Changing Lives by Kennedy

Changing Lives by Kennedy - February 2024 Scholarship Essay

My goals are big and my future is bright. My plan for the Fall of 2024 is to continue my education in nursing at Saginaw Valley State University. Helping people has always brought me joy. I enjoy serving others in any way that I can. Through my job working with young children, I learned that I have a passion for caregiving and making children smile every day.
My plan to study medicine stems from a time in my life where it felt like the adversity that was facing me was too big to overcome. Six years ago, I was told my dad had a brain tumor. Thank goodness it was a benign acoustic neuroma. Operating on it was too dangerous because it was located too close to his brain stem, so the doctors used radiation to kill it and stop the growth. I will never forget the pure terror I felt when I found out. He is doing well today, although he continues to deal with the side effects because the tumor is still lodged in his head. My dad is my rock, my biggest fan, my go-to for advice, and the reason why I am who I am today. Overcoming this adversity with my family was one of the toughest things that I have ever done. A silver-lining from this experience was it made me realize that I want to help others. The feeling that someone so important could slip away in the blink of an eye taught me that life is fragile. I want to make a difference in peoples' lives, specifically children. Choosing pediatric nursing was an easy decision. I have always loved working with children. In addition to my part-time job at a licensed daycare, I enjoy mentoring elementary students through various programs. I am excited to get started in this next chapter of my life!
Because of my grades and test scores, I was invited to be a direct admit into the nursing program at Saginaw Valley State University. I immediately accepted and secured my position. After four years, I plan to graduate with a bachelor of science in nursing degree and work as a pediatric nurse. After a couple of years in the workforce, I will continue my education to become a cardiovascular perfusionist. This past winter I had the opportunity to job shadow a perfusionist. I witnessed an open-heart surgery first-hand. I saw the medical team working together, observed the step-by-step process, and experienced the atmosphere of the whole day. This further motivated me as I can visualize myself sitting in the operating room every day helping countless people. There is only one school in Michigan that offers an advanced degree in this field and it is extremely competitive to be offered a spot. The perfusionist that I shadowed with told me that nurses make the best candidates, as they typically have the empathy and experience required to be successful perfusionists.
I know my goals are big, but I am confident that I will accomplish them all. I have the drive and ambition to make my dreams a reality. I would be honored to be a recipient of the Varsity Tutors Scholarship and pledge to represent them well throughout my future endeavors.