The night I left my abusive relationship, at the time I held my 10 month old son in my arms with nothing but a diaper bag, a bruised face and heart, and a quiet promise to give him the life we both deserved. Still struggling going from house to house between family and friends getting put out with a baby I knew I had to choose something better for him and for me. That didn’t just change my life; it became the moment I decided I would become a nurse. For years, I lived in survival mode mentally, emotionally, and financially. I had no support system. I often felt invisible, moving through life with the weight of trauma, a child depending on me, and no one to lean on. But every time I stepped foot into a clinic or hospital, whether for myself or my son, I paid attention to the nurses. The way they cared, listened, and showed compassion especially when I was too ashamed to speak taught me what healing could look like. They made me feel human again. That’s when I realized, I don’t just want to survive, I want to become the kind of nurse who helps others rebuild their lives too. Becoming a nurse is not just a career choice for me it’s a purpose. I’ve walked through darkness and know what it’s like to be afraid, unheard, and uncertain. I want to take those painful experiences and turn them into strength, empathy, and advocacy for others. Nursing gives me the opportunity to do that every single day, to bring hope to those who feel hopeless, and to be a safe presence for patients going through some of the hardest moments of their lives. As a 27-year-old single mother, balancing school, parenting, and healing hasn’t been easy. There are nights I stay up studying while my son sleeps beside me, and mornings I wonder how we’ll get through another day. Financial struggles are constant, and the weight of doing this alone is overwhelming. But I remind myself that every step I take is building a new future for both of us. I want my son to grow up knowing his mother didn’t give up, even when everything felt like it was against her. This scholarship would not just lift a financial burden, it would be life changing. It would mean being able to afford textbooks without skipping meals, paying for clinical uniforms without falling behind on bills, and focusing on my education without the constant fear of how I’ll make it through the month. It would be an act of belief in someone who has fought silently for years and is finally ready to rise. My life has been filled with broken chapters, but nursing represents a new beginning. It’s where my pain meets purpose. I’m not just choosing nursing, it’s choosing me as well. I’m choosing to become the person I once needed. With your support, I’ll make that vision a reality

I remember the exact moment I realized I had to leave. My 10 month old son at the time was crying in the same room while I he watched his dad and I fight. I was twenty-four, with no money, no degree, and no support system, but I knew that if I didn’t find a way out, my son would grow up thinking that pain was normal and love was supposed to hurt. I had survived years of emotional and physical abuse in silence. That day, I chose survival over fear and walked away with nothing but my child and the hope that life could still change. As a survivor of domestic violence, I carry the weight of my experiences daily, but I also carry an unshakable determination to turn that pain into purpose. Now, as a 27-year-old single mother and future nursing student, I am working toward a life not just of healing, but of service. I want to become a nurse so I can be on the frontlines of helping African American women like me, women who have been silenced, overlooked, and underserved far too long. Domestic violence often goes unnoticed in our community, and African American women face additional barriers when seeking help—racial bias in healthcare, lack of access to resources, fear of not being believed, and cultural stigma. I am determined to change that. With my nursing degree, I plan to advocate for better trauma-informed care, especially in emergency and women’s health settings. I want to help improve communication between patients and providers by building trust, listening without judgment, and asking the right questions. I believe education can break cycles—and I want to be part of that education on both sides of the hospital bed. I plan to create and participate in programs that train nurses to recognize signs of domestic abuse and respond with compassion and urgency. I also hope to work with community health centers to create safe spaces for African American women to access care, resources, and counseling. These women deserve to be seen, heard, and treated with dignity. This scholarship would be more than just financial support, it would be a lifeline. It would allow me to stay in school, provide for my son, and keep fighting for a better future. I may not have a support system, but I have a purpose. And I will use every lesson, every scar, and every ounce of strength to make sure no other woman feels as alone as I once did.

I grew up in low-income housing on the west side of Detroit, Michigan, where survival often came before dreams. My family faced the harsh realities of limited access to resources, and like many around me, we struggled to make ends meet. But in the middle of those challenges, I always felt a quiet but strong desire to help others. That desire became personal when I lost my grandfather to heart failure as a young child. I didn’t understand much about his condition back then, but I remember feeling powerless and confused. No one took the time to explain what was happening, and I carried that moment with me for years. That loss lit a fire in me to become a nurse so I could be the person who shows up, explains, comforts, and makes people feel seen. That moment shaped how I view healthcare. It’s not just about treating symptoms, it’s about building trust, educating patients, and creating access for people who often feel overlooked. I chose nursing because it’s a career rooted in compassion and action. I want to be part of the solution for families like mine who were left in the dark. I’ve seen too many people in my community suffer in silence because they didn’t know how to ask for help or didn’t believe they’d be heard. I plan to change that. As a future nurse, I aim to work in underserved communities, providing care that goes beyond the basics. I want to focus on preventive care and health education, especially around heart health, inspired by my grandfather’s experience. Many conditions that affect people in low-income neighborhoods are preventable or manageable with the right knowledge and support. I want to be a trusted source of that support. I also believe deeply in representation. Coming from a background like mine, it’s easy to feel like you don’t belong in professional spaces. But I want to prove that you do. I want young people in Detroit to see someone who looks like them, who came from where they came from, wearing scrubs with pride and making an impact. I plan to not only serve as a nurse but also mentor and encourage others in my community to pursue careers in healthcare. Receiving this scholarship would mean more than financial support—it would be an investment in my future and in the communities I plan to serve. It would allow me to focus on my education, complete my clinical hours, and stay active in community outreach without the added stress of how I’ll afford tuition or books. I’ve worked hard to get here, and I’m committed to using every opportunity to make a difference. This is more than a career goal for me, it’s personal. I’m not just pursuing nursing for myself, but for my family, my community, and every patient who needs someone to care and show up when it matters most.

Why I Chose Nursing and the Causes That Drive Me The first time I truly understood the power of compassionate care was when I held an elderly patient’s hand during her final moments. I wasn’t a nurse yet, just a caregiver working the night shift, but I saw firsthand how presence, empathy, and skilled care could bring peace to someone’s last breath. That moment changed me forever and solidified my decision to pursue a career in nursing. For the past 10 years, I’ve worked in healthcare in various roles, from assisting in long-term care facilities to supporting patients in hospice and home health environments. These experiences have deepened my passion for helping people during their most vulnerable times. I’ve seen patients who were scared, families who felt helpless, and coworkers who worked tirelessly with limited resources. Through it all, I discovered that nursing is not just a profession, it’s a calling. It’s about healing, advocating, educating, and standing by someone when they need it the most. That is the kind of work I want to dedicate my life to. Choosing nursing wasn’t just a career move for me, it was a decision rooted in purpose and service. I want to be the kind of nurse who not only provides excellent clinical care but also uplifts and empowers patients through kindness and trust. My goal is to work in underserved communities where access to quality healthcare is limited, and to become a voice for those who often go unheard. Beyond nursing, I care deeply about social justice and healthcare equity. Too often, I’ve witnessed how systemic inequalities—like poverty, lack of education, and racial disparities—directly affect people’s health outcomes. These issues don’t exist in isolation; they influence every aspect of a person’s well-being. I want to be a part of the movement that changes that. Whether it’s through community health outreach, patient advocacy, or future policy work, I believe nurses play a vital role in addressing these broader social challenges. I also care deeply about mental health awareness, especially for those in caregiving professions. Burnout is real, and I’ve seen too many dedicated workers struggle in silence. I hope to one day create or support programs that focus on caregiver mental health, because when we care for our healers, they can continue to care for others. Today, I stand on the edge of a new chapter—ready to begin nursing school, but facing the financial challenge of making it possible. I’ve worked hard to get to this point, and I’m committed to seeing it through. With financial assistance, I can focus on my education and training, and eventually give back to the very communities that inspired me to begin this journey. Nursing is more than my career goal, it’s my lifelong mission. Thank you for considering me for this opportunity.