Compassion by Shannon

Compassion by Shannon - May 2023 Scholarship Essay

My name is Shannon Johnson. I am currently a student at Palm Desert High School and will be a senior this year in the fall. From when I was about the age of 5 to my current age, 16, I can remember always having a need/passion to help others. I would dress up as a doctor and pretend to aid my “injured” parents with all my fake medical instruments. One can say it’s my dream or calling, but I know my parents would say that compassion for others is a true gift that I have always wanted to express. I would love to major in nursing and minor in biochemistry when I apply to college . I have always had empathy for people who are in need of help. My mother, as well as a pivotal moment in my life, have really inspired me to take charge in my compassion for others.
My mom had a very difficult pregnancy with me and from this she has become the strongest woman I know. I have no siblings, so that makes me the only child my parents have. When my mom was pregnant with me she didn’t have the type of nurses who were very sympathetic towards how uncomfortable she was in her pregnant body. I want to acknowledge that being pregnant is nice and sweet, but the aches, pains, restless sleep, nausea, and much more can be very trialing on someone's body and mentality. My mom was in labor for two days. Without any regard for her symptoms, the nurses kept sending her home without any remorse for how much pain she was in. When my mom told me how she had no support from the nurses, as well as little care when she was pregnant, I was inspired to use my empathy in the medical field. Since my mom has opened up to me about her experience I have aspired to become a Nurse. Not only do I aspire to show compassion towards everyone that crosses my path, but I want to learn how to help others medically. I have experienced similar situations myself. Going to doctors offices hoping for someone to show some compassion for how you are feeling and receiving the opposite. For me I want to learn the skills to perform medically in a clinic or hospital, but part of that is wanting to help others and having compassion for their state of condition.
Most people do not experience death. Most haven’t seen someone die in front of them. This year in April, I was on a trip to Kauai visiting for spring break. For me, kauai is nostalgic. Ever since I was three I have been visiting this beautiful island that I had grown so familiar with. It was always peaceful and serene, and I never thought anything could ever change that. Our last day visiting we decided to spend a day at our favorite beach. Poipu Beach is known for its clear blue water, best for snorkeling. My mom decided to dip her toes in the water while my dad helped me with sunscreen. That's when we heard
my mother screamed for a lifeguard. She had seen a man floating too close to the rocks by the shore and two men helped her start to pull him out of the water, when they realized he was gone. My dad and I started running to her and we screamed for lifeguards. It was a horrible scene and my mother was sobbing. I knew she needed to be moved away from his body that everyone was desperately trying to save, so I took care of her and calmed her down. I had never been so close to a life that had been lost and the sight was saddening and I didn’t know how to feel. The man was snorkeling and suffered from a massive heart attack. Seeing lifeguards, first responders, and second responders fight for this man’s life was an incredible and saddening experience. The rest of the day was strange and my eyes had never seen pain like that.
I know it may be dramatic to say that after that I will never be the same, but it is true. Ever since I got back home all I can think about is what I can do to help those around me. All those people fought so hard for him and standing on that beach knowing that all I could do was pray for a miracle was killing me. I wanted to help and I wanted to fight with them. Going back to my mom, she is not the only one who experienced bitter nurses. There are more people who desperately need someone to have compassion for them. That is my whole point. If your “dream” is six figures and a paycheck, I find that sad. It really is simple. I would love to major in nursing, that is my first step. The second is creating that compassion within the medical field and learning the skills to help people. I truly would love to major in Nursing and continue nursing as a career.
I enjoy the medical pathway at my school very much. I have enjoyed learning all the different medical terms and abbreviations used within hospitals. Learning how the human body works together to maintain its homeostasis and fight off diseases is incredible, as well as learning the proper way to talk to patients and help them through what they are going through. Majoring in nursing is something I am so passionate about. Simply just being able to help others would be the greatest fulfillment. It makes me excited to know that I could one day be able to help people and use my compassion to take care of my patients.