My name is Vanessa Nguyen, and I am a licensed practical nurse (LPN) working in infectious diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital. I am currently seeking my BSN degree to continue working with underserved communities. After I obtain my BSN degree, I aspire to work on my Masters to become a nurse practitioner. Growing up in a low-income household , I experienced a lack of access to adequate food, health care, and mental health resources. Therefore, I was eager to join the healthcare field as I knew what it felt like not to have a PCP or not know who to turn to when I struggled with my depression. Additionally, I was in and out of the foster care system as I did not have a stable support system. I barely graduated high school and struggled with college courses, but I was determined to maximize my potential and help others in need. In 2018, I graduated from an LPN program and got my first nursing job at a correctional facility. Despite the stigma that comes with correctional nursing, I am proud to say I had the opportunity to serve a disadvantaged patient population. Suppose we cannot meet the most basic health needs and violate the fundamental human rights of our inmates. In that case, we’re putting an already vulnerable population at an even greater risk for poor health outcomes. In addition to my nursing career, I did volunteer work in the villages of Uganda, Africa, in 2019. My work included HIV prevention and care and teaching at a school for children with various disabilities. My weeks of working in Uganda with some of the most vulnerable communities was an unforgettable and eye-opening experience. In 2020, my passion for serving underserved communities led me to the infectious disease department at MGH. Caring for our vulnerable patient population (LGBTQ+, homeless, substance abuse, and so forth) has reinforced my belief that nursing is a calling. The reward obtained from being able to help another person in a way no one else can is remarkable. As I advance in my career, my goal is to expand the accessibility to healthcare by physically reaching out to neglected communities and providing individualized care. I want to empower my patients by meeting them where they are. I plan to provide medical and mental health resources to lower-income communities or those without insurance. I want to offer convenient healthcare to break down the barriers of indifference — leading to long-term patient retention. To reach these underserved communities, I plan to run a mobile clinic for the uninsured and build a non-profit mental health resource center. Additionally, as for prison reform, I want to implement protocols to improve the quality of care for those behind walls. However, as I continue my education to pursue my dreams and goals, I would need financial assistance to make it possible. No matter where this journey leads me, the biggest reward is knowing that I am in a profession that truly makes a difference in the world. Nevertheless, I highly appreciate you taking the time to review my application.

My name is Vanessa Nguyen, and I am a licensed practical nurse (LPN) working in infectious diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital. I am currently seeking my BSN degree to continue working with underserved communities. Growing up in a low-income household , I experienced a lack of access to adequate food, health care, and mental health resources. Therefore, I was eager to join the healthcare field as I knew what it felt like not to have a PCP or not know who to turn to when I struggled with my depression. Additionally, I was in and out of the foster care system as I did not have a stable support system. I barely graduated high school and struggled with college courses, but I was determined to maximize my potential and help others in need. In 2018, I graduated from an LPN program and got my first nursing job at a correctional facility. Despite the stigma that comes with correctional nursing, I am proud to say I had the opportunity to serve a disadvantaged patient population. Suppose we cannot meet the most basic health needs and violate the fundamental human rights of our inmates. In that case, we’re putting an already vulnerable population at an even greater risk for poor health outcomes. In addition to my nursing career, I did volunteer work in the villages of Uganda, Africa, in 2019. My work included HIV prevention and care and teaching at a school for children with various disabilities. My weeks of working in Uganda with some of the most vulnerable communities was an unforgettable and eye-opening experience. In 2020, my passion for serving underserved communities led me to the infectious disease department at MGH. Caring for our vulnerable patient population (LGBTQ+, homeless, substance abuse, and so forth) has reinforced my belief that nursing is a calling. The reward obtained from being able to help another person in a way no one else can is remarkable. As I advance in my career, my goal is to expand the accessibility to healthcare by physically reaching out to neglected communities and providing individualized care. I want to empower my patients by meeting them where they are. I plan to provide medical and mental health resources to lower-income communities or those without insurance. I want to offer convenient healthcare to break down the barriers of indifference — leading to long-term patient retention. To reach these underserved communities, I plan to run a mobile clinic for the uninsured and build a non-profit mental health resource center. Additionally, as for prison reform, I want to implement protocols to improve the quality of care for those behind walls. However, as I continue my education to pursue my dreams and goals, I would need financial assistance to make it possible. No matter where this journey leads me, the biggest reward is knowing that I am in a profession that truly makes a difference in the world. Nevertheless, I highly appreciate you taking the time to review my application.