Becoming a labor and delivery nurse is a passion that has strongly influenced me, shaped by personal events that have highlighted the important role of caring for others. Two significant events in my life placed me on the path to this profession: caring for my sick grandmother and seeing my aunt give birth, both of which impacted my viewpoint and motivated my passion for nursing. Growing up, I was lucky to have a close relationship with my grandmother. She was a source of strength and love in our family until illness hit, changing her once vibrant attitude. Watching my grandmother battle with her health was heartbreaking, but it also made me realize how important healthcare professionals are in providing comfort and healing. As her condition worsened, I became more involved in her care, helping with everyday activities, administering medication, and providing emotional support. These experiences were both tough and rewarding; they fueled my desire to make a real difference in the lives of others during their most vulnerable times. Another momentous event happened when I had the opportunity to observe my aunt give birth. The experience was nothing short of breathtaking. From the anticipation in the birth room to the immense delight that followed, I was hooked by the combination of medical expertise and loving care shown. Their calming presence and dedication had an unforgettable effect on me. It was during those times that I understood how much of an impact nurses have on both individuals and families, not just in times of crisis, but also in times of tremendous joy. These experiences solidified my desire to pursue a profession in nursing. I aspire to work in a field that brings together advances in knowledge with human compassion, where I can provide comfort, support, and expertise to patients and their families. Nursing, to me, is more than a profession; it is a commitment focused on caring for people in their most vulnerable moments and celebrating with them in their times of success. Moreover, the ever-changing world of nursing appeals to my natural drive for lifelong growth and education. I am inspired by the ability to work closely with diverse groups, adapt to changing settings in healthcare, and advocate for patients' rights and well-being. I'm excited to go on a journey where each day brings new challenges and opportunities to make an impact. Finally, my decision to become a nurse stems from my experiences caring for my grandma and experiencing the miracle of birth. These experiences have highlighted the power of empathy and given me a strong sense of purpose.

I decided to pursue a career in nursing because since taking care of my grandmother before she passed away, I have been deeply passionate about caring for others at their most vulnerable times. When I was around eight years old, I found out that my grandmother had colon cancer. Witnessing her journey through illness gave me a firsthand understanding of the impact of compassionate and skilled nursing care. I realized the critical roles that all nursing staff plays in the emotional, physical, and mental aspects of a patients' life. Her illness sparked an interest to care for her as much as I could in hopes to make my grandmother feel better. I found an immense fulfillment in taking her vitals everyday and providing comfort and care in her time of need. This desire to heal my grandmother also gave me the desire to help other people in the world and overall led me to choose nursing as a career path. My specific career goal is to become a labor and delivery nurse. The decision to become a L&D nurse stems for witnessing the birth of my cousin. The miracle of childbirth left a mark on me, not only because of the inspiring nature of bringing new life into the world but also because of the pivotal role that nurses played in supporting my aunt throughout the labor and delivery process. I was in awe by the dedication, expertise, and unwavering support exhibited by the labor and delivery nurses, who ensured both the physical well-being and emotional comfort of my aunt during this experience. Their ability to create a calm and supportive environment, coupled with their profound impact on my family's life, sparked my aspiration to pursue a career in labor and delivery nursing.The thrill and excitement of bringing a life into the world has always fascinated me and I am drawn to the idea of being apart of such a pivotal experience for many families. I want to provide compassionate care to vulnerable mothers. My goal is not only to ensure a safe delivery for the baby but to provide the mother with emotional and physical support as well. As a labor and delivery nurse, I aim to to create a calm and supportive environment where mothers feel empowered and cared for. I hope to use my knowledge and skills to advocate for mothers and families. The goal of my job as a labor and delivery nurse is to provide exceptional care that includes both skilled nursing and gentle support to expecting moms and their families. I hope to contribute to positive delivery experiences by providing knowledgeable information, advocating for patient decisions, and creating a safe and empowered environment for labor. Aside from the medical components of nursing, I am dedicated to developing strong connections with patients, creating trust and reassurance during what can be a difficult and stressful period.

The healthcare field is one of the most challenging yet rewarding professions. The passion and grit that one must have to care for others are very important. Becoming a nurse for me is not only a way for me to give back to the world but it is a way that I can change lives. I am not just interested but adamant about becoming a nurse so that I can change the world one patient at a time. Growing up I had a grandmother who was dying of colon cancer. She was one of the most beautiful souls and had the greatest impact on my life. As her sickness developed, my family and I took care of her. My responsibilities were to check her blood sugar, provide my grandmother with her medications, and monitor her blood pressure. While watching my grandmother go through pain was difficult, I was always so excited to contribute to making her feel better. I understood that my role and responsibilities were important. After my grandmother's passing in 2016, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in the healthcare industry. Caring for my grandmother inspired me to continue to help individuals within my community. Although she's not here physically, working as a nurse allows me to feel close to my grandmother My grandmother would be proud of me for taking the first step in pursuing my dreams. While finishing my senior career in high school, I managed to obtain my Certified Nursing Assistant license. While being a CNA, I've expanded my knowledge of the medical field in such little time. Working as a CNA has allowed me to work with patients one on and one. I've used my compassionate heart to work with residents. Obtaining my license put me on a demanding schedule and forced me to be flexible with my time. Furthermore, being a CNA I have seen various personalities within people. This is specifically important because while working as a nurse you will work with a variety of people. Being able to communicate with patients is very important for quality care. Your main priority is the care and safety of yourself and your patient. You must have critical thinking skills and always be flexible. These are all qualities I have gained from being a Nursing Assistant and I will need to become a nurse as well. My goal is to attend a university to acquire my degree to become a nurse in the future. My plan is laid out in front of me now I must stay consistent and determined to follow my dreams!

The healthcare field is one of the most challenging yet rewarding professions. The passion and grit that one must have to care for others are very important. Becoming a nurse for me is not only a way for me to give back to the world but it is a way that I can change lives. I am not just interested but adamant about becoming a nurse so that I can change the world one patient at a time. Growing up I had a grandmother who was dying of colon cancer. She was one of the most beautiful souls and had the greatest impact on my life. As her sickness developed, my family and I took care of her. My responsibilities were to check her blood sugar, provide my grandmother with her medications, and monitor her blood pressure. While watching my grandmother go through pain was difficult, I was always so excited to contribute to making her feel better. I understood that my role and responsibilities were important. After my grandmother's passing in 2016, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in the healthcare industry. Caring for my grandmother inspired me to continue to help individuals within my community. Although she's not here physically, working as a nurse allows me to feel close to my grandmother My grandmother would be proud of me for taking the first step in pursuing my dreams. While finishing my senior career in high school, I managed to obtain my Certified Nursing Assistant license. While being a CNA, I've expanded my knowledge of the medical field in such little time. Working as a CNA has allowed me to work with patients one on and one. I've used my compassionate heart to work with residents. Obtaining my license put me on a demanding schedule and forced me to be flexible with my time. Furthermore, being a CNA I have seen various personalities within people. This is specifically important because while working as a nurse you will work with a variety of people. Being able to communicate with patients is very important for quality care. Your main priority is the care and safety of yourself and your patient. You must have critical thinking skills and always be flexible. These are all qualities I have gained from being a Nursing Assistant and I will need to become a nurse as well. My goal is to attend a university to acquire my degree to become a nurse in the future. My plan is laid out in front of me now I must stay consistent and determined to follow my dreams!

My dream after high school is to become a nurse in my community. I will follow that dream because it allows me to positively impact the lives of other people. Studies show that the most needed healthcare professionals are nurses and nurse practitioners. Many people around the world do not get the healthcare they need to improve their daily life. Becoming a nurse allows me to help people in many different ways. Nursing is a job that makes a difference in the world every day. Being a nurse gives individuals an opportunity to connect with people in special ways. Nurses do more than give medicine or treat patients they care about the patients that they are taking care of. Nurses help improve the lives of patients. As a nurse, I want to be able to leave a positive impact on someone’s life daily. Being a nurse gives me a chance to save lives, care for others, and make people happy. There is a high demand for nurses all over the world, especially during this pandemic. The need for nurses and workers in healthcare will never decline. Specifically, I would like to pursue a career of becoming a labor and delivery nurse. The thought of being a part of bringing a sweet, innocent life into the world brings me joy. I would want to be there to help witness the beauty of life. Nurses play an integral role in the healthcare field and improve patients’ lives every day. Labor and delivery nurses give mothers the knowledge and confidence to take care of their babies at home. They play a pivotal role in educating new parents about newborn care. Labor and delivery nurses can help with the actual delivery of a baby. Being able to bring a life into the world would be a life-changing experience and I would love to be a part of it. The pain and discomfort women feel during childbirth are unimaginable. They need someone who will not only care for their baby but care for them. Becoming a labor and delivery nurse allows me to stand by women. It allows me to guide someone through one of the most beautiful experiences of their life. I hope that by becoming a nurse I not only help bring a life into this world but also help a family realize that that child is only where their life begins. Having the privilege of furthering my education makes the sky my limit. This scholarship will help me achieve my educational goals by relieving some stress from my family. I am the only child of a single mother. This scholarship will take some of the financial burdens off my mother so that I can reach my goals and give back to my community. My mother works very hard to provide for me so obtaining my degree and working hard to give her the life she deserves is very important to me. I would love to be able to achieve my educational goals with this scholarship. I want to be able to make my mother, the rest of my family, and my late grandmother. I want my family to know that their sacrifices were not in vain and they were worth it. Going to college and earning my degree is a vital step toward my goals.

My dream after high school is to become a nurse in my community. I will follow that dream because it allows me to positively impact the lives of other people. Studies show that the most needed healthcare professionals are nurses and nurse practitioners. Many people around the world do not get the healthcare they need to improve their daily life. Becoming a nurse allows me to help people in many different ways. Nursing is a job that makes a difference in the world every day. Being a nurse gives individuals an opportunity to connect with people in special ways. Nurses do more than give medicine or treat patients they care about the patients that they are taking care of. Nurses help improve the lives of patients. As a nurse, I want to be able to leave a positive impact on someone’s life daily. Being a nurse gives me a chance to save lives, care for others, and make people happy. There is a high demand for nurses all over the world, especially during this pandemic. The need for nurses and workers in healthcare will never decline. Specifically, I would like to pursue a career of becoming a labor and delivery nurse. The thought of being a part of bringing a sweet, innocent life into the world brings me joy. I would want to be there to help witness the beauty of life. Nurses play an integral role in the healthcare field and improve patients’ lives every day. Labor and delivery nurses give mothers the knowledge and confidence to take care of their babies at home. They play a pivotal role in educating new parents about newborn care. Labor and delivery nurses can help with the actual delivery of a baby. Being able to bring a life into the world would be a life-changing experience and I would love to be a part of it. The pain and discomfort women feel during childbirth are unimaginable. They need someone who will not only care for their baby but care for them. Becoming a labor and delivery nurse allows me to stand by women. It allows me to guide someone through one of the most beautiful experiences of their life. I hope that by becoming a nurse I not only help bring a life into this world but also help a family realize that that child is only where their life begins. Having the privilege of furthering my education makes the sky my limit. This scholarship will help me achieve my educational goals by relieving some stress from my family. I am the only child of a single mother. This scholarship will take some of the financial burdens off my mother so that I can reach my goals and give back to my community. My mother works very hard to provide for me so obtaining my degree and working hard to give her the life she deserves is very important to me. I would love to be able to achieve my educational goals with this scholarship. I want to be able to make my mother, the rest of my family, and my late grandmother. I want my family to know that their sacrifices were not in vain and they were worth it. Going to college and earning my degree is a vital step toward my goals.

My dream after high school is to become a nurse in my community. I will follow that dream because it allows me to positively impact the lives of other people. Studies show that the most needed healthcare professions are nurses and nurse practitioners. Many people around the world do not get the healthcare they need to improve their daily life. Becoming a nurse allows me to help people in many different ways. Nursing is a job that makes a difference in the world every day. Being a nurse gives individuals an opportunity to connect with people in special ways. Nurses do more than give medicine or treat patients they care about the patients that they are taking care of. Nurses help improve the lives of patients. As a nurse, I want to be able to leave a positive impact on someone’s life daily. Being a nurse gives me a chance to save lives, care for others, and make people happy. There is a high demand for nurses all over the world, especially during this pandemic. The need for nurses and workers in healthcare will never decline. Specifically, I would like to pursue a career of becoming a labor and delivery nurse. The thought of being a part of bringing a sweet, innocent life into the world brings me joy. I would want to be there to help witness the beauty of life. Nurses play an integral role in the healthcare field and improve patients’ lives every day. Labor and delivery nurses give mothers the knowledge and confidence to take care of their babies at home. They play a pivotal role in educating new parents about newborn care. Labor and delivery nurses can help with the actual delivery of a baby. Being able to bring a life into the world would be a life-changing experience and I would love to be a part of it. The pain and discomfort women feel during childbirth are unimaginable. They need someone who will not only care for their baby but care for them. Becoming a labor and delivery nurse allows me to stand by women. It allows me to guide someone through one of the most beautiful experiences of their life. I hope that by becoming a nurse I not only help bring a life into this world but also help a family realize that that child is only where their life begins. Having the privilege of furthering my education makes the sky my limit. I will reach for the stars no matter how hard it gets.

A quality that I value the most in my life is my optimism. Everyone has choices. Everyone can either let something affect them positively or negatively. Being optimistic means that you see the light even in the darkest places. It means that you do not allow negative things to bring you down but to lift you. Being optimistic is important to me because I am an all-around positive person. It is also important to me because it means that I can encourage others to be positive as well. Every day I chose to dismiss any negativity that comes into my life. I've learned that being positive allows me to have an open mind. Optimism builds resilience. It makes me believe that I have the power to never give up no matter what life throws at me. Looking at the brighter side motivates me to be better than I was yesterday. Motivating yourself every day pushes you to move forward with life's challenges. The confidence and hope that comes with optimism bring self-confidence. Just because you are optimistic doesn't mean that you won't have bad days. Everyone has trials and tribulations that they have to get through. How we get through them and respond to them is what defines us as a person. The way we allow things to affect us builds our character. I feel that optimism will help me in life because it will allow me to see experiences through a positive lens. I believe growing up in life it took me some time to become optimistic. I had to go through tough times and be a bit of a pessimist. Being in a slump and allowing myself to fall before I could fly made me become a better person internally. I had to be left in the dark and find the light myself. In life, it's better to be there for yourself and remind yourself about the good things that can be found in the darkest of places. In my life journey, my optimism will lead me to be confident and have a sense of positivity that leads other people. I know that my goals are attainable and can be reached. I know that to achieve these goals I will go through many challenges. My optimism will allow me to be successful and motivate me to become the best me that I can be. The positive things that I will be able to bring into the lives of others will depend on the way I handle situations throughout life. Every day I have to choose to be the light in someone's day. I want to show others that the ability to choose happiness is all on you. I will be the light in someone's day.

As a black woman in America, I understand that we are some of the most disrespected and unheard people in America. I've found that even as a young black woman the amount of respect you get does not change unless you demand change. I want to overcome what many generations before me had to overcome. Once I complete high school, I plan to attend college to obtain my Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. I plan to become a nurse practitioner in the future. I believe that there are not a lot of black women around the world that get the proper healthcare that they deserve. In 2020, my Godmother suffered a stillbirth that changed her life forever. Having been through a traumatic labor with her first child, the stillbirth she endured truly changed the outlook she had on bearing children. The frightening suffering she went through allowed her to view the healthcare professionals as those who could not be trusted with her life or the life of her unborn child. I comprehend that thousands of women go through labor that changes their life completely. Many women's lives change positively with the love of a newborn child, while others do not come home with a living baby. Some women may not make it home at all after labor. I understand that some of these heartaches may be the effect of health issues. On the contrary, I also understand that many be the effect of poor healthcare. Growing up going to pediatricians and doctors that did not look like me, was very discouraging. My pediatrician from the time I was born was a man. This was tough because I could not see myself being a part of society and being in a position of power. I believe that growing up children, especially minority children, deserve to see people in power that look like them. This is inspirational for every generation that may feel like they are not enough. I want to be able to be a part of a child's life in a positive way and be a role model for them. I aspire to inspire other individuals by the way I treat them and how I impact their lives. Through stem education, I feel as though I am giving past generations a salute. Without their hardwork, I could not be where I am and I would not be able to get to where I am going. I hope to use my degree to be the healthcare provider that families dream of. I want to be able to care for patients and connect with them through inspiration. I plan to align their needs and put their health first. Being able to provide for even low-income families who do not receive quality healthcare. I believe quality healthcare is a right. You should not be forced to go to a healthcare center that does not fit your needs. You should be able to get the care you deserve, without the fear of those providers downplaying your needs. I aspire to be an inspiration to young black girls. I want those girls to feel like they can take on the world because they saw me do it. This is how I plan to positively impact the world through STEM.

Treating people with empathy is a quality you must have in the real world. Having empathy shows others that you are not a selfish individual but someone who is compassionate. I make sure I am empathetic by listening to other people's stories. Showing you care about someone other than yourself can make people feel welcome. It allows people to feel like they can trust you. I make sure to treat other people with empathy by being a listening year and giving people a safe space to come to when they need it. With that being said, being empathetic does not mean just listening to others when they need it but understanding what they are going through. You must put yourself in their shoes and ask yourself how you would feel if you were in that situation. Being empathetic means you are sensitive to that one's feelings. I make sure I am showing empathy by genuinely being concerned with the topic. My curiousity must be genuine otherwise I am putting on a show which isn't what you should do when someone is going through a hard time. I treat others with empathy by acknowledging others' feelings and opening up with similar experiences I have had. This shows that I care and understand how it feels to go through whatever it is they are going through.

I am a seventeen year old junior in high school. I am an only child of a single mother. My whole life I have always depended on my mom to provide the most for me. After the passing of my grandmother a six years ago, the rest of my family spread out throughout the country. Since then my mom has been the only real family around. My grandmother was very sick and always needed help from me and my cousins to care for her. This caused me to want to pursue a career in nursing. I found that helping people is what I need to do. Nursing is a way to help many different people for a greater good. I want to be apart of something bigger than me. My grandmother's passing was motivated me to be better. It motivated me to learn more about what I can do for the world. She will always be with me and will always be my motivation.

I want to become a nurse because it gives me the opportunity to positively impact the lives of other people. Many people around the world do not get the healthcare they need to improve their health. Becoming a nurse allows me to help people in many different ways. Nursing is a job that makes a difference in the world everyday. Being a nurse gives individuals an opportunity to connect with people through ways that are special. Nurses do more than give medicine or treat patients they care about the patients that they are taking care of. Nurses help improve the lives of patients. As a nurse I want to be able to leave a positive impact on someone’s life daily. Being a nurse gives me a chance to save lives, care for others, and make people happy. There is a high demand for nurses all over the world especially during this pandemic. The need for nurses and workers in healthcare will never decline. Specifically, I would like to pursue a career of becoming a labor and delivery nurse. The thought of being a part of bringing a sweet, innocent li\fe into the world brings me joy. I would want to be there to help witness the beauty of life. Nurses play an integral role in the healthcare field and improve patients’ lives everyday. Labor and delivery nurses give mothers the knowledge and confidence to take care of their babies at home. They play a pivotal role in educating new parents about newborn care. Labor and delivery nurses can help with the actual delivery of a baby. This is so cool! Being able to bring a life into the world would be a beautiful experience and I would love to be a part of it .

I want to start a non-profit business for other black girls that want to be apart of the beauty community. Growing up I was always so interested in looking my best no matter what the occasion was. I always wanted my hair, nails, and makeup done. Sometimes we didn't have enough money for me to get my hair done every two weeks. So my family and I had to make our own beauty shop. I have just recently started learning how to do nails. For Christmas I asked my family for various things I would need to work and perfect my craft. My friend's mom owns a shop and she agreed to let me do nails at her shop where she sells hair and does makeup. Being around her has showed me what a true business woman is like and that is really inspiring. I hope to show other girls that they can do anything with a little hard work and dedication. I want every girl to feel beautiful without having to worry about the cost.