My name is Tiarra Davis, and I am an incoming nursing student at Arkansas State University—Jonesboro. I was born and raised in rural Missouri. Where I live, many people struggle with drug abuse. Members of my own family were not immune to this epidemic, and I witnessed its effect on their well-being at a very early age. My desire to pursue nursing is deeply personal. While drug abuse and addiction have affected many members of my family, it especially affected my aunt Moe. She had many mental health struggles that led her to use for comfort. Throughout much of my early teens, I remember seeing her struggles up close. I knew she wanted a way out. She tried her hardest in rehab facilities time and time again, but our community was not the most supportive when it came to recovery. Unfortunately, in March of 2018, she passed away, while incarcerated for drug possession, from a treatable heart condition. The condition went unnoticed for years and years. Her addiction prevented her from seeking routine medical care, and years of drug use further worsened her heart condition. A condition that could have been treated, if caught earlier, contributed to her death. Losing my aunt completely altered the way I view addiction and mental health. I learned more of her childhood and early adulthood that may have led her to this path. I learned about the stories of other people in my community and how arduous the path of recovery is. I have come to understand how deeply mental health, substance use, and access to healthcare can intersect. I often wonder whether my aunt would still be here if she had received the mental health support she needed earlier in her life. Her experience has given me a deeper sense of empathy for people struggling with addiction and mental health conditions and has inspired my interest in psychiatric nursing. I am drawn to nursing because it combines my passion for direct patient care, education, and advocacy. Nurses have the opportunity to spend significant time with patients, recognize changes in their condition, listen to their concerns, and communicate their needs to the healthcare team. Most importantly, nurses can be a patient’s voice when they feel unable to advocate for themselves. I want to become the kind of nurse who looks beyond a diagnosis or behavior and takes the time to understand the person behind it. My goal is to work in psychiatric care — no matter if it is inpatient or outpatient. I hope my experience can make patients seeking treatment feel more comfortable. My aunt’s story reminds me that mental and physical health cannot be separated, and that early intervention can sometimes make the difference between life and death. I think our community’s current attitude towards those struggling with addiction tends to turn people away from seeking help. I want to be a part of the people who remain empathetic and empower those struggling with addiction to continue their fight. I want to be a core member of their support team. My education at Arkansas State University will give me the knowledge and clinical skills necessary to become a safe and effective nurse. Also, I hope to use that education for more than treating illness. I want to advocate for my patients, educate them, and help them feel comfortable seeking care before their problems become crises. My journey began in rural Missouri and was shaped by both my professional experiences and the loss of someone I loved. Through nursing, I hope to turn those experiences into compassion, advocacy, and meaningful care for others.