Becoming a nurse is more than just a career goal for me it’s a personal calling deeply shaped by my life experiences, challenges, and values. I am a single mother of a spirited three-year-old daughter, and our journey together has taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of compassion qualities that are also essential in nursing. I am pursuing this path because I want to be a source of healing and hope for others, just as certain nurses have been for me and my loved ones during our most difficult times. My inspiration for nursing began with my mother. She was in ICU care, and the nurses who cared for her were calm, knowledgeable, and deeply empathetic. They didn’t just provide medications or check vitals they listened, explained things in ways our family could understand, and offered comfort when words weren’t enough. Watching their work showed me what it truly means to care for someone not just physically, but emotionally. It was in those quiet, powerful moments that I realized I wanted to become that person for someone else. My interest in nursing also comes from my personal experience navigating the healthcare system. After moving from Richmond, Virginia to Texas, I had limited support and found myself advocating for my own health and for my daughter’s well-being. I realized how confusing and overwhelming medical information can be, especially for people with limited access or understanding. I want to be the nurse who bridges those gaps for others. I believe that with the right communication and empathy, we can reduce fear, increase trust, and empower patients to take control of their health. I am especially drawn to two specialties: wound care and mental health nursing. Both require attention to detail, compassion, and advocacy. Wound care nurses play a critical role in healing and improving quality of life, while mental health nurses provide vital support to patients often battling invisible wounds. I am passionate about both areas because they represent physical and emotional aspects of healing and both are deeply personal to me. I’ve seen firsthand how untreated mental health issues affect families, and I’ve experienced how proper care can change someone’s outlook and future. Beyond clinical skills, I see myself growing into a nursing leader someone who not only cares for patients but also mentors future nurses, works collaboratively with healthcare teams, and advocates for underserved communities. I want to use my voice to fight for health equity, especially for single parents, people of color, and those struggling with access to care. Leadership in nursing means being courageous, honest, and resilient. My life has prepared me for that. Balancing school, parenthood, and work has been difficult, but it has also taught me time management, persistence, and the importance of purpose. I have volunteered in hospice, rehabilitation, mental health, and med-surg settings. These experiences have given me exposure to real-life challenges in healthcare and confirmed my desire to serve others through nursing. Every moment has been a step toward this goal learning to care, to lead, and to make a difference. Receiving support to continue my nursing education would lift a tremendous weight from my shoulders. More than that, it would mean that someone believes in my dream and in my ability to make a difference. I am not just pursuing nursing for myself I am doing it for my daughter, for the patients I will one day care for, and for the communities I will serve. I want to be a light for others in their darkest moments, just as nurses once were for me.

My decision to pursue nursing is deeply personal and rooted in my own journey of resilience, caregiving, and the desire to be a leader in my community. I am a single mother to a vibrant three-year-old daughter, and we recently relocated from Richmond, Virginia to Texas with very little support. This transition has required strength, adaptability, and constant problem solving qualities that mirror the heart of nursing leadership. Nursing appeals to me not only because I want to care for others, but because I want to be a voice for patients who feel unseen or unheard. I understand what it feels like to navigate healthcare systems with uncertainty, to advocate for someone you love, and to hope that someone will truly listen. These experiences have shaped me into someone who is not afraid to speak up, ask questions, and lead with compassion. My inspiration to pursue nursing began during my mother’s final months in Icu. Watching the nurses who cared for her left a powerful impression on me. Their calm presence, ability to coordinate with other healthcare professionals, and constant reassurance to our family during such an emotional time showed me what true leadership looks like. They weren’t just following medical procedures they were leading with empathy, guiding us through the unknown, and creating a safe space for both physical and emotional healing. That’s the kind of nurse I want to become. I plan to specialize in wound care and mental health nursing, two fields that require a high level of patience, precision, and advocacy. In both areas, nurses often take the lead in patient education, emotional support, and interprofessional collaboration. As a future nurse leader, I want to not only provide excellent bedside care but also help shape systems that are more compassionate and equitable. My long-term goal is to become a certified wound care specialist and eventually earn my nurse practitioner license with a focus on mental health. Along the way, I’ve taken steps to prepare myself for this journey. I’ve volunteered in various healthcare settings, including hospice, rehabilitation, and mental health units. I’ve juggled school, work, and parenthood learning to stay organized, motivated, and focused under pressure. These experiences have strengthened my time management, communication, and leadership skills tools that will serve me well in both clinical settings and in mentoring others. Receiving this scholarship would be a tremendous help in relieving financial stress and allowing me to focus fully on my studies and clinical training. It would also symbolize the belief others have in my potential not just as a nursing student, but as a future nurse leader who strives to make a meaningful impact in her community. I am committed to using my voice, education, and experience to lift others up, especially those who feel overlooked or underserved. I found out about this scholarship through my school’s financial aid office.

There have been many moments in my life where giving up seemed like the easier option but I’ve learned that the most powerful kind of leadership often comes when no one is watching, when you choose to rise even when everything feels heavy. One of the biggest obstacles I’ve faced was moving across the country with my daughter, from Richmond, Virginia to Texas. I was a single mother with little support, stepping into the unknown. I didn’t have family nearby, childcare secured, or a job waiting I just had the determination to create a better future for my child. At times, it felt overwhelming. I was navigating unfamiliar cities, starting a new nursing program, and trying to make ends meet with very limited resources. But I couldn’t afford to let fear win. During this time, I also experienced setbacks in my education delays in my clinical placements, issues with registration, and moments when I questioned if I could really keep going. Still, I chose to keep showing up. I reached out to instructors, advocated for myself when things went wrong, and found solutions rather than excuses. I reminded myself daily of the reason I started: my daughter. She deserves to grow up watching her mother push through the hardest seasons with grace and grit. Through these challenges, I’ve discovered my inner strength, but more importantly, I’ve also grown as a leader. Leadership, to me, isn’t about titles it’s about impact. I’ve led by example, showing my classmates and community that it’s possible to chase your dreams while being a full-time parent. I’ve helped other nursing students navigate school while managing families of their own, offering notes, resources, or just a listening ear when things got tough. In clinical settings, I’ve been the first to step up during difficult assignments, support my peers emotionally, and speak up for patients who couldn’t advocate for themselves. Even outside the hospital, I’ve used my voice to help build awareness about mental health and the need for culturally sensitive care. These leadership moments may not be on a stage, but they’ve made a difference where it matters most in people’s lives. What I’ve learned is that leadership often looks like endurance. It’s choosing to keep going when it’s hard. It’s lifting others up when you barely feel strong enough yourself. And it’s believing in something bigger than your circumstances. That’s the kind of leader I strive to be and the kind I hope to become as a nurse serving my community with heart, resilience, and purpose.

My name is Zahara, and I am a single mother of a spirited three-year-old daughter. A few years ago, I made the difficult decision to leave Richmond, Virginia and move to Texas with almost no support system just a deep desire to build a better life for my child and myself. That leap of faith became the first step in a much bigger journey: the journey to becoming a nurse. My passion for nursing stems from both personal experience and a natural pull toward helping others. I’ve always had a nurturing spirit, but it wasn’t until I became a mother, and later volunteered in VA hospitals, hospice centers, and mental health units, that I saw nursing as the path where I could truly make a difference. It’s not just about treating illness; it’s about meeting people in their most vulnerable moments with compassion, strength, and presence. What inspires me most about Margaret A. Briller’s legacy is her commitment to care, resilience, and making a lasting impact. These values speak directly to my heart and my goals. Like her, I see nursing as more than a job. It is service. It is advocacy. It is the bridge between science and humanity. And it is exactly the kind of work I want to dedicate my life to. My dream is to specialize in wound care and mental health nursing two areas where I believe healing requires not just clinical skills, but deep empathy and consistent follow-through. Wound care often reflects more than what meets the eye. Behind every physical wound, there can be emotional pain, fear, and a loss of dignity. In mental health, patients often struggle with invisible wounds that require patience and understanding. I want to be the nurse who listens, sees the whole person, and advocates fiercely for their healing inside and out. However, the road to this dream has not been without challenge. As a full-time nursing student and mother, I have faced significant financial hurdles. Between tuition, textbooks, childcare, and basic living expenses, every dollar is stretched. I’ve learned to budget carefully, sacrifice when needed, and seek every opportunity to stay on track. Despite all this, there are moments when I’ve wondered how I’ll make it through especially when unexpected costs arise. Receiving the Margaret A. Briller Memorial Scholarship would be more than just financial relief. It would be validation a recognition that my journey and efforts matter. This scholarship would lift some of the financial weight off my shoulders, allowing me to focus fully on my studies and clinical work without constantly worrying about how to pay for childcare or transportation. It would help me stay enrolled and engaged in the final stretch of my program, and more importantly, it would remind me that there are people who believe in students like me who see our potential, even through the struggle. Throughout my education, I’ve faced many moments of adversity. From managing night shifts as a caregiver to waking up early for classes while caring for a toddler, I’ve had to balance roles that often pull in opposite directions. There have been tears, setbacks, and even times when I considered giving up. But each time, I reminded myself why I started this journey: to give my daughter a better life and to serve people who need someone like me. I carry her picture in my binder and keep a quote on my wall: “You didn’t come this far, just to come this far.” That’s what keeps me going. With my nursing degree, I plan to give back to mentor other young nursing students, especially single mothers, and to work in underserved communities where compassionate, culturally sensitive care is most needed. I want to use my voice to promote mental health awareness and bring light to the importance of healing beyond the physical body. I hope to participate in community outreach, vaccination education, and wound management programs that serve those often overlooked by the system. Margaret A. Briller believed in excellence, service, and the power of nursing to change lives. If I am honored with this scholarship, I will carry her legacy forward with gratitude, dedication, and heart. Because to me, nursing isn’t just my career it is my calling, and with the support of this scholarship, I will rise into it with even greater strength.

My name is Zahara, and I am a single mother to a wonderful three-year-old daughter. I moved from Richmond, Virginia to Texas with very little support, driven by the hope of creating a better life for my family. This journey has taught me resilience, strength, and the power of determination. It has also deepened my desire to serve others through a career in nursing. Nursing, to me, is not just a profession it is a calling. I am passionate about becoming a nurse specializing in wound care and mental health, two areas where patients often experience both physical and emotional challenges. I believe that healing comes not only from medical treatment but also from empathy, patience, and understanding. These qualities are what I want to bring to my future patients. My experience volunteering at VA hospitals, rehab centers, hospice care, mental health units, and med-surgical floors has given me valuable insight into the role nurses play in healing and advocacy. I’ve seen firsthand how compassionate care can change someone’s day, or even their life. These experiences confirmed my commitment to pursue nursing and motivated me to excel academically and clinically despite the challenges of balancing school and motherhood. I plan to make a positive impact on my community by providing holistic care that addresses both physical wounds and mental health needs. Many individuals, especially in underserved areas, face barriers to healthcare and often feel overlooked or misunderstood. I want to be a nurse who listens deeply, advocates fiercely, and supports healing in all its forms. By educating patients about their health and empowering them to take control, I hope to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities in my community. Moreover, I believe that nursing is a vital bridge between the healthcare system and the community. As a nurse, I want to participate in public health initiatives, such as vaccine education and mental health awareness programs, that promote wellness and prevent illness. Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, I will strive to bring resources and knowledge to those who need it most. Being part of my community has shown me the strength that comes from connection and mutual support. I want to pay forward the kindness and encouragement I have received by becoming a nurse who cares not only for individuals but also for the broader community’s well-being. Ultimately, my goal is to combine my professional skills with my personal commitment to compassion and advocacy. I am dedicated to growing as a nurse, a mother, and a community member who makes a meaningful difference. Nursing will allow me to fulfill this purpose by healing, educating, and empowering those I serve.

When I first moved from Richmond, Virginia to Texas, I had no roadmap—just a daughter on my hip, a few belongings, and a heart full of hope. I didn’t have extended family nearby, and support systems were few. But I knew I wanted a better life, and I believed I could build one from the ground up. What I didn’t expect was how deeply my sense of community would shape that journey. I came to understand that community isn’t always about who you’ve known the longest—it’s about who shows up. Over time, through nursing school, daycare drop-offs, and long nights of studying, I found myself surrounded by people who lifted me up when I needed it most. It was my classmates offering to share notes after a hard day. It was a fellow single mom who watched my daughter while I went to clinicals. It was the instructors who saw potential in me when I felt exhausted and unsure. These acts of kindness were small on the surface—but together, they built something life-changing: hope. One of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had was volunteering at a local hospice center. I didn’t know what to expect. At first, I was scared to get close, scared of saying or doing the wrong thing. But as the weeks passed, I learned something sacred: that presence is powerful. I sat with patients who didn’t have visitors. I held hands, listened to stories, prayed when asked, or just sat in silence. There was one patient who reminded me of my grandmother. Every time I visited, she’d light up and call me her angel. The day she passed, the nurse told me she asked about me that morning. It was then I realized: even the smallest acts just showing up, offering time, offering love can create lasting connection. That experience didn’t just teach me how to care for others. It taught me how to be part of something bigger than myself. Community gave me more than support it gave me purpose. It helped me see that resilience isn’t just about enduring struggles; it’s about rising with others, not alone. Now, I carry that lesson with me every day. It fuels my dream of becoming a nurse. I want to serve communities that are overlooked or underserved. I want to be a source of comfort for those who feel unseen. I want to pay forward every act of kindness that helped me stand where I am now. Being part of a community has shown me that hope isn’t something you wait for it’s something you create, together. Through connection, through care, through compassion.

My name is Zahara, and my journey into nursing is deeply personal. I am a single mother to a beautiful three-year-old girl, and every step I take in life is not only for me, but for her future. A few years ago, I made the hard decision to move from Richmond, Virginia to Texas with very little support just faith, determination, and a heart set on change. That leap of faith shaped me into the woman I am today: someone who is resilient, grounded, and ready to serve. What draws me to nursing is not just the science or the stability it’s the connection. It’s being able to hold someone’s hand when they’re scared, to be a steady presence when everything else feels uncertain. I’ve always had a heart for helping people, but it wasn’t until I walked through some of my own life struggles that I realized how powerful healing can be not just physical healing, but emotional and spiritual, too. That’s what I want to bring to the world as a nurse. I’m especially passionate about wound care and mental health nursing. To me, both specialties represent unseen pain wounds that others may overlook or misunderstand. Whether it's a pressure ulcer or the invisible burden of depression, I want to be the person who notices, who cares, and who works to bring comfort and hope. These are the areas where patients often feel most vulnerable, and I believe that’s where a nurse’s compassion can make the biggest impact. I’ve taken intentional steps to prepare for this calling. I’ve volunteered in VA hospitals, rehab centers, hospice care, mental health units, and med-surg floors, learning from the patients, the nurses, and the stories I witnessed. Whether I was helping with daily tasks, sitting quietly with a hospice patient, or offering support to someone in crisis, I saw the difference that presence makes. These experiences didn’t just teach me skills they reminded me why this work matters. Balancing school, clinicals, and raising my daughter hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it. I’ve learned how to be resourceful, how to stay focused, and how to rise even when I’m tired. I’ve learned how strong I really am and how deeply I want to use that strength to care for others. Becoming a nurse is more than a goal for me it’s a promise. A promise to my daughter, that she’ll grow up seeing her mom do meaningful work. A promise to my future patients, that they will be treated with dignity, kindness, and respect. And a promise to myself, that I will never stop growing, serving, and showing up with heart.

The nursing profession appeals to me because it blends compassion, science, advocacy, and service all things that align with my personal values and strengths. I’ve always felt a deep sense of responsibility toward helping others, and becoming a nurse allows me to do that in a hands-on, life-changing way. What makes nursing so meaningful to me is that it isn’t just about treating illness; it’s about healing people physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I am especially passionate about wound care and mental health nursing, two areas that require both technical skill and an extraordinary level of empathy and patience. As a single mother to a three-year-old daughter, my journey hasn’t followed a traditional path. I relocated from Richmond, Virginia to Texas with very little support. That move was both challenging and transformative it taught me strength, independence, and how to persevere for the sake of my child and our future. I knew I wanted a career that would not only provide stability but also allow me to be a role model for my daughter, someone she could look up to and be proud of. Nursing gives me that opportunity. My short-term goal is to complete nursing school and gain licensure so I can begin working directly in patient care, with a focus on wound management and mental health services. In the long term, I hope to earn certifications in both specialties, work in underserved communities, and eventually mentor or teach nursing students. I want to advocate for patients who feel unheard or unseen and be the kind of nurse who makes them feel safe, valued, and understood. To prepare for this journey, I’ve volunteered in multiple healthcare settings including VA hospitals, rehabilitation centers, hospice care, mental health units, and med-surg floors. These experiences exposed me to different patient populations and helped me develop core nursing values such as empathy, communication, and cultural sensitivity. Whether I was assisting with non-clinical tasks, sitting with patients who had no visitors, or supporting staff during high-stress moments, I learned that being present really present matters just as much as clinical knowledge. I’ve also faced challenges such as navigating school, parenting, and clinical responsibilities with limited outside help. These hardships have only strengthened my determination and sharpened my time management skills. Every obstacle I’ve overcome has been a reminder of why I chose this path in the first place. Nursing, to me, is not just a career it is a calling. It’s about showing up, not only when it’s easy, but especially when it’s hard. I am proud of the growth I’ve experienced so far and excited for the future I am building for myself, for my daughter, and for the patients I will one day serve with compassion and purpose.