
Riley Brooks
1x
Finalist
Riley Brooks
1x
FinalistBio
I have chosen to pursue a career in nursing because I want to combine my strengths of empathy, communication, and critical thinking into a profession that makes a meaningful difference in someone’s everyday life. Nursing is interesting to me because not only will I provide attentive medical care, but I will also support patients and their families during difficult moments in their lives. I am drawn to a career where compassion and clinical knowledge work hand in hand, and where every interaction has the potential to bring comfort, reassurance, and hope.
Through personal experiences, I have seen how powerful the role of a nurse can be in someone’s life. Their ability to explain complex information, advocate for patients, and maintain composure in high-pressure environments left a lasting impact on me. Seeing how nurses serve as both caregivers and sources of reassurance solidified my decision to pursue a profession centered on service, adaptability, and patient advocacy.
My professional goal is to become a nurse who provides high-quality patient care and ensures my patients feel seen, safe, and hopeful. I want to work in a setting where I build strong relationships with my patients and coworkers, positively contributing to their healing process. In the future, I aspire to continue my education and expand my skills so I can hold greater responsibilities as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
Education
University of Mount Olive
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
East Duplin High
High SchoolMiscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Master's degree program
Graduate schools of interest:
- Wake Forest University
- East Carolina University
- Duke University
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
Career
Dream career field:
- Nursing
Dream career goals:
Seater/Hostess
Mike's Farm2023 – Present3 years
Sports
Volleyball
Varsity2021 – 20243 years
Arts
Cripple Creek Dance Studio
Dance2010 – 2024
Public services
Volunteering
Pathway Church — Leader2023 – 2024
Community Health Ambassador Scholarship for Nursing Students
I have chosen to pursue a career in nursing because I want to combine my strengths of empathy, communication, and critical thinking into a profession that makes a meaningful difference in someone’s everyday life. Nursing is interesting to me because not only will I provide attentive medical care, but I will also support patients and their families during difficult moments in their lives. I am drawn to a career where compassion and clinical knowledge work hand in hand, and where every interaction has the potential to bring comfort, reassurance, and hope. I am especially motivated by the opportunity to be a steady presence for patients during uncertain times, helping them feel less alone. I believe even small acts of kindness and understanding can leave a lasting impact on someone’s healing journey.
Through personal experiences, I have witnessed the profound impact that a nurse can have on someone’s life. Their ability to explain complex information, advocate for patients, and maintain composure in high-pressure environments left a lasting impression on me. Seeing how nurses serve as both caregivers and sources of reassurance solidified my decision to pursue a profession centered on service, adaptability, and patient advocacy. These experiences have also shown me the importance of patience and attentiveness when caring for individuals with diverse needs and backgrounds.
My professional goal is to become a nurse who provides high-quality patient care, ensuring that my patients feel seen, safe, and hopeful. I want to work in a setting where I build strong relationships with my patients and coworkers, positively contributing to their healing process. In the future, I aspire to continue my education and expand my skills so I can hold greater responsibilities as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. I am committed to challenging myself academically and professionally so I can provide the highest level of care possible. I believe I hold not only several qualities but also personal experiences that will contribute to my success as a nurse and my ability to connect with my patients. I am empathetic, resilient, and organized. I am dedicated to lifelong learning in a profession that is always evolving.
Overall, nursing aligns with both my personal values and professional aspirations. It allows me to care for others by creating bonds while also constantly growing as a person and a healthcare professional. I strive to become a nurse who not only treats the symptoms but brings forth comfort, understanding, and most importantly, compassion to every patient I encounter. I want to leave a positive impact on every individual I care for, ensuring they feel respected and valued throughout their healthcare experience.
Sara Jane Memorial Scholarship
The nursing field interests me because it combines compassionate care with critical thinking, allowing me to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives every day. I am drawn to a career where I can support patients not only physically, but also emotionally, during some of their most vulnerable moments. Nursing offers the opportunity to build genuine connections with patients and their families while playing an essential role in their healing process. I admire how nurses balance clinical knowledge with empathy, and I am motivated to pursue a profession where both are equally valued. This field will challenge me to think quickly, adapt to new situations, and continuously grow in both knowledge and skill. It also provides a sense of purpose, knowing that the work I do can directly improve someone’s quality of life and well-being.
My long-term goal is to become a highly skilled and compassionate nurse who provides quality patient-centered care. I want my patients to feel safe, heard, and supported under my care. As I grow in my career, I plan to continue my education and eventually become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, expanding my knowledge and taking on greater responsibilities within the healthcare field. Success to me means not only advancing professionally, but also maintaining strong relationships with patients and making a lasting, positive impact on their experiences in healthcare.
One of my greatest personal accomplishments has been maintaining my academic responsibilities during my senior year while supporting my mom through her breast cancer diagnosis. Balancing school, college applications, and time spent at her medical appointments required resilience, discipline, and strong time management skills. Despite the emotional challenges, I remained committed to my goals and continued to push forward. This experience strengthened my determination to pursue nursing and confirmed my ability to handle high-pressure situations.
While I have not yet had formal medical internships or volunteer positions, my personal experience supporting my mom through her illness has given me valuable exposure to the healthcare environment. I spent significant time in medical settings, observing patient care and interacting with healthcare professionals. This experience allowed me to see firsthand the impact that compassionate, attentive nurses can have on patients and their families. It also helped me develop empathy, communication skills, and a deeper understanding of patient needs—qualities that I will carry with me as I pursue a career in nursing. This experience not only prepared me for the realities of healthcare but also reinforced my passion for becoming a nurse who provides both skilled care and genuine compassion.
Jennifer Kelley Memorial Scholarship
My life has been deeply shaped by both personal challenges and meaningful experiences that have guided my goals and values. In January 2025, during one of the most pivotal moments of my life, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. At the time, I was a high school senior navigating college applications and anticipating the excitement of graduation. What should have been a time of celebration quickly became one of fear and uncertainty. While many of my peers looked forward to new beginnings, I struggled with the idea of leaving home, wanting to remain close to support my mom through her illness.
During this time, I spent countless hours attending doctors’ appointments with her, balancing my academic responsibilities with emotional stress. These experiences became some of the most influential moments of my life. I witnessed firsthand the dedication and compassion of the nurses who cared for my mom. They not only provided excellent medical care but also offered emotional support, patiently explaining procedures and comforting both my mom and our family. Their ability to combine clinical expertise with genuine empathy left a lasting impression on me.
This experience strengthened my desire to pursue a career in nursing. It taught me how to remain calm under pressure, listen with empathy, and support others even during overwhelming circumstances. I learned that true strength often lies in compassion, and sometimes the most meaningful thing you can do is simply be present for someone. These lessons have shaped both who I am and who I aspire to become.
Through my future work in healthcare and volunteer opportunities, I plan to make a positive impact by providing compassionate, patient-centered care. I want to serve not only as a caregiver but also as an advocate and source of comfort for patients and their families. Whether through volunteering in hospitals, community health programs, or outreach initiatives, I hope to contribute to environments where individuals feel supported, heard, and valued during vulnerable moments in their lives.
Outside of school, I am passionate about helping others, building meaningful connections, and continuously growing as an individual. I value spending time with my family, especially after everything we have experienced together, and I am committed to maintaining strong relationships with the people around me. I also enjoy activities that allow me to relax and recharge, ensuring I can remain mentally and emotionally balanced while pursuing my goals.
The person who serves as my greatest motivator is my mom. Her strength, resilience, and determination throughout her battle with cancer have inspired me in ways I cannot fully express. Even during her most difficult days, she remained positive and focused on recovery, showing me what it means to face adversity with courage. She motivates me to work harder, stay grounded, and pursue a career where I can make a meaningful difference in others’ lives, just as the nurses did for her.
Ultimately, my goal is to become a nurse who provides high-quality care while ensuring that every patient feels seen, safe, and hopeful. I aspire to build strong relationships with patients and colleagues, contributing positively to their healing process. In the future, I hope to continue my education and advance my career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Nursing aligns with my personal values of compassion, resilience, and service, and I am committed to making a lasting impact through both my professional work and community involvement.
Women in Nursing Scholarship
I have chosen to pursue a career in nursing because I want to combine my strengths of empathy, communication, and critical thinking into a profession that makes a meaningful difference in someone’s everyday life. Nursing is interesting to me because not only will I provide attentive medical care, but I will also support patients and their families during difficult moments in their lives. I am drawn to a career where compassion and clinical knowledge work hand in hand, and where every interaction has the potential to bring comfort, reassurance, and hope.
Through personal experiences, I have seen how powerful the role of a nurse can be in someone’s life. Their ability to explain complex information, advocate for patients, and maintain composure in high-pressure environments left a lasting impact on me. Seeing how nurses serve as both caregivers and sources of reassurance solidified my decision to pursue a profession centered on service, adaptability, and patient advocacy. I learned that strength often comes from compassion, and that sometimes the most meaningful thing you can do for someone is simply to be there. As a future nurse, I will carry these lessons with me into every patient interaction. I want to be the kind of nurse who makes patients and families feel seen, heard, and cared for, just as the nurses did for my mom and my family. Her battle with cancer was one of the hardest experiences of my life, but it also gave me a sense of purpose. It showed me that even in moments of pain and uncertainty, there is the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life. I want to work in a setting where I build strong relationships with my patients and coworkers, positively contributing to their healing process. In the future, I aspire to continue my education and expand my skills so I can hold greater responsibilities as I want to continue my education and be a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
I believe I hold not only several qualities but also personal experiences that will contribute to my success as a nurse and my ability to connect with my patients. I am empathetic, resilient, and organized. I am dedicated to lifelong learning in a profession that is always evolving.
Overall, nursing aligns with both my personal values and professional aspirations. It allows me to care for others by creating bonds and also constantly growing as a person and a healthcare professional. I strive to become a nurse who not only treats the symptoms but brings forth comfort, understanding, and most importantly, compassion to every patient I encounter.