I joined my local volunteer ambulance company at eighteen, not knowing that it would become the place that shaped my identity, my confidence, and my future career. EMS is a space that has always been dominated by men, and stepping into that world as a young woman required strength that I did not yet realize I had. Over the past ten years, I worked my way up from a new volunteer to becoming the only female lieutenant in my company. Earning that role taught me that leadership is not defined by age or appearance, but by consistency, knowledge, and the ability to support and guide others with clarity and purpose. Being the only woman in a leadership position has pushed me to develop a strong and steady presence. I learned how to speak with authority in rooms where I was often the youngest and the only female voice. I learned how to lead crews during emergencies, how to make critical decisions under pressure, and how to remain composed when others looked to me for direction. My leadership does not rely on force. It relies on skill, communication, and an understanding that people perform their best when they feel respected and supported. Over time, my coworkers began to trust my judgment not because I demanded it but because I consistently showed them that I earned it. One of the most meaningful aspects of my role is mentoring new female volunteers. Many come into the company unsure of themselves, hesitant to speak up, or worried that they will not be taken seriously. I recognize that feeling, because I experienced it myself. I make a point to stand beside them, encourage their growth, and remind them that there is space for them to lead. Representation matters, and I want women who walk into our building to see leadership that looks like them. Guiding the next generation of women in EMS is one of the most rewarding parts of my work, and it motivates me to continue breaking barriers. My nursing career has been shaped by the same values. On my medical surgical unit, I strive to be a supportive presence for patients and a reliable resource for my team. Nursing requires emotional intelligence, communication, and the ability to lead through compassion, and these are qualities I have built through years of responding to emergencies and guiding others. As I pursue my graduate degree as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, I hope to continue being an example of strong female leadership in healthcare. My goal is to create environments where patients feel understood and where women feel empowered to grow, lead, and use their voices with confidence. I want to use my career to make a difference by advocating for mental health, by supporting vulnerable populations, and by uplifting other women who want to enter healthcare fields. This scholarship would support my ability to continue advancing my education, strengthening my leadership, and serving as a role model for the women who come after me.

My path toward nursing—and now psychiatric-mental health—began long before I ever stepped into a hospital. At eighteen, I joined my local volunteer ambulance company. What I thought would be a small act of community service quickly became the foundation of my identity. Over the past ten years, that building, those crews, and the countless patients I met in the back of an ambulance shaped my values long before I knew I would become a nurse. EMS taught me to be calm in chaos, to meet people on their worst days with steadiness, and to recognize how deeply mental health intersects with every medical emergency, every family dynamic, and every moment of human vulnerability. Some of the people who influenced me most were not patients, but the volunteers who had served for decades. The men and women with forty years in EMS taught me that caregiving is not just a skill—it is a way of life. They showed me that the truest form of resilience comes from humility, teamwork, and the willingness to keep learning no matter how long you’ve been in the field. As I’ve grown, I’ve become a mentor myself, guiding new volunteers through their first calls, helping them understand not just what to do clinically, but how to show up for people with compassion and presence. Teaching others has reinforced my belief that we rise by lifting one another, both in healthcare and in life. My passion for mental health deepened during my years as an RN on a busy medical-surgical floor. I quickly realized that every patient, regardless of their diagnosis, brings emotional and psychological needs that require just as much attention as their physical symptoms. I saw how anxiety, grief, trauma, and chronic stress can shape recovery, complicate treatment plans, and influence a patient’s willingness to trust their providers. These experiences pushed me toward pursuing psychiatric-mental health nursing, where I could blend my EMS roots—meeting people in crisis—with the therapeutic relationships that nursing uniquely provides. I became passionate about helping patients feel seen, safe, and understood, especially when their suffering isn’t visible on a scan or lab result. Outside of nursing, my greatest joy and grounding force comes from the same community that first sparked my career: the ambulance corps. Volunteering is no longer just something I do—it is where I’ve grown up, built lifelong friendships, and learned the value of service without expectation. It is also where I met my fiancé, who shares the same commitment to helping others and understands the unique lifestyle, pressures, and fulfillment that come with this work. Being part of EMS continues to give me balance, purpose, and a sense of belonging that carries me through the demands of nursing and graduate school. Whether in the back of an ambulance, at the bedside, or in the classroom, my journey has always been guided by the same core belief: people deserve to be cared for in the fullest sense—physically, emotionally, and mentally. Nursing allows me to live that value every day. Psychiatric-mental health nursing allows me to expand it further. And the passions I carry outside of the hospital keep me grounded in who I am beyond the scrubs: a mentor, a volunteer, a partner, and someone committed to showing up for others with empathy and purpose.

My path toward nursing and psychiatric mental health began the day I joined my local volunteer ambulance company at eighteen. What I expected to be a simple way to give back to my community became the foundation of my identity. For the past ten years, EMS has shaped the way I understand people, suffering, resilience, and the complexity of human behavior. It taught me how to stay present in chaos, how to communicate with people during their most vulnerable moments, and how emotional wellbeing influences every medical situation. One of the most defining parts of my EMS experience involved caring for patients struggling with substance abuse. I responded to calls involving alcohol intoxication, opioid overdoses, withdrawal symptoms, and the long term medical consequences of addiction. What affected me most were not the clinical emergencies themselves but the emotional stories behind them. I met people who used substances to cope with trauma, loss, untreated mental health conditions, and overwhelming fear. I cared for individuals who wanted help but did not know where to start, and families who were exhausted from trying to support someone who was suffering. These experiences showed me that substance abuse is not a sign of weakness but a sign of pain. They taught me that addiction and mental health are inseparable and that no one heals when they are judged. This understanding guides the way I care for patients and influences my commitment to psychiatric mental health nursing. The volunteers who had been serving in EMS for decades also shaped my values. They showed me that caregiving is not simply a skill but a lifestyle built on humility, teamwork, and continuous learning. They taught me that the most meaningful part of this work is how you make people feel. As I grew within the company, I began mentoring new members. I taught them not only clinical steps but how to approach patients with genuine respect. Helping someone remain calm, preserving their dignity, and listening closely often mattered more than any specific intervention. Mentoring others reinforced my belief in lifting people up and supporting them through difficult moments, both in EMS and in life. My passion for mental health deepened as I transitioned into nursing. Working as an RN on a busy medical surgical floor showed me how emotional distress, trauma, grief, and chronic stress influence physical healing. Many patients struggled not only with their diagnoses but also with anxiety, fear, and feelings of being overwhelmed. I realized that successful care requires attention to the whole person. I became committed to helping patients feel seen, understood, and safe, especially when their struggles were invisible to others. These experiences strengthened my desire to advance into psychiatric mental health nursing, where I can combine my EMS roots with the therapeutic connections that nursing fosters. Outside of work, the ambulance company remains an important part of my life. It is where I grew up as a young adult, where I found lifelong friends, and where I met my fiancé, who shares the same commitment to serving others. The community I found there keeps me grounded and reminds me of the importance of compassion, patience, and teamwork. Whether I am responding to an emergency, caring for a patient at the bedside, or studying in graduate school, the same belief guides me. Every person deserves care that acknowledges both their physical and emotional needs. My experiences in EMS and nursing have shaped me into someone who values empathy, stability, and meaningful connection.

My path toward nursing and psychiatric mental health began long before I ever stepped into a hospital. At eighteen, I joined my local volunteer ambulance company. What I thought would be a small act of community service quickly became the foundation of my identity. For the past ten years, that building, those crews, and the countless patients I met in the back of an ambulance have shaped my values in ways I did not expect. EMS taught me how to remain steady in chaotic moments, how to meet people on their worst days with calm and respect, and how deeply emotional wellbeing influences every medical emergency and every moment of human vulnerability. Some of the people who influenced me most were the volunteers who had been serving for decades. The men and women with forty years in EMS taught me that caregiving is not only a learned skill but a way of life. They showed me that resilience comes from humility, teamwork, and the willingness to keep learning no matter how long you have been involved in the field. As I gained experience, I became a mentor to new volunteers. I helped guide them through their first calls and encouraged them not only to learn clinical skills but also to understand the importance of genuine presence and compassion. Teaching others reinforced my belief that we grow when we lift one another up and support each other in meaningful ways. My passion for mental health strengthened as I spent more time working as an RN on a busy medical surgical floor. I quickly realized that every patient brings emotional and psychological needs that require attention alongside their physical symptoms. I saw how anxiety, grief, trauma, and chronic stress could affect recovery and influence a patient’s willingness to trust their providers. These experiences motivated me to pursue psychiatric mental health nursing, where I could combine the crisis response skills I learned in EMS with the therapeutic relationships that nursing supports. I became committed to helping patients feel understood and supported, especially when their struggles are not visible on a scan or lab result. Outside of nursing, the ambulance company continues to bring me joy, purpose, and a grounding sense of community. Volunteering is no longer something I simply participate in. It has become a place where I have built lifelong friendships and where I feel deeply connected to the people around me. It is also where I met my fiancé, who shares the same commitment to serving others and understands the unique pace, responsibility, and fulfillment that come with EMS work. Spending time there keeps me balanced and reminds me why I chose a career that centers on helping others. Whether I am in the back of an ambulance, caring for a patient at the bedside, or pushing myself academically, the same guiding belief remains at the center of my journey. People deserve to be cared for fully, with attention to both their physical and emotional needs. Nursing allows me to live out that belief each day, and psychiatric mental health nursing allows me to deepen it. The passions I carry outside the hospital remind me that I am a caregiver, a mentor, a volunteer, a partner, and someone who finds purpose in being present for others.

Pursuing advanced nursing education is more than a career goal for me. It is the result of resilience, purpose, and a deep commitment to serving others through compassionate mental health care. My journey to becoming a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner has been shaped by adversity and determination, and by an unwavering belief that my experiences can be transformed into meaningful change for the patients I hope to serve. My motivation to continue my education comes from the challenges I faced while completing my nursing degree. During that time, I experienced homelessness and spent many nights studying in my car or looking for temporary places to stay. There were days when simply getting through the next twenty four hours felt like a victory, yet I continued to focus on my dream of becoming a nurse. I attended clinicals even when I was unsure of where I would sleep that night. I took exams while coping with exhaustion and uncertainty. Still, I showed up for my patients because nursing gave me purpose and direction during moments when everything else seemed unstable. That period of my life taught me perseverance, humility, and the power of hope. Those lessons are now a core part of the way I care for others. Becoming a Nurse Practitioner, and especially a PMHNP, is the natural next step in the values I developed during those difficult years. I know what it feels like to be overlooked or misunderstood, and I want to be the provider who listens carefully and advocates for individuals whose voices are often ignored. Mental health care is a place where people reveal their deepest struggles. I want to meet them with compassion that comes not only from clinical training but also from personal experience. My past gives me a unique sense of empathy, and it strengthens my dedication to providing trauma informed and patient centered care. I am also motivated by the trust and respect that advanced practice nurses carry. When people see a Nurse Practitioner, they often see a person who represents knowledge, stability, and professionalism. I want to be that steady presence for my patients. The title reflects years of sacrifice and growth, and for me it will also reflect the truth that my circumstances did not determine my future. Earning this degree will be evidence that determination can overcome hardship and that my story can inspire hope for others who are struggling. As PMHNP, I want to expand access to mental health services for individuals who face significant barriers to care. I hope to work with people who are dealing with homelessness, trauma, and financial challenges, because I understand how those experiences shape a person’s sense of safety and dignity. I want to be part of the solution for communities that are underserved and often overlooked. My long term goal is to contribute not only as a clinician but also as an advocate for accessible and equitable mental health resources. Receiving this scholarship would help me continue my education with the focus and energy that graduate school requires. It would be an investment in a student who has faced adversity and remained committed to a higher purpose. Becoming a PMHNP will allow me to turn my challenges into a source of healing for others. Someone who leads with compassion, stands up for the vulnerable, and offers hope when it is needed most. This next step in my education is not only a career goal. It is the fulfillment of a promise I made to myself during the hardest moments of my life.

From an early age, I have always been drawn to helping others and taking on leadership roles. In high school, I was naturally outgoing and deeply involved in student government, constantly seeking opportunities to serve my classmates and community. Whether I was organizing events, mentoring peers, or stepping up during times of conflict, I found fulfillment in being someone others could rely on. That sense of responsibility, connection, and service quickly became a core part of who I am. After high school, I wanted to continue giving back, so I began volunteering in my community and riding on the ambulance. It was there on those late nights responding to emergencies that I discovered my true calling. I remember the first time I watched nurses and doctors work seamlessly under pressure. They didn’t just treat conditions; they cared for people. I saw how a nurse’s calm presence could comfort a frightened patient, how teamwork could turn chaos into order, and how compassion could exist even in the most stressful moments. Those experiences left a lasting impression on me. I knew I didn’t just want to witness that kind of work, I wanted to be part of it. As I pursued my nursing education and became a registered nurse, my appreciation for the profession deepened. Nursing is not only about clinical skill it’s about empathy, critical thinking, and resilience. I fell in love with the hospital environment and the privilege of caring for people during their most vulnerable moments. Every patient interaction taught me something new about humanity about patience, strength, and hope. I learned that sometimes, the smallest gestures holding someone’s hand, listening without judgment, or offering reassurance—can mean more than any medication or procedure. Over the years, I have also developed a deep interest in mental health. Working in healthcare has shown me that healing extends beyond the physical body; emotional and psychological well-being are equally vital. I have seen how mental health struggles can affect patients, families, and even colleagues, and I want to be part of the solution. That passion has led me to continue my education to become a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I want to use my experience, compassion, and clinical knowledge to help individuals find stability, self-worth, and hope again. Nursing has shaped me into a stronger, more empathetic version of myself. It has taught me to lead with heart, to see the person behind every diagnosis, and to never stop learning. My life experiences from high school leadership to ambulance volunteering to my years as a registered nurse have all guided me to this path. Nursing isn’t just my career; it’s my purpose, and I am proud to continue growing within this profession that embodies service, compassion, and lifelong learning.

My Passion for Emergency Services and Community Involvement Nine years ago, I joined South Country Ambulance with a simple goal: to get patient care time to prepare me for nursing school. What I didn’t expect was how deeply I would fall in love with the work—especially the sense of purpose that comes from serving others in their most vulnerable moments. Over time, my passion grew beyond just emergency care. I quickly gained rank and became a lieutenant, the first and only female lieutenant in our department. I became increasingly aware of the emotional and psychological toll this job takes not only on our patients but on my fellow EMTs and first responders as well. I saw colleagues struggle after traumatic calls, often in silence, and it made me realize that mental health care is just as critical as physical first aid. Educational and Career Goals This realization led me to pursue a path that blends both emergency medicine and mental health. I’m currently furthering my education to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). My goal is to take this specialized skill set back to the field—not only to become a more compassionate and effective EMT, but to be a trusted mental health resource for my South Country and EMS family. I want to bridge the gap between emergency response and emotional care, especially for those who are always expected to be strong. Mental health is often hidden away and ignored. I want to use my education to open doors and break barriers, use early recognition to help those in need. Positive Impact on the Community First responders often put others before themselves and rarely seek the help they need. With my training as a PMHNP, I aim to change that within my own ambulance company by offering free, confidential counseling to my coworkers. By doing so, I hope to foster a culture where mental health is openly discussed and prioritized. My ultimate goal is to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health in emergency services and create a support system that uplifts those who serve our communities every day. This journey started as a way to fund my education, but it has become a calling to serve on a deeper, more meaningful level—for my patients, my coworkers, and my community. Everyone you meet is fighting their own battle, whether it’s in their time of crisis and they called 911 or it’s the person responding to that 911 call putting aside all of their own needs to help someone in their community. I have the utmost respect for first responders, they put everything and everyone before themselves. I want to use my education to guide them to be able to navigate the most challenging moments. Receiving this scholarship would not only ease the financial burden of my education, but directly support my mission to give back in a way that is often overlooked. I am committed, driven, and ready to make a lasting difference in the lives of first responders and those we care for.