My plan for the future is to become a registered nurse and continue serving the rural community that has been home to me. My path to nursing has not been a traditional or quick one, but every step has helped me become more certain about where I am meant to be. I became a Certified Nursing Assistant in 2012 and have spent over 10 years working in long-term care. Caring for people during some of their most vulnerable moments showed me how much of a difference one healthcare worker can make. Over time, I wanted to do more than provide basic care. I wanted to understand what was happening medically, recognize changes in my patients, educate them and their families, and have the skills to intervene when someone needed me. Going to college and pursuing nursing has allowed me to turn that desire into a future. As a first-generation college student, earning a degree means more to me than simply advancing my career. My father did not attend college, and my mother did not earn a bachelor's degree. Continuing my education has required me to navigate a path that was unfamiliar to my family while learning along the way what it takes to succeed in college. In May 2026, I completed my LPN program, one of the accomplishments I am most proud of. Instead of stopping there, I continued directly into an RN program. I now work PRN on a Med-Surg unit at a rural hospital while attending nursing school full-time. My long-term goal is to earn my RN and continue growing within nursing so I can provide knowledgeable, compassionate care to patients in rural communities. One of the biggest challenges of nursing school is balancing the demands of classes and clinicals with the need to work. Because of my school schedule, I am only able to work limited PRN hours. Receiving this scholarship would help with educational expenses such as tuition, textbooks, nursing supplies, and transportation to clinical sites. Even a smaller financial burden removed is time I do not have to spend worrying about how to fit another work shift around studying or clinicals. I also want my education to benefit more than just me. Rural communities need nurses who understand their patients, value their neighbors, and are committed to providing quality care close to home. I want to be a nurse who patients trust, who takes the time to educate them, and who advocates for them when they need a voice. I started my healthcare career as a CNA, became an LPN, and am now working toward becoming an RN. Each step represents something I once had not yet accomplished but decided was worth working for. This scholarship would help me take another step toward completing my education and building a career dedicated to caring for others.

**Selected Passage — John 15:12–13 (KJV)** “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” The underlying meaning of John 15:12–13 is that genuine love is not simply something a person feels; it is something a person chooses to demonstrate through action, sacrifice, and service to others. Jesus does not describe love as optional or dependent on convenience. He calls it a commandment and then gives His own love as the standard. In doing so, the passage challenges the reader to understand love not by what it receives, but by what it is willing to give. The first words, “This is my commandment,” are significant. A commandment is stronger than a suggestion or encouragement. Jesus is not telling His followers to love others only when they feel like doing so or when the other person has earned it. He places responsibility on the person giving the love. This distinction changes the meaning of love from an emotion into a decision. Feelings can change depending on circumstances, but a commandment remains. The passage therefore asks something difficult of the reader: to choose love even when doing so requires patience, forgiveness, inconvenience, or sacrifice. The phrase “as I have loved you” makes that command even more challenging. Jesus does not allow each person to create his or her own definition of sufficient love. He gives a standard: His own example. Throughout His ministry, Jesus repeatedly gave His time and attention to people whom others ignored, judged, or rejected. His love was demonstrated through service rather than status. Therefore, loving “as I have loved you” requires more than being kind to people who are already easy to love. It requires recognizing the worth of others and being willing to serve them. The next verse takes the idea further: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” The most direct meaning points toward the ultimate sacrifice of giving one's life for another. Within the larger message of the Gospel, it also points toward what Jesus Himself was preparing to do. However, I believe the verse also forces the reader to consider what it means to “lay down” one's life before reaching the point of physical death. A person's life is made up of more than years. It is made up of time, attention, comfort, plans, abilities, and opportunities. In that sense, we are given smaller opportunities to lay down pieces of our lives for others every day. We do it when we give our time to someone who needs us, put another person's needs ahead of our convenience, sit beside someone who is hurting, or use our abilities to help someone who cannot help themselves. These actions may never receive recognition, yet they reflect the sacrificial love described in the passage. This interpretation has particular meaning to me because I have spent over ten years caring for people in long-term care and am now pursuing a career in nursing. Healthcare has shown me that service is often found in ordinary moments. A person does not always need someone to perform an extraordinary act. Sometimes a frightened patient needs someone to listen. An elderly resident needs someone to slow down instead of rushing out of the room. A family needs someone to explain what is happening. A classmate needs help understanding something or simply needs a ride to clinical. None of these actions requires a person to literally give up his or her life, but each requires giving something of oneself. The passage also challenges the idea that sacrifice must be dramatic to be meaningful. If love is measured only by enormous acts, most people would have few opportunities to demonstrate it. Instead, the command to “love one another” is something that can shape ordinary decisions. A life characterized by sacrificial love is created through repeated choices to notice others and respond to their needs. There is also an important relationship between the two verses. Verse 12 gives the command, while verse 13 reveals the extent to which that command can reach. Together, they show that love has a cost. Love that requires nothing from us is easy. The greater test comes when caring for another person requires our time, energy, comfort, or plans. Sacrifice gives love weight because it demonstrates that another person's well-being matters enough for us to give something of ourselves. As I continue my education and work toward becoming a registered nurse, these verses remind me of the kind of person I want to become, not simply the career I want to have. A degree can give me knowledge, and a license can give me the authority to practice nursing, but neither automatically makes someone compassionate. That requires a daily choice. Ultimately, John 15:12–13 presents love as both a responsibility and an action. Jesus' words challenge the reader to move beyond saying that we care about others and instead ask what our choices demonstrate. To love another person is to recognize that their life has value and to be willing to give something of ourselves for their good. Most of us may never be asked to literally lay down our lives for another person, but we are continually given opportunities to lay down our time, comfort, attention, and abilities. In those ordinary sacrifices, the command to “love one another” becomes something we do rather than simply something we believe.

When I think about what I want to build, I do not picture something physical. I picture a career, a reputation, and a life centered around being someone others can depend on. I want to build a future in nursing that allows me to care for the people in the rural community I call home. I started building that future long before I realized it. I became a Certified Nursing Assistant in 2012 and have spent over 10 years working in long-term care. Those years gave me the foundation for the nurse I hope to become. They taught me patience, compassion, responsibility, and that some of the most important parts of healthcare cannot be measured on a chart. Sitting with someone who is afraid, noticing a small change in a patient's condition, or taking time to listen can have a lasting impact. Eventually, I realized I wanted to build on that foundation. I wanted more knowledge and a greater ability to help the people in my care. I returned to school, completed my LPN program in May 2026, and continued directly into an RN program. I now work PRN on a Med-Surg unit at a rural hospital while completing my education. Each step has added another piece to the future I am working toward. What I am building is not only for myself. Rural communities need healthcare professionals who understand the people they serve and are committed to staying and caring for their neighbors. I want to become a registered nurse who patients trust and families feel comfortable turning to during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. I want to educate patients so they understand their health, advocate for those who may struggle to advocate for themselves, and provide the same quality of compassionate care I would want for my own family. I also want my journey to show others that there is no single timeline for building a successful future. I did not become a nurse overnight. I started as a CNA, spent years gaining experience, became an LPN, and am now working toward my RN. Every stage has mattered. I am still building my future, one class, clinical, patient, and experience at a time. Eventually, I hope to look back and see more than a nursing degree. I hope to see a career that made people feel cared for, a community that benefited from my decision to serve it, and a life built around making a difference wherever I could.

When I think about serving my community, I do not think of one big accomplishment. I think about showing up wherever I am needed. Whether that means volunteering through my church, helping at a community flu shot clinic, studying with a classmate, or simply making sure someone has a ride to clinicals, I believe strong communities are built when people are willing to help each other. My church is an important part of my life, and I try to help wherever I am needed. One of the most meaningful ways I have served through my church has been visiting local nursing homes to sing and pray with the residents. Having worked in long-term care for over 10 years, I understand how much a simple visit can mean to someone living in a nursing facility. Some residents have limited visitors or may feel forgotten. Spending time with them, singing together, praying with them, and letting them know someone cares may seem like a small act, but I have seen how much those moments can brighten someone's day. My nursing education has also given me opportunities to serve my community in a different way. Through the Student Nurse Association, I have volunteered at flu shot clinics. These clinics allow me to use what I am learning in school while helping protect people in my community. I enjoy being able to combine my education with service because it reminds me that the knowledge and skills I am gaining are ultimately meant to be used to help others. Community also exists within my nursing program. Nursing school is challenging, and I know how overwhelming it can feel when someone does not understand a concept or is struggling to keep up. I regularly study with my classmates and help when someone needs additional explanation or practice. I also drive classmates to clinicals with me when they need transportation. These may not be activities that come with volunteer hours or recognition, but I believe they still matter. Sometimes helping someone simply means making sure they do not have to face something alone. My commitment to serving others is also reflected in the career I have chosen. I became a CNA in 2012, completed my LPN program in May 2026, and am now continuing my education in an RN program while working PRN on a Med-Surg unit at a rural hospital. I have spent over a decade caring for people in my community, and nursing has shown me that helping someone is not always about solving a major problem. Sometimes it is listening, offering reassurance, providing education, or noticing that someone needs a little extra support. I hope to continue building my life around service as I become a registered nurse. Rural communities depend on people who are willing to care for their neighbors, support local organizations, and step in when someone needs help. I may not change my entire community through one grand gesture, but I can make a difference one person at a time. To me, that is what community is: people showing up for one another. I intend to keep showing up.

I did not choose nursing because of one single moment. My desire to become a nurse developed over years of caring for people, building relationships with patients, and realizing how much of a difference one compassionate healthcare worker can make in someone's life. I became a Certified Nursing Assistant in 2012 and have spent over 10 years working in long-term care. The people I cared for ended up teaching me just as much as I helped them. I learned that good healthcare is about much more than completing tasks. It is noticing when something is not right, listening when someone is afraid, advocating for someone who cannot advocate for themselves, and treating every patient with the dignity you would want for someone you love. As my experience grew, so did my desire to learn. I did not want to only recognize that something was wrong; I wanted to understand why it was happening and what I could do to help. That desire eventually pushed me to take the next step and pursue nursing. My motivation became even more personal in 2023 when my father unexpectedly suffered a heart attack. My husband and I performed CPR and tried to save him, but he did not survive. Being on the other side of a medical emergency changed my perspective forever. I understood what it felt like to be the family member whose entire world had changed in minutes. It strengthened my desire to become a nurse who can remain calm in an emergency while never forgetting the frightened family standing nearby. I later lost my grandmother after watching her battle dementia. Because I had spent years caring for older adults, watching someone I loved experience cognitive decline reinforced something I had already learned through my patients: every diagnosis affects an entire family. In May 2026, I completed my LPN program. Rather than stopping there, I continued directly into an RN program and now work PRN on a Med-Surg unit at a rural hospital. Each step has allowed me to see healthcare from a different perspective and has made me more certain that this is where I belong. I plan to make a difference by serving patients in rural healthcare, where access to resources and specialized care can be limited. I want to be a nurse who notices the small changes, advocates when something does not seem right, educates patients in a way they can understand, and makes people feel like they matter. I cannot change every outcome, and my own experiences have taught me that sometimes even doing everything possible does not result in the ending we desperately want. What I can control is how I care for the person in front of me. I can provide knowledge, skill, compassion, and reassurance during moments when patients and families need them most. My journey from CNA to LPN and now RN student has been driven by one goal: becoming more capable of helping others. As I continue my education, I hope to become the kind of nurse I would want beside my own family during their best and worst days.

To me, selflessness does not always mean doing something extraordinary. Often, it means noticing when someone needs you and choosing to be there, even when it is inconvenient or when no one else will ever know what you did. I have spent most of my adult life caring for others, and those experiences have taught me that some of the smallest acts of kindness can make the biggest difference. I became a Certified Nursing Assistant in 2012 and spent ten years working in long-term care. While caring for someone was technically my job, the relationships I built went far beyond completing a list of assigned tasks. For many residents, the people caring for them become an important part of their lives. Sometimes helping meant providing physical care, but other times it meant sitting with someone who was lonely, listening to the same story again because it mattered to them, comforting someone who was scared, or simply taking a few extra minutes to make sure they felt heard. Those moments helped shape the person and future nurse I am today. Helping others has also required perseverance. My own life has included difficult seasons. In 2023, I unexpectedly lost my father to a heart attack after my husband and I attempted CPR to save him. I later lost my grandmother after watching her battle dementia. Experiencing grief personally gave me an even deeper understanding of what patients and families may be going through. I know what it feels like to have your life change in a matter of minutes, and I know how much compassion matters when someone is facing one of the worst days of their life. Rather than allowing those experiences to stop me, I continued pursuing nursing. I completed my LPN program in May 2026 and am now continuing my education in an RN program while working PRN on a Med-Surg unit at a rural hospital. Nursing school requires sacrifices, and my ability to work is limited because of the demands of school and clinicals. Still, I continue because I know the education I am receiving will allow me to help people in ways I could not before. My faith has also taught me the importance of serving others without expecting recognition in return. I believe we are given opportunities to make a difference in people's lives through the way we treat them, especially when they are vulnerable, afraid, or struggling. I may not always be able to solve someone's problem, but I can listen, show compassion, advocate for them, and make sure they know they are not facing it alone. My goal is to become a registered nurse and continue serving my rural community. I want to be a nurse who remembers that the person in the hospital bed is more than a diagnosis or room number. They are someone's parent, spouse, grandparent, child, or best friend. For me, selflessness is choosing to show up for people. It is giving your time, compassion, patience, and abilities when someone needs them. Nursing has given me the opportunity to turn that belief into a career, and I hope to spend my life continuing to learn, serve, and make the lives of those around me a little better.

For most of my adult life, caring for others has been a part of who I am. I became a Certified Nursing Assistant in 2012 and spent years caring for residents in long-term care. I loved being able to help people, but over time, I realized I wanted to do more. I wanted the knowledge and skills to understand what was happening with my patients, advocate for them, and be able to step in when they needed me most. That desire eventually led me back to school to become a nurse. My journey through nursing school has not been easy. In 2023, I unexpectedly lost my father to a heart attack. My husband and I performed CPR and did everything we could to save him, but he did not survive. Experiencing an emergency like that with someone I loved changed me. Instead of pushing me away from healthcare, it strengthened my desire to learn more and become the person who can provide skilled, compassionate care when someone's life changes in an instant. Not long afterward, I experienced another difficult loss when my grandmother passed away after battling dementia. Having spent so many years caring for older adults, watching someone in my own family go through dementia affected me differently. It reminded me that behind every diagnosis is a person and a family who may be scared, grieving, or simply trying to understand what comes next. There have been times when balancing grief, nursing school, work, clinicals, and my responsibilities at home has felt overwhelming. I have had to learn that determination does not mean everything comes easily. Sometimes it means showing up to class when life is heavy, studying when you are exhausted, accepting that you did not do as well as you hoped on an exam, and then figuring out what you need to change before the next one. In May 2026, that persistence paid off when I completed my LPN program. Instead of stopping there, I chose to continue directly into an RN program. I now work PRN on a Med-Surg unit at a rural hospital while continuing school. My ability to work is limited because of the demands of the program, but every shift gives me another opportunity to learn and reminds me why the sacrifices I am making are worth it. My love of learning has grown alongside my love of helping people. Nursing has taught me that learning does not end when you pass an exam or earn a license. Every patient has something different to teach you, and every new skill gives you another way to help someone. My goal is to become a registered nurse and continue serving my rural community. I want to provide the kind of care that makes patients feel safe, heard, and respected, while also being someone their families can depend on during difficult moments. Eventually, I hope to continue growing in nursing and use everything I have learned from my education, my patients, and my own experiences with loss to make a difference. My path has included challenges I never would have chosen, but they have strengthened my determination to finish what I started. From CNA to LPN and now RN student, I have continued moving forward because I know what I am working toward: becoming the best nurse I can be for the people who will one day depend on me.

When most people think about nursing, they often picture medications, procedures, and emergency situations. While those responsibilities are incredibly important, I have learned throughout my healthcare experience that prevention and education can be just as powerful. Good nutrition plays a major role in preventing disease, supporting recovery, and improving a person's overall quality of life. As I continue my nursing career, I hope to help patients understand how everyday choices can have a lasting impact on their health. I have worked as a CNA in long-term care since 2012 and recently graduated from my LPN program. I will continue my education to become a registered nurse with the goal of working in the emergency department. Although emergency nurses often care for patients during acute illnesses or injuries, many of those visits are related to chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity. These are conditions where nutrition and healthy lifestyle habits can make a significant difference. One of the most important roles of a nurse is patient education. Medical treatment does not end when a patient leaves the hospital. Patients need to understand how to care for themselves at home, including how their food choices, activity level, medications, and follow-up care all work together to improve their health. I want to explain information in a way that patients and families can understand so they feel confident making healthier choices rather than overwhelmed by medical terminology. I also believe healthier eating has to be realistic. Every family has different financial situations, schedules, and access to healthy foods. Instead of expecting perfection, I want to encourage small, achievable changes that patients can maintain over time. Whether that means choosing water instead of sugary drinks, adding more fruits and vegetables to meals, reducing sodium intake, or learning how nutrition affects blood sugar and heart health, small improvements can lead to meaningful long-term results. Compassion is just as important as education. Healthy habits are not always easy to develop, especially for patients managing chronic illnesses or limited resources. Rather than making patients feel guilty about their choices, I want to meet them where they are, listen to their concerns, and encourage progress one step at a time. Building trust helps patients feel supported and increases the likelihood that they will continue making positive changes after leaving the healthcare setting. My goal as a nurse is not only to care for patients when they are sick but also to help prevent future health problems whenever possible. By combining evidence-based education, encouragement, and compassionate care, I hope to empower patients to make healthier decisions that improve both their nutrition and their overall well-being. If I can help even one patient better understand how simple lifestyle changes can improve their health, then I know I will have made a lasting difference beyond the hospital walls.

Continuing my education has always been about becoming the best nurse I can be. After working as a CNA in long-term care since 2012, I knew I wanted to expand my knowledge and take on a greater role in caring for patients. That desire led me to pursue my LPN, and after recently graduating, I am continuing my education to become a registered nurse. My journey will not stop there. I also hope to earn my BSN because I believe learning is a lifelong responsibility in nursing. Working as a CNA gave me a front-row seat to the impact nurses have on their patients every day. I watched nurses provide skilled medical care while also comforting families, advocating for patients, educating caregivers, and helping people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Their compassion, knowledge, and leadership inspired me to pursue nursing for myself. Returning to school while balancing work, family responsibilities, and everyday life has not always been easy. There have been long nights studying after work, early mornings before class, and moments when I questioned whether I could keep up with everything. Those challenges have strengthened my determination rather than discouraged me. Every obstacle has reminded me how much this career means to me and why I continue pushing forward. My long-term goal is to become a registered nurse working in the emergency department. I am drawn to emergency nursing because every shift presents new challenges and opportunities to make a difference. Emergency nurses care for people during some of the most unexpected and frightening moments of their lives. I want to be the nurse who remains calm under pressure, thinks critically, and provides compassionate care while helping patients and their loved ones feel supported. Although technical skills and medical knowledge are essential, I believe the qualities that make an exceptional nurse cannot always be measured. Listening carefully, showing empathy, respecting every patient's dignity, and treating each person as an individual are just as important as performing procedures or administering medications. Those are the qualities I strive to demonstrate every day, and they are the qualities I hope patients remember long after they leave my care. As healthcare continues to evolve, I know there will always be new treatments, technologies, and evidence-based practices to learn. That is one of the reasons I am committed to continuing my education throughout my career. I never want to stop growing as a nurse or improving the care I provide. My goal is simple: to combine strong clinical knowledge with genuine compassion so every patient feels heard, respected, and cared for. By continuing my education and challenging myself to grow professionally, I hope to honor the trust my future patients place in me and make a positive impact on every life I have the privilege to touch.

I chose nursing because I wanted a career where I could make a meaningful difference in someone's life every day. Working as a CNA since 2012 has shown me that healthcare is about much more than medications and procedures. It is about compassion, advocacy, and helping people feel safe during some of the most difficult moments they will ever experience. Those experiences inspired me to continue my education, and I recently graduated from my LPN program. I will continue working toward my RN because I want to expand my knowledge, strengthen my clinical skills, and provide an even higher level of care to my patients. My long-term goal is to become an emergency department nurse. Emergency nursing appeals to me because every day is different, and nurses have the opportunity to care for patients with a wide variety of medical conditions. While emergency nurses treat trauma and unexpected illnesses, they also care for many patients experiencing complications from chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and other long-term health conditions. These patients often arrive frightened and vulnerable, and I want to be someone who can provide not only excellent medical care but also reassurance and compassion. During my nursing education and clinical experiences, I have cared for patients living with chronic illnesses and have seen how these conditions affect every aspect of their lives. I have also cared for patients with ostomies and witnessed the physical and emotional adjustments that come with learning to live with one. Experiences like these have taught me that patient education, encouragement, and empathy are just as important as the medical treatment itself. Helping patients understand their condition and feel confident managing their care can improve both their health and their quality of life. As I continue my nursing career, I hope to pursue additional education and certifications related to emergency nursing and the management of complex medical conditions. Although I do not currently have specialized training in stoma care, I would welcome opportunities to learn more about caring for patients with ostomies so I can provide the highest quality care possible whenever those patients come through the emergency department. No matter where my career takes me, I want every patient to feel respected, heard, and cared for. Whether I am treating someone with a diabetic emergency, chest pain, complications from a chronic illness, or concerns related to an ostomy, I want to combine strong clinical knowledge with genuine compassion. My goal is to be the kind of nurse who helps patients through some of their most difficult moments while making a positive difference in their lives.

My journey into healthcare didn't begin in a classroom. It began years ago when I started working as a CNA in long-term care. Since 2012, I have had the privilege of caring for residents through both joyful and difficult moments. Those experiences taught me that the greatest impact you can have on someone's life often comes from showing compassion, patience, and kindness when they need it most. I recently graduated from my LPN program and will be continuing my education to become a registered nurse. As someone from a low-income background, earning my nursing degree has required determination, sacrifice, and many late nights balancing school, work, and family responsibilities. There were times when the financial stress and workload felt overwhelming, but I never lost sight of my goal. Every challenge reminded me why I chose this path in the first place. Healthcare has shown me that every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their circumstances. Some of the patients I have cared for have had supportive families by their side, while others had very few visitors. I learned that something as simple as taking a few extra minutes to listen, explain, or offer reassurance can make a meaningful difference in someone's day. Those moments have shaped the kind of nurse I want to become. My long-term goal is to work as a registered nurse in the emergency department. Emergency nurses care for people during some of the most stressful and frightening moments of their lives. I want to be the nurse who stays calm under pressure, thinks critically, and provides compassionate care while helping patients and their families feel supported. I know I won't be able to solve every problem, but I hope every patient I care for feels respected, heard, and genuinely cared about. Beyond my career, I want to make a positive impact by encouraging others who may feel that higher education is out of reach. My own journey has shown me that success is not always a straight path. It takes perseverance, hard work, and the willingness to keep moving forward even when life becomes difficult. I hope my story encourages others to believe they are capable of reaching their goals, regardless of the obstacles they face. To me, helping the world doesn't always mean making headlines or changing millions of lives. Sometimes it means comforting a scared patient, advocating for someone who cannot speak for themselves, or offering hope to a family during a difficult time. Those small moments of compassion can leave a lasting impact. My goal is to spend my career serving others with integrity, empathy, and respect. If I can make even one person's hardest day a little easier through the care I provide, then I know I will have made a meaningful difference in the world.

Looking back, I don't think I chose nursing overnight. It was something I grew into with every patient I cared for and every lesson I learned along the way. I have worked as a CNA in long-term care since 2012. What started as a job quickly became something much more meaningful. Over the years, I have cared for residents during birthdays, holidays, recoveries, and some of the hardest moments of their lives. I learned that the little things often mean the most. Taking time to listen to a story, helping someone feel comfortable, or simply sitting beside a patient who was scared reminded me that compassion can be just as important as any medication or treatment. Watching the nurses I worked alongside inspired me to continue my education. I admired how they combined knowledge, critical thinking, and compassion to care for their patients. They weren't only treating illnesses, they were educating families, advocating for patients, making difficult decisions, and providing reassurance during uncertain moments. I realized I wanted to take on that role and have the ability to make an even greater impact. That dream led me back to school. I recently graduated from my LPN program and will continue my education to become a registered nurse. It has not always been easy balancing school, work, family, and everyday responsibilities, but every challenge has reminded me why this career is worth pursuing. The sacrifices I have made today are investments in the nurse I hope to become tomorrow. My long-term goal is to work in the emergency department. I know patients don't walk through those doors because they are having a good day. They arrive frightened, in pain, and often facing the unexpected. During those moments, I want to be the nurse who remains calm, thinks critically, and provides compassionate care while helping patients and their families feel supported. I believe that how you treat someone during one of the worst days of their life is something they never forget. Nursing is much more than a career to me. It is an opportunity to advocate for people when they are most vulnerable, to continue learning every day, and to make a meaningful difference one patient at a time. My years as a CNA taught me the importance of empathy, patience, and respect, and nursing will allow me to build on that foundation while expanding the ways I can care for others. I hope to make every patient feel valued, listened to, and cared for, regardless of their background or circumstances. If patients and families leave knowing someone genuinely cared about them as a person, not just as another room number or diagnosis, then I will know I have become the kind of nurse I always hoped to be. I found out about this scholarship through Bold.org.

When people ask why I chose healthcare, the answer isn't just that I wanted to help people. It was the relationships I built while working as a CNA that showed me I had found where I belonged. I have worked as a CNA in long-term care since 2012, and those years have shaped me in more ways than I ever expected. I've celebrated recoveries, comforted families through heartbreaking losses, and cared for residents who simply needed someone to sit with them and listen. Those experiences taught me that healthcare isn't only about treating illness. It's about treating people with dignity, compassion, and respect, no matter their age or diagnosis. Working as a CNA inspired me to continue my education because I wanted to do more for my patients. I recently graduated from my LPN program and will continue my education to become a registered nurse. Every step has required sacrifice, balancing school, work, family, and the challenges that come with everyday life. There were times when I questioned if I could keep going, but every patient I cared for reminded me why I started this journey. My long-term goal is to become an emergency department nurse. The emergency room is where people arrive during some of the most frightening moments of their lives. Patients and families are often scared, overwhelmed, and unsure of what will happen next. I want to be the nurse who stays calm under pressure, provides excellent care, and treats every patient with kindness and respect. I know I cannot fix every situation, but I believe every person deserves to feel heard, valued, and cared for. One lesson healthcare has taught me is that small moments matter. Taking a few extra minutes to explain a procedure, holding someone's hand when they are afraid, or simply listening to a patient's concerns can have a lasting impact. Those moments often stay with people long after they leave the hospital. I want to be remembered not just for my clinical skills but for the compassion I showed to every patient I met. I also hope to encourage others who may think higher education is out of reach. As someone who has worked hard to continue my education while balancing many responsibilities, I understand that success doesn't always follow a straight path. With determination, support, and perseverance, goals that once seemed impossible can become reality. Healthcare gives me the opportunity to make a difference every single day. Whether I am comforting a frightened patient, advocating for someone who cannot speak for themselves, or helping a family understand what comes next, I know those moments matter. My goal is to continue growing as a nurse while providing compassionate, high-quality care to every patient I have the privilege of serving. That is the difference I hope to make throughout my career.

If you had asked me several years ago where I saw myself, I never would have imagined the path that led me here. I have worked as a CNA in long-term care since 2012, caring for residents through some of the happiest and hardest moments of their lives. Those years taught me that healthcare is about so much more than medications and procedures. It is about treating every person with kindness, dignity, and compassion. I recently graduated from my LPN program and will be continuing my education to become a registered nurse. As a first-generation college student, earning my degree has taken determination, sacrifice, and countless late nights. There were many days I questioned whether I could balance school, work, family responsibilities, and everything else life brought my way. Thankfully, I had people who believed in me and reminded me why I started. Every challenge has made me more determined to keep moving forward. My goal is to eventually work as a registered nurse in the emergency department. I know emergency nurses often meet people on the worst day of their lives. Patients come in scared, hurting, and uncertain about what comes next. I want to be the kind of nurse who not only provides excellent medical care but also helps patients feel heard, respected, and cared for. Sometimes a few reassuring words or taking an extra minute to listen can make just as much of a difference as the medical treatment itself. Working in long-term care has shown me how important it is to advocate for patients who may not always be able to speak for themselves. Whether someone is elderly, has a disability, is experiencing a medical emergency, or simply feels overwhelmed, they deserve someone who will treat them with the same compassion they would want for their own family. That belief is something I will carry with me throughout my nursing career. Outside of school and work, I enjoy giving back to my community whenever I can. Whether it is helping friends and family, volunteering through my church, or simply being someone people know they can count on, I believe positive change often begins with small acts of kindness. Those moments may seem simple, but they have the power to make someone feel valued and supported. Receiving this scholarship would allow me to continue pursuing my education while easing some of the financial burden that comes with nursing school. More importantly, it would serve as encouragement to continue working toward the career I have dreamed about for years. I hope to make a positive impact by caring for every patient with empathy, respect, and professionalism, regardless of their background or circumstances. I want people to remember not only the care I provided but also how I made them feel during one of the most difficult moments of their lives. If I can help someone feel safe, comforted, and genuinely cared for, then I know I will have made a difference.

Mental health and suicide prevention are conversations that we can no longer avoid. I think people my age face so much pressure that isn't always visible. Between school, work, finances, family responsibilities, and social media, it can feel like everyone else has everything figured out while you're struggling just to make it through the day. Too many people suffer in silence because they're afraid of being judged or because they don't want to feel like a burden. That's why I believe we have to continue bringing awareness to mental health and reminding people that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. My own experiences have shaped how I look at mental health. Over the past few years, my family has experienced heartbreaking losses, including the sudden death of my father and the loss of my grandmother. Grief changes you in ways that are hard to explain unless you've lived through it. It taught me that you never truly know what someone else is carrying. A smile doesn't always mean someone is okay, and a person who seems strong may be fighting battles no one else can see. Those experiences have made me more compassionate and more intentional about checking in on the people around me. As a nursing student who recently completed my LPN program and is continuing my education to become an RN, I have also learned how closely mental and physical health are connected. You cannot fully care for a patient without recognizing their emotional well-being. Whether someone is dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, or thoughts of suicide, they deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, and without judgment. Sometimes the most important thing a healthcare worker can do is simply listen and make a patient feel seen. These experiences have strengthened my relationships because I try to be someone others know they can talk to. I may not always have the right answers, but I can offer a listening ear, encouragement, and support. Small acts of kindness, checking on a friend, or simply asking someone how they are really doing can make a bigger difference than we realize. My career goal is to become a registered nurse and eventually work in the emergency department. I know I will meet patients who are experiencing some of the worst days of their lives, including mental health crises. I want to be the kind of nurse who provides not only excellent medical care but also compassion and hope. Every patient deserves to feel heard and valued, regardless of why they came through the hospital doors. I believe bringing awareness to mental health and suicide prevention saves lives. By encouraging open conversations, reducing stigma, and reminding people they are never alone, we can create communities where asking for help is welcomed instead of feared. I hope to carry that mindset into both my personal life and my nursing career, honoring every person's worth and reminding others that their life matters.

I didn’t just randomly choose nursing, it’s something I’ve been living for years. I’ve worked as a CNA since 2012 and that’s where I really found my heart in healthcare. Being in long-term care, you see people on their best days and their worst days and you learn really quickly that what patients need isn’t just physical care. They need compassion, patience, and someone who genuinely cares about them. There have been so many moments that stuck with me. Sitting with a resident who was scared, calming someone who was confused, or just taking a few extra minutes to listen to their stories. Those moments showed me that nursing isn’t just a job, it’s how you treat people when they are at their most vulnerable. That’s what made me decide to go further and become a nurse. As I’m working through nursing school now, my goal is simple. I want to be the kind of nurse that people remember in a good way. Not just because I did my job right, but because I made them feel safe, heard, and cared for. I want my patients to know they’re not just another room number to me. I also want to be someone families can trust, especially during hard situations when they need support just as much as the patient does. Reading about Cindy really hit me, because the way she cared for people is exactly what I hope to carry into my own career. She didn’t just work in one area. she cared for people in so many different stages of life, from hospital care to hospice to home health. That shows how much she truly cared about helping others wherever they were. What stood out the most to me was her empathy and intentional care. That’s the kind of nurse I want to be. Working as a CNA has already taught me how important those qualities are. Anyone can learn the skills, but not everyone has the heart for it. I try every day to treat my residents like they’re my own family, and that’s something I will carry with me as I become a nurse. I want people to feel comfortable with me, to trust me, and to know that I genuinely care about their well-being. Cindy’s life reminds me that nursing is about more than just healthcare It’s about connection, compassion, and showing up for people consistently. I want to continue that kind of impact in my own community. No matter where I end up working, my goal is to make a difference in people’s lives, even in small ways. This scholarship would help me continue working toward that goal and becoming the kind of nurse who leads with both skill and heart. I’m committed to growing, learning, and carrying the same empathy, compassion, and professionalism that Cindy showed throughout her life.

Adversity has shaped my life long before I ever stepped into a nursing classroom. Losing my father before beginning nursing school was a defining moment that forced me to confront grief, resilience, and responsibility all at once. His passing altered the course of my life, but it also strengthened my determination to pursue a career rooted in compassion, service, and advocacy for others. My father was one of my greatest sources of encouragement. His belief in my abilities gave me confidence during moments when I doubted myself. When he passed away, I was left to process profound loss while trying to determine my future. Grief became a constant presence, affecting my mental and emotional well-being and challenging my sense of direction. Rather than allowing that loss to halt my aspirations, I chose to move forward with intention. Deciding to pursue nursing became a way to honor his memory and the values he instilled in me—strength, perseverance, and caring for others. Beginning nursing school while still grieving presented significant mental and emotional adversity. There were days when the weight of loss made focusing difficult and moments when self-doubt felt overwhelming. I learned to take deliberate steps to protect my mental health while remaining committed to my education. I sought structure, leaned on mentors, and practiced self-discipline to maintain balance. Acknowledging my grief instead of suppressing it allowed me to grow stronger and more resilient. In addition to emotional challenges, I faced the physical demands of working in healthcare while pursuing my degree. Long hours as a CNA required stamina, focus, and emotional presence for patients who depended on me. Even when exhaustion set in, I reminded myself why I chose this path. I prioritized time management, self-care, and accountability to ensure I could meet both my academic and professional responsibilities. These experiences have prepared me for the realities of nursing and reinforced my ability to persevere under pressure. Adversity has profoundly shaped my character and my purpose. Experiencing loss before entering nursing has deepened my empathy for patients and families facing illness, grief, and uncertainty. I understand how vulnerable it feels to navigate life during difficult moments, and I am committed to becoming a nurse who offers not only skilled care but genuine compassion and advocacy. The life of Audra Dominguez represents bravery in the face of adversity. Her legacy reflects the strength required to continue striving despite hardship. Through the loss of my father and the challenges that followed, I have remained committed to my career aspirations by choosing resilience, determination, and purpose. These experiences have not hindered my success—they have shaped the nurse and woman I am becoming.

Cardiac disease has shaped my life in a deeply personal and lasting way through the loss of my father in January of 2023. He was not only my parent, but also my best friend and biggest supporter. His sudden heart attack was unexpected and traumatic, and it forever changed how I view health, family, and my purpose in life. The obstacles I faced were not only emotional, but also mental and motivational, as I learned how to move forward while carrying grief and responsibility. When my father suffered his heart attack, my now husband and I immediately began CPR in an attempt to save him. In that moment, instinct, training, and love collided. Despite our efforts, we were unable to change the outcome. Losing my father in such a sudden and heartbreaking way was devastating. In the days and months that followed, I struggled severely with grief, guilt, depression, and unanswered “what ifs.” The emotional weight of witnessing a cardiac emergency involving someone I love so much was overwhelming, and learning to cope with that trauma became an obstacle I have to face head-on every day. Beyond the emotional loss, his passing forced me to confront the reality of how unpredictable and serious cardiac disease can be. It challenged my sense of control and security, especially as someone who works in healthcare and has since 2012 as a CNA. I had to learn how to balance mourning with continuing my education, employment, and personal responsibilities. There were days when simply showing up felt like an accomplishment. However, giving up was never an option, because my father always believed in my ability to succeed. One of the most significant obstacles I overcame was finding the strength to turn loss into purpose. My father consistently encouraged me to return to school and pursue nursing, and his death intensified that motivation. While grief initially felt paralyzing, it ultimately became a driving force. I began to view my education as a way to honor his memory and his belief in me. Continuing my nursing journey while processing loss required resilience, discipline, and emotional growth. Cardiac disease also impacted my perspective on prevention, education, and early intervention. I now understand how vital awareness, timely response, and proper medical care are in cardiac emergencies. This experience strengthened my commitment to becoming a nurse who not only provides care, but also educates patients and families about heart health, risk factors, and warning signs. I have learned that cardiac disease does not only affect individuals; it affects entire families, often without warning. Overcoming the obstacles associated with losing my father to cardiac disease has shaped me into a stronger, more compassionate individual. While the loss will always be a part of me, it has given me clarity, purpose, and determination. It has reinforced my desire to serve others during their most vulnerable moments and to make a meaningful difference in healthcare. Through grief, growth, and perseverance, I have learned that even the most painful obstacles can become the foundation for a purposeful future.

I want to pursue a degree in nursing because caring for others has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I became a Certified Nursing Assistant in 2012, while I was still in high school because I knew as soon as I was able to join the healthcare field that it was where I belonged. From the beginning I found purpose in caring for patients during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Being a CNA confirmed that healthcare was not just a job for me, but a calling. Over the years, working directly with patients has taught me the importance of compassion, patience, and advocacy. I have learned that nursing is not only about performing tasks, but about listening, comforting, and treating each patient with dignity. These experiences have shaped my desire to continue my education and grow into the role of a registered nurse, where I can take on greater responsibility and provide an even higher level of care. My motivation to pursue nursing became even stronger after the loss of my father in 2023. He was my biggest supporter, my best friend, and my greatest encouragement to return to school and pursue nursing. When he suffered a sudden heart attack, my now husband and I performed CPR in an attempt to save him. Although we were unable to change the outcome, that experience deeply impacted me. It reinforced how critical skilled, timely medical care is and strengthened my determination to become a nurse who can make a difference in emergency and critical situations. Honoring my father’s belief in me continues to push me forward every day. In addition to losing my father, I also lost my grandmother this year after watching her struggle with dementia. Being part of her journey opened my eyes to the emotional and physical challenges faced by patients and families dealing with cognitive decline. It strengthened my passion for working with older adults and advocating for compassionate, patient-centered care, especially for those who may struggle to communicate their needs. As a nurse, I hope to contribute to my community by providing quality care, education, and support, particularly in rural areas like where I live. I want to be a nurse who patients trust and feel comfortable with, someone who takes the time to listen and educate while providing safe care. I also hope to be involved in community outreach and preventative health education, helping individuals better manage chronic conditions and improve their overall well-being. Pursuing a nursing degree allows me to combine my long-standing experience as a CNA, my personal life experiences, and my desire to serve others. Nursing is more than a career path for me, it is a way to give back to my community and honor the loved ones who inspired me to follow this calling the most!

My journey toward becoming a nurse began long before I officially chose this career. I have spent more than a decade working as a Certified Nursing Assistant, beginning in 2012. Those early years in long-term care opened my eyes to the profound impact that compassionate caregiving can have on a person’s life. Over time, I came to understand that nursing is not just a job, it is a purpose. The experiences I’ve had professionally and personally, have shaped my commitment to pursue nursing and fueled the passion that keeps me moving forward. For the last eight years, I have worked in a long-term care facility where I built strong connections with residents and their families. Even though I am currently only able to work a few hours a month due to school and travel distance, I continue because the people there feel like family. Being at the bedside taught me how important it is to treat patients as whole people, individuals with personal histories, preferences, fears, and hopes. I learned that a gentle touch, a warm conversation, or simply sitting quietly with someone can provide comfort in ways medicine alone cannot. My grandmother’s developing dementia became an even deeper turning point in my decision to pursue nursing. I helped care for her at home until we could no longer safely meet her needs. When she was eventually admitted to the nursing facility where I worked, I was able to be part of her care as a caregiver and as her granddaughter. I saw how dementia slowly steals pieces of a person, but I also saw how compassionate care can preserve their dignity. Even when she could no longer recognize us, familiar sounds or the comfort of holding her hand brought her peace. Her passing in April was painful, but it reinforced why I want to be a nurse: to support families and patients through the hardest moments of their lives. In January 2023, I lost my father to a sudden heart attack. My husband and I performed CPR until help arrived, but he did not survive. That day changed me. My father was always one of my biggest supporters, especially when it came to my education. He believed deeply that I would make a great nurse. After his passing, that belief became an even stronger source of motivation. When school feels overwhelming, I remind myself that I am honoring him by continuing to pursue the career he always imagined for me. His loss strengthened my desire to be the kind of nurse who brings not only skill, but steadiness, empathy, and presence to families in crisis. Through my education, I hope to become a nurse who treats every patient with dignity, advocates for the vulnerable, and provides support to families navigating grief, illness, and uncertainty. I am especially drawn to working with the elderly, ensuring that their final years are met with respect, patience, and compassion. I believe that great nursing care can transform not just a patient’s experience, but the experience of those who love them. The nursing shortage in the United States has highlighted how essential nurses are to the health system, as well as the urgent need for new caregivers to step into the field. I am proud to be working toward becoming part of that next generation. My experiences have taught me that nursing is both a privilege and a responsibility, one that allows us to make a meaningful difference every single day. I hope to continue growing into the kind of nurse who brings comfort, hope, and strength to the people who need it most.

My name is Talisa Church, and my journey has been shaped by family, loss, and a deep desire to care for others. I grew up in a tight-knit household where love was abundant, even when resources were not. My parents worked hard to provide what they could, and their support taught me the value of commitment, compassion, and resilience. Those lessons became even more meaningful when my father passed away unexpectedly in January of 2023. Losing a parent so suddenly changes the course of your life. My father had a heart attack, and my husband and I performed CPR until emergency personnel arrived. Despite every effort, he didn’t survive. The shock of his passing left a hole in our family that will never fully heal. Overnight, the family structure I had always known shifted, and I found myself trying to navigate grief while continuing school, working limited hours as a CNA, and supporting my mother emotionally from a distance. My father was always one of my biggest supporters. He believed I would make a great nurse long before I believed it myself. His confidence in me is what helped push me forward when I decided to return to school. After he passed, that encouragement became even more powerful. Continuing my nursing education feels like a way to honor him and to carry forward the love he gave our family by giving that same care to others. Around the same time, I was also helping care for my grandmother, who suffered from dementia. I cared for her at home until her symptoms progressed, and she eventually moved into the nursing facility where I worked. I had already been a Certified Nursing Assistant since 2012, but being both her caregiver and her granddaughter gave me a new understanding of what families go through. Even when she no longer recognized people she once loved, small moments like brushing her hair, holding her hand, familiar music brought her comfort. She passed away in April, but the lessons I learned during her decline strengthened my resolve to care for vulnerable people with dignity. My experiences have also brought financial and emotional challenges. With school, a long commute, and family responsibilities, I have only been able to work a few hours a month. My husband and I do our best to support one another, and although the loss of my father has been incredibly difficult, it has also shown me the importance of strong support systems. My faith helps guide me, and volunteering through the Student Nurses Association and my church allows me to stay connected to my community and give back in ways that lift my spirit. Through my education, I hope to make a difference by becoming a nurse who is fully present with patients and families in their most difficult moments. I want to care for people the way others cared for my father and grandmother, with empathy, patience, and respect. I am especially drawn to working with older adults and advocating for those who can no longer speak for themselves. Ultimately, I hope to be a steady, compassionate presence, bringing comfort to patients and helping families feel supported during times of fear or grief. My journey has been shaped by loss, but it has also given me purpose. I plan to use my education to help others navigate the same vulnerable moments that changed my life and to honor my father by becoming the nurse he always believed I could be!

My vision for myself as a future nurse is to be a steady source of compassion, advocacy, and dignity for every person I encounter. I believe nursing is far more than providing medical care. It is a commitment to honor the human experience of illness, aging, healing, and loss. My journey so far has shaped not only why I want to become a nurse, but the kind of nurse I am determined to be. I began working as a Certified Nursing Assistant in 2012, and I have spent most of my career in long-term care. I have always felt drawn to the elderly. Their strength, stories, and reflections on life have taught me more about humanity than any textbook ever could. For the past eight years, I have worked at the same long-term care facility, forming lasting connections with residents and families. Because of school and the hour-long drive, I am only able to work a few hours a month, but I choose to stay because those residents feel like home. They shaped who I am as a caregiver, and I carry their lessons with me. Working in long-term care has given me a profound appreciation for what patients need beyond physical care. Some of the most meaningful moments have come from simply listening, holding a hand, or treating someone with gentleness when they are afraid or confused. I have learned how deeply dignity matters, especially to those who must depend on others for nearly everything. My vision as a nurse is to continue honoring my patients as whole people: individuals with unique histories, preferences, and emotional needs, no matter their condition. My grandmother’s decline from dementia played a significant role in defining that vision. I helped care for her at home until we could no longer meet her needs; she was eventually admitted to the long-term care facility where I worked. Experiencing the process from both sides, as a caregiver and a granddaughter changed me. I learned how frightening dementia can be, not only for patients but for the family members who watch their loved ones slowly fade. I witnessed how small gestures of kindness, patience, and familiarity could bring her peace even when she no longer recognized people she loved. Losing her in April was incredibly difficult, but it strengthened my desire to advocate for people who cannot speak for themselves. I want to be the nurse who reassures families that their loved ones are treated respectfully, even when their memory is gone. Another defining experience was the sudden loss of my father in January 2023. My husband and I performed CPR until emergency responders arrived, but he could not be saved. That day changed my life in an instant. My dad had always encouraged me to continue my education and become a nurse. He believed in my ability to care for people in the most vulnerable moments. He saw it in me before I fully saw it in myself. After his passing, I carried his encouragement with me as a promise. Going back to school became more than a goal; it became a way to honor him. His memory drives me every day, especially when school feels overwhelming. These personal experiences have shaped the nurse I hope to become: one who brings calm when uncertainty feels overwhelming, one who supports families through their hardest moments, and one who believes that kindness and presence are just as important as clinical skill. Beyond my CNA work, I am involved in the Student Nurses Association, where I participate in volunteer opportunities that serve my community. Giving back has always been important to me, especially because I know what it feels like to need support. I am also active in my church, where my husband and I attend regularly and contribute our time. Faith has been a grounding force through grief, school, and work, and it has taught me the importance of service, humility, and hope, values I carry with me into patient care. My life outside nursing is simple, but full. My husband and I enjoy spending time with our fur baby, Bentley, who has brought so much joy and comfort into our home. We also love participating in demolition derbies — a hobby that might seem unusual, but is something we both grew up around and became something fun we enjoy doing together. It reminds me that life needs balance, and that laughter and adventure are part of staying emotionally healthy. When I finish school, we hope to grow our family, something we are both very excited about! As a future nurse, I hope not just to provide excellent clinical care, but to create meaningful relationships with my patients and their families. I want my presence to make people feel safer, heard, and understood. I am drawn to continuing my work with vulnerable populations, especially older adults and continuing to advocate for their needs. I also hope to support new nursing students one day, just as others have encouraged me. Continuing education is important to me, and I plan to keep learning, growing, and expanding my skills throughout my career. Sheila A. Burke believed in encouraging others to pursue their nursing ambitions, especially those who might not otherwise have the opportunity. Her legacy of positivity and dedication to nursing education reflects what I hope to embody: someone who gives back, lifts others up, and helps expand access to compassionate care. Like Sheila, I want to be a nurse who makes space for others to learn, thrive, and find purpose. My vision is to be a nurse who shows up fully with skill, compassion, patience, and humility and who honors every person’s dignity from admission to end of life. It would be a privilege to carry that vision forward, and this scholarship would help make that possible.

From the time I became a Certified Nursing Assistant while in high school in 2012, I knew that my work in healthcare would be more than a job, it would be a calling. Over the last twelve years, I have devoted myself to caring for others, especially those in long-term care. The relationships I've formed, the stories I’ve been entrusted with, and the lessons I’ve learned from the aging population have shaped the nurse I am becoming. My journey has not been easy, but the people I have cared for, along with my personal life experiences, have fueled my commitment to continue my education and pursue nursing at a deeper level. For the past eight years, I have worked in long-term care at the same facility. While balancing nursing school and a one-hour commute has limited how many hours I can work, I still choose to remain there because the residents feel like family. I have always been drawn to the elderly, and working closely with them has taught me patience, compassion, humility, and the importance of treating every person with dignity. The truth is, many of our elders simply want to feel seen and valued. Even on the most challenging days, I am reminded that the smallest acts of care such as a warm blanket, listening ear, or gentle reassurance can bring peace and comfort. My passion for nursing grew even deeper when I helped care for my grandmother, who had dementia. I cared for her at home as long as possible before she eventually moved to the nursing facility where I worked. Losing her this past April was incredibly difficult, but being part of her care journey reinforced why I chose this field. I saw firsthand how vulnerable patients and families feel, and how the right caregivers can bring dignity to even the most challenging moments. My grandmother’s decline reminded me how important it is to advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves. I hope to honor her story by carrying that commitment into every patient interaction. In January 2023, my father passed away suddenly from a heart attack. My husband and I performed CPR until emergency personnel arrived, but he could not be saved. It was a moment that changed my life forever. My dad always encouraged me to continue my education and become a nurse. His belief in me and losing him so unexpectedly became one of the strongest driving forces behind my decision to return to school. Every time I feel overwhelmed by coursework or clinicals, I remind myself that I am pursuing the dream he always saw in me. Nursing became more than a passion; it became a mission to make him proud and carry on his legacy of helping others. Outside of nursing, I try to find balance through faith, family, and hobbies. I am part of the Student Nurses Association and regularly volunteer my time through service activities. I also enjoy helping at my church and attending services with my husband. Our faith gives us strength and keeps us grounded. Together, we like spending time with our fur baby, Bentley, and participating in demolition derbies—something fun and a little unconventional that brings us joy. After I graduate and begin my career as a nurse, my husband and I hope to start a family of our own. Nursing is not simply a career I want, it is the person I am becoming. My experiences have taught me that compassionate care is a gift that can change someone’s hardest day into one filled with dignity, comfort, or hope. I aspire to be the kind of nurse who truly sees her patients, listens to their stories, and advocates for their well-being. I hope to make a meaningful impact on every life I touch, just as the nurses caring for Mary Jane Beck have done for her. This scholarship would not only support my education, but also strengthen my ability to carry these experiences forward and continue serving others with purpose, empathy, and dedication.

I have been working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) since 2012, and throughout my career, I have developed a deep passion for healthcare and serving my community. My journey into healthcare was driven by a desire to make a tangible difference in people's lives. As a CNA, I have had the privilege of providing care to patients in a variety of settings, from hospitals to nursing homes, and each experience has further solidified my commitment to healthcare. One of the most fulfilling aspects of my job is being able to offer comfort to patients during vulnerable moments. I’ve worked with individuals who were facing life-altering health challenges, and I’ve seen firsthand how compassionate, attentive care can not only improve their physical well-being but also uplift their spirits. These experiences have been humbling, and they’ve reinforced my desire to pursue nursing as a means to expand my impact and ability to serve. Throughout my time as a CNA, I’ve encountered countless opportunities to advocate for my patients, whether it’s ensuring they receive timely care, coordinating with other healthcare professionals, or simply offering a kind word in moments of distress. I’ve learned that healthcare isn’t just about medical procedures; it’s about seeing the person in front of you, listening to their concerns, and providing them with the care they deserve. These lessons have shaped my view of nursing as not only a career but as a calling to help others in their most critical moments. I have decided to pursue a nursing career because I believe it will allow me to continue serving my community on a deeper level. As a nurse, I would have the opportunity to directly influence patient care, guide individuals through their recovery, and contribute to the broader healthcare system that supports our most vulnerable populations. Whether it’s working in an emergency room, providing care in underserved areas, or teaching patients how to manage chronic conditions, I am eager to make a lasting impact on the lives of others. I am committed to becoming a nurse who not only excels in clinical skills but also embodies the values of empathy, advocacy, and patient-centered care. This scholarship would be a critical step toward achieving my goal of becoming a registered nurse, allowing me to further my education and pursue a career that blends my passion for healthcare with my desire to serve others. Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the opportunity to continue my journey in healthcare and to contribute meaningfully to the field of nursing. Your support would play an invaluable role in helping me take the next step toward making a lasting impact in the lives of my patients and my community.

In April of this year, I lost my grandmother to Alzheimer's dementia. It was a deeply emotional and transformative experience, one that has shaped my understanding of aging, healthcare, and the critical need for further research into neurodegenerative diseases. Over the course of her diagnosis, I had the privilege of being her caregiver for two years, a role that began at home and transitioned to her being in a memory care unit. This experience not only taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, compassion, and patience, but it also ignited a passion within me to pursue a career dedicated to understanding and combating Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related illnesses. When my grandmother was first diagnosed, our family was devastated. Watching her memory slowly fade was heart-wrenching, but what struck me the most was how she was still "herself" in so many ways—her love of music, her sense of humor, and her ability to connect with others, even as the disease progressed. This gave me a unique perspective on the importance of creating environments that support dignity, respect, and quality of life for people with dementia. I had the privilege of caring for her in my workplace, a memory care facility, where I witnessed firsthand how personalized care can make a significant difference in the lives of those with Alzheimer’s. My grandmother thrived in the community, surrounded by people who cared deeply for her. This environment of love and respect helped her maintain a sense of purpose, even as the disease took its toll. However, the experience also revealed the harsh realities of dementia. Despite the best efforts of caregivers and loved ones, there were moments of frustration, confusion, and helplessness. I saw how Alzheimer's can erode not only the person’s memory but also their ability to communicate and interact with others. It became painfully clear how little we truly know about the underlying causes of Alzheimer’s and how far we are from finding a definitive cure. This realization has driven me to want to contribute to the growing field of dementia research. I am particularly interested in studying Alzheimer's and related neurodegenerative diseases to understand their causes and identify potential treatments. In my academic journey, I aim to delve into the fields of neuroscience and medical research, with the hope of one day contributing to groundbreaking discoveries that can improve the lives of individuals living with dementia and their families. The scholarship honoring Henry Respert, with its focus on healthcare and medical research, aligns perfectly with my goals. Henry’s own battle with dementia underscores the urgent need for further awareness and research, and I am eager to follow in his footsteps by dedicating my studies to making a meaningful impact in this area. Through my experience as a caregiver, I’ve learned that dementia is not just a disease of the mind; it’s a disease that touches every aspect of a person’s being, and it affects everyone around them. It’s clear that we need more people in the medical and research fields who are driven by a desire to understand these conditions and help those impacted by them. I am committed to contributing to this effort, and I see this scholarship as an important stepping stone toward achieving that goal. In conclusion, the impact of Alzheimer’s on my grandmother and my family has been profound, but it has also been the catalyst for my dedication to medical research and healthcare. By pursuing a career focused on dementia research, I hope to help others facing similar challenges, just as my grandmother did in the loving care she received. With the support of this scholarship, I am determined to continue learning, researching, and working towards finding solutions that will one day ease the burden of Alzheimer’s disease and bring hope to families like mine.

I have been working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) since 2012, and throughout my career, I have developed a deep passion for healthcare and serving my community. My journey into healthcare was driven by a desire to make a tangible difference in people's lives. As a CNA, I have had the privilege of providing care to patients in a variety of settings, from hospitals to nursing homes, and each experience has further solidified my commitment to healthcare. One of the most fulfilling aspects of my job is being able to offer comfort to patients during vulnerable moments. I’ve worked with individuals who were facing life-altering health challenges, and I’ve seen firsthand how compassionate, attentive care can not only improve their physical well-being but also uplift their spirits. These experiences have been humbling, and they’ve reinforced my desire to pursue nursing as a means to expand my impact and ability to serve. Throughout my time as a CNA, I’ve encountered countless opportunities to advocate for my patients, whether it’s ensuring they receive timely care, coordinating with other healthcare professionals, or simply offering a kind word in moments of distress. I’ve learned that healthcare isn’t just about medical procedures; it’s about seeing the person in front of you, listening to their concerns, and providing them with the care they deserve. These lessons have shaped my view of nursing as not only a career but as a calling to help others in their most critical moments. I have decided to pursue a nursing career because I believe it will allow me to continue serving my community on a deeper level. As a nurse, I would have the opportunity to directly influence patient care, guide individuals through their recovery, and contribute to the broader healthcare system that supports our most vulnerable populations. Whether it’s working in an emergency room, providing care in underserved areas, or teaching patients how to manage chronic conditions, I am eager to make a lasting impact on the lives of others. I am committed to becoming a nurse who not only excels in clinical skills but also embodies the values of empathy, advocacy, and patient-centered care. This scholarship would be a critical step toward achieving my goal of becoming a registered nurse, allowing me to further my education and pursue a career that blends my passion for healthcare with my desire to serve others. Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the opportunity to continue my journey in healthcare and to contribute meaningfully to the field of nursing. Your support would play an invaluable role in helping me take the next step toward making a lasting impact in the lives of my patients and my community.

One of the most significant challenges I've faced was balancing my academic responsibilities with volunteering commitments during a particularly difficult semester. I had always been passionate about volunteering, especially in roles where I could assist students with learning disabilities, and helping others gave me purpose. However, this semester I found myself overwhelmed with coursework and facing a lack of time for my usual volunteering. To overcome this challenge, I learned how to better prioritize tasks and developed more efficient time management strategies. I made it a point to create structured daily schedules, allocated specific time blocks for study and for volunteering, and even started using apps to stay on track. By doing so, I was able to stay ahead in my studies while still being actively involved in the volunteer program. I also became more attuned to my own limits and learned to ask for help when needed —whether it was from professors or peers. This experience showed me the importance of balance and self-care, two things I didn't always value before. Love of Learning or Helping Others: My love of helping others has always been intertwined with my love for learning. Whether it's in a classroom or through one-on-one tutoring, I find immense satisfaction in helping someone understand something new. My passion for teaching others grew during hig hool when I started tutoring my peers in subjects like mathematics and science. I realized that explaining concepts in ways that made sense to someone else not only helped them, but also deepened my understanding of those concepts. It's the process of making something complex feel accessible that truly excites me. My love for learning doesn't just end with academics. I enjoy exploring new ways to be a better helper— whether it's through studying educational psychology, learning new tutoring techniques, or diving into the study of leadership. Everything I've learned about teaching and helping others feeds into the way I approach challenges and how I strive to make a positive impact on those around me. Log in How | Will Make a Difference with My Education: With my education, I hope to continue working at the intersection of learning and leadership. I am particularly interested in studying how educational systems can be made more inclusive and supportive, especially for students who are often underserved. I want to be an advocate for policies that help bridge educational gaps and create accessible learning environments. Whether through direct teaching, mentoring, or working on educational policy, I am committed to using my education to improve educational outcomes for others. I'm also eager to apply what I've learned in real-world settings, such as through community engagement, internships, and eventually working with organization scused on educational reform. I believe that with the right tools and knowledge, we can create an environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed-regardless of their background or challenges.

Ever since I was young, I’ve felt a strong calling to care for others. Whether it was helping a friend through a difficult time, volunteering in my community, or simply being there for loved ones in moments of need, I’ve always found fulfillment in providing comfort and support to those around me. This innate desire to help people led me to pursue a career in healthcare, and I am currently working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). My experiences as a CNA have deepened my passion for nursing, as I witness firsthand the profound impact that compassionate care can have on patients and their families. The loss of my father was a turning point in my life, one that further fueled my determination to become a nurse. When my dad passed away, I experienced the deep and overwhelming grief that comes with losing a parent. It was a difficult time for my family, and I couldn’t help but reflect on how much I wished I could have done something to ease his suffering or perhaps even save him. The pain of not having my dad around is something I carry with me every day, but it has also given me a sense of purpose. I want to use my experiences to help others who are facing similar situations—particularly those who are dealing with the illness or loss of a loved one. I hope that by pursuing nursing, I can make a difference in the lives of others and perhaps even save someone’s parent, just as I would have wanted for my own. Nursing, to me, is more than just a profession. It is a way to honor the memory of my father by giving back to others who are suffering. It is about being present during someone’s most vulnerable moments and offering them the same care and compassion I wished my father could have received. I am driven not only by the skills I have developed as a CNA but also by the emotional connection I have to the work. I want to become a nurse who is not only competent and skilled but also deeply empathetic and attuned to the emotional needs of patients and their families. I discovered this scholarship through my nursing advisor, who has been an incredible resource and support in my educational journey. Her guidance has been invaluable, and I am grateful for the opportunities she has brought to my attention, including this scholarship. It would be an honor to receive this scholarship and use the funds to further my education in nursing, so that I can continue to pursue my goal of becoming a compassionate and skilled nurse. In conclusion, my decision to pursue nursing is rooted in both my desire to care for others and the personal experience of losing my father. I believe that my journey as a CNA, combined with my personal connection to the profession, has uniquely prepared me to make a meaningful impact in the field of healthcare. I am committed to improving the lives of patients and their families, and I hope that this scholarship will help me achieve that goal.