I decided to pursue a career in nursing because I have seen what happens when people do not receive the care and support they need. I grew up surrounded by addiction, trauma, and mental illness. My father struggled with substance use for most of his life and passed away from an overdose when I was seventeen. My mother, who only completed the eighth grade, lives with severe PTSD and has battled mental health challenges for as long as I can remember. These experiences shaped me deeply and made mental health feel personal, not clinical. From a young age, I knew what it felt like to live in survival mode. I was the emotional caregiver in my home before I even understood what that meant. As I got older, I began experiencing my own mental health struggles, including anxiety, depression, and ADHD. These challenges often made school and relationships difficult, and I spent years feeling misunderstood and unsupported. It was only after I began my own healing journey that I realized how badly our system needs compassionate, trauma-informed care providers. That realization sparked something in me, and it is what led me to nursing. I am currently pursuing my associate degree in a pre-nursing program, with the long-term goal of becoming a psychiatric-mental health nurse. I want to work in mental health settings, especially with patients who are recovering from trauma or substance use. I feel called to this field because I understand it from the inside. I do not want to treat symptoms, I want to truly see people, support them, and help them feel safe in their most vulnerable moments. As a single mother of two, returning to school has not been easy. I balance parenting, studying, and managing a small vintage resale business to support my family. My financial situation is often uncertain, and I rely on careful budgeting just to stay afloat. Still, I show up every day with determination, not only for myself but for my children. They are my biggest motivation. I want them to grow up watching their mother pursue education, overcome adversity, and turn pain into purpose. I want to show them that their past does not define them and that they can build something better. What inspires me the most is knowing that even small acts of kindness and empathy can make a lasting impact. I remember moments when a nurse or therapist took the time to really listen to me or my family, and those moments stayed with me. I want to be that person for someone else. Nursing, for me, is more than a profession, it is a way to take everything I have been through and use it to help others feel less alone. I found this scholarship through the Bold.org platform.

1) Yes 2) What is your approximate total annual family income? Under $30,000 3) Please list the highest education level of each of your parent(s) and/or guardian(s) and their occupations. Mother: She did Complete the 8th grade, Father: High school in the middle east. Deceaced. My name is [Your Name], and I am a mother, a student, and a future psychiatric-mental health nurse. My path into healthcare was shaped by a lifetime of lived experience. I grew up in a household where addiction, trauma, and emotional instability were part of everyday life. My mother only completed the eighth grade and lives with untreated PTSD. My father battled substance use disorder for most of his life and died from an overdose when I was a teenager. These experiences left a lasting imprint on how I view mental health and what true support should look like. I have also faced my own challenges with anxiety, depression, and ADHD. These diagnoses shaped my academic journey and made navigating school more difficult at times. However, they also helped me develop resilience, compassion, and a deep desire to advocate for others facing similar struggles. I know what it feels like to be misunderstood, to go without the resources you need, and to feel lost in a system that is supposed to help. My goal is to become the kind of healthcare provider I needed growing up, one who sees the whole person and offers care that is rooted in empathy and understanding. Currently, I am enrolled in a pre-nursing program and completing the foundational courses required for nursing school. I plan to pursue an associate degree in nursing, with the long-term goal of becoming a psychiatric-mental health nurse. I am especially drawn to trauma-informed care and the connection between mental health and substance use. I want to work in communities where support is often limited and mental health is still stigmatized. My dream is to help people who feel invisible or broken understand that they are worthy of healing and support. As a single mother of two children, I have had to work incredibly hard to balance parenting, school, and financial responsibility. I also run a small vintage clothing resale business to help with basic expenses, although the income is inconsistent. While I’m proud of my ability to juggle it all, the truth is that the financial burden of school can be overwhelming. Scholarships like this one make a real difference. They allow me to stay focused on my goals without sacrificing my family’s stability. I come from a background where higher education was not always prioritized or even seen as possible. Returning to school as a mother has been both challenging and empowering. I want my children to grow up seeing education not as an obligation, but as an opportunity. I want them to know that no matter what you come from, it is possible to change your future. Becoming a nurse is not just a career goal. It is a way for me to break generational cycles and use my experience to uplift others. I am not just studying to pass exams. I am working to become a steady presence in the lives of people who need compassion, consistency, and care. I want to be a part of someone’s turning point, the moment they realize they are not alone.

The nursing industry interests me because it’s where compassion meets action. I’ve always felt drawn to helping others, especially those who are struggling or overlooked. For me, nursing isn’t just about medicine or procedures, it’s about human connection, healing, and advocacy. Growing up in a household affected by addiction, PTSD, and emotional trauma, I witnessed how much of a difference the right support can make. It showed me the gaps in our healthcare system but also inspired me to become part of the solution. One of my biggest goals as a future nurse is to work in the mental health field, particularly with vulnerable populations. I want to specialize in psychiatric nursing and serve communities where mental illness is often misunderstood or ignored. My hope is to help people feel seen, respected, and safe enough to begin healing. I also want to play a role in breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and make treatment more accessible for those who need it most. My personal experiences have played a huge role in shaping these goals. I’ve struggled with anxiety, depression, and ADHD for most of my life. Those challenges made school and relationships difficult at times, but they also gave me a deep sense of empathy and resilience. Becoming a mother pushed me to grow even more. Raising two children while pursuing higher education hasn’t been easy, but it’s one of my proudest accomplishments. It’s taught me how to stay grounded under pressure and remain focused on the future I want to create, not just for myself, but for them too. While I haven’t worked in a hospital yet, my lived experience has been its own kind of training. I’ve cared for family members during medical emergencies, sat in on countless appointments and therapy sessions growing up, and even advocated for loved ones in crisis. These moments helped me realize how important it is to have someone in the room who truly listens and advocates when others can’t. I’ve also taken anatomy, psychology, and other prerequisite courses that have deepened my understanding of both the body and the mind, and I’ve maintained a strong GPA while balancing school, work, and parenting. Every step I’ve taken so far has been leading me to this path. I’m not just choosing nursing as a career, I’m choosing it as a mission. My goal is to become the kind of nurse I once needed; calm, kind, and willing to sit with people in the hard moments. I may not have formal medical experience yet, but I bring a lifetime of heart, grit, and lived perspective to the table, and I’m ready to keep learning, growing, and giving back.

I’m pursuing a degree in the mental health field because I know what it’s like to grow up surrounded by untreated trauma, addiction, and emotional pain. These experiences didn’t push me away from this field. They pulled me toward it. I’ve seen what happens when people don’t get the help they need, and I’ve also seen the power of just one person showing up with compassion and understanding. As someone who lost a parent to addiction and was raised by a mother with severe PTSD, mental health has never been a distant issue for me. It has always been close to home. It shaped how I saw the world, how I coped, and how I related to others. It also shaped me in ways I am still working to understand. On top of what I witnessed growing up, I’ve also struggled with my own mental health. I developed anxiety at a young age and had a hard time regulating my emotions. I was an overly sensitive kid, always crying or overwhelmed, but never really knowing why. By the time I was a teenager, I was dealing with depression and had been diagnosed with ADHD. It took me years to even begin to understand myself, and I often felt like I was just “too much” for the world around me. I didn’t have the language to talk about what I was experiencing, and I didn’t always have the support I needed to process any of it. That feeling of being misunderstood followed me for a long time. Now that I’m older and on my own healing journey, I look back and see how many of my behaviors were shaped by survival. It makes me even more passionate about helping others who are dealing with similar struggles. There are so many people who walk around carrying invisible struggles, people who are trying their best but still feel like they’re falling short. I want to be a source of support for them. I want to be the kind of nurse who not only understands mental health clinically, but also emotionally and personally. My goal is to work directly with people facing mental health challenges, especially in underserved communities where stigma and limited resources make it even harder to get help. I want to be the person who creates a space where people feel safe, seen, and validated. I want to help people begin to unpack their pain and give them tools that I wish I had earlier in life. As a single mother of two, I’m also determined to break generational cycles. I want my children to grow up in a home where mental health is talked about openly and compassion is the default. Earning this degree and becoming a nurse is part of that vision. It’s about creating stability not just for myself, but for my family and the people I will serve in the future. I know I can’t fix everything, and I don’t expect to. But if I can be a steady presence in someone’s darkest moment, if I can help even one person feel less alone or more understood, then I will know I’ve made a difference. That’s why I’m here. That’s why I keep going.

My name is Nicole, and I’m a 32-year-old single mother of two, currently enrolled in a pre-nursing program. Returning to school at this stage in my life hasn’t been easy, especially while balancing parenting, financial stress, and healing from my own past. But choosing nursing has never been something I’ve questioned. I’ve always felt drawn to the role of the caregiver. What solidified my decision to become a nurse, specifically in the field of mental health and addiction recovery, was my own lived experience. I grew up in a household marked by instability. My father struggled with opioid addiction for most of his life, and although I loved him deeply, his addiction often kept him at a distance both physically and emotionally. He passed away when I was seventeen from a drug overdose. At the time, I didn’t fully understand the complexities of addiction. I just knew it hurt. As I got older and began to process everything I experienced as a child and teen, I realized how common stories like mine are and how misunderstood addiction still is. That realization lit a fire in me. I became passionate about mental health and the need for compassionate, trauma-informed care in our healthcare system. People struggling with addiction are often judged instead of helped, especially in medical settings. I want to change that. I want to be the nurse who makes someone feel seen and safe when they’re at their lowest. I want to work in psychiatric nursing or substance use recovery, offering both medical support and empathy to those who have been failed by the system. To prepare for this journey, I’ve thrown myself into my studies while also learning from my own healing process. I’ve taken psychology courses that explore how trauma, environment, and biology intertwine. I’ve also spent time in therapy myself, which has helped me reflect on the importance of emotional intelligence in healthcare. I know firsthand that healing is not linear, and that every patient has a story. I believe my background, combined with my deep sense of empathy and emotional resilience, will help me show up for people in a way that truly matters. Balancing school and parenting has taught me how to manage my time, prioritize under pressure, and advocate fiercely not just for my kids, but for myself and my goals. These aren’t just useful life skills; they’re exactly the qualities a good nurse needs. I’m determined to create a stable, loving future for my children, and part of that means becoming someone they can be proud of. I want them to see that breaking cycles is possible. Nursing is more than a job to me. It’s a calling to care, to comfort, to educate, and to advocate. I’m ready to dedicate myself to this path not just because I want a better future for my family, but because I want to be part of the change I so badly needed when I was younger.

Becoming a parent at 19 changed my life overnight. I thought I was ready, I loved my daughter so much, but bringing her home that first night, I just remember lying in bed, wide awake while she cried, realizing my entire life as I knew it had changed completely. While my friends were focused on college, social lives, and figuring out their futures, I was holding a newborn in my arms, realizing that my future was no longer just my own. The weight of responsibility hit me hard. I had a child depending on me, and there was no pause button. The uncertainty was overwhelming. Giving up was never an option for me, I learned to manage my time better, working early mornings and late shifts to provide for my daughter. I knew that I needed to give her the childhood I didn’t have, and that was my motivation every step of the way. It reminded me that every sacrifice was for something bigger than myself. Looking back, I realize those moments revealed strengths I didn’t know I had. Growing up in a dysfunctional household, I witnessed firsthand the struggles that come with instability, addiction, and financial hardship. These experiences shaped my understanding of resilience and the importance of creating a better future, not just for myself, but for my children. I refuse to let them grow up in the same cycle of struggle. I want them to see that, no matter the obstacles, education is a path to opportunity and change. Breaking the generational cycle is a driving force behind my decision to return to school as a single mother. I want to show my children that education can open doors to opportunities and provide a path to a brighter future. Coming from a background where higher education wasn’t always prioritized, I am determined to break that cycle and create a legacy of learning and achievement. I am determined to create a better life for my children, to show them that resilience and hard work can open doors, and to use my experiences to help others. My dad struggled with opioid addiction my entire life. I saw firsthand how it affected his life. Even though I didn’t live with him, I had a relationship with him and witnessed the ups and downs of his battle with addiction. No matter how much he wanted to get better, the addiction always pulled him back. Eventually, it took his life, he died of a drug overdose which is the case for a lot of families. Losing him was heartbreaking, but it also opened my eyes to how devastating addiction can be, not just for those struggling with it, but for the people who love them. I knew then that I wanted to be part of the fight against addiction. Watching my dad’s struggles, I wanted to understand addiction beyond just the personal pain it caused. I started researching the science behind it, learning how opioids alter brain chemistry and why recovery is so difficult. I'm constantly reading books and listening to podcasts on Addiction. The more I learned, the more I realized I wanted to be part of the solution. I want to be the kind of nurse who meets patients where they are, I haven't been in the addict position myself but always on the other side of it, hopefully giving a different perspective. Offering not just medical care but empathy. Someone who understands addiction not as a moral failing, but as a disease. Pursuing a career as an RN with an addiction treatment focus is more than just a job to me, it’s a mission. I know what it’s like to love someone struggling with addiction, to feel powerless but still hold onto hope. I want to be that hope for others. Whether it’s in a hospital, a rehab center, or a community outreach program, I want to be on the front lines, helping people take steps toward recovery. My experience growing up in that environment didn’t break me, it gave me a purpose. And now, I’m ready to turn that purpose into action. My primary focus is providing for my children while also striving to create a better future for our family through education. Covering tuition, school supplies, and childcare expenses, alongside daily living costs, requires careful budgeting and sacrifices. Despite these challenges, I am determined to succeed and set an example for my children about the value of perseverance and education. A scholarship would alleviate financial stress and allow me to dedicate more time and energy to my studies and my role as a parent. Becoming a young mother I have always felt behind in life compared to my peers and other people my age. Pursuing school wasn't always an option, just trying to survive being a single mom with two kids. The financial stress has always been a factor in everything in my life, from growing up the way I did to staying in an abusive relationship because I couldn't afford to live on my own. The financial stress I carry as a single mother often feels like a constant weight on my shoulders. It can be difficult to focus fully on my studies when I am constantly worrying about how to provide for my family. This scholarship would provide crucial relief from some of that stress, allowing me to focus more on my education and less on financial struggles. With this support, I would be able to dedicate more time and energy to my coursework, which would improve my academic performance and bring me closer to achieving my goal of becoming a registered nurse.

I had always thought about a healthcare career, but after high school, my focus shifted to raising my children. Providing for them became my top priority, and school always felt like something I would get to “one day". Life kept moving and it wasn’t until I was 32 that I had my aha moment, I realized that if I kept waiting for the “perfect” time, it might never come. I thought about everything I had been through, the strength I had built, and the passion I still had for helping others. That was when I knew it was time to finally go back to school and pursue nursing. Becoming a parent at 19 changed my life overnight. I thought I was ready, but that first night home with my daughter, as she cried and I lay wide awake, reality hit, my life was no longer just my own. While my friends focused on college and social lives, I was navigating sleepless nights and the weight of responsibility. It was overwhelming, but giving up was never an option. Motherhood taught me resilience, patience, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Balancing work and parenting pushed me to become resourceful and compassionate, strengthening my desire to help others through difficult moments. Just as I had to show up for my daughter, I want to show up for patients when they need it most. Nursing isn’t just a career for me…it’s a path that aligns with the strength and empathy I’ve gained through my own experiences. My dad struggled with opioid addiction my entire life. I saw firsthand how it affected his life. Even though I didn’t live with him, I had a relationship with him and witnessed the ups and downs of his battle with addiction. No matter how much he wanted to get better, the addiction always pulled him back. Eventually, it took his life, he died of a drug overdose which is the case for a lot of families. Losing him was heartbreaking, but it also opened my eyes to how devastating addiction can be, not just for those struggling with it, but for the people who love them. I knew then that I wanted to be part of the fight against addiction. Watching my dad’s struggles, I wanted to understand addiction beyond just the personal pain it caused. I started researching the science behind it, learning how opioids alter brain chemistry and why recovery is so difficult. I'm constantly reading books and listening to podcasts on Addiction. The more I learned, the more I realized I wanted to be part of the solution. I want to be the kind of nurse who meets patients where they are, I haven't been in the addict position myself but always on the other side of it, hopefully giving a different perspective. Offering not just medical care but empathy. Someone who understands addiction not as a moral failing, but as a disease. Pursuing a career as an RN with an addiction treatment focus is more than just a job to me, it’s a mission. I know what it’s like to love someone struggling with addiction, to feel powerless but still hold onto hope. I want to be that hope for others. Whether it’s in a hospital, a rehab center, or a community outreach program, I want to be on the front lines, helping people take steps toward recovery. My experience growing up in that environment didn’t break me, it gave me a purpose. And now, I’m ready to turn that purpose into action.

Becoming a parent at 19 changed my life overnight. I thought I was ready, but that first night home with my daughter, as she cried and I lay wide awake, reality hit, my life was no longer just my own. While my friends focused on college and social lives, I was navigating sleepless nights and the weight of responsibility. It was overwhelming, but giving up was never an option. Motherhood taught me resilience, patience, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. I really believe these qualities that are essential in nursing. Balancing work and parenting pushed me to become resourceful and compassionate, strengthening my desire to help others through difficult moments. Just as I had to show up for my daughter, I want to show up for patients when they need it most. Nursing isn’t just a career for me…it’s a path that aligns with the strength and empathy I’ve gained through my own experiences. My dad struggled with opioid addiction my entire life. I saw firsthand how it affected his life. Even though I didn’t live with him, I had a relationship with him and witnessed the ups and downs of his battle with addiction. No matter how much he wanted to get better, the addiction always pulled him back. Eventually, it took his life, he died of a drug overdose which is the case for a lot of families. Losing him was heartbreaking, but it also opened my eyes to how devastating addiction can be, not just for those struggling with it, but for the people who love them. I knew then that I wanted to be part of the fight against addiction. Watching my dad’s struggles, I wanted to understand addiction beyond just the personal pain it caused. I started researching the science behind it, learning how opioids alter brain chemistry and why recovery is so difficult. I'm constantly reading books and listening to podcasts on Addiction. The more I learned, the more I realized I wanted to be part of the solution. I want to be the kind of nurse who meets patients where they are, I haven't been in the addict position myself but always on the other side of it, hopefully giving a different perspective. Offering not just medical care but empathy. Someone who understands addiction not as a moral failing, but as a disease. Pursuing a career as an RN with an addiction treatment focus is more than just a job to me, it’s a mission. I know what it’s like to love someone struggling with addiction, to feel powerless but still hold onto hope. I want to be that hope for others. Whether it’s in a hospital, a rehab center, or a community outreach program, I want to be on the front lines, helping people take steps toward recovery. My experience growing up in that environment didn’t break me, it gave me a purpose. And now, I’m ready to turn that purpose into action.

My dad struggled with opioid addiction my entire life. I saw firsthand how it affected his life. Even though I didn’t live with him, I had a relationship with him and witnessed the ups and downs of his battle with addiction. No matter how much he wanted to get better, the addiction always pulled him back. Eventually, it took his life, he died of a drug overdose which is the case for a lot of families. Losing him was heartbreaking, but it also opened my eyes to how devastating addiction can be, not just for those struggling with it, but for the people who love them. I knew then that I wanted to be part of the fight against addiction. Watching my dad’s struggles, I wanted to understand addiction beyond just the personal pain it caused. I started researching the science behind it, learning how opioids alter brain chemistry and why recovery is so difficult. I'm constantly reading books and listening to podcasts on Addiction. The more I learned, the more I realized I wanted to be part of the solution. I want to be the kind of nurse who meets patients where they are, I haven't been in the addict position myself but always on the other side of it, hopefully giving a different perspective. Offering not just medical care but empathy. Someone who understands addiction not as a moral failing, but as a disease. Pursuing a career as an RN with an addiction treatment focus is more than just a job to me, it’s a mission. I know what it’s like to love someone struggling with addiction, to feel powerless but still hold onto hope. I want to be that hope for others. Whether it’s in a hospital, a rehab center, or a community outreach program, I want to be on the front lines, helping people take steps toward recovery. My experience growing up in that environment didn’t break me, it gave me a purpose. And now, I’m ready to turn that purpose into action. Becoming a parent at 19 changed my life overnight. I thought I was ready, but that first night home with my daughter, as she cried and I lay wide awake, reality hit, my life was no longer just my own. While my friends focused on college and social lives, I was navigating sleepless nights and the weight of responsibility. It was overwhelming, but giving up was never an option. Motherhood taught me resilience, patience, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. I really believe these qualities that are essential in nursing. Balancing work and parenting pushed me to become resourceful and compassionate, strengthening my desire to help others through difficult moments. Just as I had to show up for my daughter, I want to show up for patients when they need it most. Nursing isn’t just a career for me…it’s a path that aligns with the strength and empathy I’ve gained through my own experiences.

Pursuing a career as an RN with an addiction treatment focus is more than just a job to me, it’s a mission. I know what it’s like to love someone struggling with addiction, to feel powerless but still hold onto hope. I want to be that hope for others. Whether it’s in a hospital, a rehab center, or a community outreach program, I want to be on the front lines, helping people take steps toward recovery. My experience growing up in that environment didn’t break me, it gave me a purpose. And now, I’m ready to turn that purpose into action. By becoming a nurse with a focus on addiction treatment, I will be able to give back to my community in a meaningful way. Many families are impacted by substance use, and I want to be a source of support and guidance for those struggling with addiction and recovery. Through compassionate care, education, and advocacy, I hope to break down the stigma surrounding addiction and help people access the resources they need. By using my personal experience to connect with patients and their families, I can contribute to a healthier, more informed, and more supportive community. Growing up, I saw how addiction can take over a person’s life. My dad struggled with opioid addiction, and I lost him to an overdose. Not only did I just lose my dad to addiction but I have also lost a few friends as well. Helping people as a career has always been a passion of mine and I know that I will be able to do that with the things I have gone through in my life. Those losses shaped me in ways I’m still understanding, but more than anything, it made me want to help people who are struggling. I want to be the kind of nurse who sees people beyond their addiction, who understands the weight of what they’re going through, and who treats them with the compassion they deserve. For me, education is my way of turning pain into purpose. It’s my way of building something better for my kids and ensuring they grow up knowing that no matter where you start, you can choose where you go. Breaking the generational cycle is also a driving force behind my decision to return to school as a single mother. I want to show my children that education can open doors to opportunities and provide a path to a brighter future. I know that nursing is a career choice that is still very much needed in these times and even more so coming from an empathetic standpoint and approach. I've always been someone who can read the room and really feel the emotions coming from other people and I know that would make me strong in this career. Coming from a background where higher education wasn’t always prioritized, I am determined to break that cycle and create a legacy of learning and achievement. Pursuing my degree is not just about personal growth; it’s about redefining what’s possible for my family and inspiring my children to aim higher, dream bigger, and believe in their potential.

Pursuing a career as an RN with an addiction treatment focus is more than just a job to me, it’s a mission. I know what it’s like to love someone struggling with addiction, to feel powerless but still hold onto hope. I want to be that hope for others. Whether it’s in a hospital, a rehab center, or a community outreach program, I want to be on the front lines, helping people take steps toward recovery. My experience growing up in that environment didn’t break me, it gave me a purpose. And now, I’m ready to turn that purpose into action. Growing up, I saw how addiction can take over a person’s life. My dad struggled with opioid addiction, and I lost him to an overdose. Not only did I just lose my dad to addiction but I have also lost a few friends as well. Helping people as a career has always been a passion of mine and I know that I will be able to do that with the things I have gone through in my life. Those losses shaped me in ways I’m still understanding, but more than anything, it made me want to help people who are struggling. I want to be the kind of nurse who sees people beyond their addiction, who understands the weight of what they’re going through, and who treats them with the compassion they deserve. For me, education is my way of turning pain into purpose. It’s my way of building something better for my kids and ensuring they grow up knowing that no matter where you start, you can choose where you go. Breaking the generational cycle is also a driving force behind my decision to return to school as a single mother. I want to show my children that education can open doors to opportunities and provide a path to a brighter future. I know that nursing is a career choice that is still very much needed in these times and even more so coming from an empathetic standpoint and approach. I've always been someone who can read the room and really feel the emotions coming from other people and I know that would make me strong in this career. Coming from a background where higher education wasn’t always prioritized, I am determined to break that cycle and create a legacy of learning and achievement. Pursuing my degree is not just about personal growth; it’s about redefining what’s possible for my family and inspiring my children to aim higher, dream bigger, and believe in their potential.

Breaking the generational mold is a driving force behind my decision to return to school as a single mother. I want to show my children that education can open doors to opportunities and provide a path to a brighter future. Coming from a background where higher education wasn’t always prioritized, I am determined to break that cycle and create a legacy of learning and achievement. Pursuing my degree is not just about personal growth; it’s about redefining what’s possible for my family and inspiring my children to aim higher, dream bigger, and believe in their potential. My dad struggled with opioid addiction my entire life. I saw firsthand how it affected his life. Even though I didn’t live with him, I had a relationship with him and witnessed the ups and downs of his battle with addiction. No matter how much he wanted to get better, the addiction always pulled him back. Eventually, it took his life, he died of a drug overdose which is the case for a lot of families. Losing him was heartbreaking, but it also opened my eyes to how devastating addiction can be, not just for those struggling with it, but for the people who love them. I knew then that I wanted to be part of the fight against addiction. Watching my dad’s struggles, I wanted to understand addiction beyond just the personal pain it caused. I started researching the science behind it, learning how opioids alter brain chemistry and why recovery is so difficult. Im constantly reading books and listening to podcasts on Addiction. The more I learned, the more I realized I wanted to be part of the solution. I want to be the kind of nurse who meets patients where they are, I haven't been in the addict position myself but always on the otherside of it, hopefully giving a different perspective. Offering not just medical care but empathy. Someone who understands addiction not as a moral failing, but as a disease. Pursuing a career as an RN with an addiction treatment focus is more than just a job to me, it’s a mission. I know what it’s like to love someone struggling with addiction, to feel powerless but still hold onto hope. I want to be that hope for others. Whether it’s in a hospital, a rehab center, or a community outreach program, I want to be on the front lines, helping people take steps toward recovery. My experience growing up in that environment didn’t break me, it gave me a purpose. And now, I’m ready to turn that purpose into action.

Breaking the generational mold is a driving force behind my decision to return to school as a single mom going into healthcare. I want to show my children that education can open doors to opportunities and provide a path to a brighter future. Coming from a background where higher education wasn’t always prioritized, I am determined to break that cycle and create a legacy of learning and achievement. Pursuing my degree is not just about personal growth, it’s about redefining what’s possible for my family and inspiring my children to aim higher, dream bigger, and believe in their potential. My dad struggled with opioid addiction my entire life. I saw firsthand how it affected his life. Even though I didn’t live with him, I had a relationship with him and witnessed the ups and downs of his battle with addiction. No matter how much he wanted to get better, the addiction always pulled him back. Eventually, it took his life, he died of a drug overdose which is the case for a lot of families. Losing him was heartbreaking, but it also opened my eyes to how devastating addiction can be, not just for those struggling with it, but for the people who love them. I knew then that I wanted to be part of the fight against addiction. Watching my dad’s struggles, I wanted to understand addiction beyond just the personal pain it caused. I started researching the science behind it, learning how opioids alter brain chemistry and why recovery is so difficult. I'm constantly reading books and listening to podcasts on Addiction. The more I learned, the more I realized I wanted to be part of the solution. I want to be the kind of nurse who meets patients where they are, I haven't been in the addict position myself but always on the other side of it, hopefully giving a different perspective. Offering not just medical care but empathy, someone who understands addiction not as a moral failing, but as a disease. Pursuing a career as an RN with an addiction treatment focus is more than just a job to me, it’s a mission. I know what it’s like to love someone struggling with addiction, to feel powerless but still hold onto hope. I want to be that hope for others. Whether it’s in a hospital, a rehab center, or a community outreach program, I want to be on the front lines, helping people take steps toward recovery. My experience growing up in that environment didn’t break me, it gave me a purpose. And now, I’m ready to turn that purpose into action.

My brain feels like I have 50 different browser tabs open at once. Having ADHD is not just about struggling to focus, it’s forgetting things even when I swear I won’t, it's getting overwhelmed by too many tasks, and having to work twice as hard to stay organized. In school, that can be frustrating, especially with deadlines and homework. But I’ve also learned that ADHD comes with its own strengths. I think fast, I adapt quickly, and I find creative ways to solve problems. For a long time, I would constantly beat myself up for not being able to do things "normally" as I would say but I have learned to lean into this as a superpower instead of fighting against it. I'm not perfect and I do still get frustrated with myself but I’ve learned to work with it. Breaking tasks into smaller steps, setting reminders for everything and I mean everything, and giving myself grace on the hard days. Managing ADHD while balancing school and motherhood isn’t always easy, but it’s taught me resilience, and that’s something I’ll carry with me forever. You can’t take care of others if you don’t take care of yourself first. Going back to school while raising two kids isn’t easy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. My mental health plays a huge role in how I handle both school and life at home. When I’m in a good place mentally, I can focus, stay motivated, and be present for my kids. But when stress builds up which it does because I'm a human and everyday life happens EVERYDAY! It can feel overwhelming, but I’ve learned that taking care of my mental health isn’t optional. I have been through quite a few therapists in my 32 years on this earth but currently, I have one that I see weekly and she has helped me unpack and really break things down when I get overwhelmed. Another huge stress reliever for me is exercise. From running to weight training it's my way of meditation. Growing up, I saw firsthand how addiction affects families. My dad struggled with opioid addiction, and I lost him to an overdose. That experience shaped me in so many ways but has left me carrying a lot emotionally. Balancing school, motherhood, and my own healing has been tough at times, but I know that to be the best student, future nurse, and mom, I have to take care of myself, too.

My dad struggled with opioid addiction my entire life. I saw firsthand how it affected his life. Even though I didn’t live with him, I had a relationship with him and witnessed the ups and downs of his battle with addiction. No matter how much he wanted to get better, the addiction always pulled him back. Eventually, it took his life, he died of a drug overdose which is the case for a lot of families. Losing him was heartbreaking, but it also opened my eyes to how devastating addiction can be, not just for those struggling with it, but for the people who love them. I knew then that I wanted to be part of the fight against addiction. Watching my dad’s struggles, I wanted to understand addiction beyond just the personal pain it caused. I started researching the science behind it, learning how opioids alter brain chemistry and why recovery is so difficult. I'm constantly reading books and listening to podcasts on Addiction. The more I learned, the more I realized I wanted to be part of the solution. I want to be the kind of nurse who meets patients where they are, I haven't been in the addict position myself but always on the other side of it, hopefully giving a different perspective. Offering not just medical care but empathy. Someone who understands addiction not as a moral failing, but as a disease. Pursuing a career as an RN with an addiction treatment focus is more than just a job to me, it’s a mission. I know what it’s like to love someone struggling with addiction, to feel powerless but still hold onto hope. I want to be that hope for others. Whether it’s in a hospital, a rehab center, or a community outreach program, I want to be on the front lines, helping people take steps toward recovery. My experience growing up in that environment didn’t break me, it gave me a purpose. And now, I’m ready to turn that purpose into action. Breaking the generational mold is a driving force behind my decision to return to school as a single mother. I want to show my children that education can open doors to opportunities and provide a path to a brighter future. Coming from a background where higher education wasn’t always prioritized, I am determined to break that cycle and create a legacy of learning and achievement. Pursuing my degree is not just about personal growth; it’s about redefining what’s possible for my family and inspiring my children to aim higher, dream bigger, and believe in their potential.