I started at CSN Spring of 2021 to achieve my lifelong dream of becoming a nurse in pediatric oncology. Being laid off twice from my job in 2020 led me to this beautiful journey I am now on. I first experienced cancer at the age of 9 when my Grandpa passed away. As I sat at my grandpa’s bedside, I knew what I wanted to become someday. My parents say that I was born with the dream of helping others. I fell in love with my Dr. kit at the age of three. My Dad enjoys telling stories about me demanding that my family members lay down so I could give them checkups. He said that I would use my Dr tools to poke his arm and pretend that I was fixing him. I grew up helping others in my community. In 2019 I was able to volunteer at an orphanage in Guatemala, specifically helping children and adults with cerebral palsy. Although my journey started later than I had planned, at the age of 34 here I am successfully working towards getting my BSN degree. I met my partner shortly after moving here to Vegas in 2019. She currently works for a nonprofit as a case manager, and she will be getting her masters this year to become a therapist. In five years, I know we will be making an even bigger impact on people’s lives in our new careers while enjoying every moment of it. I hope to one day further my education, but for now I am looking forward to working in a hospital when I graduate with my BSN. I would greatly appreciate any help that comes my way because I will be paying it forward someday in my career. Thank you for this opportunity.