When I was in high school, I was determined to find my calling as I was unsure as to what I wanted "to be," when I grew up. With the help of my uncle, who was a principal of a reformatory school, I was able to shadow several elementary teachers throughout a week. In addition, I was able to shadow a pediatrician at his home office for the following week. After these 2 weeks of discernment, I felt a strong calling towards the medical field. When I arrived back home, I became a member at my local fire department. My local fire department was in desperate need of medical staffing and had offered to pay my way to attend EMT-training school. Eight months later I successfully obtained my National EMT and CPR licenses. I also started college classes and obtained my CNA license and started taking nursing pre-requisite classes at my local community college. I worked as a CNA for 2 years at a local nursing home working with the elderly, specializing in Alzheimer's and dementia care. In addition, I have worked as an EMT on a private ambulance in a big city for the past 9 years, specializing in emergency medicine, trauma, pediatric emergencies, and psychiatric care. My future in college and taking pre-nursing classes however was put on hold, as one day while working as a CNA, I was surprised to find out that I was pregnant. This came as quite a shock to me because I had previously gone through extensive fertility testing and was diagnosed as infertile, unable to conceive children. Even though my dream was to obtain my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, I put my life on hold to raise my child. Additionally, the relationship that I was in with my child’s father at the time ended up taking a turn for the worse and I found myself escaping a physically domestic abusive relationship. I quickly became a single mother and my future in nursing or the thought of ever getting the chance to go back to college seemed like it was gone forever. It had taken me almost 5 years to get back on my feet, working full-time as a single mother, but I finally re-enrolled in community college to finish my pre-requisite classes for nursing. I graduated in December 2021 with my Associates in Science degree and transferred to a 2-year BSN program where I’m currently in my first semester. My experience as a single parent has taught me strength and resilience. It has taught me to prioritize, organize, self-management, crisis-management, patience, humility and a willingness to learn and drive for self-betterment. These skills I bring to table in my pursuit to higher education in nursing. Looking back on it now, if I hadn’t become a single mother and learned these skills through experience, I may have not been as successful in the medical field. I've realized throughout my several years working as an EMT, that the patients that have touched my heart the most have been pediatric patients. Children are the most innocent and loving creatures in life. Furthermore, I believe society has an obligation and calling to protect our most innocent and vulnerable. As I am going through my nursing studies, I know that I want to specialize in pediatric care and give back to my community. I hope when I graduate, I can find a career in either the neonatal ICU or pediatric emergency room. And no matter what life throws my way, I will always continue to serve, protect, and help others in my community.