Personal Experience: An Application for a Nursing Scholarship

I want to pursue a career in medicine by working in the field of nursing. Specifically, after graduating from Illinois State University, I plan to start working in pediatrics to help me become a certified pediatric nurse. A bachelor's degree from ISU’s Mennonite College of Nursing is a good fit for my educational goals because of your high freshman retention, graduation, and pass rates for national and state licensure examinations. ISU has an excellent academic reputation, and because I am someone who takes my academics seriously, academic quality is important to me. After seeing the campus tour videos, looking at your majors, and learning about the Traditional BSN program, I knew ISU was the school for me. I know that at ISU I can develop the skills necessary for success first in college, then in the nursing field.

After graduating Anacortes High school I plan on attending a four year private liberal arts university. I will be pursing a Bachelors of Science in Nursing leading to a career as a Registered Nurse. My main interest is a specialty in pediatrics. Following a month stay at Children's Hospital after enduring emergency surgery and a difficult recovery I decided nursing is what I'm meant to do. The nurses inspired me, and I hope that I can help a family and child in the same way that they helped

Since starting my nursing career at Penn, my commitment to primary care across the lifespan has consistently been reaffirmed. While the accelerated nursing program has challenged me, I utilize outside resources when necessary while building upon proven personal strengths and learning strategies. This approach will help me succeed through the family nurse practitioner (FNP) fast track program and as I become a leader in my field. Because of my experiences, qualifications, and passion for primary care I believe I am uniquely eligible for the fast track program.

My upbringing in a small rural Maine community has shaped who I have become and has defined what is important to me in many ways. Having the opportunity to enrich the lives of the those who live in my home state, as well as those who are passing through, is my purpose and priority. I am passionate about cultivating a practice which focuses on the various individual needs of my patients physically, mentally and emotionally.

What has surprised you? I think the most surprising thing about my nursing school journey has been how much I have grown and changed as a person in the past two years. I have become a much more assertive and direct person. I have a greater appreciation for the monotonous moments in my life and have learned how to not over think things and just to appreciate every moment and day for itself. Part of this group come about from clinical and part of it developed through my work experience as a nurse tech in the Emergency Department at Seattle Children’s Hospital. I personally have grown and learned a lot from the kids that I have worked with and its taught me the importance of slowing down and living in the moment. It’s also taught me that happiness is something that only you can determine. I feel that throughout all my clincials I have learned important life lessons from the people from every age and stage of life. All of these lessons have helped to shape me into a more compassionate, understanding, and better therapeutic communicator with my patients and have shaped my personal nursing practice.

College has been a significant goal in my life after both of my brothers didn’t either go or finish college. As the youngest granddaughter in my family, I am the final opportunity for a complete educational track and successful career after. A scholarship will not only assist me in focusing more on my education than the need for the money to pay for my tuition and books, it will push me further towards completing my degrees and my pursuit of one day having a successful career. This scholarship is what I need to achieve my goals and make my education worth it for the

I have come from a struggling background. My parents never attended college and my mother has been the sole provider for my family for many years. I have watched her struggle trying to provide for us and I determined long ago that I would strive to do more for my future family than what she was able to give us. My dreams required that I attend college. It is because of the financial hardship my family faces every day that the financial burden that comes from attending college rests solely on my shoulders. Although I am employed, I do not make enough money to pay for the cost of living and my school expenses. My goal is to become an attorney and I do everything in my power to attain that goal. I excel in all of my classes and have become a leader on my campus and in my community. I rely on scholarships like the Silas Purnell Scholarship to recognize these attributes in me and with the help of this award I will be able to take my last step in my path of earning my baccalaureate degree and making my goals my

My goal of finishing this degree is like a delicious sundae I have a long time building, yet have not let myself indulge in. Every accomplishment has become a topping, making it more appealing. Receiving a scholarship would be a cherry on this grand sundae I have been preparing and will one day delight in, not on my own, but in harmony with my remarkably enduring

As I contemplate why I am choosing the Acute Nurse Practitioner Program I look back to my childhood. This desire to serve others started as far back as I can remember. I wanted nothing more than to care for any relative that would let me, I dreamed of becoming a nurse at a very young age. I felt a strong connection to the compassion and dedication of the nurses I had the opportunity to know and work with volunteering in my local hospitals. However, I placed my dream aside in 2006 and joined the United States Air Force. I served my country here at home, overseas, and the Middle East. During this time, I volunteered at Landstuhl Regional Hospital in Germany, with the Red Cross, in patient care. I was privileged to work with many outstanding nurses that mentored me.

This community is filled with firemen, humanitarians, scientists, teachers, and lawyers. However, amongst the individuals who give pride to our community there are thieves, killers, rapists, terrorist, extortionists, and the list continues. Witnessing the damaged people that walk among us, gives me the desire to pursue medical field, insuring the compassion I have for others. There is no level of damage one could do that will prohibit me from fully performing the duties I need to be fulfill as a Registered Nurse. Whenever I help someone in need, I do not need any sort of recognition from the world for helping my fellow brothers and sisters. Also, I do not think I'm somehow superior to those who do not help others when they have to ability to do so. I will never help someone to impress society, but only to insure their well being.

Growing up, I have always been surrounded by nursing. My mother has been a nurse for my entire life as well as my grandmother and a few aunts. I have seen firsthand the stress that it has put on them and how physically draining it can be. What I have seen more so than the stress is the happiness it can bring when you are successfully able to help someone. I believe that nursing can be a truly fulfilling career for me.

You make an excellent point. I admire your dedication and the care you provided to patients in underserved communities.

Since I was young, I have always had the overwhelming desire to help people in a healthcare setting. Observing the nurse anesthetist (CRNA) in the OR was an eye-opening experience in which I was honored to participate in through an internship, and I knew right away that that’s what I wanted to be. Whomever came into the hospital with pain or in need of a procedure left feeling as mentally and physically pain free as possible, and this was inspiring to me as I wish to provide that for patients as well. Furthermore, I would like to be able to be an advocate, support system, and caring hand for patients when they don’t have anyone else to turn to. Having the opportunity to form a relationship with patients in these ways, and to help lead them down the road of recovery, has become a burning passion of mine that I’m determined to work hard for.

I believe I am a great candidate for this scholarship because of my qualifications. I am a people person who puts others first. My passion is helping people, especially those who are vulnerable and in need. Therefore, I chose nursing as a career because it coincides with my passion. In the past few years I have gained strong communication skills that have helped me become a better person. I am always advocating for my patients and making sure that their needs and wants are priority over all things. With my communication skills I am able to collaborate with nurses, doctors, and other members of my patients care team to make sure they get the best care possible.

You can plan every event in your life and most likely, that plan will not be the same as you originally envisioned. Life does not work that way; instead, you must be willing to work with the unexpected paths life takes you on. As the son of a mom that works as a registered nurse, I've heard many stories and learned many lessons from her, being introduced to the world of the medical field at an early age. From being with her, I've heard many stories about her patients and see such a strong woman shaped by her experiences, continuing to give to patients in her care, time and time again. I'm happiest being able to help people regardless of the situation and in this vein, I want to extend my time and make the most of my life helping others which