their family in ways that go far beyond clinical treatment. Being a behavior tech has strengthened my ability to build trust, communicate effectively with diverse populations, and advocate for those who are often overlooked. It has also fueled my desire to become a nurse who is not only clinically skilled but emotionally attuned to the needs of her patients. My long-term goal is to become a nurse practitioner and work in underserved communities, providing holistic and culturally competent care. As a bilingual Spanish speaker, I hope to break down language and trust barriers in the healthcare system. I want to lead outreach programs focused on prevention, education, and support for families, especially those who, like mine, have struggled to find their voice in the system. Outside of work and school, I make it a priority to give back to my church community. I volunteer with youth groups and participate in health education events, offering guidance and support to young members navigating life challenges. My faith has always been a source of strength, especially during difficult times, and I believe in using my skills and blessings to pour back into the community that has uplifted me. Giving back through service allows me to stay grounded in humility, compassion, and purpose. I know that coming from a single-parent household and working my way through school hasn’t been easy, but those experiences have shaped my character, drive, and empathy. I want to be a nurse who uplifts her patients, advocates for change, and gives back to the community that made me who I am. Healthcare is more than a profession to me; it’s my purpose. And I’m committed to making a difference, one patient, one family, and one community at a time. I am very passionate about helping others and feel that it is my calling that the Lord has placed on my heart.

My “why” for becoming a nurse stems from both personal experience and a calling to serve others, especially those who face barriers to quality healthcare. Growing up in a Latino household, I saw how language, culture, and socioeconomic factors often shaped the type of care my family received. I remember translating for my parents at doctor appointments and seeing the confusion on their faces when medical terminology went unexplained. These moments opened my eyes to the disparities in healthcare access and inspired me to become someone who could make a difference. Nursing is not just a career for me, it’s a mission. I want to be the kind of nurse who listens, advocates, and delivers culturally sensitive, patient-centered care. I want to work with underserved populations and use my bilingual skills and cultural knowledge to bridge the gap between patients and providers. My goal is to become a nurse practitioner and eventually lead health initiatives that focus on education, prevention, and advocacy in marginalized communities. To ensure that I reach my goals, I have taken intentional steps toward building a strong foundation in both academics and clinical experience. I am currently excelling in a rigorous nursing program while working as a certified nursing assistant. This role has helped me develop bedside manner, empathy, and critical thinking skills. I’ve also volunteered at community health fairs, providing screenings and health education to low-income families. Additionally, I’ve served as a mentor for first-year nursing students, helping them adjust to the academic and emotional demands of the program. I believe in lifting others as I climb, and mentoring has allowed me to grow in leadership and communication. Balancing work, school, and personal responsibilities hasn’t always been easy. As a Latina college student who has a single mom, I’ve had to overcome financial hardships and a lack of academic guidance. But those challenges have only fueled my determination and resilience. Each experience, whether in the classroom, at the bedside, or in my community, has reaffirmed that I am on the right path. I am fully committed to becoming a nurse who leads with heart, serves with purpose, and uplifts others with every encounter. My journey has only just begun, but I am walking it with intention, passion, and unwavering dedication. I am very passionate about nursing and helping others and feel that it is my calling that the Lord has called me to do. I love working with people and children.

My career goal is to become a nurse practitioner who promotes health equity, advocates for culturally competent care, and leads efforts to improve patient outcomes in underserved communities. Receiving this award would help ease the financial burden of nursing school, allowing me to focus more on clinical learning, leadership development, and community engagement. One of my proudest accomplishments is balancing full-time nursing school while working part-time as a behavior tech and helping my single mom raise my little brother. This experience has strengthened my time management, resilience, and clinical judgment. I’ve also served as a peer mentor to first-year nursing students, guiding them through foundational coursework and supporting their emotional well-being. As a college student from a Latino background, I have faced language barriers, cultural expectations, and financial challenges. However, these experiences have fueled my determination to break generational cycles and serve as a role model within my community. I also volunteer at local health fairs and participate in mobile clinics, providing free blood pressure screenings and health education. Leadership, for me, is about showing up, listening, and empowering others, and I strive to reflect that daily in my academic, professional, and community roles. My career goals align deeply with ACHE of Southern California’s mission to advance healthcare leadership and improve health for all. I am committed to becoming a nurse practitioner who not only delivers evidence-based care but also leads systemic change that improves access, safety, and quality, especially in marginalized communities. ACHE’s emphasis on developing ethical, inclusive leaders resonates with my own values and vision. I actively seek out opportunities to engage in leadership development, cultural humility training, and interdisciplinary collaboration tools I believe are vital for solving complex healthcare challenges. By supporting students and early-careerists, ACHE empowers individuals like me to become the next generation of healthcare leaders. If selected, I would embrace the opportunity to network with mentors, attend ACHE events, and engage in continued learning that aligns with your objectives of service, leadership, and advocacy. This award would not only affirm my aspirations but also connect me with a professional community that shares my passion for transformative healthcare leadership across Southern California.