I wasn’t born with the dream of becoming a nurse but I was born with the desire to be of service. As a small child, I was the crutch my grandmother leaned on for support and guidance in a world she couldn’t navigate. Oftentimes, I was the translator and spokesperson for my father who never got the opportunity to learn to read nor write, and who could not communicate in English. That was my reality, as a girl from a first generation immigrant family. Yet, it was in those moments, where I aided those close to me that I learned the value of serving unselfishly and willingly. Truthfully, for a very long time, my professional life seemed to elude me; a puzzle to which I did not have the missing piece. Yet, like many things in life, it was when I wasn’t looking for it that the answer found me. Amidst the devastation brought by COVID-19, I heard the mass clapping, and the sound of banging pots and pans in solidarity with health officials at the front line of our defense. It sparked a calling within me to join their ranks and contribute meaningfully to patient care. That is why, in January of 2023 I received my certificate as a Nursing attendant. In that same month, I started working at Fort Tryon Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing. There is no sentence that can encapsulate perfectly my experience as an aide. I have seen supply shortages, inadequate staffing, water, and electrical malfunctions. But far greater are the memories I hold of comforting my elderly patients, sitting down, holding their hands as they tell me about their experiences, making jokes and seeing them smile. There is something so irrevocably vulnerable and humane about being someone’s anchor while they’re in pain and listening to someone share their thoughts, dreams, and adventures in their last hours. The reality is that many times, the position requires us to be a patient's family in their time of need. And, that is something I’ve learned to take with grace and gratitude. As there is no more blissful moment than when you’re walking home whilst knowing deep within your soul that you have made a difference. No matter how small or simple it may seem, it was someone’s memorable and beautiful moment. Due to my age, I’ve been asked by older nursing attendants and nurses; why are you doing this job if you’re so young? They believe I can do better than being a nursing attendant. To them, I say, I chose this job because I am capable of putting others before me. To the core of my being, I know I am meant to help people and help ease their hurting and sadness. And, despite the struggles I’ve faced as a nursing attendant, I am grateful for the position. Without the experience, I wouldn’t be here writing this statement cementing my commitment to advancing my career in nursing. With great certainty, I can say that my current goal is to complete the accelerated nursing program and invest into becoming an excellent nurse. I say excellent because I want to continue making small differences, establishing relationships of trust and communication, and creating meaningful impact on patient outcomes. That is why long term, I aspire to continue my education and specialize as a family nurse practitioner. Yet, I am aware that I can’t bring this dream into fruition by myself. As they say, it takes a village. And, this village of aspiring nurses is one that I would humbly love to be a part of.