For DonorsFor Applicants
user profile avatar

Jaquella Nellems

1,545

Bold Points

1x

Finalist

Bio

I’ve learned that life is not always easy and things don’t always go as planned. But, with hard work and consistency, anything is possible. As a mother, it is of the utmost importance that I display this before my children. That’s why I am pursuing my dream of becoming a CRNA. I have a heart of service, so working in the medical field as a nurse will truly allow me to give to and care for others. The road to becoming a nurse is rigorous and I am ready to go all in! Not just for the sake of my children, but for the sake of everyone connected to me. For every young girl who thought that her future was determined by the mistakes she made, for every woman who thought it was too late, I stand in the gap for them. When they see me achieving greatness, I want them to see themselves doing the same thing. So going to nursing school really isn’t about just doing something to better myself, I want to be the catalyst for change in the lives of others!

Education

Chamberlain University-Illinois

Bachelor's degree program
2021 - 2025
  • Majors:
    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Critical Care Nursing
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Hospital & Health Care

    • Dream career goals:

      Nurse Anesthetist

    • Center Director

      Jenny Craig
      2019 – 20212 years
    • Patient Care Tech

      IU Health
      2017 – 20181 year
    • Internal Support Specialist

      Lincoln Financial
      2015 – 20172 years
    • Optician

      Longe Optical
      2015 – 20172 years
    • Sales Associate

      Build A Bear Workshop
      2005 – 20094 years
    • Brand Ambassador

      New York & Co.
      2008 – 20124 years
    • Diamond Sales Consultant

      Jared the Galleria of Jewelry
      2014 – 20173 years
    • Sales Associate

      Coach
      2012 – 20142 years

    Sports

    Cheerleading

    Varsity
    2007 – 20092 years

    Research

    • Chemistry, General

      AP/IB Chemistry — Research Intern
      2006 – 2007

    Arts

    • Independent

      Drawing
      Art show
      2000 – Present
    • Independent

      Calligraphy
      Art show
      2018 – Present

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Lutheran Health Network — Assist with room set ups and observations
      2009 – 2012

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Entrepreneurship

    Romeo Nursing Scholarship
    It is important for me to pursue a career in nursing because it is my calling. To live my life poured out, in service to others is exactly what I’ve been called to do. I want to be apart of a field that is truly about giving back. Nurses have the power to heal and enhance the quality of life for their patients. I see it as an honor to be able to care for people at this level. Furthermore, I want to inspire others! This field will never stop growing and will never cease to need new talent. So I want to do all that I can to serve, motive, help, and inspire others! When I think about what I want to do for the rest of my life, the answer is simple…serve others through nursing. If I had to do this job without compensation, I would. Because when it is all said and done, nurses must enter this field for more than just a paycheck, and must always lead with a heart of compassion. I want to be a nurse so I can help those who can’t help themselves, and to care for those who need it the most. This is toughest program I have ever been in, but I am one hundred percent committed to the process. I know that the rewards will far exceed anything that I can image. In addition to pursuing nursing to serve others and my community, I have a duty to serve and inspire my children. Service to my family is my top priority. They are my biggest motivation for pursing my goals with excellence! They inspire me to go relentlessly after my goals! I want my children to know that it is possible to find and pursue your passion in life. Pursuing nursing is about pursuing my passion. I wish there was more I could say, but honestly, there isn’t. My views, my passions, my ambitions and my purpose are clearly defined. I know what I want out of my life and why I want it. I will not stop until I am standing in fruits of my labor! So when I circle back to the purpose of this essay, why nursing? My response is, why not nursing? In my opinion, it is the most selfless and rewarding career path! A career where the more you give, the more you receive. This field is where I belong, there is no doubt about it!
    Nursing Shortage Education Scholarship
    I want to pursue a career as a nurse to serve others and make a difference in their lives. What has also inspired me more than anything would be my children. I want to provide a better life for my children, and that starts with me receiving more education. I have always had an interest in the medical field. I am completely fascinated by how the human body works, and the technology we now have to assist in advancing our understanding of the human body. Being in nursing school has placed a lot of demands on me, that I gladly accept. This allows my children to see that, the things we want out of life may not always be easy to conquer, but with perseverance, and belief, anything is possible! My daughter is a senior this year, and she will be leaving for college in the fall. I hope my diligence and relentless pursuit of educational excellence is fuel to her fire! It is my firm belief that a career in nursing requires a heart of compassion. You have to want to serve others. It can’t be all about financial gain. There has to be something other than money that sustains you. On the days you would rather stay home, there has to be something in you that says, “This is not about me.” Nurses who adapt that attitude can change the face of healthcare, and dare I say, the world! That’s the kind of nurse I’m going to be. One who truly puts the care and wellbeing of her patients at the top. A nurse who always prioritizes care and compassion. Nurses with that kind of mindset can be an inspiration to other nurses on their unit, and throughout the hospital. I believe it is an honor to care for and serve those who otherwise wouldn’t be able to do it on their own. I know there are people who do not identify religiously as I do, but that is another driving factor behind me choosing nursing as my major. My religion teaches that we are called to serve one another daily! And that’s exactly what my heart is called to, service. As a black woman, I understand the importance of seeing those who look like me, equally represented in the medical field. I want other black women and girls to see me and see themselves. I want them to hear my story and draw strength from it. This has not been an easy journey, but I believe it’s the stories that are packed with obstacles that give the most inspiration. It is my hope that I can serve as a source of inspiration to everyone I encounter. It is my hope that my children see that hard work really does pay off!
    She Rose in Health Scholarship
    What has inspired me more than anything would be my children and my love of service towards others. I want to provide a better life for my children, and that starts with me receiving more education. I have always had an interest in the medical field. I am completely fascinated by how the human body works, and the technology we now have to assist in advancing our understanding of the human body. Being in nursing school has placed a lot of demands on me, that I gladly accept. This allows my children to see that, the things we want out of life may not always be easy to conquer, but with perseverance, and belief, anything is possible! My daughter is a senior this year, and she will be leaving for college in the fall. I hope my diligence and relentless pursuit of educational excellence is fuel to her fire! It is my firm belief that a career in nursing requires a heart of compassion. You have to want to serve others. It can’t be all about financial gain. There has to be something other than money that sustains you. On the days you would rather stay home, there has to be something in you that says, “This is not about me.” Nurses who adapt that attitude can change the face of healthcare, and dare I say, the world! That’s the kind of nurse I’m going to be. One who truly puts the care and wellbeing of her patients at the top. A nurse who always prioritizes care and compassion. Nurses with that kind of mindset can be an inspiration to other nurses on their unit, and throughout the hospital. I believe it is an honor to care for and serve those who otherwise wouldn’t be able to do it on their own. I know there are people who do not identify religiously as I do, but that is another driving factor behind me choosing nursing as my major. My religion teaches that we are called to serve one another daily! And that’s exactly what my heart is called to, service. As a black woman, I understand the importance of seeing those who look like me, equally represented in the medical field. I want other black women and girls to see me and see themselves. I want them to hear my story and draw strength from it. This has not been an easy journey, but I believe it’s the stories that are packed with obstacles that give the most inspiration. It is my hope that I can serve as a source of inspiration to everyone I encounter. It is my hope that my children see that hard work really does pay off. This scholarship will aid in covering some of my tuition. I attend a private university, and each semester I’m left with out of pocket cost that my loan and grants can’t cover. Anything I receive beyond that, I count as a blessing! I have no doubt that this scholarship would go a long way towards helping me complete nursing school! Every amount counts!
    Christina Taylese Singh Memorial Scholarship
    What has inspired me more than anything would be my children and my love of service towards others. I want to provide a better life for my children, and that starts with me receiving more education. I have always had an interest in the medical field. I am completely fascinated by how the human body works, and the technology we now have to assist in advancing our understanding of the human body. Being in nursing school has placed a lot of demands on me, that I gladly accept. This allows my children to see that, the things we want out of life may not always be easy to conquer, but with perseverance, and belief, anything is possible! My daughter is a senior this year, and she will be leaving for college in the fall. I hope my diligence and relentless pursuit of educational excellence is fuel to her fire! It is my firm belief that a career in nursing requires a heart of compassion. You have to want to serve others. It can’t be all about financial gain. There has to be something other than money that sustains you. On the days you would rather stay home, there has to be something in you that says, “This is not about me.” Nurses who adapt that attitude can change the face of healthcare, and dare I say, the world! That’s the kind of nurse I’m going to be. One who truly puts the care and wellbeing of her patients at the top. A nurse who always prioritizes care and compassion. Nurses with that kind of mindset can be an inspiration to other nurses on their unit, and throughout the hospital. I believe it is an honor to care for and serve those who otherwise wouldn’t be able to do it on their own. I know there are people who do not identify religiously as I do, but that is another driving factor behind me choosing nursing as my major. My religion teaches that we are called to serve one another daily! And that’s exactly what my heart is called to, service. As a black woman, I understand the importance of seeing those who look like me, equally represented in the medical field. I want other black women and girls to see me and see themselves. I want them to hear my story and draw strength from it. This has not been an easy journey, but I believe it’s the stories that are packed with obstacles that give the most inspiration. It is my hope that I can serve as a source of inspiration to everyone I encounter. It is my hope that my children see that hard work really does pay off.
    Dashanna K. McNeil Memorial Scholarship
    What has inspired me more than anything would be my children and my love of service towards others. I want to provide a better life for my children, and that starts with me receiving more education. I have always had an interest in the medical field. I am completely fascinated by how the human body works, and the technology we now have to assist in advancing our understanding of the human body. Being in nursing school has placed a lot of demands on me, that I gladly accept. This allows my children to see that, the things we want out of life may not always be easy to conquer, but with perseverance, and belief, anything is possible! My daughter is a senior this year, and she will be leaving for college in the fall. I hope my diligence and relentless pursuit of educational excellence is fuel to her fire! It is my firm belief that a career in nursing requires a heart of compassion. You have to want to serve others. It can’t be all about financial gain. There has to be something other than money that sustains you. On the days you would rather stay home, there has to be something in you that says, “This is not about me.” Nurses who adapt that attitude can change the face of healthcare, and dare I say, the world! That’s the kind of nurse I’m going to be. One who truly puts the care and wellbeing of her patients at the top. A nurse who always prioritizes care and compassion. Nurses with that kind of mindset can be an inspiration to other nurses on their unit, and throughout the hospital. I believe it is an honor to care for and serve those who otherwise wouldn’t be able to do it on their own. I know there are people who do not identify religiously as I do, but that is another driving factor behind me choosing nursing as my major. My religion teaches that we are called to serve one another daily! And that’s exactly what my heart is called to, service. As a black woman, I understand the importance of seeing those who look like me, equally represented in the medical field. I want other black women and girls to see me and see themselves. I want them to hear my story and draw strength from it. This has not been an easy journey, but I believe it’s the stories that are packed with obstacles that give the most inspiration. It is my hope that I can serve as a source of inspiration to everyone I encounter. It is my hope that my children see that hard work really does pay off.
    Bold Financial Freedom Scholarship
    The most helpful financial advice I have ever received is based on the 10/10/80 Rule. It is a faith-based principle, that when put into practice, yields amazing benefits. When following the 10/10/80 Rule, you take the first 10% of what you earn and return it in the form of tithing. The second 10% goes into your savings account, and then you live off of the remaining 80%. This principle requires disciple and focus. As you progress at managing your funds, you can adjust the percentages. For example, if you’re saving for a down payment, this principle can teach you to live on less and save more. The original 10% for savings could increase to 20%; giving you a new structure of 10/20/70. 10/10/80 is the baseline. Where you go from there is up to you!