A nurse is often defined as “a person who takes care of the sick”. While this is true, nurse qualifications surpass this simple definition. Nurses have the ability to deal with all different types of people in all different types of states. They treat the elderly, the temporarily ill, newborns, adults, the blind, the permanently ill and the psychotic. They care for people through grief, birth, death, illness, crying, pain and loss. I want to be a member of the nursing field so that I can assist others in their time of need and make an impact in their lives. My future goals include earning my bachelor's degree in nursing, then earning my degree as a nurse practitioner. I believe I have the dedication, determination and heart needed to work in the healthcare field. Additionally, I have the academic drive to succeed in my school. I have been on the honor roll every semester since my freshman year of high school. I am also the treasurer of the National Honor Society. My academic awards include being Student of the Month and being an Academic All-American on my lacrosse team. By participating in clubs and sports I learned time management. I am a three-sport athlete with a very intense schedule. I participated in diving, volleyball and lacrosse. Playing volleyball and lacrosse since freshman year, I was forced to gain maturity at a young age. Sport is not just a hobby, it is an important part of my life. They helped shape me into the kind of person I am today. I learned to be patient by swimming and diving. Perfecting a new dive takes time and doesn't always happen on the first try, so I've learned to take my time and not get frustrated. Volleyball taught me how to work in the form of paper... appreciate every department in the hospital because I did a rotation in every department. Additionally, I learned how to be persistent and ask appropriate questions. I have built relationships with staff members at our local hospital who will help me in the future. These experiences have shown me that I am ready for the challenges and emotions of the healthcare industry. My future is bright and optimistic. I know I have the qualities necessary to complete my studies. I also have the necessary characteristics to work in the healthcare field, particularly nursing. I hope to return to the Jefferson and Lewis County areas after earning my bachelor's or bachelor's degree in nursing as a way to give back to the community that has given me every opportunity I could imagine. I can't imagine myself in any other career or living in any other area.