I'm Sarah, a 28-year-old nursing student entering Pacific Lutheran University's accelerated BSN program this fall, with a long-term goal of becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. My path to nursing was not linear, but that is what makes it more meaningful and purpose-driven. I hold a B.S. in psychology and spent several years in academic research, including co-authoring a published meta-analysis in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology and contributing to psychedelic-assisted therapy research. My research work deepened my understanding of human healing and ultimately left me wanting to provide more direct patient care. Every Sunday, I volunteer with blood drives for Red Cross or at the Ronald McDonald House, supporting families navigating some of the hardest moments of their lives. I enjoy being someone who can help others carry the heavy weight of medical illness. As a scholarship candidate, I bring a strong research background that showcases my work ethic and dedication to caring for the whole person (not just the diagnosis), many years of workforce experience that have honed my ability to work as both a team player and a leader, and academic focus that comes with having carefully and very purposefully chosen this profession (I completed my prerequisites with a 4.0). I have a very strong sense of purpose in this field and that clarity drives everything I do.