Nursing Profession Is The Place Where Chaos Meets On The Arms Of The Vulnerability

Come join me at the edge of the Nursing profession. Where calm meets chaos in the arms of vulnerability. Watch with me, as the fear of the unknown and the truth of the inevitable crash. Only, to create a perfect harmony of compassion, humility, and trust in the face of humanity. Come join me on the journey to the rest of my life.

So many changes in one year. Life and death, winter and spring, love and pain. One year ago, I would have never thought I would be applying to nurse school. Yet, here I am embarking on this path. After all, as Ralph Emmerson once said, “do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail”. A few months ago, I was diagnosed with an extremely rare lung disorder. This diagnosis, to me, was just a diagnosis. It didn’t make the struggle of surgery or months in a hospital bed any more bearable. However, it altered me, my career, and my future forever. It’s not the pain nor the pure struggle that I become reminded of, but rather, the exceptional nurses that took care of me during this vulnerable time. They were the ones advocating for me day in and day out.

I’ll never forget my first nurse on the unit, Katie, who was a complete sweetheart. Caitlyn got me to eat after an entire week and I can’t leave out Melody who was my donut snatching buddy. Brianna was my light at such scary moments. Of course, there was my night ninja, Dee, who I truly felt safe around. Not to mention, my good friend Blaine, who kept me laughing and never left my side. These are only a few of the people who touched my life substantially. They are the reason I am pursuing Nursing. One kind gesture from each of these inspirations changed my life and I will one day change many lives of my own.

My passion for the healthcare field has always been an influence in my life. However, it really took flight during my high school career. I spent a large portion of those four years advocating for healthcare aspects through my academic research on nanoparticles, artificial muscles, and adolescent mental health crises. I was a member of the research team and competed in regional competitions. These competitions were my way of standing up for what I believed in, raising awareness, and contributing to the science community. I will forever be grateful for the impact these experiences have had on me. I have chosen to continue this academic pursuit through the Environmental Sustainability group at UIW. I am now on their research team and preparing to conduct an approach that will enrich our environment by decreasing greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. I look forward to my ability to grow both personally and academically through this opportunity.

Being an advocate and a leader in my community is an essential part of who I am. This personal endeavor is present in my commitment to community service and teamwork. I was a part of the volleyball team during my high school years and this opened so many doors for me. I had bilateral knee surgery my junior year and was told I could never play again. This seemed like the end of the world at the time, but little did I know how much I would gain from this. I was the team manager for the remainder of the seasons and I gained astounding leadership skills. My Coach allowed me to take part in her responsibilities and truly mentored me on what it meant to lead a group of young, ambitious women. I allowed this knowledge to carry through with me as Chapter Secretary of the National Honor Society. I worked closely with ChildSafe, the Animal Care Services of San Antonio, and many other community organizations. Through these relationships, I was able to organize volunteer events for myself and my peers to give back to society. This only strengthened my devotion to the medical field and service work. I hope to one day leverage these essential leadership skills into my future career and role in my community.

Overall, I aspire to make an impact toward a healthier and more enriched society. My degree in Nursing will provide the education that I need to succeed. As Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. Alone, I may not be able to change the world, but healthcare and this opportunity will change mine. Patient by patient, day by day, I will make my mark.