From Pain to Purpose: A Career in Nursing by Ava

From Pain to Purpose: A Career in Nursing by Ava - April 2025 Scholarship Essay

“Rate your pain on a scale from 0-10, 0 being no pain at all, and 10 being the worst pain imaginable.” When I was diagnosed with a bone disease in my hip at age 8, this was a question I was asked over and over again. I often found it difficult to explain my pain level on a scale not designed for constant pain. The truth is, there isn’t a correct answer to that question. The pain scale is objective, and often confusing for patients, especially children. My experience as a child drives my ambition to become a nurse. I spent multiple weeks in the hospital, and in those weeks I met many kind and compassionate nurses who became role models for me.

Throughout my journey, I have met many friends who have had similar experiences with complicated surgeries and long hospital stays. This past summer, I traveled to Minnesota to support my best friend while she underwent a major hip surgery. She was in a lot of pain, and her nurses were beyond incredible, consistently ensuring that she was as comfortable as possible during her stay. During this trip, I got to see firsthand how competent and kind nurses can be life changing, and reinforced my own commitment to excel in nursing school. As a nurse, I will have a unique perspective because of my time as a patient and my experiences supporting friends through their own medical procedures and recoveries. The majority of nurses have never been patients or dealt with chronic pain, so I have the unique ability to truly empathize with pain, frustration, boredom, and other struggles that come with hospitalization and chronic medical conditions.

My experience in middle and high school working with children as a babysitter and camp counselor has also taught me patience, adaptability, and how to connect with kids on their level. Now, as a freshman in college, I joined the College Mentors for Kids program at my university, where I’m paired with an elementary school student for the semester. Through this, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of how to support, encourage, and communicate with children. Earlier this semester, I was nominated as a candidate for Vice President of Programming for the 2025-2026 academic year. After the interview process, I was elated to receive the position. In this role, I will consistently ensure the safety of the students while in our care and facilitate productive and clear communication with their families. These are skills that will be invaluable in my career as a pediatric nurse.

Knowing firsthand what it feels like to be a kid stuck in a hospital has shaped the kind of nurse I want to be, and fuels my strong academic performance. I understand how much a small gesture of kindness and compassion can mean in difficult moments, and I want to be the person who provides that for my patients. Living in pain every day is not a barrier for me, it is a testament to my strength and a driving factor for my career goals.