I want to pursue a degree in nursing because I believe that caring for others. Especially children is one of the most meaningful ways I can give back to the world. From a young age, I was drawn to the idea of helping people, but it wasn’t until I spent much of my high school years in and out of hospitals that I truly discovered my passion for nursing. I was hospitalized over 15 times due to allergic reactions and complications that required emergency surgery. While those experiences were difficult, they gave me a unique perspective on healthcare and showed me just how important nurses are. What stood out to me most during those hospital stays were the nurses who went beyond simply doing their job. The good nurses took time to explain what was happening, answer my endless questions, and even teach me medical terms or show me how to read my IV bag. They made me feel safe, seen, and included in my own care. That kind of kindness and attention made a huge impact on me, and I knew then that I wanted to do the same for others especially for children who may be scared or confused when they’re sick or in the hospital. That’s why I want to become a pediatric nurse. I’ve always loved working with kids. I’ve been babysitting since middle school and have spent years caring for children of all ages, from newborns to ten-year-olds. I know how to connect with them, how to comfort them when they’re upset, and how to create a space where they feel understood. As a pediatric nurse, I want to take that experience into the hospital setting—to not only care for children physically, but also emotionally. I want to be the kind of nurse who makes a scary hospital visit feel a little less overwhelming, both for the child and their family. In the future, I hope to contribute to my community not just by working in a pediatric unit, but by being involved in local outreach, offering health education, providing support to families in need, and promoting wellness in schools and clinics. I want to be someone people can rely on. not just when they’re sick, but as a constant source of support, compassion, and care. Pursuing a nursing degree is more than just a career choice for me it’s the first step toward becoming the person I’ve always looked up to: someone who helps, teaches, and heals with heart.

I’ve decided to pursue a career in nursing because of the personal experiences that have shaped not only my understanding of healthcare, but also my passion for helping others. For as long as I can remember, nursing has always been a part of my life whether it was through watching my mom, who works as a labor and delivery nurse, or through my own time spent in hospitals as a patient.Throughout high school, I was hospitalized over 15 times due to allergic reactions, health complications, and eventually, emergency surgery after my appendix ruptured. While these were challenging and scary moments, they also opened my eyes to the world of nursing. During every hospital stay, I found myself paying close attention to the nurses around me. I would constantly ask questions, and the good nurses the ones who really cared took the time to explain things to me. They showed me how IVs were placed, taught me how to read my medication schedule, and even shared medical terms and what they meant. They didn’t just treat me like a patient; they treated me like someone capable of understanding what was happening to my body. That made a huge difference. Being in and out of the hospital so many times taught me more than any textbook ever could. It made me realize how much knowledge, patience, and compassion it takes to be a great nurse. The way those nurses took the time to educate me, even when they were busy, made me feel seen and empowered. I want to be that kind of nurse for someone else someone who not only provides care, but also gives patients the knowledge and confidence to understand what they’re going through.My mom also played a big role in inspiring me. Seeing her work long shifts while still showing up fully for her family made me admire her strength and dedication. Nursing isn’t easy, but she made it look like the most rewarding job in the world. And when my great-grandpa was battling cancer, I saw firsthand how nurses provided comfort, not just to him, but to our entire family.All these experiences being a patient, a family member, and a daughter of a nurse have shown me that nursing is more than a job. It’s a calling rooted in compassion, service, and a drive to make a real difference in people’s lives. That’s exactly the kind of life I want to live. I found out about this scholarship through bold.org.

Statement 1: My career goal is to become a compassionate and skilled nurse, ultimately specializing in pediatric or labor and delivery nursing. Receiving this award would significantly ease the financial stress associated with pursuing my nursing degree at Simpson University in Redding, CA. Currently, I am working full-time to save for tuition and living expenses, but once my program starts, my work hours will reduce to part-time, limiting my income. Additionally, my family resides in Okinawa, Japan, where they are managing the responsibilities of raising three other children, making it impossible for them to provide financial support.Notable accomplishments include my certification in CPR, extensive babysitting experience since the eighth grade with children ranging from newborns to ten-year-olds, and active participation in my high school's medical club. I also completed college-level English courses during my senior year, demonstrating my academic preparedness. My experiences volunteering in various community events reflect my dedication, reliability, and passion for serving others. I've overcome significant personal health challenges, including multiple hospitalizations for severe allergic reactions and an emergency appendectomy. These experiences deepened my commitment to nursing by offering firsthand insight into patient care, empathy, and resilience. Statement 2: My career goals align closely with ACHE of SoCal’s purpose and objectives, particularly the commitment to enhancing healthcare management excellence and improving community health outcomes. As a future nurse, I am dedicated to compassionate, quality care and intend to actively contribute to creating equitable healthcare access and positive patient experiences. Through mentorship, volunteer work, and active participation in healthcare improvement initiatives, I aim to embody ACHE’s core values, promoting continuous learning, leadership, and service to positively impact my community and the broader healthcare environment.

My educational journey has been unique, marked by resilience and personal growth. While attending high school overseas in Okinawa, Japan, I faced unexpected health challenges that shaped my path profoundly. Throughout those years, I frequently found myself hospitalized due to severe allergic reactions and eventually underwent emergency surgery when my appendix ruptured. Though these were stressful and frightening experiences, they sparked my fascination with medicine and patient care. My interest in nursing initially took root much earlier due to my great-grandfather's battle with cancer. Witnessing his illness made nursing a career path I always had in the back of my mind, though initially, I was unsure whether nursing or another healthcare role was the right fit. Watching how compassionate and dedicated his nurses were in providing care during his treatment left a lasting impression on me. Their kindness and commitment showed me the deep impact nurses can have on patients and families, further solidifying my interest. My "aha" moment happened during one of my hospital stays. Despite the discomfort and anxiety of my situation, I found myself captivated by every medical procedure taking place around me. I watched closely each time the nurses inserted or removed an IV, fascinated by the precision, skill, and care involved in what seemed like such routine procedures. Even though I was in the hospital for difficult reasons, these experiences ignited my curiosity about healthcare and patient support. That realization was transformative—I knew in those hospital rooms that nursing was exactly what I wanted to pursue. I wanted to understand the procedures, provide comfort during vulnerable moments, and offer the same compassion and care that had helped me through my own challenging times. To prepare myself for nursing school, I immediately began taking proactive steps. In high school, I enrolled in rigorous medical-related courses such as Human Anatomy and Physiology, which provided me with a strong foundational knowledge in medical science. Additionally, I joined my school's medical club, actively participating in events and discussions that deepened my understanding of healthcare careers. Volunteering regularly with the Red Cross allowed me hands-on experience in community health services, reinforcing my commitment to compassionate patient care. I also earned my CPR certification, equipping me with essential skills for emergency situations. Today, as I move forward in my educational journey, I'm balancing full-time employment while living independently. Though managing these responsibilities can be challenging, my passion for nursing provides the drive and determination I need to succeed. Reflecting on my journey so far, I'm proud of how my struggles have become my strengths, fueling my dedication to a career where I can truly make a meaningful difference in people's lives.

My name is Nevaeh Mandac, and pursuing a career in nursing has been my dream for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I watched my mom balance long shifts as a labor and delivery nurse while caring for our family. She showed me nursing isn't just a job—it’s truly a calling. Witnessing my mom support mothers through some of life's most emotional and vulnerable moments deeply inspired me. From early on, I knew I wanted to follow in her footsteps, becoming a source of strength and comfort for others. I'm particularly passionate about women's health and hope to specialize in labor and delivery nursing, just like my mom. There's something incredibly powerful about being present the moment new life enters the world. Nursing involves more than clinical skills—it’s about compassion, emotional support, and being a steady presence during both joyful and challenging times. That’s exactly the kind of nurse I aspire to be. Getting to this point hasn't been easy, especially since I lived overseas in Okinawa, Japan, during high school. This brought unique challenges, particularly when applying for scholarships. Because of my location, I couldn't access many financial aid opportunities available to students in the United States. Yet I remained determined, focusing on what I could control: my education, my work ethic, and my dedication to preparation. While attending a DoDEA high school in Japan, I enrolled in rigorous medical courses, including Human Anatomy and Physiology, which provided a strong foundation for my nursing education. Additionally, I joined my school’s medical club and volunteered actively with the Red Cross, experiences that gave me valuable insights into healthcare practices. Moreover, I have babysat regularly since eighth grade, caring for children of all ages. This experience, combined with my CPR certification, has equipped me with essential caregiving skills I will carry into my nursing career. Today, I’m proud to say I’m moving forward independently, attending nursing school while working a full-time job and living on my own. This journey requires immense balance and perseverance, but it reinforces my passion and my commitment to nursing. For me, nursing isn't simply something I want to do,it’s part of who I am. Ultimately, this career allows me to blend compassion, knowledge, and service in a meaningful way every day. I'm committed to continuing my mom’s legacy and becoming a nurse who truly makes a difference—one patient, one moment, one life at a time.

I will never forget the day I stood in a hospital hallway, staring through a glass window at my loved one lying in a hospital bed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The room was quiet except for the soft beeping of machines and the occasional movement of nurses checking in. I wasn’t allowed to go in, but I watched as the nurses moved with care, speaking gently, adjusting IV lines, and offering comfort. In that moment of helplessness, I realized something powerful: I didn’t want to be someone on the outside anymore. I wanted to be inside that room—making a difference, providing care, and helping people through their most vulnerable moments. That moment became the foundation of my “why” for becoming a nurse. Nursing, to me, is more than a profession. It’s a way to serve, heal, and stand with others during their darkest times. I chose this path not only because I want to help others but because I know what it feels like to need help, to be scared, and to place your trust in someone else’s hands. That trust is sacred, and I want to be the kind of nurse that patients and families can rely on. My goal is to bring compassion, strength, and competence to every patient I care for. To make this goal a reality, I’ve taken several important steps forward. While still in high school, I challenged myself academically by enrolling in college-level courses, including English and Human Anatomy and Physiology. These classes gave me a head start in understanding the complexity of the human body and prepared me for the rigorous academic demands of nursing school. I also joined my school’s medical club, where I learned more about healthcare careers, participated in service projects, and gained insight into the teamwork and leadership needed in nursing. In addition to my academic preparation, I volunteered with the Red Cross, where I helped support community events, learned about emergency response, and developed a greater appreciation for what it means to serve others. I’ve also worked as a babysitter since eighth grade, caring for children from newborns to age ten. These experiences taught me patience, responsibility, and how to respond calmly in unexpected situations. I became CPR certified as well, knowing that even outside a hospital, being prepared could save a life. What makes my journey unique is that I’m doing it all independently. I currently work a full-time job while attending school and living on my own. Balancing these responsibilities has taught me resilience, time management, and grit. There have been moments of exhaustion and doubt, but I never let those moments define me. Every obstacle has made me stronger and more committed to my purpose. I understand that nursing school will continue to challenge me academically, emotionally, and financially. But I also know that I am ready. I am willing to put in the work, make the sacrifices, and continue growing—because this dream is worth it. Being awarded this scholarship would mean more than just financial relief; it would be a recognition of the hard work, independence, and passion that I’ve poured into this journey. One day, I hope to look back and say that I made it—not just for myself, but for every patient I will have the honor of caring for. Nursing isn’t just a career to me; it’s a calling that began during one of the hardest times in my life and continues to grow stronger every day. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and I’m even more excited for where this journey will take me.