Since graduation, I have been working as a case manager in the juvenile court and have experienced some extremely challenging situations that tested my dedication and resilience. However, the challenge was often matched by the reward, which fortified my skills of dedication and resilience. I have experienced many sleepless nights and tired days as a case manager, but I have experienced just as many silly smiles and heartfelt hugs from children who so need and deserve care, consistency, and comfort. When COVID-19 began, many children stopped being able to have contact with their parents due to contamination concerns. Many of these children, understandably, had a hard time adjusting, and struggled to see the light. I felt desperate to provide comfort, but my words were empty, as I could not give them what they truly wanted. I took the initiative to explore out-of-the-box solutions, and my research led me to Worry Pets. Simply put, Worry Pets are like a stress ball, but are made from soft, furry material filled with sand, and have little eyes. While I am not the most competent seamstress, my mother is quite good, so together we teamed up to create a Worry Pet for each child, in the hopes that this little token might provide an outlet for these children’s anxieties and worries – and it worked! This small effort from my mother and I created an impact that I could see and feel not only in their smiles and hugs, but in their interactions with other trusted adults. My goal each day as a case manager was to provide for the safety and well-being of children by showing them that they are cared for, and that their journey matters. I believe that my time as a case manager has enhanced my empathy, which will serve me well as a student at Clarkson College, and later as a nurse in the healthcare profession. My time in child welfare equipped me with a robust skill set that has prepared me for my transition into the healthcare profession, enhancing skills that will ensure that I consistently strive for excellence in the nursing profession. As a case manager, I have learned to coordinate individuals to focus on a common goal of family reunification; as a nurse, I will coordinate individuals to focus on a common goal of healing. As a case manager, I have learned to communicate effectively with a diverse population of people; as a nurse, I will use this cultural competence to enhance the patient experience for all persons. As a case manager, I learned to lead by example, demonstrating to parents the importance of reliability, consistency, and compassion in healing their children’s trauma; as a nurse, I will strive to exemplify reliability, consistency, and compassion to my colleagues, patients, and patients’ families every day. I appreciate the opportunity to be considered for this scholarship because I am confident that I will bring compassion, communicative openness, and cultural competency to under-served populations.