Nursing became my goal after years of learning what strength looks like in real life. I was raised in a low-income household where instability was common, and as an adult I experienced an abusive relationship that forced me to rebuild my life from the ground up. Those experiences taught me how quickly life can feel out of control and how deeply people rely on others during moments of uncertainty. Becoming a single mother changed my priorities completely. I knew I wanted a career that allowed me to provide stability for my children while also doing work that mattered to not only me, but to others as well. As a first-generation college student at Del Mar College, returning to school required sacrifice (a lot of it), discipline, and persistence, but it also gave me purpose. Nursing stood out to me because it combines critical thinking with compassion and allows me to support people when they truly need it most. I am especially drawn to nursing because of the role nurses play beyond medical tasks. Nurses are often the steady presence during moments of fear, pain, or confusion. They advocate for patients, notice subtle changes, and provide comfort when situations feel overwhelming. That responsibility resonates deeply with me. My short-term goal is to become a registered nurse and work in either the emergency department or a psychiatric unit, where patients often arrive during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. In the future, I hope to advance my education as a trauma nurse practitioner or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. I want to provide care that is skilled, compassionate, and grounded in respect for every patient To me, “human touch” is what reminds patients that they are more than a chart, a diagnosis, or a room number. It is the ability to connect with someone on a human level, especially when they are scared, vulnerable, or unsure of what comes next. In healthcare, where environments can feel rushed and impersonal, human touch restores dignity and trust. Human touch is not limited to physical contact. It includes listening without rushing, explaining things clearly, and acknowledging a patient’s fears. It can be as simple as sitting with someone for an extra moment or speaking to them with patience and respect. These actions can ease anxiety and help patients feel safe during situations that feel out of their control. In nursing, human touch has a direct impact on patient care. When patients feel heard and supported, they are more likely to trust their care team and engage in their treatment. Emotional reassurance can reduce stress, which in turn supports healing. Even small moments of kindness can leave a lasting impression on patients and families. I believe nurses play a unique role in providing human touch because they are often the most consistent presence in a patient’s care. Nurses notice changes others might miss, advocate when patients cannot speak for themselves, and provide comfort during difficult moments. This combination of attentiveness and compassion is what defines excellent nursing care. As a future nurse, I plan to carry human touch into every interaction I have with patients. Whether working in emergency care or mental health, I want patients to feel respected, supported, and understood. Clinical skills are essential, but compassion is what turns care into healing, and I intend to practice nursing with both.

I learned very early in life what it feels like to be unsafe, unheard, and unseen. I grew up in a low-income household affected by domestic violence, and later found myself in an abusive relationship as an adult. During those moments, what stayed with me most was not only the pain itself, but the absence of someone stepping in to help in a meaningful way. Those experiences deeply shaped who I am today and ultimately led me to pursue a career rooted in service, compassion, and emergency care. I am a single mother and a first-generation college student currently pursuing my education at Del Mar College with the goal of becoming a registered nurse. Returning to school was not easy, but it was necessary—not only for my children, but for myself. I want my children to see that resilience, education, and perseverance can change the direction of a life. More importantly, I want them to grow up understanding that serving others is one of the most powerful and meaningful purposes a person can have. My career goal is to work in high-acuity healthcare settings where individuals are at their most vulnerable. After earning my RN, I hope to work in either the emergency department or a psychiatric unit, environments that require quick thinking, emotional strength, teamwork, and compassion. Long-term, I aspire to become either a trauma nurse practitioner or a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. These roles would allow me to care for patients experiencing not only physical injury, but emotional and psychological trauma as well. I am especially drawn to emergency and mental health care because I understand what it means to need help in a moment of crisis. Whether someone is facing severe physical trauma or mental distress, they deserve to feel safe, respected, and supported. I strive to be the healthcare provider who listens without judgment, advocates for patients, and treats every individual with dignity—especially those who may feel forgotten, overwhelmed, or afraid. This scholarship honors the legacy of Albert Howie and his dedication to emergency service and community care, values that strongly align with my own goals. Like Albert, I hope to serve others during their most difficult moments and contribute to a healthcare system that prioritizes safety, empathy, and trust. Through my future work, I aim to make a lasting impact—not only by saving lives, but by helping people feel seen, protected, and supported when they need it most.