As a nursing student at Georgia State University, my ultimate goal is to build a career rooted in compassionate, patient-centered care. This aspiration is not just about becoming a skilled nurse but about creating a lasting impact on the healthcare system and my community. I want to build a future where healthcare is accessible, equitable, and provided with empathy, particularly for underserved communities. One of the ways I hope to achieve this is by specializing in obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) nursing. I have always been passionate about women’s health, especially reproductive care, and I want to help break down the barriers that prevent women, particularly women of color, from receiving the care they need. In the U.S., black women experience disparities in maternal health, with higher rates of maternal mortality and inadequate prenatal care. This is a problem I am committed to addressing. I want to build a practice where women feel heard and respected, and where their health needs are prioritized, regardless of their socioeconomic status or background. To build this future, I’m focusing not just on my academic growth but on the relationships I form with others. As I continue my studies, I aim to foster meaningful connections with my professors, peers, and healthcare professionals to learn from their experiences and perspectives. I plan to seek out mentorships and opportunities to be involved in community health initiatives, particularly those that serve women and families. By building these relationships, I’ll gain insights that will help me better understand the needs of those I aim to serve, and how I can most effectively make a difference in their lives. Furthermore, I want to build a legacy of mentorship and support for future generations of nurses. As I progress in my career, I hope to guide other young women of color, showing them that it is possible to succeed in healthcare despite the obstacles we face. By fostering a culture of mentorship and support, I can help create a pipeline of diverse voices and perspectives in the nursing field, which will ultimately benefit patients and the healthcare system as a whole. Building this future will not only impact me personally by fulfilling my passion for nursing and healthcare, but it will also benefit my community by improving health outcomes and providing a voice for those who are often overlooked. By focusing on empathy, education, and service, I will contribute to a future where healthcare is a tool for empowerment and healing, and where everyone has an opportunity to thrive.

My name is Zariah Bones, and I am a second-year nursing student at Georgia State University, deeply committed to making a meaningful impact on both my community and the world. Inspired by the resilience of women like Michele L. Durant, I see education not only as a means of personal advancement but also as a tool to uplift those around me. Through my journey in nursing, I aim to not only provide quality care but to advocate for change in healthcare systems that have historically underserved communities, particularly those of color. As a woman of color pursuing a career in nursing, I am keenly aware of the challenges that come with navigating educational and professional spaces. From financial burdens to the lack of representation in leadership positions, these obstacles can sometimes feel overwhelming. However, I view these challenges as an opportunity to create a pathway for others, particularly young black women, to thrive in healthcare and beyond. The mentorship and support that I hope to provide in my future career will be deeply influenced by my own experiences and the gaps I have observed in representation. I aim to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) nursing because I want to be a part of an area of healthcare where women’s voices and concerns are often overlooked. I want to help empower women, especially black women, to take control of their health and navigate the complexities of reproductive care. By doing so, I hope to foster not only better health outcomes but also stronger communities. I understand that economic barriers and lack of access to resources can often prevent people from receiving the care they need, and as a nurse, I want to make sure that these barriers are addressed. The financial assistance provided by the Michele L. Durant Scholarship will help ease the burden of student debt, allowing me to focus on excelling in my studies and gaining the necessary experience to make a lasting impact in my field. With the education I will receive, I intend to be a mentor and role model for others, much like the way Michele Durant was a mentor in her community. I aspire to be a “forever student,” constantly learning and growing so that I can uplift others, particularly young black women, and inspire them to pursue leadership roles in healthcare and other fields. By continuing Michele L. Durant’s legacy of perseverance, education, and community, I hope to create spaces where the voices of women of color are heard, respected, and empowered. In doing so, I will contribute to a future where healthcare systems are more equitable, and where women of color can excel without the financial and social barriers that currently exist.

Nursing is not just a career for me; it’s a calling. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of compassionate care when my grandmother, diagnosed with lung cancer, experienced a remarkable recovery under the care of my mother and me. This experience ignited my desire to become a nurse, as I saw how meaningful and impactful personalized care could be. It wasn’t just the medical interventions that helped her heal; it was the connection, understanding, and comfort she received from those who cared for her. This is the kind of nurse I aspire to be—one who treats the whole person, not just the symptoms. I am currently pursuing a nursing degree at Georgia State University, where I’m learning not just about medical procedures and techniques, but also about the holistic approach to patient care. The challenges of the profession, particularly the nursing shortage, inspire me to continue on this path and to take on the responsibility of helping address the healthcare gaps in my community and beyond. Like Beverly J. Patterson, I believe that nursing is a lifelong journey of growth, and I’m eager to contribute to the profession in ways that make a real difference. While I am open to many areas of nursing, my heart is set on specializing in OBGYN care. I am particularly passionate about working with women during pivotal stages of their lives—whether it’s during pregnancy, childbirth, or managing reproductive health. This field is deeply rewarding because it involves guiding women through life-changing moments and offering support during some of the most important times in their lives. In addition to medical expertise, OBGYN nursing requires a deep sense of empathy and the ability to provide comfort and understanding during vulnerable moments. What excites me most about this specialty is the opportunity to empower women, helping them understand and make informed decisions about their health. By fostering trusting relationships with patients, I hope to contribute to positive health outcomes and ensure that women feel heard and cared for. Like Beverly J. Patterson, who used her role as an RN to open doors for others and share her knowledge, I aspire to create an impact in OBGYN nursing by not only providing top-notch care but also by mentoring future nurses and fostering a culture of compassion and respect in healthcare. This scholarship will help me pursue my goals by alleviating some of the financial burdens of nursing school, allowing me to focus on gaining the necessary experience and education to become the best nurse I can be. In honor of Beverly J. Patterson’s legacy, I aim to continue the work of improving lives, inspiring others, and making a lasting impact in the field of nursing.

When I reflect on my educational journey, it’s impossible not to start with my grandmother. She was diagnosed with lung cancer and given three weeks to live—a prognosis that devastated my family. My mother and I became her caregivers, managing her medications, assisting with her daily needs, and sitting by her bedside when she was at her weakest. Those three weeks turned into several months, and her improvement was nothing short of miraculous. It was during those moments, holding her hand and offering her strength, that I realized the profound impact of compassionate care. This is when I discovered my reasoning for wanting to become a nurse. Prior to this event, I always knew that I wanted to help others, but this solidified my decision, and I felt a sense of belonging in healthcare At the time, I didn’t have formal training, but I saw firsthand how empathy and dedication could uplift not only the body but also the spirit. That experience was my “aha” moment—the spark that set me on the path to becoming a nurse. My journey hasn’t been without challenges. Balancing part-time work while pursuing my nursing degree has taught me resilience and perseverance. It has also allowed me to serve diverse and underserved populations, deepening my understanding of the vital role nurses play in advocating for patients who might otherwise feel invisible. I am also a CPR instructor, a role that allows me to empower others with life-saving skills. Moments like watching a father of a medically vulnerable child leave my class with newfound confidence remind me why I chose this path. As I write this, I can’t help but think about Joseph Joshua Searor’s story. His courage to return to school while balancing the demands of life is inspiring and resonates deeply with me. Like him, I aspire to continue learning and growing so I can make a greater impact. My ultimate goal is to gain bedside nursing experience at Grady Hospital, where I will be challenged to provide exceptional, compassionate care while honing my clinical skills. Joseph’s legacy reminds me that nursing is not just a career—it’s a calling that requires ambition, drive, and passion. I am honored to pursue this path, knowing it is filled with opportunities to make meaningful connections and uplift others in their most vulnerable moments. This scholarship would not only support my educational journey but also empower me to carry forward the compassion and dedication that Joseph exemplified throughout his life.

When I think about why I want to become a nurse, my grandmother’s story is always at the first event to come to my mind. She was diagnosed with lung cancer and given just three weeks to live. During this difficult time, my mother and I took on the responsibility of caring for her, managing her medications, helping with her daily needs, and providing emotional support. Despite the grim prognosis, with time, love, and the care we offered, her health began to improve. What was expected to be a short, heartbreaking journey turned into several months of quality time together, allowing us to share moments of joy and connection that we would have otherwise missed. This experience had a profound impact on me, and it was in those quiet, yet powerful moments of caring for her that I realized my calling: to become a nurse. I saw firsthand how important it is not just to address a patient’s physical needs, but to support their emotional and mental well-being as well. The difference that compassionate care can make in someone’s life became clear to me. It’s one thing to manage symptoms or administer medication; it’s another to offer comfort, dignity, and a listening ear during a person’s most vulnerable moments. Nursing, to me, is more than just a profession. It’s a way to bring about meaningful change in people’s lives, especially during their most challenging times. Nurses are often the unsung heroes, offering not only medical care but also emotional support, encouragement, and hope. I want to be the kind of nurse who cares for the whole person—the body, the mind, and the spirit—just as my family did for my grandmother. The more I reflect on this experience, the more certain I become that nursing is my true calling. It’s not just about the science or the technical skills, but about building relationships with patients, listening to their fears and concerns, and providing the care that they need to heal—not just physically, but emotionally. My time with my grandmother showed me the importance of compassionate care, and it inspired me to pursue this path, where I can make a real difference in the lives of others. I want to offer the same comfort, support, and healing that was so crucial for my family and me during that difficult time, and I believe nursing will allow me to do just that every day.