I belong in the field of nursing
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Early in the spring of 2005, I received word that my best friend had
cancer. For a period of time after I got the news I had no idea what was
really going on, or what would happen to him. I felt completely helpless
when I realized how limited my powers really were, and how small I was
compared with the fearful strength of his disease. I couldn’t destroy it
and I couldn’t take away his pain. But there was something I could do: I
could educate myself about his illness and share my knowledge with others.
I started out by learning everything I could about his type of cancer and
its treatment. I investigated alternative therapies and read stories written
by survivors. During the months of his chemotherapy, I wrote essays about
nutrition for my friend, and worked out diet plans to help him cope with the
nausea and other side effects that accompany treatment. When chemotherapy
didn’t kill all his cancer and he had to undergo a major surgery, I
studied pictures of the incision and familiarized myself with every stage of
the procedure.
By the time I started college at the Cleveland Institute of Music in the
fall of 2005, my friend was declared cancer free. But although his
experience had, for the most part, come to a close, my interest in cancer
and cancer treatment was far from over. I continued to cultivate my medical
interests at music school, writing about my visits to the hospital and
researching everything from the psychological impact of the cancer treatment
process to hospice and end-of-life treatment decisions.
It didn’t take me long to realize that I couldn’t sentence myself to
the academic stand-still that so often accompanies a conservatory education.
I realized that what I really wanted was to use my education to help others,
not just those diagnosed with cancer, but people suffering from any illness,
physical or psychological. I transferred to Norwich University to study
Nursing in the fall of 2007. I am now married to my friend, who has been
cancer-free for two years.
My experiences so far in the Nursing program at Norwich have convinced me
that I belong in the field of nursing. I love the process of gathering
information, but the true joy for me lies in applying that information to
real life situations. I want to learn so that I can help people get well.
I need this Scholarship to help pay for the 16,000 dollars per year
balance that my academic scholarship from Norwich does not cover. My husband
and I make very little money and foresee being in debt for many years after
I graduate in 2010. With my love of learning, my GPA of 3.9, and my
financial need, I am most certainly a qualified candidate for the Campus RN
Scholarship. I know that with this award, I can achieve my educational and
altruistic goals and make my University and the field of Nursing proud.
posted in: Vermont