
Hobbies and interests
Bowling
Badminton
Community Service And Volunteering
Baking
Hiking And Backpacking
Animals
Anatomy
Arabic
Biomedical Sciences
Nursing
Forensics
Movies And Film
Henna
Health Sciences
Reading
Action
Adventure
Classics
Fantasy
Humor
Magical Realism
Mystery
Philosophy
Psychology
Romance
Science Fiction
Thriller
Young Adult
I read books multiple times per week
Rahaf Abu-Shalbak
2,075
Bold Points2x
Nominee1x
Finalist
Rahaf Abu-Shalbak
2,075
Bold Points2x
Nominee1x
FinalistBio
My name is Rahaf, and I am a proud Arab American, born to immigrant parents who pursued the American Dream with unwavering determination. While I have always strived to make my parents proud through my academic achievements and relentless effort, I have now found a deeper purpose in working for myself as well. My goal is to pave the way to becoming a nurse, with aspirations to further my career in medicine, ultimately supporting my parents who have tirelessly supported me and my sisters.
I am driven by a profound desire to give back to my family and the community that has shaped me into the person I am today. With an insatiable curiosity for the field of medicine, I am passionate about helping people every day. My strong work ethic makes me dependable, and I aspire to be a key figure in my community, elevating my humanity through compassionate care and dedication.
Education
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Houston Community College
Associate's degree programMajors:
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
GPA:
3.9
Lawrence E Elkins H S
High SchoolGPA:
3.9
Miscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
- Genetics
- Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other
Career
Dream career field:
Hospital & Health Care
Dream career goals:
Nurse practitioner/Family doctor
Sports
Badminton
Junior Varsity2018 – 20202 years
Bowling
Varsity2018 – 20213 years
Arts
School Course
Photography2019 – 2020
Public services
Volunteering
Chicago Ridge Library — Volunteer2015 – 2017
Future Interests
Advocacy
Volunteering
Philanthropy
Beverly J. Patterson Scholarship
Nursing is more than a career choice for me — it is a profound calling. My passion for nursing stems from a deeply rooted desire to be present in people’s most vulnerable moments, to offer more than just clinical care, but genuine empathy, strength, and hope. I believe that nursing is one of the most human professions in existence. It requires intelligence, precision, and resilience, but equally, it demands compassion, presence, and a heart that doesn’t give up on people.
I am passionate about nursing because it allows me to bridge science and the soul. It lets me use my mind to understand complex health conditions, and my heart to treat each patient as a whole person — not just a diagnosis or a room number. Every patient has a story, a family, a fear, and a hope, and I want to be the nurse who sees all of it. I want to be the one who walks into the room and brings calm in the chaos, strength in the uncertainty, and healing, even when a cure is no longer possible.
From my career as a nurse, I hope to grow not only professionally, but personally. I want to be pushed, challenged, and changed by the people I care for. I want to build meaningful connections, advocate fiercely for those who cannot speak for themselves, and continually learn — because in nursing, growth never stops. I hope to become a source of support not only for my patients, but for their families and for my colleagues. I want to leave a legacy of integrity, compassion, and tireless dedication.
The area of nursing I am most passionate about is critical care. The ICU draws me because it is where medicine and humanity collide in their most urgent, intense form. Lives hang in the balance, emotions are raw, and moments matter deeply. It is a place where I believe I can make the most impact — by bringing clarity to chaos, empathy to fear, and strength to moments when families are breaking. In this high-stakes environment, I will be an advocate, a protector, and a steady presence to people who truly need the help.
My impact in critical care will be rooted in the way I care. I want patients and families to remember that even in the scariest moments, someone stood beside them — fully present, deeply committed, and entirely human.