Nursing was interesting to me as a career choice ever since I was a teenager and what I set my goal as since graduating high school in 2019. My mother was a nurse and when I was in high school, I got the opportunity to participate in my local vocational school pre-nursing program and complete my Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification as well as my phlebotomy certification. She was a big influence on me and why I wanted to try pre-nursing courses in high school before I went to college for nursing. I love that I can build a career based on caring for other people and find that it will be very rewarding, especially since it is something that my mother and I will have in common. She has been such a big help and supporter of my journey. Not only that, I will be able to give back to my community in a meaningful, beneficial way. I'm currently in my second semester of nursing school at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City and have only two more left after this current one I am in. Receiving my degree in nursing opens the door for so many opportunities to learn and engage with a field I am genuinely interested in and passionate about. My best friend is also in nursing school too right now which is awesome because we have each other to lean on when things get tough. Obtaining my CNA certification before pursuing nursing school was very beneficial for me and is an accomplishment that has guided me tremendously in my studies. Having that foundational knowledge that I gained through my experience has helped me connect concepts and expand on what I am currently learning about. Where I work currently, I'm surrounded by nurses who are some of the best people I have ever met. They are all so sweet and constantly remind me of why I chose nursing in the first place with their compassionate care. Nursing school is one of the hardest things I have ever endured and having them there to guide me has made all the difference. Some of my friends are already nurses and make me excited for what is to come after to I finish my degree next May and take the NCLEX. This scholarship would help me tremendously on my nursing school journey, as tuition, supplies, and books are very expensive. I have also been able to gain experience through the clinical hours we do in our program. Mine are currently at Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. I love being on the floors and working alongside nurses who are excited to help me learn and practice skills. My clinical instructor, Ashley, is so nice and always gives good, in-depth answers when I have questions about anything. My favorite area so far has been the labor and delivery/postpartum care unit because it was extremely fulfilling to assist women in one of the most important moments of their life. And of course, babies are just the cutest!

I am currently in my third semester of nursing school and have realized along the way that one of the most important things you can do for yourself is self-care. I like to take my Australian shepherd, Cowgirl, for a walk while also listening to some of my favorite tunes or catching up on a podcast. It’s a nice break from the constant reading and looking at computer screens. I've gotten into poor, unhealthy habits in the past which have led me to a negative mental state. It was a hard time in my life and I was just burnt out and drained all the time, until I started doing things that were good for my mental health and implementing habits that I still try to follow every day, such as working out, reading books, and eating healthy. Hard times are not exclusive to any one person, I'm sure. We all face adversity after adversity that has brought us to where we are today. My perception of these things changed after I graduated high school and was in college. I feel that in college there is not a close-knit support system that you find in high school. This makes it easier to slip into unhealthy habits that ultimately start to deteriorate our mental health and make us more negative. Mental health is so pertinent because if your mind is not in the best space, it can make everything else you try to do all that much harder, especially trying to read and comprehend complex topics. My anxiety was inhibiting me from properly retaining information and I could see a difference in how I was performing on a daily basis. I did not have any interest in anything anymore, which was so unlike me. My friends and family were there to support me and lift me again as I was trying to do better for my mental health. I've seen improvement in most of the other aspects of my life, so it goes to show much mental health can impact a person as a whole. In the hospital, mental health is not usually the focus of care, but it is important to do those assessments of patients' mental health status to provide the most holistic model of care and promote their well-being. For me, face masks and tasty treats are always a must when finishing a test or semester. Recently, I finished my second semester and am so proud of myself. It feels necessary to reward yourself after accomplishing something. Sometimes I find joy in just stepping away from my homework and doing simple tasks like cooking or cleaning to relax my mind for a little bit. I like to have all the things on my to-do list crossed off to clear a space for rest in my brain. It sounds crazy, but it works. A refreshing, clean room is the perfect antidote for those long days of studying and makes me feel so much better when I am not surrounded by clutter.

One piece of technology that amazes me every time I go to the hospital to do my clinical rotations is the computers. They have improved the lives of so many nurses, patients, and healthcare providers all around who can provide care instructions via an online portal called Epic. It's so easy and gives you more control of the information that needs to be reviewed or documented following a shift. It also connects to the pumps in the room and sets the number of milliliters per hour a person with an IV receives. The nurses just scan the patient's ID bracelet with the scanner and everything is connected in a cohesive way to ensure the correct patient and care is being provided. I can't imagine life without computers honestly, It would take so much time to collect all the necessary patient documents, look up medications, and withdraw medications from the Omnicell. Nurses are already short on time. With a computer, all of that can happen with the scan of a fingerprint or ID bracelet. Computers give us s many great opportunities nowadays, such as applying for scholarships or jobs. I've gotten all my jobs by filling out an online application. Then, I will look up the place I am applying to and find their phone number (which is so much easier than how people used to use Yellow Pages) and call the place to follow up and possibly schedule an interview. Without all these awesome benefits of technology, things would be

I feel that gratitude is a necessity to have good karma, if you will, bestowed upon you in the future. I remember when I got my first car when I was seventeen and it was a white 2005 Chevy Cavalier. Even though it wasn't the fanciest car, I was extremely grateful to have it because it got me from point A to point B. Not to mention I didn't have a car payment which enabled me to save up for a more reliable car when I was ready to purchase a new one. This attitude towards things has changed the way I view life and allowed me to enter a space of mindfulness every day. It is such a gift to be able to wake up every day and be healthy, happy, and have a purpose to work towards. I think about this often when I go to clinical shifts in the hospital for my nursing school. Sometimes we forget that our patients are dealing with hard, life-changing things. Or sometimes it can even be small things. When I drive by someone who is stopped with car troubles, I say a little prayer for them and a prayer of gratitude for my car not being broken down. I remember when I had that first car, it broke down almost every other month and sometimes it can be a scary situation if you're a young female. It's these things and more that have influenced me in recent years to practice daily gratitude mantras as well as lend a helping hand wherever I can. Nursing is an excellent way to give back to the community through the healing acts that nurses perform for the community members. It’s important because there has been quite a shortage of nurses in recent years, which does not positively influence the care that the community receives especially as we are still experiencing a pandemic. I want to be a part of the solution that promotes health in the community. I love being on the floors and working alongside nurses who are excited to help me learn and practice skills. My clinical instructor, Ashley, is so nice and always gives good, in-depth answers when I have questions about anything. My favorite area so far has been the labor and delivery/postpartum care unit because it was extremely fulfilling to assist women in one of the most important moments of their life.

Nursing was interesting to me as a career choice ever since I was a teenager and what I set my goal as since graduating high school in 2019. My mother was a nurse and when I was in high school, I got the opportunity to participate in my local vocational school pre-nursing program and complete my Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification as well as my phlebotomy certification. She was a big influence on me and why I wanted to try pre-nursing courses in high school before I went to college for nursing. I love that I can build a career based on caring for other people and find that it will be very rewarding, especially since it is something that my mother and I will have in common. She has been such a big help and supporter of my journey. Not only that, I will be able to give back to my community in a meaningful, beneficial way. I'm currently in my second semester of nursing school at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City and have only two more left after this current one I am in. Receiving my degree in nursing opens the door for so many opportunities to learn and engage with a field I am genuinely interested in and passionate about. My best friend is also in nursing school too right now which is awesome because we have each other to lean on when things get tough. I like to hike on local trails, go antique shopping, and read books in my free time. I feel that nature is what connects us as humans to each other and the earth; its splendor never ceases to captivate our undivided attention. I live in Oklahoma City, which doesn't have ample hiking opportunities, so one day I hope to move to a more scenic area and travel to see different states and their nature. The book I am currently reading is "The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment" by Eckhart Tolle. Obtaining my CNA certification before pursuing nursing school was very beneficial for me and is an accomplishment that has guided me tremendously in my studies. Having that foundational knowledge that I gained through my experience has helped me connect concepts and expand on what I am currently learning about. Where I work currently, I'm surrounded by nurses who are some of the best people I have ever met. They are all so sweet and constantly remind me of why I chose nursing in the first place with their compassionate care. Nursing school is one of the hardest things I have ever endured and having them there to guide me has made all the difference. Some of my friends are already nurses and make me excited for what is to come after to I finish my degree next May and take the NCLEX. This scholarship would help me tremendously on my nursing school journey, as tuition, supplies, and books are very expensive. I have also been able to gain experience through the clinical hours we do in our program. Mine are currently at Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. I love being on the floors and working alongside nurses who are excited to help me learn and practice skills. My clinical instructor, Ashley, is so nice and always gives good, in-depth answers when I have questions about anything. My favorite area so far has been the labor and delivery/postpartum care unit because it was extremely fulfilling to assist women in one of the most important moments of their life. And of course, babies are just the cutest!

Nursing was interesting to me as a career choice ever since I was a teenager and what I set my goal as since graduating high school in 2019. My mother was a nurse and when I was in high school, I got the opportunity to participate in my local vocational school pre-nursing program and complete my Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification as well as my phlebotomy certification. She was a big influence on me and why I wanted to try pre-nursing courses in high school before I went to college for nursing. I love that I can build a career based on caring for other people and find that it will be very rewarding, especially since it is something that my mother and I will have in common. She has been such a big help and supporter of my journey. Not only that, I will be able to give back to my community in a meaningful, beneficial way. I'm currently in my second semester of nursing school at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City and have only two more left after this current one I am in. Receiving my degree in nursing opens the door for so many opportunities to learn and engage with a field I am genuinely interested in and passionate about. My best friend is also in nursing school too right now which is awesome because we have each other to lean on when things get tough. I like to hike on local trails, go antique shopping, and read books in my free time. I feel that nature is what connects us as humans to each other and the earth; its splendor never ceases to captivate our undivided attention. I live in Oklahoma City, which doesn't have ample hiking opportunities, so one day I hope to move to a more scenic area and travel to see different states and their nature. The book I am currently reading is "The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment" by Eckhart Tolle. Obtaining my CNA certification before pursuing nursing school was very beneficial for me and is an accomplishment that has guided me tremendously in my studies. Having that foundational knowledge that I gained through my experience has helped me connect concepts and expand on what I am currently learning about. Where I work currently, I'm surrounded by nurses who are some of the best people I have ever met. They are all so sweet and constantly remind me of why I chose nursing in the first place with their compassionate care. Nursing school is one of the hardest things I have ever endured and having them there to guide me has made all the difference. Some of my friends are already nurses and make me excited for what is to come after to I finish my degree next May and take the NCLEX. This scholarship would help me tremendously on my nursing school journey, as tuition, supplies, and books are very expensive. I have also been able to gain experience through the clinical hours we do in our program. Mine are currently at Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. I love being on the floors and working alongside nurses who are excited to help me learn and practice skills. My clinical instructor, Ashley, is so nice and always gives good, in-depth answers when I have questions about anything. My favorite area so far has been the labor and delivery/postpartum care unit because it was extremely fulfilling to assist women in one of the most important moments of their life. And of course, babies are just the cutest!

Nursing was interesting to me as a career choice ever since I was a teenager and what I set my goal as since graduating high school in 2019. My mother was a nurse and when I was in high school, I got the opportunity to participate in my local vocational school pre-nursing program and complete my Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification as well as my phlebotomy certification. She was a big influence on me and why I wanted to try pre-nursing courses in high school before I went to college for nursing. I love that I can build a career based on caring for other people and find that it will be very rewarding, especially since it is something that my mother and I will have in common. She has been such a big help and supporter of my journey. Not only that, I will be able to give back to my community in a meaningful, beneficial way. I'm currently in my second semester of nursing school at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City and have only two more left after this current one I am in. Receiving my degree in nursing opens the door for so many opportunities to learn and engage with a field I am genuinely interested in and passionate about. My best friend is also in nursing school too right now which is awesome because we have each other to lean on when things get tough. I like to hike on local trails, go antique shopping, and read books in my free time. I feel that nature is what connects us as humans to each other and the earth; its splendor never ceases to captivate our undivided attention. I live in Oklahoma City, which doesn't have ample hiking opportunities, so one day I hope to move to a more scenic area and travel to see different states and their nature. The book I am currently reading is "The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment" by Eckhart Tolle. Obtaining my CNA certification before pursuing nursing school was very beneficial for me and is an accomplishment that has guided me tremendously in my studies. Having that foundational knowledge that I gained through my experience has helped me connect concepts and expand on what I am currently learning about. Where I work currently, I'm surrounded by nurses who are some of the best people I have ever met. They are all so sweet and constantly remind me of why I chose nursing in the first place with their compassionate care. Nursing school is one of the hardest things I have ever endured and having them there to guide me has made all the difference. Some of my friends are already nurses and make me excited for what is to come after to I finish my degree next May and take the NCLEX. This scholarship would help me tremendously on my nursing school journey, as tuition, supplies, and books are very expensive. I have also been able to gain experience through the clinical hours we do in our program. Mine are currently at Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. I love being on the floors and working alongside nurses who are excited to help me learn and practice skills. My clinical instructor, Ashley, is so nice and always gives good, in-depth answers when I have questions about anything. My favorite area so far has been the labor and delivery/postpartum care unit because it was extremely fulfilling to assist women in one of the most important moments of their life. And of course, babies are just the cutest!

Nursing was interesting to me as a career choice ever since I was a teenager and what I set my goal as since graduating high school in 2019. My mother was a nurse and when I was in high school, I got the opportunity to participate in my local vocational school pre-nursing program and complete my Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification as well as my phlebotomy certification. She was a big influence on me and why I wanted to try pre-nursing courses in high school before I went to college for nursing. I love that I can build a career based on caring for other people and find that it will be very rewarding, especially since it is something that my mother and I will have in common. She has been such a big help and supporter of my journey. Not only that, I will be able to give back to my community in a meaningful, beneficial way. I'm currently in my second semester of nursing school at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City and have only two more left after this current one I am in. Receiving my degree in nursing opens the door for so many opportunities to learn and engage with a field I am genuinely interested in and passionate about. My best friend is also in nursing school too right now which is awesome because we have each other to lean on when things get tough. I like to hike on local trails, go antique shopping, and read books in my free time. I feel that nature is what connects us as humans to each other and the earth; its splendor never ceases to captivate our undivided attention. I live in Oklahoma City, which doesn't have ample hiking opportunities, so one day I hope to move to a more scenic area and travel to see different states and their nature. The book I am currently reading is "The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment" by Eckhart Tolle. Obtaining my CNA certification before pursuing nursing school was very beneficial for me and is an accomplishment that has guided me tremendously in my studies. Having that foundational knowledge that I gained through my experience has helped me connect concepts and expand on what I am currently learning about. Where I work currently, I'm surrounded by nurses who are some of the best people I have ever met. They are all so sweet and constantly remind me of why I chose nursing in the first place with their compassionate care. Nursing school is one of the hardest things I have ever endured and having them there to guide me has made all the difference. Some of my friends are already nurses and make me excited for what is to come after to I finish my degree next May and take the NCLEX. This scholarship would help me tremendously on my nursing school journey, as tuition, supplies, and books are very expensive. I have also been able to gain experience through the clinical hours we do in our program. Mine are currently at Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. I love being on the floors and working alongside nurses who are excited to help me learn and practice skills. My clinical instructor, Ashley, is so nice and always gives good, in-depth answers when I have questions about anything. My favorite area so far has been the labor and delivery/postpartum care unit because it was extremely fulfilling to assist women in one of the most important moments of their life. And of course, babies are just the cutest!

Nursing was interesting to me as a career choice ever since I was a teenager and what I set my goal as since graduating high school in 2019. My mother was a nurse and when I was in high school, I got the opportunity to participate in my local vocational school pre-nursing program and complete my Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification as well as my phlebotomy certification. She was a big influence on me and why I wanted to try pre-nursing courses in high school before I went to college for nursing. I love that I can build a career based on caring for other people and find that it will be very rewarding, especially since it is something that my mother and I will have in common. She has been such a big help and supporter of my journey. Not only that, I will be able to give back to my community in a meaningful, beneficial way. I'm currently in my second semester of nursing school at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City and have only two more left after this current one I am in. Receiving my degree in nursing opens the door for so many opportunities to learn and engage with a field I am genuinely interested in and passionate about. My best friend is also in nursing school too right now which is awesome because we have each other to lean on when things get tough. I like to hike on local trails, go antique shopping, and read books in my free time. I feel that nature is what connects us as humans to each other and the earth; its splendor never ceases to captivate our undivided attention. I live in Oklahoma City, which doesn't have ample hiking opportunities, so one day I hope to move to a more scenic area and travel to see different states and their nature. The book I am currently reading is "The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment" by Eckhart Tolle. Obtaining my CNA certification before pursuing nursing school was very beneficial for me and is an accomplishment that has guided me tremendously in my studies. Having that foundational knowledge that I gained through my experience has helped me connect concepts and expand on what I am currently learning about. Where I work currently, I'm surrounded by nurses who are some of the best people I have ever met. They are all so sweet and constantly remind me of why I chose nursing in the first place with their compassionate care. Nursing school is one of the hardest things I have ever endured and having them there to guide me has made all the difference. Some of my friends are already nurses and make me excited for what is to come after to I finish my degree next May and take the NCLEX. This scholarship would help me tremendously on my nursing school journey, as tuition, supplies, and books are very expensive. I have also been able to gain experience through the clinical hours we do in our program. Mine are currently at Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. I love being on the floors and working alongside nurses who are excited to help me learn and practice skills. My clinical instructor, Ashley, is so nice and always gives good, in-depth answers when I have questions about anything. My favorite area so far has been the labor and delivery/postpartum care unit because it was extremely fulfilling to assist women in one of the most important moments of their life. And of course, babies are just the cutest!

Nursing was interesting to me as a career choice ever since I was a teenager and what I set my goal as since graduating high school in 2019. My mother was a nurse and when I was in high school, I got the opportunity to participate in my local vocational school pre-nursing program and complete my Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification as well as my phlebotomy certification. She was a big influence on me and why I wanted to try pre-nursing courses in high school before I went to college for nursing. I love that I can build a career based on caring for other people and find that it will be very rewarding, especially since it is something that my mother and I will have in common. She has been such a big help and supporter of my journey. Not only that, I will be able to give back to my community in a meaningful, beneficial way. I'm currently in my second semester of nursing school at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City and have only two more left after this current one I am in. Receiving my degree in nursing opens the door for so many opportunities to learn and engage with a field I am genuinely interested in and passionate about. My best friend is also in nursing school too right now which is awesome because we have each other to lean on when things get tough. Obtaining my CNA certification before pursuing nursing school was very beneficial for me and is an accomplishment that has guided me tremendously in my studies. Having that foundational knowledge that I gained through my experience has helped me connect concepts and expand on what I am currently learning about. Where I work currently, I'm surrounded by nurses who are some of the best people I have ever met. They are all so sweet and constantly remind me of why I chose nursing in the first place with their compassionate care. Nursing school is one of the hardest things I have ever endured and having them there to guide me has made all the difference. Some of my friends are already nurses and make me excited for what is to come after to I finish my degree next May and take the NCLEX. This scholarship would help me tremendously on my nursing school journey, as tuition, supplies, and books are very expensive. I have also been able to gain experience through the clinical hours we do in our program. Mine are currently at Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. I love being on the floors and working alongside nurses who are excited to help me learn and practice skills. My clinical instructor, Ashley, is so nice and always gives good, in-depth answers when I have questions about anything. My favorite area so far has been the labor and delivery/postpartum care unit because it was extremely fulfilling to assist women in one of the most important moments of their life. And of course, babies are just the cutest!

Recovery to me is the process by which you take every single day alive and well as a win. Even one day free from whatever is troubling someone is something to be proud of. It takes so much courage to even start the recovery process because it means finally tending to wounds that have long been left neglected. Recovery is not a linear process and does not look the same for every person. One person can have something that helps them while someone else is the opposite and has terrible withdrawals during the process. This is something that should be taken into consideration as people can be vastly different during different periods of recovery and require different needs.

Nursing was interesting to me as a career choice ever since I was a teenager and what I set my goal as since graduating high school in 2019. My mother was a nurse and when I was in high school, I got the opportunity to participate in my local vocational school pre-nursing program and complete my Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification as well as my phlebotomy certification. She was a big influence on me and why I wanted to try pre-nursing courses in high school before I went to college for nursing. I love that I can build a career based on caring for other people and find that it will be very rewarding, especially since it is something that my mother and I will have in common. She has been such a big help and supporter of my journey. Not only that, I will be able to give back to my community in a meaningful, beneficial way. I'm currently in my second semester of nursing school at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City and have only two more left after this current one I am in. Receiving my degree in nursing opens the door for so many opportunities to learn and engage with a field I am genuinely interested in and passionate about. My best friend is also in nursing school too right now which is awesome because we have each other to lean on when things get tough. I like to hike on local trails, go antique shopping, and read books in my free time. I feel that nature is what connects us as humans to each other and the earth; its splendor never ceases to captivate our undivided attention. I live in Oklahoma City, which doesn't have ample hiking opportunities, so one day I hope to move to a more scenic area and travel to see different states and their nature. The book I am currently reading is "The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment" by Eckhart Tolle. Obtaining my CNA certification before pursuing nursing school was very beneficial for me and is an accomplishment that has guided me tremendously in my studies. Having that foundational knowledge that I gained through my experience has helped me connect concepts and expand on what I am currently learning about. Where I work currently, I'm surrounded by nurses who are some of the best people I have ever met. They are all so sweet and constantly remind me of why I chose nursing in the first place with their compassionate care. Nursing school is one of the hardest things I have ever endured and having them there to guide me has made all the difference. Some of my friends are already nurses and make me excited for what is to come after to I finish my degree next May and take the NCLEX. This scholarship would help me tremendously on my nursing school journey, as tuition, supplies, and books are very expensive. I have also been able to gain experience through the clinical hours we do in our program. Mine are currently at Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. I love being on the floors and working alongside nurses who are excited to help me learn and practice skills. My clinical instructor, Ashley, is so nice and always gives good, in-depth answers when I have questions about anything. My favorite area so far has been the labor and delivery/postpartum care unit because it was extremely fulfilling to assist women in one of the most important moments of their life. And of course, babies are just the cutest!

Nursing was interesting to me as a career choice ever since I was a teenager and what I set my goal as since graduating high school in 2019. My mother was a nurse and when I was in high school, I got the opportunity to participate in my local vocational school pre-nursing program and complete my Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification as well as my phlebotomy certification. She was a big influence on me and why I wanted to try pre-nursing courses in high school before I went to college for nursing. I love that I can build a career based on caring for other people and find that it will be very rewarding, especially since it is something that my mother and I will have in common. She has been such a big help and supporter of my journey. Not only that, I will be able to give back to my community in a meaningful, beneficial way. I'm currently in my second semester of nursing school at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City and have only two more left after this current one I am in. Receiving my degree in nursing opens the door for so many opportunities to learn and engage with a field I am genuinely interested in and passionate about. My best friend is also in nursing school too right now which is awesome because we have each other to lean on when things get tough. I like to hike on local trails, go antique shopping, and read books in my free time. I feel that nature is what connects us as humans to each other and the earth; its splendor never ceases to captivate our undivided attention. I live in Oklahoma City, which doesn't have ample hiking opportunities, so one day I hope to move to a more scenic area and travel to see different states and their nature. The book I am currently reading is "The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment" by Eckhart Tolle. Obtaining my CNA certification before pursuing nursing school was very beneficial for me and is an accomplishment that has guided me tremendously in my studies. Having that foundational knowledge that I gained through my experience has helped me connect concepts and expand on what I am currently learning about. Where I work currently, I'm surrounded by nurses who are some of the best people I have ever met. They are all so sweet and constantly remind me of why I chose nursing in the first place with their compassionate care. Nursing school is one of the hardest things I have ever endured and having them there to guide me has made all the difference. Some of my friends are already nurses and make me excited for what is to come after to I finish my degree next May and take the NCLEX. This scholarship would help me tremendously on my nursing school journey, as tuition, supplies, and books are very expensive. I have also been able to gain experience through the clinical hours we do in our program. Mine are currently at Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. I love being on the floors and working alongside nurses who are excited to help me learn and practice skills. My clinical instructor, Ashley, is so nice and always gives good, in-depth answers when I have questions about anything. My favorite area so far has been the labor and delivery/postpartum care unit because it was extremely fulfilling to assist women in one of the most important moments of their life. And of course, babies are just the cutest!

Nursing was interesting to me as a career choice ever since I was a teenager and what I set my goal as since graduating high school in 2019. My mother was a nurse and when I was in high school, I got the opportunity to participate in my local vocational school pre-nursing program and complete my Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification as well as my phlebotomy certification. She was a big influence on me and why I wanted to try pre-nursing courses in high school before I went to college for nursing. I love that I can build a career based on caring for other people and find that it will be very rewarding, especially since it is something that my mother and I will have in common. She has been such a big help and supporter of my journey. Not only that, I will be able to give back to my community in a meaningful, beneficial way. I'm currently in my second semester of nursing school at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City and have only two more left after this current one I am in. Receiving my degree in nursing opens the door for so many opportunities to learn and engage with a field I am genuinely interested in and passionate about. My best friend is also in nursing school too right now which is awesome because we have each other to lean on when things get tough. I like to hike on local trails, go antique shopping, and read books in my free time. I feel that nature is what connects us as humans to each other and the earth; its splendor never ceases to captivate our undivided attention. I live in Oklahoma City, which doesn't have ample hiking opportunities, so one day I hope to move to a more scenic area and travel to see different states and their nature. The book I am currently reading is "The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment" by Eckhart Tolle. Obtaining my CNA certification before pursuing nursing school was very beneficial for me and is an accomplishment that has guided me tremendously in my studies. Having that foundational knowledge that I gained through my experience has helped me connect concepts and expand on what I am currently learning about. Where I work currently, I'm surrounded by nurses who are some of the best people I have ever met. They are all so sweet and constantly remind me of why I chose nursing in the first place with their compassionate care. Nursing school is one of the hardest things I have ever endured and having them there to guide me has made all the difference. Some of my friends are already nurses and make me excited for what is to come after to I finish my degree next May and take the NCLEX. This scholarship would help me tremendously on my nursing school journey, as tuition, supplies, and books are very expensive. I have also been able to gain experience through the clinical hours we do in our program. Mine are currently at Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. I love being on the floors and working alongside nurses who are excited to help me learn and practice skills. My clinical instructor, Ashley, is so nice and always gives good, in-depth answers when I have questions about anything. My favorite area so far has been the labor and delivery/postpartum care unit because it was extremely fulfilling to assist women in one of the most important moments of their life. And of course, babies are just the cutest!

Nursing was interesting to me as a career choice ever since I was a teenager and what I set my goal as since graduating high school in 2019. My mother was a nurse and when I was in high school, I got the opportunity to participate in my local vocational school pre-nursing program and complete my Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification as well as my phlebotomy certification. She was a big influence on me and why I wanted to try pre-nursing courses in high school before I went to college for nursing. I love that I can build a career based on caring for other people and find that it will be very rewarding, especially since it is something that my mother and I will have in common. She has been such a big help and supporter of my journey. Not only that, I will be able to give back to my community in a meaningful, beneficial way. Obtaining my CNA certification before pursuing nursing school was very beneficial for me and is an accomplishment that has guided me tremendously in my studies. Having that foundational knowledge that I gained through my experience has helped me connect concepts and expand on what I am currently learning about. Where I work currently, I'm surrounded by nurses who are some of the best people I have ever met. They are all so sweet and constantly remind me of why I chose nursing in the first place with their compassionate care. Nursing school is one of the hardest things I have ever endured and having them there to guide me has made all the difference. Some of my friends are already nurses and make me excited for what is to come after to I finish my degree next May and take the NCLEX. This scholarship would help me tremendously on my nursing school journey, as tuition, supplies, and books are very expensive. I have also been able to gain experience through the clinical hours we do in our program. Mine are currently at Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. I love being on the floors and working alongside nurses who are excited to help me learn and practice skills. My clinical instructor, Ashley, is so nice and always gives good, in-depth answers when I have questions about anything. My favorite area so far has been the labor and delivery/postpartum care unit because it was extremely fulfilling to assist women in one of the most important moments of their life. And of course, babies are just the cutest!

One piece of technology that amazes me every time I go to the hospital to do my clinical rotations is the computers, It has improved the lives of so many nurses, patients, and healthcare providers all around who can provide care instructions via an online portal called Epic. It's so easy and gives you more control of the information that needs to be reviewed or documented following a shift. It also connects to the pumps in the room and sets the number of milliliters per hour a person with an IV receives. The nurses just scan the patient's ID bracelet with the scanner and everything is connected in a cohesive way to ensure the correct patient and care is being provided. I can't imagine life without ocm[uters honestly, It would take so much time to collect all the necessary patient documents, look up medications, and withdraw medications from the Omnicell. With a computer, all of that can happen with the scan of a fingerprint or ID bracelet. Computers give us s many great opportunities nowadays, such as applying for scholarships or jobs. I've gotten all my jobs by filling out an online application. Then, I will look up the place I am applying to and find their phone number (which is so much easier than how people used to use Yellow Pages) and call the place to follow up and possibly schedule an interview. Without all these awesome benefits of technology, things would be more time strenuous than they are in today's modern world.

Nursing was interesting to me as a career choice ever since I was a teenager. My mother was a nurse and when I was in high school, I got the opportunity to participate in my local vocational school pre-nursing program and complete my Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification as well as my phlebotomy certification. Having that foundational knowledge that I gained through my experience has helped me connect concepts and expand on what I am currently learning about. I love that I can build a career based on caring for other people and find that it will be very rewarding, especially since it is something that my mother and I will have in common. I'm currently in my second semester of nursing school and have only two more left. Receiving my degree in nursing opens the door for so many opportunities to learn and engage with a field I am genuinely interested in and passionate about. Nursing is an excellent way to give back to the community through the healing acts that nurses perform for the community members. It’s important because there has been quite a shortage of nurses, which does not positively influence the care that the community receives especially as we are still experiencing a pandemic. I want to be a part of the solution that promotes health in the community. The profession I chose is how I wanted to express selfless acts, by becoming a nurse. Even though nursing school is currently one of the hardest things I have ever gone through thus far, it has also shown me how selfless nurses have to be. This has become very apparent during the pandemic. This scholarship would help me tremendously on my nursing school journey, as tuition, supplies, and books are very expensive. Receiving my degree in nursing opens the door for so many opportunities to learn and engage with a field I am genuinely interested in and passionate about. I am currently in nursing school at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City and it has been such a blessing to meet people that have the shared goal of becoming a nurse. Not only that, the specific courses I am taking for my degree are teaching me how to save lives and be the best nurse I can be, which in turn will adequately prepare me to be able to give back to the community through my work. The information nurses have to retain is vital to patient safety and successful healing.

My favorite song from the 1989 album is definitely "Wildest Dreams" because it makes you feel so light and free when you listen to it. I love to listen to music when I am taking a walk or on a hike and I will usually listen to an entire album in chronological order. I listened to 1989 not too long ago because my friend was talking about how she is going to the Eras tour and it sounds like she's going to have so much fun. All of the outfits that people are sporting are something out of my wildest dreams (haha see what I did there?). The entire album is honestly really good and is an easy listen. Hopefully, my friend has a fun time and hears her favorite songs played live. I think Taylor would approve of me becoming a nurse and I hope that I can win the scholarship to help me with covering the costs of schooling. Nursing is an excellent way to give back to the community through the healing acts that nurses perform for the community members. It’s important because there has been quite a shortage of nurses, which does not positively influence the care that the community receives especially as we are still experiencing a pandemic. I want to be a part of the solution that promotes health in the community. The profession I chose is how I wanted to express selfless acts, by becoming a nurse. Even though nursing school is currently one of the hardest things I have ever gone through thus far, it has also shown me how selfless nurses have to be. This has become very apparent during the pandemic. Receiving my degree in nursing opens the door for so many opportunities to learn and engage with a field I am genuinely interested in and passionate about. I am currently in nursing school at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City and it has been such a blessing to meet people that have the shared goal of becoming a nurse. Not only that, the specific courses I am taking for my degree are teaching me how to save lives and be the best nurse I can be, which in turn will adequately prepare me to be able to give back to the community through my work. The information nurses have to retain is vital to patient safety and successful healing.

Nursing was interesting to me as a career choice ever since I was a teenager and what I set my goal as since graduating high school in 2019. My mother was a nurse and when I was in high school, I got the opportunity to participate in my local vocational school pre-nursing program and complete my Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification as well as my phlebotomy certification. She was a big influence on me and why I wanted to try pre-nursing courses in high school before I went to college for nursing. I love that I can build a career based on caring for other people and find that it will be very rewarding, especially since it is something that my mother and I will have in common. She has been such a big help and supporter of my journey. Not only that, I will be able to give back to my community in a meaningful, beneficial way. I'm currently in my second semester of nursing school at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City and have only two more left after this current one I am in. Receiving my degree in nursing opens the door for so many opportunities to learn and engage with a field I am genuinely interested in and passionate about. My best friend is also in nursing school too right now which is awesome because we have each other to lean on when things get tough. I like to hike on local trails, go antique shopping, and read books in my free time. I feel that nature is what connects us as humans to each other and the earth; its splendor never ceases to captivate our undivided attention. I live in Oklahoma City, which doesn't have ample hiking opportunities, so one day I hope to move to a more scenic area and travel to see different states and their nature. The book I am currently reading is "The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment" by Eckhart Tolle. Obtaining my CNA certification before pursuing nursing school was very beneficial for me and is an accomplishment that has guided me tremendously in my studies. Having that foundational knowledge that I gained through my experience has helped me connect concepts and expand on what I am currently learning about. Where I work currently, I'm surrounded by nurses who are some of the best people I have ever met. They are all so sweet and constantly remind me of why I chose nursing in the first place with their compassionate care. Nursing school is one of the hardest things I have ever endured and having them there to guide me has made all the difference. Some of my friends are already nurses and make me excited for what is to come after to I finish my degree next May and take the NCLEX. This scholarship would help me tremendously on my nursing school journey, as tuition, supplies, and books are very expensive. I have also been able to gain experience through the clinical hours we do in our program. Mine are currently at Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. I love being on the floors and working alongside nurses who are excited to help me learn and practice skills. My clinical instructor, Ashley, is so nice and always gives good, in-depth answers when I have questions about anything. My favorite area so far has been the labor and delivery/postpartum care unit because it was extremely fulfilling to assist women in one of the most important moments of their life. And of course, babies are just the cutest!

I am currently in nursing school and have realized along the way that one of the most important things you can do for yourself is self-care. I like to take my Australian shepherd, Cowgirl, for a walk while also listening to some of my favorite tunes or catching up on a podcast. It’s a nice break from the constant reading and looking at computer screens. I've gotten into poor, unhealthy habits in the past which have led me to a negative mental state. It was a hard time in my life and I was just burnt out and drained all the time, until I started doing things that were good for my mental health and implementing habits that I still try to follow every day, such as working out, reading books, and eating healthy. Mental health is so pertinent because if your mind is not in the best space, it can make everything else you try to do all that much harder, especially trying to read and comprehend complex topics. My anxiety was inhibiting me from properly retaining information and I could see a difference in how I was performing on a daily basis. I did not have any interest in anything anymore, which was so unlike me. My friends and family were there to support me and lift me again as I was trying to do better for my mental health. I've seen improvement in most of the other aspects of my life, so it goes to show much mental health can impact a person as a whole. In the hospital, mental health is not usually the focus of care, but it is important to do those assessments of patients' mental health status to provide the most holistic model of care and promote their well-being. For me, face masks and tasty treats are always a must when finishing a test or semester. It feels necessary to reward yourself after accomplishing something. Sometimes I find joy in just stepping away from my homework and doing simple tasks like cooking or cleaning to relax my mind for a little bit. I like to have all the things on my to-do list crossed off to clear a space for rest in my brain. It sounds crazy, but it works. A refreshing, clean room is the perfect antidote for those long days of studying and makes me feel so much better when I am not surrounded by clutter.

Nursing was interesting to me as a career choice ever since I was a teenager. My mother was a nurse and when I was in high school, I got the opportunity to participate in my local vocational school pre-nursing program and complete my Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification as well as my phlebotomy certification. I love that I can build a career based on caring for other people and find that it will be very rewarding, especially since it is something that my mother and I will have in common. She has been such a big help and supporter of my journey. I'm currently in my second semester of nursing school at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City and have only two more left. Receiving my degree in nursing opens the door for so many opportunities to learn and engage with a field I am genuinely interested in and passionate about. Obtaining my CNA certification before pursuing nursing school was very beneficial for me and is an accomplishment that has guided me tremendously in my studies. Having that foundational knowledge that I gained through my experience has helped me connect concepts and expand on what I am currently learning about. Where I work currently, I am surrounded by nurses who are some of the best people I have ever met. They are all so sweet and constantly remind me of why I chose nursing in the first place with their compassionate care. Nursing school is one of the hardest things I have ever endured and having them there to guide me has made all the difference. Some of my friends are already nurses and make me excited for what is to come after to I finish my degree next May and take the NCLEX. This scholarship would help me tremendously on my nursing school journey, as tuition, supplies, and books are very expensive. I have also been able to gain experience through the clinical hours we do in our program. Mine are currently at Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. I love being on the floors and working alongside nurses who are excited to help me learn and practice skills. My clinical instructor, Ashley, is so nice and always gives good, in-depth answers when I have questions about anything. My favorite area so far has been the labor and delivery/postpartum care unit because it was extremely fulfilling to assist women in one of the most important moments of their life. And of course, babies are just the cutest!

Nursing was interesting to me as a career choice ever since I was a teenager. My mother was a nurse and when I was in high school, I got the opportunity to participate in my local vocational school pre-nursing program and complete my Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification as well as my phlebotomy certification. I love that I can build a career based on caring for other people and find that it will be very rewarding, especially since it is something that my mother and I will have in common. She has been such a big help and supporter of my journey. I'm currently in my second semester of nursing school at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City and have only two more left. Receiving my degree in nursing opens the door for so many opportunities to learn and engage with a field I am genuinely interested in and passionate about. Obtaining my CNA certification before pursuing nursing school was very beneficial for me and is an accomplishment that has guided me tremendously in my studies. Having that foundational knowledge that I gained through my experience has helped me connect concepts and expand on what I am currently learning about. Where I work currently, I am surrounded by nurses who are some of the best people I have ever met. They are all so sweet and constantly remind me of why I chose nursing in the first place with their compassionate care. Nursing school is one of the hardest things I have ever endured and having them there to guide me has made all the difference. Some of my friends are already nurses and make me excited for what is to come after to I finish my degree next May and take the NCLEX. I have also been able to gain experience through the clinical hours we do in our program. Mine are currently at Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. I love being on the floors and working alongside nurses who are excited to help me learn and practice skills. My clinical instructor, Ashley, is so nice and always gives good, in-depth answers when I have questions about anything. My favorite area so far has been the labor and delivery/postpartum care unit because it was extremely fulfilling to assist women in one of the most important moments of their life. And of course, babies are just the cutest!

My father came to America in 1998, when the Albanian Civil War was happening. He arrived in New York and traveled down to Oklahoma, by car. It was very courageous and I'm guessing probably scary to have to pick up your life and move across the world. He and my mom had me in 2001. When I was little, I was immersed in Albanian culture and it was very fun as a kid to be surrounded by so many different people related to me. A close-knit family is very important in Albanian culture. I probably have about twenty cousins I do know, and twenty I don't know, from all around the world; Sweden, Macedonia, Albania, New York, New Jersey, Texas, and the list goes on. Family get-togethers were the best of times as a kid. Everyone was so happy and by the time I grew up a little, most of my family had immigrated from eastern Europe. That's what the American Dream means to me, being able to see my entire family here in one place, thriving and happy. That's all I want for them and all they would want for me. They've supported me on my nursing school journey and I hope one day I can return the love they've given to me. They've shown me what it means to work hard to achieve their dreams. I wouldn't even be here if my dad had not decided to come to America and pursue his dream. I'm currently in my first year of nursing school at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City. I have had such a rewarding experience so far and am so grateful for the opportunity to study the science and art of nursing. My goal is to obtain my RN licensure so that I may give back to my community in a meaningful, beneficial way. I like to take my Australian shepherd for a walk while also listening to some of my favorite tunes. It’s a nice break from the constant reading and looking at computer screens. Face masks and tasty treats are always a must when finishing a test or semester. Sometimes I find joy in just stepping away from my homework and doing simple tasks like cooking or cleaning to relax my mind for a little bit. It sounds crazy, but it works. A refreshing, clean room is the perfect antidote for those long days of studying.

I planned to pursue a career as a nurse since I attended vocational school in high school and obtained my CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) certification. It was a rich experience that gave me a solid foundation before attending college at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City to pursue an associate's degree in nurse science. I'm currently in my second semester of nursing school and have a year left. Receiving my degree in nursing opens the door for so many opportunities to learn and engage with a field I am genuinely interested in and passionate about. It's been a tough journey so far, but I am so lucky to have a support system that constantly encourages me to push forward. The specific courses I am taking for my degree are teaching me how to save lives and be the best nurse I can be, which in turn will adequately prepare me to be able to give back to the community through my work. My mom is a nurse and I remember when she was in nursing school when I was a young teenager. I always looked up to her because she was raising my brother and me all by herself while also attending nursing school. My mother was a huge part of why I wanted to pursue nursing as a career choice. Like her, I would like to be able to provide my children with a bright future and pave the way for them to not have to go through some of the struggles that I did as a kid. I was inspired and knew that it was something I would like to pursue because it's an immensely rewarding career with lots of room for growth. It is so exciting that I don't have that much longer before I can graduate and take the NCLEX. Part of why I wanted to become a nurse is because of my faith, which is Christianity. Nursing is a healing profession that is compassionate, which encapsulates many of Jesus' teachings. Since nursing provides many flexible opportunities for work, I can travel to different places after obtaining my licensure and gaining experience. I love traveling and having new experiences so that might be a nice option for me to do for a while. Nursing is a profession that will always be in high demand, as made evident by the COVID-19 pandemic we have been facing since 2020.

I planned to pursue a career as a nurse since I attended vocational school in high school and obtained my CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) certification. It was a rich experience that gave me a solid foundation before attending college at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City to pursue an associate's degree in nurse science. I'm currently in my second semester of nursing school and have a year left. Receiving my degree in nursing opens the door for so many opportunities to learn and engage with a field I am genuinely interested in and passionate about. It's been a tough journey so far, but I am so lucky to have a support system that constantly encourages me to push forward. The specific courses I am taking for my degree are teaching me how to save lives and be the best nurse I can be, which in turn will adequately prepare me to be able to give back to the community through my work. My mom is a nurse and I remember when she was in nursing school when I was a young teenager. I always looked up to her because she was raising my brother and me all by herself while also attending nursing school. My mother was a huge part of why I wanted to pursue nursing as a career choice. Like her, I would like to be able to provide my children with a bright future and pave the way for them to not have to go through some of the struggles that I did as a kid. I was inspired and knew that it was something I would like to pursue because it's an immensely rewarding career with lots of room for growth. It is so exciting that I don't have that much longer before I can graduate and take the NCLEX. Part of why I wanted to become a nurse is because of my faith, which is Christianity. Nursing is a healing profession that is compassionate, which encapsulates many of Jesus' teachings. Since nursing provides many flexible opportunities for work, I can travel to different places after obtaining my licensure and gaining experience. I love traveling and having new experiences so that might be a nice option for me to do for a while. Nursing is a profession that will always be in high demand, as made evident by the COVID-19 pandemic we have been facing since 2020.

I planned to pursue a career as a nurse since I attended vocational school in high school and obtained my CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) certification. It was a rich experience that gave me a solid foundation before attending college at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City to pursue an associate's degree in nurse science. I'm currently in my second semester of nursing school and have a year left. Receiving my degree in nursing opens the door for so many opportunities to learn and engage with a field I am genuinely interested in and passionate about. It's been a tough journey so far, but I am so lucky to have a support system that constantly encourages me to push forward. The specific courses I am taking for my degree are teaching me how to save lives and be the best nurse I can be, which in turn will adequately prepare me to be able to give back to the community through my work. My mom is a nurse and I remember when she was in nursing school when I was a young teenager. I always looked up to her because she was raising my brother and me all by herself while also attending nursing school. My mother was a huge part of why I wanted to pursue nursing as a career choice. Like her, I would like to be able to provide my children with a bright future and pave the way for them to not have to go through some of the struggles that I did as a kid. I was inspired and knew that it was something I would like to pursue because it's an immensely rewarding career with lots of room for growth. It is so exciting that I don't have that much longer before I can graduate and take the NCLEX. Part of why I wanted to become a nurse is because of my faith, which is Christianity. Nursing is a healing profession that is compassionate, which encapsulates many of Jesus' teachings. Since nursing provides many flexible opportunities for work, I can travel to different places after obtaining my licensure and gaining experience. I love traveling and having new experiences so that might be a nice option for me to do for a while. Nursing is a profession that will always be in high demand, as made evident by the COVID-19 pandemic we have been facing since 2020.

I planned to pursue a career as a nurse since I attended vocational school in high school and obtained my CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) certification. It was a rich experience that gave me a solid foundation before attending college at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City to pursue an associate's degree in nurse science. I'm currently in my second semester of nursing school and have a year left. Receiving my degree in nursing opens the door for so many opportunities to learn and engage with a field I am genuinely interested in and passionate about. It's been a tough journey so far, but I am so lucky to have a support system that constantly encourages me to push forward. The specific courses I am taking for my degree are teaching me how to save lives and be the best nurse I can be, which in turn will adequately prepare me to be able to give back to the community through my work. My mom is a nurse and I remember when she was in nursing school when I was a young teenager. I always looked up to her because she was raising my brother and me all by herself while also attending nursing school. My mother was a huge part of why I wanted to pursue nursing as a career choice. Like her, I would like to be able to provide my children with a bright future and pave the way for them to not have to go through some of the struggles that I did as a kid. I was inspired and knew that it was something I would like to pursue because it's an immensely rewarding career with lots of room for growth. It is so exciting that I don't have that much longer before I can graduate and take the NCLEX. Part of why I wanted to become a nurse is because of my faith, which is Christianity. Nursing is a healing profession that is compassionate, which encapsulates many of Jesus' teachings. Since nursing provides many flexible opportunities for work, I can travel to different places after obtaining my licensure and gaining experience. I love traveling and having new experiences so that might be a nice option for me to do for a while. Nursing is a profession that will always be in high demand, as made evident by the COVID-19 pandemic we have been facing since 2020.

Hard times are not exclusive to any one person, I'm sure. We all face adversity after adversity that has brought us to where we are today. My perception of these things changed after I graduated high school and was in college. I feel that in college there is not a close-knit support system that you find in high school. This makes it easier to slip into unhealthy habits that ultimately start to deteriorate our mental health and make us more negative. I read three books that brought a feeling of lightness, warmth, and positivity into my life that has managed to become part of my daily life. They are "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho, "The Power of Your Subconscious Mind" by Dr. Joseph Murphy, and "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle. All of these great works have highlighted on the connection between our thoughts and the outside world, including our own physical body's health. Once I was able to recognize a negative thought and replace it with a positive one, it changed the way I think forever. I felt more happy and slowly the positive mindset had a positive effect on every area of my life. I now love to work out, spend time in nature, and am well-equipped to have meaningful quality time with my friends. I've learned how you really can change your life by changing your thoughts; it's absolutely amazing.

How brave are you really if you talk about how brave you are? I suppose l can make an exception for this essay. I feel that bravery is different for every single person. For someone with anxiety, something as simple as going to the grocery store could be brave on their part. I try to be brave in the context of how I face obstacles coming into my life. It's been very important to me that I maintain a positive attitude about things and trust that everything will work out. Everything always does. Aligning with this philosophy, I pursue life to the fullest and try not to inhibit myself from enjoying it. It's hard for me not to feel guilty when I lounge a little too much or I enjoy that extra ice cream. But it's these very things that make life wonderful, the small things. The detailed small moments are what makes us bold and make the entire journey worth it.

I live in Oklahoma, which is not a state that is very big on climate change activism or environmental-friendly alternatives. With it being this way, it makes it more difficult for us Oklahomans to find ways to utilize more eco-friendly approaches. For me personally, I like to use recyclable things or I will repurpose things such as jars and bags. For example, I (along with many others I'm sure) use grocery bags for trash bags to reduce the plastic I'm using. Most of the time though, when I go to the grocery store, they put the groceries right back in the cart at checkout with no bag so then I just put that in my car. I feel that it makes it a lot easier and there is no extra unnecessary plastic waste. I know it's small things, but those small things add up to help the greater cause of saving the environment.

As a nursing student who is currently under the mentorship of all the great nurses and instructors at my school, I hope that I can someday be as helpful to future nursing students as they are for me. Nursing school is one of the hardest things I have ever endured and having them there to guide me has made all the difference. Also, my friends that I have made along the way are my mentors, too. We study together and push each other to try and show up every day as the best version of ourselves that we can possibly be. After I obtain my nursing license, I want to make sure that I maintain a positive attitude with regards to my work and still maintain a spirit of inquiry for the field of nursing. I can only hope someday that I have some nursing students following me around so I can show them things they haven't seen before. I like to think they will probably be telling me about intricate new medical technology they will have learned about. I look forward to the day where the future nursing students can blend and express ideas with the nurses from my generation.

My father came to America in 1998, when the Albanian Civil War was happening. He arrived in New York and traveled all the way down to Oklahoma, by car. It was very courageous and I'm guessing probably scary to have to pick up your life and move across the world. Him and my mom had me in 2001. When I was little, I was immersed in Albanian culture and it was very fun as a kid to be surrounded by so many different people related to me. A close-knit family is very important in Albanian culture. I probably have about twenty cousins I do know, and twenty I don't know, from all around the world; Sweden, Macedonia, Albania, New York, New Jersey, Texas, the list goes on. Family get-togethers were the best of times as a kid. Everyone was so happy and by the time I grew up a little, most of my family had immigrated from eastern Europe. That's what the American Dream means to me, being able to see my entire family here in one place, thriving and happy. That's all I want for them and all they would want for me. They've supported me on my nursing school journey and I hope one day I can return the love they've given to me. They've shown me what it means to work hard to achieve their dreams. I wouldn't even be here if my dad had not made the decision to come to America and pursue his dream.

I absolutely love the little small town I graduated from: Mustang, Oklahoma. It is filled with such a rich, vibrant energy that encapsulates all the good things about living in a small town. However, it has been vastly growing in recent years. The whole town is intertwined and you're bound to run into someone you know even just grocery shopping. One time I ran into my priest at the local Applebee's which was funny. This growth has given me ample opportunity for community outreach projects. My peers and I will go to the community breakfasts, festivals, or any events Mustang puts on to help bring awareness to different issues within the community. Recently, we have been trying to go out and do projects to recruit people to donate plasma and blood. With coronavirus, there has been a huge increase in the demand for these blood products and hospitals are experiencing a shortage. Plasma has been a huge factor in the fight against the virus since medications and vaccines are made from the antibodies found in plasma. These properties of plasma and blood also are used in the direct treatment of COVID-19 patients. I've had such a positive experience with the generous locals of Mustang, Oklahoma and look forward to becoming a nurse so that I can serve my community in a more robust way. I would love to volunteer to give vaccines, draw blood, etc.

I feel that with any young person navigating the bridge from adolescence to adulthood, there comes a time where you begin to realize that you shouldn't care what others think. There might be people who pray on your downfall, however if you remain strong and persistent in your endeavors, you will reap the rewards. Life is too, too short to be constantly worried about the impression you're making on others. That is their business solely. This was a major shift in my life when I stopped worrying about the small things. I was able to fully immerse my energy into becoming the best version of my self without the extra stress of seeking approval from others. I am now the happiest and healthiest I've ever been, and I couldn't be more grateful. Moral of the story: don't dwell on others' opinions about you, it will set you free.

Something that I learned early on and I'm glad I stuck with is opening and putting money into a 401K account as soon as you are able. This has made a huge impact on the money I have saved in it because most companies with match whatever you put into it. For example, out of every paycheck, 5% of it goes to my 401K. The company I work for matches what I put in and adds that, so in actuality it ends up being ten percent that is going towards the 401K. It's free money basically that the company adds to your 401K. Also, I've worked for several companies since I was 16 years old, and all of those savings roll over and stay even when you go to a new job. So, there's no need to worry about hassles relating to getting a new job. I now tell all my friends about this because as 21 year old college students, no one has ever taught us the importance of a 401K, and the impact it has on your future financial stability.

As I'm sure everyone else probably would say, I feel that lowering the costs of college is crucial to ensure that education is better for future generations to come. Not only that, the whole process with regards to FAFSA has to change for it to be feasible for future students. My friends, other classmates, and myself have undergone so much stress and so many obstacles to hurdle over because your FAFSA is based on your parents' income, even if you are completely moved out and financially independent. It should not be based on the parents' income because for most people, their parents are not aiding in their college costs. I know lots of financially independent students who are not and have not been in contact with their parents for years, and yet since they are not 24, married, or have a baby, they are forced to utilize their parents income and cannot be considered "independent." What sense does that make? Why do you have to be 24 to be considered "independent" on your financial aid when legally you're an adult when you're 18? What if your parents refuse to assist with the process or submit the necessary paperwork? Students nationwide are suffering because of requirements such as these. We simply can't afford it, especially with the rising costs of everything under the sun. These stipulations inadvertently incentivize someone under 24 to either get married or have a child in order to receive any financial aid, which further exacerbates the problem because then these people have a child to care for or marital concerns on top of school loans. I personally have struggled with this issue as I am completely moved out on my own and financially independent. I have not had contact with my father for a long time and even though I am moved out and have been working since I was sixteen, I have to use my mother's tax forms. My mom is a nurse as well as a single mother to my brother and I, which means she has to foot the bill for everything in that house. Ironically, living paycheck to paycheck, her income is still too much for me to receive any grants or aid that is not a student loan with an exorbitant interest rate.

Creativity is always posed as some elaborate, extensive expression. I don't think it has to be like that; everyone is so different so naturally everyone's outlet for creativity is going to appear vastly dissimilar. I personally like to use writing and spending time in nature as a way for me to reconnect with my creative side, as well as keeping my physical self healthy. Anything I do creatively is a better experience if the weather permits and I can walk in nature or take my dog to a trail. With being in school and working full-time, I rarely have a lot of free time to spare so it's the perfect antidote for long work/study sessions.

Being a kid and growing into a young adult can exacerbate a ton of different emotions, which can definitely make you do some odd things. I remember how frustrating it is to grow up and go through high school. One piece of advice I got from my parents that helped me navigate was, "You catch a lot more flies with honey than you do with vinegar." It means that kindness is a lot more effective than being snarky or mean to someone. I felt like that was a powerful piece of advice because it can be applied to any situation you are in. I've always used it since then and things always work out, no matter what. I understand it's hard to always try and be the best version of yourself but this mantra has definitely had a positive effect on my life.

I have always had my goals set for what I wanted to achieve when I got out of high, but now that I am nearing my last year of college at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City, I have had to make and plan for new goals I have. Hopefully by the end of this year, I will pass my NCLEX exam and have my nursing license and I can start working as a nurse while I finish college. This advancement would ensure that I am financially able to pursue my goals for the future, such as visiting my dad's home country, Macedonia, and possibly going to school afterwards for graduate school. I have always wanted to go to Europe and hope to meet that goal sooner rather than later. It would be so rewarding to be able to go to Macedonia and see my family and the beautiful country they live in. Also, it's right across the Mediterranean Sea from Italy which is another place I'd like to visit since I am Catholic. After that, graduate school will possibly be my next step to further my knowledge about the art and science of the nursing profession. Being able to craft my skills more robustly would serve me well as one day I want to travel as a nurse and help those in need.

Math is one of the most important things we have to learn in the profession I'm learning. Nursing school teaches us about medications and how we can safely and correctly calculate the right dosage for patients while avoiding medication errors. It can be the difference between someone living on the see the next day or not. Every test we take for nursing school encompasses a portion which is dedicated to completing dosage calculations. Math has also opened the door for me to learn about new medications, different systems of measurement, and when they are applicable. For example, it absolutely does matter what gauge needle you use or how many milliliters per hour you are administering, etc. All of these factors combined can have a massive impact on whether the patient is healed or further negatively impacted by the choices and calculations we must makes as nurses. Learning the pertinent skills now will equip me to be the best nurse I can strive to be in the next coming year.

My study strategies have definitely had to adapt over the years, with pandemic striking the globe in early 2020 and the advancements in technology surging. I was in my second year of college and finishing up my prerequisites for my degree in nursing. Then suddenly, everything was online which I had never experienced before. I had to navigate this new way of learning and it was tough to say the least. Our poor teachers had to adapt, too, which made it harder on everyone. I used to be the type of person that would hand-write all my flashcards, but now I find it more productive to use an app called Quizlet so I am able to study wherever I go. Quizlet has been a huge help to me with nursing school because I have to squeeze in studying wherever I am able. Also, I do more focused intense studying sessions for about six hours a day with five minute breaks every hour during the school year. This technique has helped me put away all distractions and focus on the tasks at hand. All that to say, these two techniques worked for me since I passed my first semester of nursing school with flying colors!

I feel that nature is what connects us as humans to each other and to the earth; its splendor never ceases to captivate our undivided attention. I recently took a road trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico and was absolutely stunned by its immense beauty. I took long walks on the desert mountains and felt so at peace and one with nature and the world. I even came across a rattlesnake, which was terrifying, but I left it alone and we went on our separate paths. But don't worry, I was able to snap a photo. The White Sands National Park was also a marvel, with its pure white sands that reflect the sun, making it cool to the touch. We sled down the hills of sand barefoot and I felt a sense of grounding. This sense is what makes nature so beautiful and worth preserving to me. Maybe it's this universal feeling that binds us as human beings. Either way, I hope that I am blessed with further opportunity to explore the nature of the world.

My spring semester of 2022 was one of the hardest semesters I have ever experienced. This was my first semester as a nursing student and I experienced intense anxiety about so many things: student loans, a new environment, and working full-time while still being in school. The stress weighed on me at the beginning especially, and I found it hard to overcome the obstacles as well as keep up with taking care of myself. At one point, I really had to work on my time management and schedule out time to take for myself so I could exercise, read, and spend quality time with my friends and family (and my dog, of course). It got better towards the end, but definitely took a toll. I gained weight and did not feel my best mentally either. I'm very thankful for this time during summer I get to reset and relax before going back in the fall. Now I feel better equipped to deal with the challenges that I know I'll face with the coming semesters. I'm so close and so excited to obtain my nursing license, which pushes me forward and motivates me each and everyday.

Ever since I could remember, I always loved reading and writing. It interested me so much I began to write poetry by the time I was sixteen, and won trophies for reading when I was in grade school. My bookcase has always had an extensive collection of books I've had since I was younger, some that I've read multiple times because they are just that good. My favorite book as a child was The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle; I've kept it all these years so that someday I have the opportunity to read the book to my child. Now, my favorite book is The Doors of Perception by Aldous Huxley because of the eloquent way it is written and Aldous' own depiction of his experiences. Reading and writing was a way for me to escape to another world and relax my mind, or puts the words I couldn't bring myself to say on paper. People always ask me what I would do if I were not pursing my nursing degree currently, and I always answer that I would love to be a writer. I've only let my close friends read my work and it's been a very positive experience for me thus far. I hope that one day I can at least self-publish a small poetry book of my work for me to give to my friends and peers. It's going to take awhile, though because most of my reading energy has to be directed towards my nursing school books and NCLEX preparation materials. I'm thankful that I was so engaged with reading my whole life so that I was adequately prepared to go through college and nursing school.

I feel that the meaning of life is to find what brings you happiness and embrace it. It often takes time to figure out what our passion is in life, but when we do those are the little things every day that bring us true meaningful experiences. It is a different experience for everyone. Some people just know from a very young age that they want to pursue a sport or instrument for the rest of their lives. Others may wait until they're older to figure it all out. I personally find that meaning in my life is exhibited when I go on nature walks and spend quality time with my loved ones. I also enjoy going to church when I have time between studying for nursing school and working full-time. However these moments, though small, make every day worth it. I believe that we should not live to work, but work to live our life.

The profession I chose is how I wanted to express selfless acts, through becoming a nurse. Even though nursing school is currently one of the hardest things I've ever gone through thus far, it has showed me how selfless nurses really have to be. This has become very apparent during the pandemic. For nursing school, we go to the hospitals where we learn the skills that we will soon perform when we graduate. It's there where I've seen what nurses have been going through: severe staffing shortages, increasing influx of patients, and low pay. Not only that, they are putting themselves and their families in a position to where they could possibly be exposed to an infectious disease, all in order to provide the necessary care to their patients. It's amazing. When I go, I try to help my nurse with as much as possible in hopes of lightening their workload and making their shift go smoother. Nursing school is enough of a struggle, so I have made friends and it has been an awesome experience. If I can help another student succeed, it would make me just as happy as when I succeed. We're all in this together and when we study, we quiz and teach each other which also helps us. It's not a competition, but instead we all are in this together.

I feel that gratitude is a necessity to have good karma, if you will, bestowed upon you in the future. I remember when I got my first car when I was seventeen and it was a 2005 Chevy Cavalier. Even though it wasn't the fanciest car, I was extremely grateful to have it because it got me from point A to point B. Not to mention I didn't have a car payment which enabled me to save up for a more reliable car when I was ready. This attitude towards things has really changed the way I view life. It is such a gift to be able to wake up everyday and be healthy, happy, and have all your physical needs met. I think about this often when I go to clinicals in the hospital for nursing school. Sometimes we forget that people are dealing with hard, life-changing things. Or sometimes it can even be small things. When I drive by someone who is stopped with car troubles, I say a little payer for them and a prayer of gratitude for my car not being broke down. I remember when I had that first car, it broke down almost every other month and sometimes it can be a scary situation. It's these things and more that have influenced me in the recent years to practice daily gratitude mantras as well as lending a helping hand wherever I am able to.

Within the last year, I have been promoted into a leadership position at my job, and part of my experience so far has included being someone that employees can come to with their concerns. I feel that this has really aided me in stepping into the caregiver role that is required for my preferred career choice, which is nursing. As someone who my coworkers have divulged their struggles to, I've seen the impact that compassion can have on someone who needs a person to listen and understand their point of view. I try my best to extend compassion and solutions to whatever they need help with. Building therapeutic relationships not only with my peers, but also with the patients I help to treat in nursing school has been such a positive learning experience for me.

When I have enough time for hobbies between studying and working, I enjoy being active outdoors with my dog, travelling, writing, and playing card games with my friends. These activities help me to relax my mind when I am away from studying which can sometimes be very rigorous. Now that summer has come, I have some more free time to pursue my hobbies and mark off some things on my bucket list before returning to school in the fall. Next week, I plan to go on a road trip with my friends to New Mexico so we can do some hiking. It's very beautiful there and hopefully we can capture some good memories and photos. I have not been to many states, but by the end of the summer I would like to be able to go see the ocean because I've never been. Good things are happening this summer!

Recovery to me is the process by which you take every single day alive and well as a win. Even one day free from whatever is troubling someone is something to be proud of. It takes so much courage to even start the recovery process because it means finally tending to wounds that long been left neglected. Recovery is not a linear process and does not look the same for every person. One person can have something that helps them and someone else could have an entirely different experience. This is something that should always be taken into consideration as people can be in vastly different periods of recovery.

I absolutely adore dogs because they seem so much sweeter than any other animal. Nothing compares to the love they show you everyday. They don't think of you as their owner or human, but instead as part of their pack. My pet has changed my life in ways I could have never imagine. I have always been one of those people that weren't the fondest of animals, however that all changed once I began college in 2019. My dog is now such an important aspect of my day. She is an Australian Sheppard named Cowgirl and having her close to me has helped me with my responsibility, health, and other little things such as just having a car buddy to ride with. It makes me the happiest when I get home and I give her a dog ice cream with whipped cream and a dog bone on top. We just sit outside and watch the cars pass as we eat ice cream. We try and make her life as comfortable as possible because she's getting older and has problems with her eyes as well as surgeries she has undergone for a tumor on her side. She's always been a loyal best friend, and now I would do anything to make her happy (even if it means scratching her behind).

If I had $1000 right now, I would dedicate more than half of it towards paying off a large chunk of my student loan. With the remaining amount, I would want to get some new shoes and some nursing supplies (stethoscope, scissors, scrubs, books) for my next semester of nursing school. This can often be a huge reason for why it is so expensive to attend nursing school since medical supplies are so expensive, but we do need them to efficiently learn how to care for real-life patients. However, the rising prices have not detoured me from still pursuing my dream of becoming a nurse. I see the mannequins we use for school everyday and am so thankful for the quality of the things we are able to practice with, which is paid for by the school. $700 I paid for books is nothing compared to the stellar supplies we are permitted to use.

I am currently in my first semester at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City and am enrolled to attend my second semester in the fall. My time in high school and college has prepared me for this point and it's so exciting to finally be able to put the skills I have been learning about to use when we attend our clinicals at the hospital. My combined experience of attending vocational school while in high school, working full time, and completing college up to this point has taught me the value of patience. I have to remember that it's not a race, or a competition. I hope that soon I will be able to take the NCLEX exam and obtain my nursing license so that I may have a more suitable income for paying off my student debt. However, it's not a race, and I realize that I should take small chunks at a time and celebrate small wins. I am still in college and often forget that it should be an enjoyable time in my life.

I’ve felt from the very beginning that I wanted to pursue a higher education and with the nursing career I am aspiring to achieve, it’s absolutely necessary. When I was in high school, I had the opportunity to go to vocational school as well to study pre-nursing. There, I received my CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) and my certificate in phlebotomy. Receiving my degree in nursing opens the door for so many opportunities to learn and engage with a field I am genuinely interested in and passionate about. I am currently in nursing school at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City and it has been such a blessing to meet people that have the shared goal of becoming a nurse. It’s been a great foundation for many friendships. Not only that, the specific courses I am taking with regards to my degree are teaching me how to save lives and be the best nurse I can be, which in turn will adequately prepare me to be able to give back to the community through my work. The information nurses have to retain is vital to patient safety and successful healing.

I’ve felt from the very beginning that I wanted to pursue a higher education and with the nursing career I am aspiring to achieve, it’s absolutely necessary. When I was in high school, I had the opportunity to go to vocational school as well to study pre-nursing. There, I received my CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) and my certificate in phlebotomy. Receiving my degree in nursing opens the door for so many opportunities to learn and engage with a field I am genuinely interested in and passionate about. I am currently in nursing school at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City and it has been such a blessing to meet people that have the shared goal of becoming a nurse. It’s been a great foundation for many friendships. Not only that, the specific courses I am taking with regards to my degree are teaching me how to save lives and be the best nurse I can be, which in turn will adequately prepare me to be able to give back to the community through my work. The information nurses have to retain is vital to patient safety and successful healing.

What fuels my life? Everything! Currently, actually having free time with my friends now that summer has finally come. I'm so happy that I passed my first semester of nursing school, so my friends and I have been trying to plan a road trip to celebrate. We'll be going to Albuquerque, New Mexico to hike and visit other national parks in the surrounding states. It's well-overdue since I had to miss out on a lot of quality time with my friends in order to study. I enjoy time outdoors, but sometimes that can be hit-or-miss (especially with Oklahoma weather), so I additionally like to read, write, and play card games with my friends. Doing things as such helps me to relax my mind from all the studying and reading that is necessary to thrive in nursing school.

I believe my greatest achievement to be helping my mom during her time in nursing school when I was in high school. She was either always working or going to school, which put a strain on our family. I had to help out with taking care of my little brother in order for her to finish her degree and obtain her nursing license. During this time I was able to go through vocational school while still in high school and receive my CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) and phlebotomy certification. I soon learned after my mom's graduation that I myself wanted to follow in her footsteps and become a nurse. My achievements at vocational school helped me get my foot in the door to pursue nursing, and continue to help me to this day. Taking care of my brother really showed me how to step into the caregiver role that is required if I am to become a nurse. Not to mention, I had fun at the time. We would hang out, cook dinner together, go to the park, etc. Fast forward to now, I am currently about to start my second semester of nursing school at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City. I hope that after this semester I can take the NCLEX test and pass so that I may work as an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) throughout the rest of nursing school until I obtain my RN (Registered Nurse). Doing this would aid me in paying for the duration of my schooling that is needed (which is three semesters), and also give me an opportunity to build my skills before I graduate.

Speaking my mind can not always be a good thing, surely, but I don't hold back what my true opinion or understanding of something. If someone just follows another thing someone speaks without putting thought and detail into it first, then what good is it to speak your mind? I will definitely speak my mind when with my peers and close friends, and that is how we've been able to grown closer. I believe in free speech, in all aspects. No speech whatsoever should be censored. Will there be consequences for saying something unruly? Yes. However, that person should have the complete right to say what is on their mind. Free speech should not be awarded only to those who have favorable opinions. What productive conversation can occur where there is only a politically correct verbiage?

My bucket list is full of so many adventures I wish to go on. Now that I have completed my first semester of nursing school, I finally have the free time to pursue some trips I've been planning for a long time. Most recently, immediately when I finished my final examination and knew I did good this semester, I went on a day-trip to Dallas with my friends to celebrate and relax a bit. Next month, I'm going to Albuquerque with them and hope that it is even more of a blast than Dallas was. Outside of the United States, I would like to visit my dad's home country in eastern Europe, as well as Italy and France. I'm Catholic so it would mean so much to be able to travel and see all the beautiful cathedrals and art Italy has to offer, not to mention the delicious food I'm sure is there.

Confidence means the freedom to be whoever I wish to be and express myself fully. I want to wear anything and feel comfortable and beautiful within myself. I've struggled with this since graduating high school, but I am trying to do a better job at managing my habits as summer is nearing. I've been taking walks and trying to be more open to meet new people to help me build my confidence. I want to be ready for when I graduate college and not be held back by anything, even insecurity. My friends have been supportive and go sim and ride bikes together when the weather permits.

Leadership is something I've only really gained experience in while being in my current position at my place of employment. I was nervous to step into a leadership role for a variety of reasons; I was shy, afraid of what my peers would think, and doubtful of myself. However, it was a smoother transition than I thought it out to be. My job encompasses leadership through the quality assurance that I provide my coworkers. My job entails doing daily reviews and identifying deviations within our process with regards to our standard operating procedures. One thing that can be tough is counseling someone on an error they've committed. I make sure to exhibit kindness and therapeutic communication during the counseling process, which has been proven to be beneficial in preventing future errors and nurturing professional relationships with coworkers. As a leader, I've learned how to improve my social and professional skills which has been a huge help to me in first semester of nursing school.

I would say my talent is writing. It's truly what I love to do and what I would pursue if I were not going through nursing school currently. I used to write short, creative stories when I was in high school and let my friends and family read. They were always supportive and kind towards my attempts at writing. That is why I enjoy Bold. org so much, because I find it fun to write all these short essays for scholarships, anywhere, and at any point in the day. Whenever I have downtime I like to write because it feels like I am keeping those writing skills sharp, which will be needed as I continue my higher education.

Math is one of the most important things we have to learn in the profession I'm learning. Nursing school teaches us about medications and how we can safely and correctly calculate the right dosage for patients while avoiding medication errors. It can be the difference between someone living on the see the next day or not. Every test we take for nursing school encompasses a portion which is dedicated to completing dosage calculations. Math has also opened the door for me to learn about new medications, different systems of measurement, and when they are applicable. For example, it absolutely does matter what gauge needle you use or how many milliliters per hour you are administering, etc. Learning the pertinent skills now will equip me to be the best nurse I can strive to be in the next coming year.

I did not really think much of the issue until I was graduating high school. So many girls around me were on their first or second child, or had boasted about abortions they had. Additionally when I was graduating high school, I went through RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) classes and became catholic. This sparked the deeper discussion within myself and it became crystal clear to me that i do believe and know that any unborn child is a human being, and deserves to live and be treated as such. It has been hard to voice my views without being outcasted by the mainstream ideology that plagues many young women today. I thought about the easy actions I could take to completely prevent accidentally getting pregnant, and to this day, it really has not been that much of a struggle. Since it's such a hot topic of conversation among news publications and activist groups, I feel that it is important to have a stance on the matter. This could greatly impact the future of preserving the dignity of all human beings, and possibly be a causative factor that leads to peace.

I’m currently in nursing school and have realized along the way that one of the most important things you can do for yourself is self-care. I like to take my Australian Shepherd for a walk while also listening to some of my favorite tunes. It’s a nice break from the constant reading and looking at computer screens. I have to be great at time management to make sure I am keeping up with a healthy work/school/life balance. I have tried various methods throughout nursing school to maintain my mental health because I saw how many people I was surrounded by and they were struggling. Being there for people can really change the course of negative thought patterns and promote positive benefits. Face mask and tasty treats are always a must when finishing a test or semester. Sometimes I find joy in just stepping away from my homework and doing simple tasks like cooking or cleaning to relax my mind for a little bit. It sounds crazy, but it works. A refreshing, clean room is the perfect antidote for those long days studying.

My father came to America in 1998, when the Albanian Civil War was happening. He arrived in New York and traveled all the way down to Oklahoma, by car. It was very courageous and I'm guessing probably scary to have to pick up your life and move across the world. Him and my mom had me in 2001. When I was little, I was immersed in Albanian culture and it was very fun as a kid to be surrounded by so many different people related to me.. They were loud and a close-knit family is very important in Albanian culture. I probably have about twenty cousins I do know, and twenty I don't know, from all around the world; Sweden, Macedonia, Albania, New York, New Jersey, Texas, the list goes on. Family get-togethers were the best of times as a kid. Everyone was so happy and by the time I grew up a little, most of my family had immigrated from eastern Europe. That's what the American Dream means to me, being able to see my entire family here in one place, thriving and happy. That's all I want for them and all they would want for me. They've supported me on my nursing school journey and I hope one day I can return the love they've given to me.

1. I don’t. 2. I want to win something other than the “Chubby Champion 2002” title from a baby beauty pageant. 3. I haven’t, but one time I threw up in an iHop and my mom talked about it on the radio.

Leadership is something I've only really gained experience in while being in my current position at my place of employment. I was nervous to step into a leadership role for a variety of reasons; I was shy, afraid of what my peers would think, and doubtful of myself. However, it was a smoother transition than I thought it out to be. My job encompasses leadership through the quality assurance that I provide my coworkers. My job entails doing daily reviews and identifying deviations within our process with regards to our standard operating procedures. One thing that can be tough is counseling someone on an error they've committed. I make sure to exhibit kindness and therapeutic communication during the counseling process, which has been proven to be beneficial in preventing future errors and nurturing professional relationships with coworkers. As a leader, I've learned how to improve my social and professional skills which has been a huge help to me in first semester of nursing school.

Education is the one thing that cannot be taken away from you at any point. I’ve felt from the very beginning that I wanted to pursue a higher education and with the nursing career I am aspiring to achieve, it’s absolutely necessary. Receiving my degree in nursing opens the door for so many opportunities to learn and engage with a field I am genuinely interested in and passionate about. I am currently in nursing school at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City and it has been such a blessing to meet people that have the shared goal of becoming a nurse. It’s been a great foundation for many friendships. Not only that, the specific courses I am taking with regards to my degree are teaching me how to save lives and be the best nurse I can be, which in turn will adequately prepare me to be able to give back to the community through my work. The information nurses have to retain is vital to patient safety and successful healing.

Being in a caregiver role has really impacted not only the manner in which I regard others and myself, but also in helping me on my journey to become a nurse. Up until I turned eighteen, I took care of my little brother a lot since my mother always had to either work or go to nursing school. This was especially tough on her so I helped out a lot with the household and my brother who was in elementary school at the time. It didn't prove to be as bad as I imagined it to be. Yeah, I had to miss out on some opportunities with my friends to hang out with my little brother, but it was more rewarding to me to help my mom make her dream come true, since she's always supported me. During that time, I was really able to prioritize myself also and what my goals for the future were since I was nearing the end of my high school experience. Seeing my mom care for others with such grace and compassion, and then seeing her graduation ceremony really opened my eyes to the opportunities that I am blessed with. After that, I was sure that pursuing nursing was the path that I want to journey down.

A healthy lifestyle does not only mean focusing on the outside factors that influence health, but rather looking to the inner self first. Knowing about yourself and the habits you build helps a great deal when trying to establish a healthy routine to follow. I definitely had to do when finishing my spring semester because not only did I gain the "freshman fifteen", I also gained about twenty more pounds. So, what I did was get a treadmill for my house so that when I am studying, I can get my movement in. Learning about nursing has really influenced me to be healthier because if we are not able-bodied, then how are to help those in need of our service?

My pet has changed my life in ways I could have never imagine. I have always been one of those people that weren't the fondest of animals, however that all changed once I began college in 2019. My dog is now such an important aspect of my day. She is an Australian Sheppard named Cowgirl and having her close to me has helped me with my responsibility, health, and other little things such as just having a car buddy to ride with. It makes me the happiest when I get home and I give her a dog ice cream with whipped cream and a dog bone on top. We just sit outside and watch the cars pass as we eat ice cream. We try and make her life as comfortable as possible because she's getting older and has problems with her eyes as well as surgeries she has undergone for a tumor on her side. She's always been a loyal best friend, and now I would do anything to make her happy (even if it means scratching her behind).

My pet has changed my life in ways I could have never imagine. I have always been one of those people that weren't the fondest of animals, however that all changed once I began college in 2019. My dog is now such an important aspect of my day. She is an Australian Sheppard named Cowgirl and having her close to me has helped me with my responsibility, health, and other little things such as just having a car buddy to ride with. It makes me the happiest when I get home and I give her a dog ice cream with whipped cream and a dog bone on top. We just sit outside and watch the cars pass as we eat ice cream. We try and make her life as comfortable as possible because she's getting older and has problems with her eyes as well as surgeries she has undergone for a tumor on her side. She's always been a loyal best friend, and now I would do anything to make her happy (even if it means scratching her behind).

I’m currently in nursing school and have realized along the way that one of the most important things you can do for yourself is self-care. I like to take my Australian shepherd for a walk while also listening to some of my favorite tunes. It’s a nice break from the constant reading and looking at computer screens. Face mask and tasty treats are always a must when finishing a test or semester. Sometimes I find joy in just stepping away from my homework and doing simple tasks like cooking or cleaning to relax my mind for a little bit. It sounds crazy, but it works. A refreshing, clean room is the perfect antidote for those long days studying.

I have been given ample opportunities as I have matured from high school into college to be in a leadership role at my job, my school, and also my church. During high school, I was nominated to be the Vice President of our HOSA (Future Health Professionals) chapter and it equipped me with the tools that I sill use at my job today, as I am now in a leadership role. Even today we had a meeting occur and I had to get paperwork and agendas ready in order for the meeting to go smoothly. It's important to me that I am able to make sure that everyone has a say and chance to ask questions during meetings and such. My favorite opportunity was when I was offered to teach third graders at my church. All of them were so funny and a pleasant part of my days when I was busy with college. Little kids are so brutally honest and it's amazing the capacity they have to understand. I've learned through my nursing program that I'm in that it's best to treat them as if they are adults (to an extent), so they feel more independent and apart of the conversation. This is what the leadership role has taught me extensively.

My biggest influence growing up was my mother. I always looked up to her because she was raising my brother and I all by herself. During that period, she also went back to college and got her nursing license, which was such an amazing for her. Like her, I would like to be able to provide my children a bright future and pave the way for them to not have to go through some of the struggles that I did as a kid. My mother was definitely a huge part of why I wanted to pursue nursing as a career choice. She encouraged me to go to vocational school during my senior and junior year of high school because they offered it, and because of that I had my CNA and phlebotomy certification before I even turned eighteen years old. It was all very exciting to me and seemed to be something I genuinely enjoyed and was good at. Fast forward to now, I am almost done with my degree and am still thankful for the support she equipped me with as I come to the conclusion of my final year at OSU-OKC.

I’m currently in nursing school and have realized along the way that one of the most important things you can do for yourself is self-care. I like to take my Australian shepherd for a walk while also listening to some of my favorite tunes. It’s a nice break from the constant reading and looking at computer screens. Face mask and tasty treats are always a must when finishing a test or semester. Sometimes I find joy in just stepping away from my homework and doing simple tasks like cooking or cleaning to relax my mind for a little bit. It sounds crazy, but it works. A refreshing, clean room is the perfect antidote for those long days studying.

My name is Deannah Seji. I am currently finishing up my first semester of nursing school at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City. I am 21 years old and my interests include (outside of my career aspirations) reading, hiking, and cooking. I plan to graduate with my associate's degree by the end of 2023. After that, I am excited to begin my career as a new graduate nurse. A lot of nurses I know said you start learning once you're actually on the job. My biggest influence growing up was my mother. I always looked up to her because she was raising my brother and I all by herself. During that period, she also went back to college and got her nursing license, which was such an amazing for her. Like her, I would like to be able to provide my children a bright future and pave the way for them to not have to go through some of the struggles that I did as a kid. My mother was definitely a huge part of why I wanted to pursue nursing as a career choice. She encouraged me to go to vocational school during my senior and junior year of high school because they offered it, and because of that I had my CNA and phlebotomy certification before I even turned eighteen years old. It was all very exciting to me and seemed to be something I genuinely enjoyed and was good at. Fast forward to now, I am almost done with my degree and am still thankful for the support she equipped me with as I come to the conclusion of my final year at OSU-OKC.

One thing I always do is make sure to spare enough time to have a genuine conversation with someone who is elderly, as sometimes they can really appreciate just having someone to share their thoughts and reflections of their lives to. Like anyone, it can mean a lot more than you would initially perceive. We all at some point would love if we had someone to listen to us, and us them . As a nursing major, I get to have an abundance of interactions with people of all age groups, but especially the elderly. Being available to speak with them about their troubles, fears, concerns, or just generalities of life really improves our relationship and the care I am able to provide as a nursing student. Even if I am still only able to lend them an ear to listen to them, it is still rewarding seeing the impact it has overall.

Nursing is a profession that will always be in high demand, as made evident by the COVID-19 pandemic we have been facing since 2020. Many of the dearest people I know are nurses, including my mom and my significant other. They have such a passion for the field that is exemplified throughout their work every day and since becoming a nurse. It's inspired me to want to pursue nursing, so I am currently in my first semester at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City. It's been such a blast so far and I've met many new friends who have been so kind and helpful towards me through the entire process. We meet up to study each week which has been proven to be helpful for getting passing grades on our exams (which can be quite difficult to obtain). It's vital to have a robust support group not only in nursing school , but afterwards as well since the field can be quite taxing on a person physically and mentally. Pediatric nursing is one of the most sought-after fields of nursing and it's not hard to understand why. It would be an amazing opportunity to be able to participate in a child's care to yield positive outcomes. Being a parent of a child experiencing an illness warrants the need for extra compassion and understanding, and being the one who could help them in their time of need would be immensely rewarding to accomplish in my work.

A book that will always be re-readable to me is “The Doors of Perception” by Aldous Huxley. It’s riveting and he uses such vibrant, sharp imagery to convey what is being described. I believe it was published in the twentieth century, so it can be a bit of a hard read. I used to carry it around with me all the time in my tote bag during the summer and read it by the pool. It will always take residence on my bookshelf for its interesting aspect of being from Aldous Huxley’s personal point of view that always pulls me to grab it when I am wanting a book to read. Aldous Huxley also wrote Brave New World, which is another of my favorites for its interesting parallels and themes. We first read it in my junior year of high school and I really enjoyed it as it was different than any of the other books I read. Aldous Huxley has such a flowery, beautiful way of writing in all his books.

Education is the one thing that cannot be taken away from you at any point. I’ve felt from the very beginning that I wanted to pursue a higher education and with the nursing career I am aspiring to achieve, it’s absolutely necessary. Receiving my degree in nursing opens the door for so many opportunities to learn and engage with a field I am genuinely interested in and passionate about. I am currently in nursing school at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City and it has been such a blessing to meet people that have the shared goal of becoming a nurse. It’s been a great foundation for many friendships. Not only that, the specific courses I am taking with regards to my degree are teaching me how to save lives and be the best nurse I can be, which in turn will adequately prepare me to be able to give back to the community through my work. The information nurses have to retain is vital to patient safety and successful healing.

The people around me growing up is what really inspired me to pursue an education beyond me graduating from high school. My mother is a nurse and I would always look up to her in a positive light for it, wanting to follow in her footsteps. In high school, I completed two years at a vocational school for pre-nursing courses which cemented the goal of me pursuing my nursing license. It was an enlightening experience to be able to study the field I wanted to pursue in an environment that allowed for exploration before commuting to higher education after high school. My goal for my specific area of nursing is to specialize in the medical/surgical area.

Music is such a powerful healing element across many cultures. Everyone has music that reminds them of a nostalgic times that brought them great happiness. Listening to a favorite song or album can help promote relaxation and happiness, which in turn reduces stress on the human body. Nursing is an excellent way to give back to the community through the healing acts that nurses perform for the community members. It’s important because there has been quite a shortage of nurses, which does not positively influence the care that the community receives especially as we are still experiencing a pandemic. I want to be apart of the solution that promotes health in the community.