What aspirations do you have for the upcoming school year and what motivates you to achieve them? by Sofia

What aspirations do you have for the upcoming school year and what motivates you to achieve them? by Sofia - August 2025 Scholarship Essay

I have a strong sense of purpose and a set of goals that I believe will help me get closer to my dream of becoming a nurse as I get ready for the new school year. For me, nursing is a calling based on service, compassion, and resiliency rather than just a career decision. Although I am aware that the path ahead will be difficult, I am inspired by both my own experiences and the chance to significantly impact other people's lives.

Increasing my knowledge of the sciences, especially chemistry, anatomy, and physiology, is one of my main goals for this academic year. In order to educate myself to provide patients with informed and safe care, I want to completely engage with the information in these courses, which are crucial stepping stones in the nursing profession. I intend to continue being proactive in asking for assistance when I need it, organizing study groups, going to tutoring sessions, and managing my time with discipline. I think my academic success will be aided by constant work and responsibility.

In addition to my studies, I would like to have additional hands-on experience in healthcare settings through volunteer work or internships. I now work as a certified nurse assistant in a mother-and-baby unit and have Med-Surg experience. In addition to strengthening my passion, exposure to actual medical settings will help me better understand the mental, emotional, and physical demands of the field. I will learn things from nurses' relationships with patients and coworkers that I could never learn from a textbook.

Personal development is also a key component of my goal. I want to become more confident in my ability to communicate, particularly in circumstances that call for patience, empathy, and clarity. As a future nurse, I will frequently act as a connection between patients and medical professionals or as a comforting presence for someone experiencing pain or suffering. In addition to understanding medical language, it will be crucial to practice active listening, dispute resolution, and cultural awareness.

My desire to give back to my community is what drives me the most. In my early years, having access to high-quality medical treatment was not always certain. I have witnessed loved ones suffer from a lack of trust in medical systems, inadequate resources, and language barriers. One such example is my grandfather, who passed of COVID-19 five years ago. These encounters have strengthened my resolve to work as a nurse who advocates in addition to treating patients. I want to speak up for people who feel ignored or misinterpreted. I aspire to be the type of nurse who pays close attention, provides clear explanations, and never undervalues the therapeutic value of compassion.

I am also inspired by the nurses who have impacted my life, such as my numerous healthcare colleagues over the past three years, and particularly those who have provided crisis care for my family members. I was deeply impacted by their patience, resilience, and composed demeanor in the face of terrible circumstances. They demonstrated to me that nursing is more than just a career; it's a symbol of love and leadership.

My goals for this academic year are ultimately to show up, remain curious, work hard, and keep growing rather than to be flawless. Every action I take, every lecture I go to, every shift I work, and every patient story I hear contributes to my journey to becoming the nurse I want to be. Knowing that the prize is worth it, a life devoted to assisting others in healing, thriving, and feeling seen, I am prepared to take on the task.