If you asked me years ago what career I saw myself pursuing, I probably wouldn’t have said nursing. It wasn’t something I grew up around or planned for. But life has a way of shifting your perspective especially after moments that leave a lasting impact. Losing my mother changed everything. Sitting in her hospital room, I saw firsthand how much nurses do not just medically, but emotionally. They weren’t just checking vitals, adjusting medications, or talking with doctors. They were present. They explained things when everything felt overwhelming. They treated her like a human being, not a room number or diagnosis. One nurse held my mother’s hand when she was scared. Another spoke to her with a tone that showed patience and respect, even when her condition made communication difficult. Watching them, I realized nursing wasn’t just a career it was a way of caring for people in their most difficult and vulnerable moments. That experience stayed with me. It made me want to be someone who can provide comfort when families feel powerless, scared, or confused just like those nurses did for mine. I want to be the person who brings calm into uncertainty, dignity into difficult times, and compassion into healthcare. As I’ve begun my nursing education, the more I learn, the more confident I am that this is the right path. Nursing requires more than clinical skill—it takes empathy, patience, resilience, and the ability to communicate clearly when emotions are high. It’s demanding, both mentally and emotionally, but it also has purpose. Every shift, every patient, every decision can make a real impact. I also understand the urgency in the profession right now. There’s a nationwide shortage of nurses, and that shortage affects patient care every day. It isn’t just a statistic it’s longer wait times, overwhelmed staff, and patients who deserve more attention than there are hands to give it. Knowing that motivates me not just to join the field but to approach it with dedication and responsibility. My goal isn’t just to earn a degree it’s to become the kind of nurse who advocates, listens, supports, and treats every patient with dignity. I want to give others what was given to my family when we needed it most: compassion, clarity, and care that goes beyond the medical chart. Pursuing nursing isn’t just a career decision it’s a personal commitment shaped by loss, gratitude, and purpose. I’m proud of the direction I’m heading, and I look forward to the opportunity to serve others in a way that truly matters.

Being a first-generation college student means taking a leap of faith into the unknown. For me, it meant starting over at twenty-six with nothing but courage, determination, and a belief that it’s never too late to chase a dream. I grew up in a community where higher education wasn’t a common path. After spending years in yeshiva, I decided to earn my GED a decision that required not only effort but also the courage to step far outside of what was familiar. Starting college later in life came with its challenges. I had to learn how to study in a completely different way, balance school with work, and overcome the self-doubt that comes from comparing yourself to younger classmates who seem to have it all figured out. But I also realized that my unique path gave me something powerful: perspective. I know what it means to work for every opportunity, and I don’t take any part of my education for granted. Entering the nursing field as a male student has been another challenge I’ve embraced. Nursing isn’t just a career it’s a calling to care for others with compassion and strength. I’ve had moments where I felt out of place, but those moments have only motivated me to work harder. I want to show that empathy, dedication, and resilience aren’t defined by gender, and that making a difference in people’s lives matters most. Being the first in my family to attend college carries a special kind of responsibility. I’m not just doing this for myself—I’m doing it for my parents, who never had the chance to pursue higher education, and for the next generation who will see that it’s possible. Every exam, every clinical, every late night studying is a step toward building a new legacy for my family. My dream is to become a registered nurse and serve my community, especially those who need compassionate care the most. Nursing gives me the chance to combine my desire to help others with my drive to grow personally and professionally. This scholarship would help me continue that journey by easing the financial burden of tuition and allowing me to focus more fully on my studies and clinical experience. What drives me most is the thought of being able to look back and know that I didn’t let fear or doubt hold me back. I want to be an example for others who start later in life or come from backgrounds where higher education seems out of reach. To me, being a first-generation student is about courage, perseverance, and the belief that every step forward no matter how small can change the future for an entire family.

Choosing to become a nurse was not a simple or direct path for me it took courage, perseverance, and a lot of faith. I grew up in a traditional Jewish environment and attended yeshiva for most of my life. My education focused heavily on religious studies, and while that gave me a strong foundation in faith, discipline, and compassion, it meant I didn’t follow the typical academic route. I didn’t earn my GED until age 26, and starting college at that stage of life took a lot of chutzpah. I was stepping into an unfamiliar world, surrounded by students years younger than me, and I often questioned whether I truly belonged. But I knew that I was meant to pursue a career where I could care for others, and that belief kept me going. I am now proudly enrolled in the nursing program at Touro university, and I can say that every challenge I faced getting here made me stronger and more determined. Entering the nursing field as a male also took courage. Nursing is still a female-dominated profession, and there are times when I’ve felt out of place. But I’ve learned that compassion, skill, and dedication have no gender. I take pride in being part of a new generation of Jewish men who see nursing not only as a profession, but as a calling to help others with strength, humility, and empathy. My mother passed away when I was sixteen, and that experience shaped me deeply. Watching her struggle with illness, and witnessing how the nurses cared for her with kindness, patience, and respect left a lasting impression on me. Even as a teenager, I could feel how their presence brought comfort in the darkest moments. That experience planted the seed for what would later become my purpose: to give others the same care and support that my mother received. Her memory continues to motivate me every day in this journey. Being the first in my family to go to college has also been a meaningful achievement. My parents came from humble beginnings, and their dream was always for me to have opportunities they never had. Being the first in my family to go to college has also been a meaningful achievement. My parents came from humble beginnings, and their dream was always for me to have opportunities they never had. Pursuing higher education is not just for myself—it’s for them, too. My faith teaches me the value of perseverance, service, and compassion, and those values guide every decision I make. Nursing allows me to live those teachings in real, tangible ways-through caring for others, easing pain, and bringing comfort to those in need. After I graduate, my goal is to serve the Jewish community, providing care that respects both physical and spiritual needs. I also plan to continue my education and become a Nurse Practitioner, so I can have an even greater impact. I want to be someone who not only heals, but also inspires others from my community to follow their dreams no matter how unconventional the path may be. Looking back, it’s clear that every part of my journey,yeshiva, my mother’s passing, earning my GED at 26, and choosing nursing as a man required chutzpah. It took nerve, courage, and faith to believe I could start over and succeed. I am proud of how far I’ve come, and I’m even more excited for the future. My goal is not just to be a nurse, but to be a nurse who serves with heart, strength, and purpose rooted in both my faith and my community.