Nurses are vital members of the healthcare team. I am choosing a career in nursing because although it can be challenging, it is a very rewarding career. There is not one shift that passes without doing something purposeful. Nurses advocate for the best interest of their patient, provide education on medication administration and nursing skills, and have the power to influence the outcome of the patient's hospital stay. As they do the assessments, provide nursing care, and respond to their patient's needs in the moment, they spend the most time with their patients compared to other members of the healthcare team, allowing them to be the first to note any changes in their patient's condition and respond to emergencies. Another highlight of nursing is that there is constant learning with the ever-changing healthcare field. While I was a nursing assistant on a Neuro/Stroke/Oncology unit, sometimes even after rough shifts, just one moment of appreciation makes it all worth it for me. There is so much meaning to life in helping others. I am pursuing pediatric nursing, in particular, because it brings me joy to have the privilege to care for children. Children are very resilient despite going through very challenging times at a young age. After completing my pediatric rotation on a pediatric PCU in nursing school, I am now determined to dedicate myself to a nursing career in pediatrics. I had a wonderful experience providing nursing care to the pediatrics population, ranging from infants to teenagers. As a nursing student, I saw that many parents were anxious about their child being in the hospital and I was always glad to alleviate those feelings by being empathetic and bringing up their concerns to those who can answer their questions. I saw the multifaceted role of the nurse as she coordinated the patient's care, updated the patient's family, notified the healthcare provider when needed, accommodated patients and their families depending on their cultural preferences or language barriers, directly responded to the patient's needs, and planned the patient's discharge and education. Children are a vulnerable population. They can experience neglect and abuse, but nurses are able to help them by recognizing the signs and getting the right people involved. It is common seeing how the social determinants of health affect the outcomes of patients coming in to the hospital. Nurses can help those coming from a low socioeconomic status by getting them the resources they need, in addition to contributing to patient education that prevents them from returning for another hospital visit. Knowing I am making an impact on the lives of others is enough to make me keep pursuing this career. I strive to become the best I can be. I am determined to succeed in my journey to becoming a compassionate nurse.