Hello I am an 18-year-old black gay man who goes to Rhode Island College majoring in nursing whose goal is to make it to DNP and be a travel nurse I find myself loving to be creative and traveling. I plan on making a positive impact on the world through the medical field starting off with the basics of actually listening to my patients and treating them like human beings and not just a warm body that needs fixing. As a black gay man in America, I face numerous challenges, and I am acutely aware of the disparities in healthcare for example women make up 28% of the STEM workforce in the U.S., and women of color, despite comprising about 16% of the population aged 18-44, only account for 10% and 6% of the nation's STEM bachelor's and doctoral degrees, respectively. Additionally, nearly half (47%) of healthcare workers have witnessed racial or ethnic discrimination against patients in the past three years. These statistics opened my eyes and drove my determination to make a difference in the medical field, aiming to contribute to a more inclusive healthcare environment. Furthermore, I am motivated by the need for greater representation and diversity in healthcare. Studies have shown that patients often have better outcomes when treated by healthcare professionals who share their racial or ethnic background. By becoming a nurse, I hope to not only provide excellent care but also to be someone who can speak up for the patients who don't get heard and get ignored and for others from underrepresented communities. I aspire to advocate for systemic changes within the healthcare system. Addressing issues such as implicit bias, unequal access to care, and the underrepresentation of minority groups in medical professions are critical steps toward achieving health equity. As a travel nurse, I will have the unique opportunity to work in diverse settings and bring attention to these issues on a broader scale. My journey into the medical field started with a popular TV show but has evolved into a deep-seated passion for understanding the human body and addressing healthcare disparities. I am driven to make a positive impact both through direct patient care and by advocating for systemic change. I look forward to the challenges and learning experiences that lie ahead in my career as a nurse, and I am committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of my patients and within the healthcare system.

Honestly, I don't know why I love math I think its because it reminds me of my great grandma growing up she always helped me with math and showed me how to understand it and the beauty in the numbers and calculations math was hard for me as a child and I did hate it but my great grandma helped me grow to love it before she passed I think she is the reason I love math its intertwined with the memories of her and I feel if I love math I will never stop loving her too. Her legacy lives on not just in the formulas and equations I solve, but in the way I approach challenges with determination and a sense of wonder qualities she undoubtedly imparted to me. Math becomes a gateway to reconnecting with her spirit, a way to honor her memory with each problem I conquer and each concept I understand. Beyond its practical applications, math symbolizes resilience and growth, echoing the lessons she taught me about perseverance and the rewards of overcoming difficulties. In this way, my love for math transcends mere academic interest; it's a heartfelt homage to the person who believed in my potential and helped shape my understanding of the world.

Racism and how it impacts the African American community is something I want to address. No black child, teen, or adult should have to fear for their lives from the moment they wake up to the moment they go to sleep. While doing my research on the topic I found how racism affects black people in the medical field. Doctors and nurses disregard our opinions and request for help because of their personal thoughts or feelings which is one of the main causes of death amongst black people, especially black women. This is why as a black man I want to go into nursing so I can be the person who stands up for patients who are not being heard by the doctors or other nurses be the voice that help patients be heard. I want to be the nurse who makes it so black men and women are not dying because someone does not want to listen to them. I want to make it so fewer black women are scared to go to the doctor and stand up for themselves because they fear if they do that they will be seen as a “mad black woman”. I know by myself I cannot make that difference become an everywhere thing but I am going to make the effort and try to make it so all people of color (POC) feel safe in hospitals. POC deals with racism, stereotypes, and discrimination literally almost everywhere from going for a jog to going to work. We should be able to go to the hospital for help and not have to worry about a doctor making us feel like what we are telling them does not matter and that we are just being overly dramatic. I want to be the nurse who helps people of color know they are safe. But I also want to be the nurse who educates all of the doctors and nurses on the African American experience in health care. Additionally, I envision creating and implementing training programs within healthcare facilities to address and mitigate implicit biases and promote cultural competency. By collaborating with other healthcare professionals, I aim to develop initiatives that ensure all patients receive equitable care and feel respected and valued. I believe that by fostering an environment of continuous learning and empathy, we can gradually dismantle the systemic barriers that contribute to health disparities. My ultimate goal is to inspire a new generation of healthcare workers who are committed to justice and equality, ensuring that every patient, regardless of their race, receives the best possible care.