Becoming the best Nurse I can be by Kayleigh

Becoming the best Nurse I can be by Kayleigh - February 2024 Scholarship Essay

Traveling from multiple doctors offices and hospitals without answers was a large part of my upbringing. It was not until my current health care provider, who is a nurse practitioner, helped to advocate for me in order to push for answers. When realizing how impactful my nurse practitioner was by getting me the clarity I needed, it inspired me to support children who I once walked similar paths with.

The thing that inspired me to become a nurse were the nurses that listened to me, took what was going on seriously and actively helped me to find these answers. Growing up, I faced several different health challenges that are not very common amongst children. Throughout the process of finding my diagnosis, my family and I ran into several roadblocks. It took a very dedicated and empathetic nurse to advocate for me. After years of being dismissed by several nurses and doctors, we finally met Jessica. Jessica is the nurse practitioner that ignited my passion for advocating for others. It was because of her that my own health improved significantly. She was the first health care provider to advocate for further testing to find things outside of the norm. Jessica's dedication motivated me to want to do good by others so that no child has to feel like I did.

Since reflecting on my past and the impact it has left on me today, I know I will thrive in the nursing field. My experiences as a child and throughout life have helped shape my values today. After having one nurse practitioner's voice of reason made all the difference, it made me realize an important lesson at a young age. Advocating for yourself is one of the most prized skills you can learn and advocating for the discouraged can make you even stronger. Today I am an advocate for myself and others in every aspect of my life. I'm consistently speaking up for myself in school and asking for extra help on assignments so that I can maintain my 4.0 GPA and I also make suggestions during student council to improve our student involvement. I am always including others that seem excluded, along with being a friend to those in need. Whatever environment I am in, I make sure every person no matter their age feels welcomed, included and advocated for, just like my nurse practitioner did for me and just like I plan to do for others when I open my own practice in the future.