My name is Noemi Galindo, mother of 3 children, psychiatric registered nurse (RN) and psychiatric- mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) student attending the University of Southern Indiana. I come from a Hispanic background, am fluent in both English and Spanish, and currently reside in Grand Junction, Colorado. Before becoming a psychiatric RN, I spent 10 years as a certified nurse assistant (CNA), one year as an RN in a long-term care facility, and 2 years as an RN in the hospice setting. Each specialty aided in my deeper understanding of the psyche of the mind ultimately preparing me for my true passion, the psychiatric field. I have always been fascinated with the mind for as long as I can recall. While my friends were meeting up at the mall or laying out at the pool, I could be found at the public library nose deep in a book relating to mental health disorders and/or self-help topics. There was something about getting to the root of mental problems and discovering the tools available to help those suffering that made my heart flutter, in a non-cardiac emergent way! My love for the psyche turned into an experienced reality after my younger brother began to use methamphetamine, a drug that till this day plages my community. I watched my brother go from a kind, thoughtful, and focused young man into an agitated, addicted, and psychotic individual. The flashbacks of my frantic parents rushing my brother back and forth from the United States to Mexico from psychiatric and rehabilitation facilities are still with me till this day. It was during these times that I witnessed the lack of psychiatric resources in the United States, but more specifically in my community. The fact that my brother had to get treatment outside of the county for his drug induced psychosis never sat right with me and it was then that my determination and drive to be the change my community needed was birthed. Thankfully my brother made a full recovery but every shift I am reminded of all those who have not been as lucky. Currently I work in a psychiatric hospital providing care to the mentally ill. Although mental health care is starting to be taken more seriously, it is still not enough. After I graduate from the PMHNP program in summer of 2026, I plan to serve as a provider in my community not only helping those in need of psychiatric services but also helping those who otherwise would not seek help related to the language barrier bridging the gap between disparities.

My name is Noemi Galindo, mother of 3 children, psychiatric registered nurse (RN) and psychiatric- mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) student attending the University of Southern Indiana. I come from a Hispanic background, am fluent in both English and Spanish, and currently reside in Grand Junction, Colorado. Before becoming a psychiatric RN, I spent 10 years as a certified nurse assistant (CNA), one year as an RN in a long-term care facility, and 2 years as an RN in the hospice setting. Each specialty aided in my deeper understanding of the psyche of the mind ultimately preparing me for my true passion, the psychiatric field. I have always been fascinated with the mind for as long as I can recall. While my friends were meeting up at the mall or laying out at the pool, I could be found at the public library nose deep in a book relating to mental health disorders and/or self-help topics. There was something about getting to the root of mental problems and discovering the tools available to help those suffering that made my heart flutter, in a non-cardiac emergent way! My love for the psyche turned into an experienced reality after my younger brother began to use methamphetamine, a drug that till this day plages my community. I watched my brother go from a kind, thoughtful, and focused young man into an agitated, addicted, and psychotic individual. The flashbacks of my frantic parents rushing my brother back and forth from the United States to Mexico from psychiatric and rehabilitation facilities are still with me till this day. It was during these times that I witnessed the lack of psychiatric resources in the United States, but more specifically in my community. The fact that my brother had to get treatment outside of the county for his drug induced psychosis never sat right with me and it was then that my determination and drive to be the change my community needed was birthed. Thankfully my brother made a full recovery but every shift I am reminded of all those who have not been as lucky. Currently I work in a psychiatric hospital providing care to the mentally ill. Although mental health care is starting to be taken more seriously, it is still not enough. After I graduate from the PMHNP program in summer of 2026, I plan to serve as a provider in my community not only helping those in need of psychiatric services but also helping those who otherwise would not seek help related to the language barrier bridging the gap between disparities.

As a DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipient and mother of 3 young children, the obstacles I face are related to finical and time constraints. Due to my DACA status I have been unable to apply or receive any financial aid throughout my entire higher educational journey, nor have I qualified for government aid such as food stamps, housing, TANF, or WIC. Therefore, every dollar contributed to my education has been hard earned. Not only have I had to work full time to pay for each semester on time but also to support my family. Earning a scholarship would lighting my financial load, decrease my daily stress, and allow me to focus on my schoolwork and family. I am currently enrolled in the Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) program at the University of Southern Indiana and plan to use my degree in the community that I grew up in. The drive of pursuing a career in healthcare specifically related to mental health was birthed from a deep desire and calling to change the negative narrative and stigma mental health unfortunately holds. Providing care to such a vulnerable population has taught me the true meaning of compassion and has provided me with insight of what many struggle with behind closed doors. I have been blessed to bring healing and be a shoulder to lean on one patient at a time. The suicide rate in the county I live in, Mesa County, is double the rate of the United States and has severely plagued my community. Not only are mental health resources limited but so are providers. Additionally, Mesa County has a high Hispanic and Latino population making it that much harder for such vulnerable population to seek or find help. Being bilingual in both Spanish and English will allow me to relate to the patient on a more personal level and will allow me to be a much-needed asset in bridging the gap of mental health disparities turning hopelessness into hopefulness. After graduation I plan to provide my community with mental health services with the goal of decreasing the suicide rate and increasing mental health resources. I believe I should be selected for this scholarship because regardless of the obstacles encountered, I have found the means to overcome each one with my hard work and dedication striving each day to accomplish my goal of becoming an asset to my community and an inspiration to my family.

My passion for healthcare was born on March 16, 2007, while my grandmother laid in a hospital bed as she took her last breaths. I recall watching one specific nurse who delivered expediential care to my grandmother who had recently suffered a heart attack. The nurse not only provided gentle care to my grandmother with her soft touch, respect, and compassion but also provided care to the family each step of the way. I had never admired a member of an occupation until this day. After the passing of my grandmother the care the nurse delivered during her last days left an impression on my heart which I have carried with me since. When I would sit back and ponder what I would like to be when I "grew up" the image of the nurse who cared for my grandmother would come to my mind over and over again. I deeply aspired to become like this nurse and shortly after began my journey in the healthcare field at the young age of 18 by first becoming a Certified nurse assistant (CNA). 3 children and 8 years later I became a Registered Nurse (RN) where I have worked in varies settings such as long-term care with the elderly, Hospice, and now in a psychiatric hospital for the mentally ill. While working in the psychiatric hospital I fell in love with the psychiatric field of focus and am currently pursuing a master's in nursing with the goal of becoming a Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner. The drive of pursuing a career in healthcare specifically related to mental health was birthed from a deep desire and calling to change the negative narrative and stigma mental health unfortunately holds. Providing care to such a vulnerable population has taught me the true meaning of compassion and has provided me with insight of what many struggle with behind closed doors. I have been blessed to bring healing and be a shoulder to lean on one patient at a time. My short-term goals are to soak up every experience encountered while working with patients suffering with mental illnesses at the psychiatric hospital I am currently employed at and pass each semester with a 3.7 GPA or higher while in graduate school. My long-term goal is to graduate with my psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner degree so that I can provide my community with mental health services with the goal of decreasing the suicide rate while increasing the accessibility of mental health resources.

The suicide rate in my community (Mesa County) is double the rate of the United States and has severely plagued my community. After graduation I plan to provide my community with mental health services with the goal of decreasing the suicide rate and increasing mental health resources. I am both fluent in English and Spanish which allows me to provide services to underserved populations. While in the Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program I had the opportunity to witness the unspoken reality of the stigma mental illness has acquired. Such awareness has impacted me on a soul level and has birthed a deep desire and calling to change the narrative regarding mental health.

It was May 2017 when I found myself hiding in my car with my 2-year-old daughter shaking and in fear. I sat in shock as I watched my beloved little brother swing a baseball bat aimlessly in the air screaming at people who were not there. My brother was experiencing drug-induced psychosis, a now 4-year-old battle that my family knew all too well. Sadness and hopelessness overcame me as I realized that this could be our forever reality if nothing changed. I couldn’t help but wonder where we went wrong, what trauma did he experience that caused him the urge to numb the pain with drugs, and how I could be a better big sister in helping with his addiction. During this time, I was employed as a Certified nurse assistant in a nursing home. There would be times when I would contemplate advancing my career in nursing but never made any real plans or advances. Naturally, I felt nursing would be a great option because it was the next title after a Certified nurse assistant but never did I feel a true calling for nursing in general. It was at this very moment as I watched from the inside of the car with tears pouring from my eyes that I felt with all my heart that I had to become a nurse, a Mental health nurse, and help others in crisis like my brother. Within 3 months I enrolled at Colorado Mesa University and started my journey in receiving my RN license. Fast forward to 6 years later and I find myself employed in a psychiatric hospital where I am surrounded by a population of individuals suffering from mental health issues and who are in crisis. During this time, I have learned the real meaning of never judging a book by its cover or by how a patient may present. These individuals are real people, with real traumatic pasts, who are all unconsciously looking for love in all the wrong places and feeling as if they are not worthy of life. As a mother to a 4-month-old daughter, 3-year-old son, and 8-year-old daughter I can only hope that my children feel loved, appreciated, cherished, and worthy of living as they grow and experience life. As I continue to mature in my nursing career I have once again felt the calling to advance my career and am now pursuing a Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner degree where I can expand my ability to care for my patients and continue to do my mission in helping those who feel like they cannot help themselves. I hope to plant seeds of hope and worthiness in each of the individuals I care for so that they too can find a reason for living.

It was May 2017 when I found myself hiding in my car with my 2-year-old daughter shaking and in fear. I sat in shock as I watched my beloved little brother swing a baseball bat aimlessly in the air screaming at people who were not there. My brother was experiencing drug-induced psychosis, a now 4-year-old battle that my family knew all too well. Sadness and hopelessness overcame me as I realized that this could be our forever reality if nothing changed. I couldn’t help but wonder where we went wrong, what trauma did he experience that caused him the urge to numb the pain with drugs, and how I could be a better big sister in helping with his addiction. During this time, I was employed as a Certified nurse assistant in a nursing home. There would be times when I would contemplate advancing my career in nursing but never made any real plans or advances. Naturally, I felt nursing would be a great option because it was the next title after a Certified nurse assistant but never did I feel a true calling for nursing in general. It was at this very moment as I watched from the inside of the car with tears pouring from my eyes that I felt with all my heart that I had to become a nurse, a Mental health nurse, and help others in crisis like my brother. Within 3 months I enrolled at Colorado Mesa University and started my journey in receiving my RN license. Fast forward to 6 years later and I find myself employed in a psychiatric hospital where I am surrounded by a population of individuals suffering from mental health issues and who are in crisis. During this time, I have learned the real meaning of never judging a book by its cover or by how a patient may present. These individuals are real people, with real traumatic pasts, who are all unconsciously looking for love in all the wrong places and feeling as if they are not worthy of life. As a mother to a 4-month-old daughter, 3-year-old son, and 8-year-old daughter I can only hope that my children feel loved, appreciated, cherished, and worthy of living as they grow and experience life. As I continue to mature in my nursing career I have once again felt the calling to advance my career and am now pursuing a Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner degree where I can expand my ability to care for my patients and continue to do my mission in helping those who feel like they cannot help themselves. I hope to plant seeds of hope and worthiness in every one of the individuals I care for so that they too can find a reason for living.