Joseph Joshua Searor Memorial Scholarship

Growing up with an engineer father and musician mother, I quickly learned of the differences between art and science. Although this gifted me with a very diverse and unique upbringing, come college I had difficulty figuring out which direction I wanted my life to go. It wasn't until my brother started his nursing degree that I found a glimpse of what I would soon desire to pursue. After completing my first degree in Digital Media with an emphasis in audio production, I started thinking more about making my life as meaningful as it could be and decided to pursue a degree in nursing. After completing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, it was a quick transition from classroom education to clinical practice. Being married to a Pediatric ICU nurse, my wife was the reason I chose to begin my nursing career in critical care. It wasn't, however, until the COVID-19 pandemic began that I found my desire to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. During the heaviest days of the pandemic, our intensive care physicians were stretched so thin, they turned to our hospital's anesthesia staff to help with patient care. CRNA's and anesthesiologists would help with intubation, proning, and sedation, all while updating and educating family members on their loved one's care. This sparked my interest in anesthesia and led me to shadowing multiple CRNAs in the operating room, showing me that the position combined the joys of personal impact with the experience and intellect required of critical care nursing. This desire continued to blossom over the past year, when my wife suddenly required an abdominal surgery. Although three years of intensive care experience provided me surgical knowledge and expectation, having my own loved one's care in the hands of anesthesia staff brought me a new perspective. Anxiety set in as I began to think of patients I recently took care of who had unexpected surgical emergencies during a routine operation, requiring life support for an extended period of time. This nervous feeling was quickly decreased as the CRNA who entered the room was unbelievably gracious and informative; she earned my trust within minutes of my wife being rolled into the operating room. This solidified my passion to pursue a degree in nurse anesthesia. As I complete these three years of school, I endure many sleepless nights of studying, financial struggles of being unable to hold a job, and disappointments of not being able to spend much time with my wife and our newborn daughter, but I embrace the awaited joy of being the individual who gains the trust of patients and families in their most vulnerable times. A nurse anesthetist plays a role rarely placed on a pedestal; their position behind the scenes of a surgical operation requires confidence dressed in humility. This is the reason I have chosen to pursue my Doctorate in Nurse Anesthesia Practice: to humbly give compassionate care in the most uncertain moments before, during, and after surgery. Although there are many different career options for anesthesia, the operating room is my goal. As I complete my program at the University of South Carolina, my desire is to strongly prepare myself for these moments: the moments where a family is worried about a procedure, or a child is scared of what it means to be put to sleep. However, compassionate care begins with proper preparation. The educational rigor and clinical training required is heavy, but I will choose joy in the difficult moments to come, as the eventual reward of giving strong and comforting care will be more than worth the struggle.

My father lay dying. My emotions were an overflowing amalgamation of feelings. One thing I knew for sure - hospice and more specifically, the hospice nurse was the prime target of all of those negative emotions. How could she? Fast forward to about 6 years later. Real estate was my chosen field. But, I felt unfulfilled. My daily routine was just a well choreographed dance that I had come to dread. There had to be more than signing leases and calling the late payers. The years had allowed copious reflection. That hospice nurse- she had such an amazing role. She was caregiver, practitioner, confidant, guide and mood lightener. It was as if the clouds parted and was able to see the bright answer. I wanted to become a registered nurse. Never having done anything in the medical field, my family and friends were curiously surprised at this news. But, that didn’t deter me. Little did I know that the universe had other plans. “I am so sorry, Helen” The doctor said quietly. “It is cancer.” That was not the news that I had anticipated hearing two weeks before classes were due to start. The next few moments were a blur of surgery discussions and plans for radiation. But, my heart was broken because I knew I wouldn’t be able to begin classes. The next day, my plan was to hold it together and not cry as the phone dialed The Western PA Hospital School of Nursing. The kind counselor assured that my seat would be secure in the next year’s cohort. Classes only began once a year. I would have to wait and recuperate. That year did nothing but make me more determined to pursue my nursing dream. During this time, I took courses at the local community college so that all that would be needed were my nursing courses. School began in August of 2008 and I have never regretted my decision. Please don’t misunderstand, there have been some incredibly difficult moments. There have also been moments more powerful than words. My first RN role was as a med/surg nurse on a very busy floor. This was in an era prior to nursing residencies and electronic charting. It was sink or swim nursing as often on night turn, we would have 9 patients and this still green nurse would have to be in charge. But, I worked with some amazing folks that educated and guided me and will be forever grateful to them. Over the next few years, I obtained my BSN, with a 3.9 gpa. Changed roles every few years : Stepdown to ICU to PACU. My commitment to being as knowledgeable was evident in the certifications, which were obtained for each specialty. While working in PACU, a dear friend called and was trying to convince me that I would make a great hospice nurse. My initial reaction was negative, but, like a tiny seed, the thought grew. I cancelled my first 2 interviews with hospice. But, it still nagged at me. During the final interview, I just knew this is where I needed to be and still am 7 years later. Hospice isn’t an easy role but, it is immensely rewarding. All of the awards and accolades received pale in comparison to the thankful eyes of a family member or the peaceful death of a patient. My role is to guide and educated along this difficult journey. I am right where I need and want to be. As an DNP, my plan is to stay with hospice because my heart remains here.

A mother's love is truly a gift; a realization that dawned on me after becoming a mother myself. My journey has been greatly influenced by my mother's unwavering strength, who became a single parent of 4 after tragically losing my father to a motorcycle accident when I was just 10 years old. She worked tirelessly, often juggling 2 jobs to support our family. Though I wished for more of her time, looking back, I’m amazed at how she managed it all. As the eldest of 4, I had to toughen up and take on new responsibilities, from looking after my siblings to cooking by age 12, even mowing the lawn with my brother during summer breaks. I was well equipped for the many challenges that awaited, even with regard to my emotional well-being. I can vividly remember one morning when my mother walked from her bedroom, and her once long hair had been unevenly, cut short. I sensed her mood shift and lack of motivation, as she isolated herself in her room. I know now that my mother was battling depression and thankfully she made it through. My own experience with depression began a few years ago with the onset of the pandemic. Like many others, my life was suddenly disrupted, prompting a significant shift that for me started with the closing of my warehouse in 2020. I knew immediately I wanted to continue pursuing Nursing, so I enrolled at my local community college and completed 2 of 3 semesters required. Shortly after, my husband began experiencing health issues requiring short-term disability from work and surgery. We also relocated from our home in the city to a small rural development 30 minutes away. It was a dark, tumultuous period as I had to figure out quickly how to contribute more all while maintaining my sanity. My son also graduated high school in 2020 with aspirations to pursue a Robotics Engineering degree, which was delayed until 2022 due to these unforeseen circumstances. I worked full-time to support him, but after completing his 1st semester, we were surprised by an unexplained balance of out-of-district fees. I felt so hurt, furious, and helpless, realizing how my shortcomings were impacting my family’s future. Because of our family dynamic, my son was fully aware of our situation and knew how much we valued his success. So he moved on to enroll in another program offering Networking Engineering with plans to finish by Summer 2024. We ensured this college was in-district, however, financial aid covered all but $6000 for the program. Still determined, we devised a plan to split $625 monthly to pay the balance. Amidst the same period of 2022, I managed to complete my last semester of prerequisites, take the Nursing entrance exam, and earn acceptance into the program for the Spring of 2024, however, I deferred starting until Fall 2024 to ensure my son’s success. It’s a worthy sacrifice any proud mother would make, yet still leaves me to figure out how I’ll afford my own dream of earning my Nursing degree. My deepest aspiration is to gain prestige and become a servant of healthcare, utilizing my skills to enhance the lives of others. This scholarship is a crucial step toward that goal. Though my story may be unique, I know there are other capable individuals with similar stories. I hope within 5 years and because of your favor, I’ve become that confident Nurse restoring health & wellness, but also paying forward the same generosity to another student. Thank you for considering my story. Sincerely, Renee Daniels

God Said It Grandma said, “The best thing you can do is get your education. That way, no one can ever take that away from you.” I knew I was going to be a nurse when God said it. I was working in a well-known call center. I no longer felt challenged in my current position. As for my working goals, I either “met expectations” or “exceeded expectations.” I knew I had come to a crossroads when a supervisor position came open. I prayed and said, God, if this job is for me, I pray that you grant it. If it's not for me, I will trust you and your will, and I won't even be upset if I do not receive the position. I know that you have more in store for me. On the day of my interview, I dressed for success for my first managerial interview. However, once I got to the end of the interview, my nerves began to take hold of me, and I started to sweat bullets. In hindsight, after all, I got this: “We regret to inform you that you were not selected, and we've decided to move forward with other candidates.” So, I sought God after the disheartening news. Consequently, Mom always would go on about nursing school and learning about the positions of other roles in my job, stating I could become a licensed vocational nurse and work with the prescription team. I decided that this may be an opportunity to apply to nursing school. God had me apply to nursing school. So, I researched nursing programs, local nursing schools, and their requirements. Once I applied, God showed me a vision approximately three months earlier. I got accepted into the nursing program! As soon as May or June rolled around, I received notification I had met all the qualifications and was able to start nursing school. Mom and I jumped for joy when we received the news. At that point, I had no idea that life would change forever! I knew the moment God gave me nursing. It was my purpose. Now, I've been saving lives, healing others, and providing compassionate care. I've been a nurse for approximately three years now. I'm currently finishing up my bachelor's degree in nursing and need a financial blessing so I can graduate in March 2024. I plan to become an intensive care unit nurse and help those needing critical care.

My journey into nursing as a second degree was what shaped who I am today. It began with a series of decisions and experiences that have led me to where I am today. After completing my first bachelor's degree in Brain Behavior and Cognitive Sciences, my initial plan was to pursue either research or medical school. However, life took an unexpected turn when I moved to Florida for my fiancé's job after a year of a long-distance relationship. In order to stay close to home, I made the decision to switch tracks and enrolled in a practical nursing program. Choosing the practical nursing path allowed me to pursue my passion while avoiding the challenges of moving away and the financial burden associated with graduate school. The pivotal moment that solidified my desire to become a nurse occurred during my first clinicals in a nursing home within the practical nurse program. Witnessing the impact and importance of compassionate care during people's most vulnerable moments made me realize I wanted to be the person at the bedside with the patients. My journey continued as I successfully bridged to obtain my Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), followed by the pursuit of my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). As a registered nurse, I have gained valuable experience and insights into patient care in the Cardiac ICU. Currently, I am actively engaged in nursing education and work with ICU new graduate nurses to help them with professional development in their first 8 months. Despite the detours and challenges, I believe that every twist and turn in my path has provided me with a wealth of experiences and life lessons that have deepened my understanding of the human condition. Now, after twelve years of learning, I am hoping to obtain my doctorate, and become a nurse practitioner. While I want to work as a nurse Practioner my other passion is in teaching and education. I hope to further develop my ability to teach others and learn enough to be able to further other's educations as well. Today I am very glad I chose to stay close to home as we have been happily married for 11 years with two beautiful children. I now continue my education and my growth to give them the best future possible. I am hoping for a scholarship to help ease the cost of school and be able to continue to fund my children's future as well. While the road may have been longer than initially anticipated, I am grateful for the diverse experiences that have shaped me into the compassionate and dedicated individual I am today. These experiences have given me profound insights into the lives of those I aim to serve, reinforcing my commitment to making a meaningful impact in the field of healthcare as I work towards my terminal degree.