Needle in a Hay stack by Marc

Needle in a Hay stack by Marc - June 2020 Scholarship Essay

My name is Marc Arthur Francois and I believe that I can make a change in the world. My educational aspirations consist of attending William Paterson University, majoring in Nursing, and receiving a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Furthermore, I would like to continue my education and attain the ability to assist the global population by becoming a Nurse Practitioner (NP), with an end goal of becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).
Pursuing this career goal is paramount because the United States is projected to experience a shortage of nurses and an expected increase as the baby boomer generation ages and the need for health care grows. I have always been committed to helping others, the community, and seeking to advance the quality of life. Therefore, with a degree in BSN, I would continue my commitment to assist lower-income communities and ensure that proper medical care is a right rather than a privilege.
According to a research article from Health Service Research and published by the National Institutes of Health African Americans makeup approximately 6 percent of the nursing population. Within the 6 percent, males make up less than half. I hope to bring change to my career field by adding to create a more diverse staff. By having a diverse staff it allows room for different perspectives as well as promotes inclusion.
Although my journey has yet to begin, I am well aware that it will be costly. After receiving my BSN, I would return to an accredited school to obtain a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree and be awarded the career title of an NP. After receiving an adequate amount of clinical experience I plan on obtaining a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, which is required for my desired career of a CRNA. As a CRNA I will be granted the ability to practice in every setting in which anesthesia is delivered. Nonetheless, the cost increases with each phase. However, what’s the true cost of being able to save someone’s life?
I am of Haitian descent and growing up as a Haitian American male, I was often looked down upon because of various stereotypes armed with the purpose of dehumanizing my culture. My mother raised me to be well informed of Haiti’s current status in regards to health and poverty. In fact, according to the United Nations Development Program, 24.7 percent of Haitians live in extreme poverty. The high level of poverty paired with the many natural disasters the country has faced, receiving proper medical care is difficult. When my mother resided in Haiti, she was also a nurse and it was her sole mission to help the people of her country. Sadly, my mother was unable to afford to continue her education and couldn’t practice nursing in this country. I am destined to continue from where my mother left off.
I hope that the diversity I bring to my career will allow me to advocate for others and bring in a new perspective. Unfortunately, I am incapable of covering the cost of my education alone. I am devoted to working hard and securing this scholarship would not only assist in the nurse shortage crisis but would allow my future aspirations to be a reality. I thank you for the opportunity to help make the world a better place.