“The most successful people are very clear about where they want to go”-unknown. I do not believe this to be true. Life events and encounters have influenced me and led me in varying directions throughout my life. My healthcare journey began with a loss. This life event and its influence weighed on me and brought about a desire or need to prevent loss. Entering this career path with focus and determination I was quickly humbled in my pursuits as nursing is challenging. You can have a life-changing impact on your patients but can also be faced with the struggle of doing everything within your power as a caregiver and it is not enough to save that individual’s life. While working in the Critical Care Medical Unit as a medical tech during nursing school I would often see severely ill individuals succumb to their battle. As a new nurse, I still remember the first time I had a patient code and die. The minute the doctor called the time of death I openly sobbed. I am tearing up as I type this now because I can still remember the lighting, the smell, and the exact spot I was standing in that moment. That occurred fifteen years ago and it never gets easier, and it never should. However, being in healthcare and pushing myself to become a Family Nurse practitioner is because of those patients. The ones that put their trust and faith in the fact that you will do everything within your power to make their life better, even in the darkest hours. I have learned over the years that the prevention of loss is not always what our patients need. What they need most is someone who listens to what they want, need, and desire from the care they are receiving. So, while the initial experience of loss may have influenced my entrance into healthcare, my growth as a caregiver has kept me here and my passion for what I do has influenced my choice to pursue a master’s degree in nursing and become a Family Nurse Practitioner. This choice is due to the provider shortage we are seeing across the United States that is often resulting in patients receiving delayed care or no care at all. We are a growing nation with growing needs, and we must grow to meet the needs to the best of our ability. These influences affected my career path. What influence will having access to care play in those patients’ lives?

“The most successful people are very clear about where they want to go”-unknown. I do not believe this to be true. Life events and encounters have influenced me and led me in varying directions throughout my life. My healthcare journey began with a loss. This life event and its influence weighed on me and brought about a desire or need to prevent loss. Entering this career path with focus and determination I was quickly humbled in my pursuits as nursing is challenging. You can have a life-changing impact on your patients but can also be faced with the struggle of doing everything within your power as a caregiver and it is not enough to save that individual’s life. While working in the Critical Care Medical Unit as a medical tech during nursing school I would often see severely ill individuals succumb to their battle. As a new nurse, I still remember the first time I had a patient code and die. The minute the doctor called the time of death I openly sobbed. I am tearing up as I type this now because I can still remember the lighting, the smell, and the exact spot I was standing in that moment. That occurred fifteen years ago and it never gets easier, and it never should. However, being in healthcare and pushing myself to become a Family Nurse practitioner is because of those patients. The ones that put their trust and faith in the fact that you will do everything within your power to make their life better, even in the darkest hours. I have learned over the years that the prevention of loss is not always what our patients need. What they need most is someone who listens to what they want, need, and desire from the care they are receiving. So, while the initial experience of loss may have influenced my entrance into healthcare, my growth as a caregiver has kept me here and my passion for what I do has influenced my choice to pursue a master’s degree in nursing. This choice is due to the provider shortage we are seeing across the United States that is often resulting in patients receiving delayed care or no care at all. We are a growing nation with growing needs, and we must grow to meet the needs to the best of our ability. These influences affected my career path. What influence will having access to care play in those patients’ lives?

“The most successful people are very clear about where they want to go”-unknown. I do not believe this to be true. Life events and encounters have influenced me and led me in varying directions throughout my life. My healthcare journey began with a loss. This life event and its influence weighed on me and brought about a desire or need to prevent loss. Entering this career path with focus and determination I was quickly humbled in my pursuits as nursing is challenging. You can have a life-changing impact on your patients but can also be faced with the struggle of doing everything within your power as a caregiver and it is not enough to save that individual’s life. While working in the Critical Care Medical Unit as a medical tech during nursing school I would often see severely ill individuals succumb to their battle. As a new nurse, I still remember the first time I had a patient code and die. The minute the doctor called the time of death I openly sobbed. I am tearing up as I type this now because I can still remember the lighting, the smell, and the exact spot I was standing in that moment. That occurred fifteen years ago and it never gets easier, and it never should. However, being in healthcare and pushing myself to become a Family Nurse practitioner is because of those patients. The ones that put their trust and faith in the fact that you will do everything within your power to make their life better, even in the darkest hours. I have learned over the years that the prevention of loss is not always what our patients need. What they need most is someone who listens to what they want, need, and desire from the care they are receiving. So, while the initial experience of loss may have influenced my entrance into healthcare, my growth as a caregiver has kept me here and my passion for what I do has influenced my choice to pursue a master’s degree in nursing. This choice is due to the provider shortage we are seeing across the United States that is often resulting in patients receiving delayed care or no care at all. We are a growing nation with growing needs, and we must grow to meet the needs to the best of our ability. These influences affected my career path. What influence will having access to care play in those patients’ lives

The medical field is full of challenges that the healthcare community as a whole has to work together to meet. Taking care of others and improving their health is complex and often a battle that can be lost. This can often be daunting and weigh emotionally on those within this field. I have been a part of medical teams that were faced with these challenges and while I admit they weigh on me I find that these are also opportunities to strive for better. Therefore, after 15 years working in healthcare, I am finally faced with the opportunity to further my nursing career and my impact on the healthcare field by pursuing my Master's degree and becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). I had originally planned to return in 2020, but the pandemic and school closings led to my family needing me to be present here at home for their education. In healthcare, we are accustomed to obstacles and perseverance, but it also was not going to be something that derailed my healthcare goals. In 2021 I enrolled full-time in the FNP track at Wilkes University. I am currently employed part-time as a clinic nurse on a college campus and supporting my children and family as a full-time mother. I have chosen to become a Family Nurse Practitioner because of the influence of those around me both personally and professionally. My mother returned to her education when she was in her 40s as well. Showing me that you are never too old if you have the ambition and drive to make a difference for those around you. I hope I am passing along that same lesson to my young children as they see me take on these challenges. Additionally, I have worked with Nurse Practitioners over the years, but one mentor of mine always emphasized that the success of the medical field and patients’ well-being does not rely on just one individual, but a team of professionals putting the best interests of others first. We are all tasked with a calling to do what we can and sometimes the impact may look small, but it can make all the difference to one individual and their family. This is why after completing my graduate degree and certification in August of 2024 I plan to use my education to create a positive impact by filling a gap created by provider shortages, ultimately improving the health and prosperity of my community.

The medical field is full of challenges that the healthcare community as a whole has to work together to meet. Taking care of others and improving their health is complex and often a battle that can be lost. This can often be daunting and weigh emotionally on those within this field. I have been a part of medical teams that were faced with these challenges and while I admit they weigh on me I find that these are also opportunities to strive for better. Therefore, after 15 years working in healthcare, I am finally faced with the opportunity to further my nursing career and my impact on the healthcare field by pursuing my Master's degree and becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). I had originally planned to return in 2020, but the pandemic and school closings led to my family needing me to be present here at home for their education. In healthcare, we are accustomed to obstacles and perseverance, but it also was not going to be something that derailed my healthcare goals. In 2021 I enrolled full-time in the FNP track at Wilkes University. I am currently employed part-time as a clinic nurse on a college campus and supporting my children and family as a full-time mother. I have chosen to become a Family Nurse Practitioner because of the influence of those around me both personally and professionally. My mother returned to her education when she was in her 40s as well. Showing me that you are never too old if you have the ambition and drive to make a difference for those around you. I hope I am passing along that same lesson to my young children as they see me take on these challenges. Additionally, I have worked with Nurse Practitioners over the years, but one mentor of mine always emphasized that the success of the medical field and patients’ well-being does not rely on just one individual, but a team of professionals putting the best interests of others first. We are all tasked with a calling to do what we can and sometimes the impact may look small, but it can make all the difference to one individual and their family. This is why after completing my graduate degree and certification in August of 2024 I plan to use my education to create a positive impact by filling a gap created by provider shortages, ultimately improving the health and prosperity of my community.

We are allowed to make mistakes in life. Perfection is the ability to be okay with not actually being perfect in life. It is important to allow yourself to fall and forgive yourself. We cannot always catch ourselves or prevent the pain of mistakes. It will hurt and haunt you sometimes, if you let it. What you need to know is that it happens to everyone. There is no individual in life who had everything figured out and walked leisurely through without ever feeling that painful lingering burn of a mistake. If there is an individual with such an existence than I feel bad for them. That is not living. We will all fail and falter more than once. Some on a large scale and others in little defeats. Then we will wake up and move forward. That day was the past. Your future is today and every day forward.

There are things in life that bring happiness on different levels. There are those things that bring a smile without trying. The smell of something familiar that stirs a welcome memory. The laugh of someone you care about. However, we all naturally seek those things that bring pure happiness and joy straight from our toes to our top and leave us beaming. These wonderful events are harder to come by for good reason. They stay with us and stick as those wonderful memories we drift to for comfort. I can say without a doubt I have had only a few of those moments. The common theme in those moments are my daughters. They can drive me to pure frustration one moment and beaming with the goofiest grin in the next. Their accomplishments, laughter, and spirit make me feel warmth inside. Their unwavering support and love for me brings me pure joy from my toes to my top.

Legacy can feel like a daunting word. So much pressure on oneself. Or that may be my own perception of the word. Some people believe a legacy must include great financial success. Others believe it means changing the world. I want my legacy to be caring for those I can help. Making whatever difference I can in however much time I have. In doing that I hope I can maintain a balance between legacy and living. The most important part of my legacy will be held in the heart and minds of my daughters. I hope that legacy is filled with love.

There are things in life that bring happiness on different levels. There are those things that bring a smile without trying. The smell of something familiar that stirs a welcome memory. The laugh of someone you care about. However, we all naturally seek those things that bring pure happiness and joy straight from our toes to our top and leave us beaming. These wonderful events are harder to come by for good reason. They stay with us and stick as those wonderful memories we drift to for comfort. I can say without a doubt I have had only a few of those moments. The common theme in those moments are my daughters. They can drive me to pure frustration one moment and beaming with the goofiest grin in the next. Their accomplishments, laughter, and spirit make me feel warmth inside. Their unwavering support and love for me brings me pure joy from my toes to my top.

Patience allows me to be an active part of the world around me. Daily life is busy and overwhelming. Often we become frustrated and rush through each day trying to achieve our next goal. This prevents us from observing and engaging with those around us. As a professional I will always want to grow and learn. To do that I must exercise patience so that I can develop a better understanding of those around me. Patience will allow for better decision-making and the ability to empathize in situations. This will foster an environment of collaboration and respect among the healthcare team I work with and the patients I want to help. Personally, patience will help me encourage my children to express themselves. It will allow me to slow down and enjoy more moments with them as they grow. I will make mistakes but I will show myself patience in continuing to learn from those mistakes.

Throughout the ages healthcare science has continually changed and adapted to help prevent and promote health. Without it the landscape of humanities existence would be completely different. We are faced with evolving strains of bacteria and viruses. Working together is crucial for our continued ability to meet these changing needs. Alexander Fleming, a bacteriologist at St. Mary’s Hospital, discovered penicillin in 1928. He was unable to isolate it for clinical use at that time. So he sent penicillin molds to any who showed interest. He was interested in the possibility of providing something greater and shared his findings in hopes that another could utilize this to further medical science. At Oxford, in 1939, a team was formed and they successfully completed Flemings original work. This is my favorite health science discovery as it is the perfect example of how shared knowledge can change the entire scope of medicine with one finding.

Switching careers, divorce, remarriage, moving, children, and so much more. My path in life has had many twists and turns. Over these past years I have managed to ride the continuous waves of this pandemic. I am now here now with amazing children and someone who truly supports me. Yet, I find that my biggest challenge over time has always been following my own advice. I tell my daughters that any goal is possible, that they can do or be anything. However, I have been holding my own self back these past years. Same as I did so long ago. I use the excuse of it not being a suitable time for our family. I use the excuse of being too old and that too much time has passed. These excuses are crutches to the bigger issue, fear. In the past year I have accepted the fact that I can no longer let my fear of failure, or any other fear continue to dictate my success. We need to build a healthy community and have the health care resources available so that we may continue to grow and thrive together and in the future. I will be a Nurse Practitioner.

My path in life has had many twists and turns. Switching careers, divorce, remarriage, moving, children, and so much more. The youngest in my family, I was the first of my siblings to obtain a college degree. Years later I have amazing children and someone who truly supports me. Yet, I find that my biggest challenge over time has always been following my own advice. I tell my daughters that any goal is possible, that they can do or be anything. However, I have been holding my own self back these past years. Same as I did so long ago. I use the excuse of it not being a suitable time for our family. I use the excuse of being too old and that too much time has passed. These excuses are crutches to the bigger issue, fear. In the past year I have accepted the fact that I can no longer let my fear of failure, or any other fear continue to dictate my success. It is time I continue that journey to build a healthier community as I plan to pursue my final goal of becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner.

My path in life has had many twists and turns. Switching careers, divorce, remarriage, moving, children, and so much more. The youngest in my family, I was the first of my siblings to obtain a college degree. However, at 18 I do not think I was ready to truly know what or who I wanted to be. I married young and began my career journey working in Human Services. I followed the path we tell ourselves we are supposed to follow. You graduate, get married, start a career and family, the end. After a brief period, I realized that my life was on the course I thought I had to take, not the one I genuinely wanted. I was not feeling fulfilled or happy in my career or personal life. So, I reevaluated and jumped into my own journey. Medicine had always fascinated me, and I began to investigate local nursing programs. The human body is such a complex machine and healthcare itself can be complex to navigate. After three years of working and going to school I became a Registered Nurse. My first job was in a Critical Care Unit. I had been working full time midnights on the unit while going to Nursing School. Caring for people and their families in their last moments. Feeling that pain alongside them. Working tirelessly through the complexity of each patient's case. From there I moved into surgery. Each day bringing its variety of needs from me as a caretaker, advocate, and resource to others. My plan was to gain knowledge it a variety of specialties to propel me to my final goal. Then I got the news I never expected, I was pregnant. Something I was told would never happen for me. My journey shifted yet again. Years later I am now here in this moment with amazing children and someone who truly supports me. Yet, I find that my biggest challenge over time has always been following my own advice. I tell my daughters that any goal is possible, that they can do or be anything. However, I have been holding my own self back these past years. Same as I did so long ago. I use the excuse of it not being a suitable time for our family. I use the excuse of being too old and that too much time has passed. These excuses are crutches to the bigger issue, fear. In the past year I have accepted the fact that I can no longer let my fear of failure, or any other fear continue to dictate my success. Years ago, I jumped in and made changes in my life to build a new future. It is time I continue that journey. This scholarship will positively impact my career and help me to build a healthier community as I plan to pursue my final goal of becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner. Our community and so many other communities now more than ever need to become healthier and stronger. We need to build a healthy community and have the health care resources available so that we may continue to grow and thrive together and in the future. We must take an active role in not just advocating but in caring for those around us, including ourselves. This will shape our community, family, and ourselves. I am excited to show my daughters, my family and myself what I am truly capable of doing.

My path in life has had many twists and turns. Switching careers, divorce, remarriage, moving, children, and so much more. The youngest in my family, I was the first of my siblings to obtain a college degree. However, at 18 I do not think I was ready to truly know what or who I wanted to be. I married young and began my career journey working in Human Services. I followed the path we tell ourselves we are supposed to follow. You graduate, get married, start a career and family, the end. After a brief period, I realized that my life was on the course I thought I had to take, not the one I genuinely wanted. I was not feeling fulfilled or happy in my career or personal life. So, I reevaluated and jumped into my own journey. Medicine had always fascinated me, and I began to investigate local nursing programs. The human body is such a complex machine and healthcare itself can be complex to navigate. After three years of working and going to school I became a Registered Nurse. My first job was in a Critical Care Unit. I had been working full time midnights on the unit while going to Nursing School. Caring for people and their families in their last moments. Feeling that pain alongside them. Working tirelessly through the complexity of each patient's case. From there I moved into surgery. Each day bringing its variety of needs from me as a caretaker, advocate, and resource to others. My plan was to gain knowledge it a variety of specialties to propel me to my final goal. Then I got the news I never expected, I was pregnant. Something I was told would never happen for me. My journey shifted yet again. Years later I am now here in this moment with amazing children and someone who truly supports me. Yet, I find that my biggest challenge over time has always been following my own advice. I tell my daughters that any goal is possible, that they can do or be anything. However, I have been holding my own self back these past years. Same as I did so long ago. I use the excuse of it not being a suitable time for our family. I use the excuse of being too old and that too much time has passed. These excuses are crutches to the bigger issue, fear. In the past year I have accepted the fact that I can no longer let my fear of failure, or any other fear continue to dictate my success. Years ago, I jumped in and made changes in my life to build a new future. It is time I continue that journey. This scholarship will positively impact my career and help me to build a healthier community as I plan to pursue my final goal of becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner. Our community and so many other communities now more than ever need to become healthier and stronger. We need to build a healthy community and have the health care resources available so that we may continue to grow and thrive together and in the future. We must take an active role in not just advocating but in caring for those around us, including ourselves. This will shape our community, family, and ourselves. It is time I show my daughters, my family and myself what I am truly capable of doing.

My path in life has had many twists and turns. Switching careers, divorce, remarriage, moving, children, and so much more. The youngest in my family, I was the first of my siblings to obtain a college degree. However, at 18 I do not think I was ready to truly know what or who I wanted to be. I married young and began my career journey working in Human Services. I followed the path we tell ourselves we are supposed to follow. You graduate, get married, start a career and family, the end. After a brief period, I realized that my life was on the course I thought I had to take, not the one I genuinely wanted. I was not feeling fulfilled or happy in my career or personal life. So, I reevaluated and jumped into my own journey. Medicine had always fascinated me, and I began to investigate local nursing programs. The human body is such a complex machine and healthcare itself can be complex to navigate. After three years of working and going to school I became a Registered Nurse. My first job was in a Critical Care Unit. I had been working full time midnights on the unit while going to Nursing School. Caring for people and their families in their last moments. Feeling that pain alongside them. Working tirelessly through the complexity of each patient's case. From there I moved into surgery. Each day bringing its variety of needs from me as a caretaker, advocate, and resource to others. My plan was to gain knowledge it a variety of specialties to propel me to my final goal. Then I got the news I never expected, I was pregnant. Something I was told would never happen for me. My journey shifted yet again. Years later I am now here in this moment with amazing children and someone who truly supports me. Yet, I find that my biggest challenge over time has always been following my own advice. I tell my daughters that any goal is possible, that they can do or be anything. However, I have been holding my own self back these past years. Same as I did so long ago. I use the excuse of it not being a suitable time for our family. I use the excuse of being too old and that too much time has passed. These excuses are crutches to the bigger issue, fear. In the past year I have accepted the fact that I can no longer let my fear of failure, or any other fear continue to dictate my success. Years ago, I jumped in and made changes in my life to build a new future. It is time I continue that journey. This scholarship will positively impact my career and help me to build a healthier community as I plan to pursue my final goal of becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner. Our community and so many other communities now more than ever need to become healthier and stronger. We need to build a healthy community and have the health care resources available so that we may continue to grow and thrive together and in the future. We must take an active role in not just advocating but in caring for those around us, including ourselves. This will shape our community, family, and ourselves.

My path in life has had many twists and turns. Switching careers, divorce, remarriage, moving, children, and so much more. The youngest in my family, I was the first of my siblings to obtain a college degree. However, at 18 I do not think I was ready to truly know what or who I wanted to be. I married young and began my career journey working in Human Services. I followed the path we tell ourselves we are supposed to follow. You graduate, get married, family and maybe a career, the end. I feel this expectation is still prevalent in areas today for women and it holds us back. After a brief period, I realized that my life was on the course I thought I had to take, not the one I genuinely wanted. Medicine had always fascinated me, and I began to investigate local nursing programs. The human body is such a complex machine and healthcare itself can be complex to navigate. After three years of working and going to school I became a Registered Nurse. My first job was in a Critical Care Unit. I had been working full time midnights on the unit while going to Nursing School. Caring for people and their families in their last moments. Feeling that pain alongside them. Working tirelessly through the complexity of each patient's case. From there I moved into surgery. Each day bringing its variety of needs from me as a caretaker, advocate, and resource to others. My plan was to gain knowledge it a variety of specialties to propel me to my final goal. Then I got the news I never expected, I was pregnant. Something I was told would never happen for me. My journey shifted yet again. Years later I am now here in this moment with amazing children and someone by my side who truly supports me. Yet, I find that my biggest challenge over time has always been following my own advice. I tell my daughters that any goal is possible, that they can do or be anything. However, I have been holding my own self back these past years. Same as I did so long ago. I use the excuse of it not being a suitable time for our family. I use the excuse of being too old and that too much time has passed. These excuses are crutches to the bigger issue, fear. In the past year I have accepted the fact that I can no longer let my fear of failure, or any social fears continue to dictate my success. Years ago, I jumped in and made changes in my life to build a new future. It is time I continue that journey. This scholarship will positively impact my career and help me to build a healthier community as I plan to pursue my final goal of becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner. It is so easy for a woman to fall into the role of caring for everyone else, but themselves. We must take an active role in not just advocating but in caring for those around us, including ourselves. This will shape our community, family, and ourselves. We need to continue to grow, strive, and be bold. This will continue to break those old expectations and limitations we allow to be put onto us. Now, it is time I show my daughters, my family and myself what I am truly capable of doing.

Like many women I struggled to conceive and the road to motherhood had many highs and lows. I never gave up and now have two beautiful daughters. The struggles to bring them into this world were just the beginning. Motherhood is rewarding, hard, and a wild adventure in success and personal failures. Like many other mothers I have often pushed some of my own goals to the side in order to support my family. My biggest challenge as a mother is following my own advise. I tell my daughters that any goal is possible, that they can do or be anything. However, I am holding my own self back. It is time I show my daughters that those words are true. This scholarship will positively impact my career and help me to pursue my goal of becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner.

My career and path in life has had many twists and turns. Switching careers, divorce, remarriage, moving, children, and so much more. Like many others before me I had always pushed to help my family grow and thrive. In that pursuit we can often push our own goals aside. The individual who is impacting my education journey is my husband. He is the director of a program at our local community college. He helps young individuals pursue their dreams. He has encouraged me to start pursuing mine. That he, along with the rest of my family, are here for me and it is time I stop pushing those career goals aside. After this past year and my husbands constant encouragement I know it is time for me to pursue becoming a Nurse Practitioner and building a healthier community. It is time I show my daughters and myself what I am truly capable of doing.

In the pursuit of helping my community and expanding my career I have begun to see the mounting costs that can sometimes be hard to initially estimate. These include books, my institutional fee per semester, and the upcoming cost of clinicals. I am determined to succeed, but even with that determination I do find myself worrying about the mounting costs I will obtain over the next three years. Scholarships help ease that anxiety and allow individuals to focus more on their continued success. My future success would involve obtaining a Masters in Nursing and certification as a Nurse Practitioner . This success will give me the opportunity to give back and build a healthier community. I find this to be a vital need after this past year.

"Development must be by people, not only for them. People must participate fully in the decisions and processes that shape their lives." - Aung San Suu Kyi If we sit back and wait for all the change we want or see that our community needs it may never happen. We must take an active role in not just advocating but in caring for those around us, including ourselves. This will shape our community , family, and ourselves. We make the decision to comply or to stand, to serve or to ignore, to spread hurt or kindness.