When I first started college to obtain an undergraduate degree majoring in psychology with an interest towards social interaction. This interest in psychology lead me to intern at the Autism Center of Excellence from January 2009 through June 2009. However, after reading many articles and documents on the developments in healthcare curing autism. The fact that such a debilitating condition could be comprehensively redressed was inspirational. It was then that my brother’s vigor came to mind and I decided to switch focus to biochemistry. This began my first step toward to pursuing the goal of becoming a nurse. In reflecting back on the undergraduate adventure, when I started that first science class, I fell in love with the subject and wondered why I did not initially pick biochemistry as the major field of study.
The field of nursing offers many benefits: flexible schedules, variety of work environments, etc. Nurses can select from different shifts that could include 4-hour, 8-hour, 10-hour or 12-hour shifts, which could result in a 20 to 80 hour work week. These flexible schedules provide choices that best fit individual needs. The nursing profession also provides many work settings, such as hospitals, clinics, schools, and private doctors’ offices. These settings can be in urban, suburb, or quiet rural areas.
Being in this profession allows me the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. It’s a career to take pride in and a respected occupation not only across America, but also throughout the world.
Preparation to Study Nursing
With persistence and hard work, I graduated from California State University with a 3.54 GPA, made the Dean’s List, and served as the Activity Coordinator for two student organizations: Chemistry Club, Medical Club
Wanting to captivate every opportunity - learning experience in the medical field, I volunteered at two major regional hospitals: Sutter Memorial and UC Davis. Serving as a nurses’ aide in the ER Department, Surgery Department, and Cath Lab provided hands-on knowledge. From these adventures, I accumulated 500 volunteer hours and was exposed to surgeries where innovative medical techniques corrected a myriad of errors in the human body. This fascinating experience from January 2009 through June 2011 deepen my passion and vision to be a part of the medical profession.
Another volunteer adventure was experienced in the Chemistry Department at California State University of Sacramento as a student researcher under the auspices of Dr. [] from August 2010 until June 2012.
With high aspirations to work in healthcare, a year undergoing a rigorous curriculum was spent in Des Moines University’s Podiatry Program. This short-lived adventure learning about medicine and how to interact with patients was cut short due to extraneous circumstances. I fell behind and could not keep up in school when my close friend, who spent the past two years battling brain cancer, died. Though coping with this debilitating disease, he continued serving the local community and supporting his family. When he died peacefully with his new-born daughter and wife by his side, I chose to send condolences and support his family rather than take a critical exam. Then within the same timeframe, I succumbed to personal illness, performed poorly, and was dismissed from the program. Most would be discouraged from
pursuing healthcare after such a consternate experience – especially not being allowed to recover and make-up assignments. However, I chose to evaluate lessons learned from this experience, refocus, and push even further to achieve my goals in the medical field. These educational and volunteer experiences have prepared me for studying nursing.
Community and School Activities
My long-term goal is to seek admission into medical school and eventually work in foreign relief and provide healthcare assistance. My background includes research, student leadership, clinical skills, and knowledge of effective patient interaction. And a sub-goal is to travel and provide healthcare in underserved countries.
The satisfaction of knowing that I can truly make a difference in patient care, along with my affinities for science and medical related experiences, serve as an intrinsic driving force. I am confident that a career in medicine will provide a challenging and gratifying career path.
Samuel Merritt University’s ABSN program is known for educating its students to become highly skilled, competent, and compassionate healthcare professionals for diverse communities. ABSN’s intensive curriculum provides a well-rounded educational experience consisting of the latest, cutting-edge management tools and healthcare techniques. I have successfully achieved academic goals envisioned, grown from every employment and volunteer experience presented, and now ready for another adventure through ABSN’s 12-month nursing program. I am determined, dedicated, and driven to realize my goal; and provided the opportunity, I will rise to meet all academic challenges at your university and become a graduate that Samuel Merritt University can be proud of.
