Life to Me Is No

Life to me is no brief candle; it is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations. George Bernard Shaw was a groundbreaking writer whose alternative views on hot topics like religion, politics, and society earned his as much scorn as praise. His legacy lies in his willingness to speak his mind, to communicate his thoughts to others, and to work tirelessly. An avid reader, I derive great inspiration from playwrights and authors like Shaw and apply their wisdom and wit to my chosen profession: nursing.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), I am applying for your scholarship for three main reasons. First, I earnestly endeavor to improve my professional standing, advance my career, and become a stronger, more influential health care professional. Your scholarship will enable me to become an outstanding member of the community of Registered Nurses (RNs) who devote their lives to healing others. Second, as a recipient of your scholarship I will be able to represent my health care institution and my university with confidence and aplomb. Third, I am a single mother who also provides loving care and support also for my aging father, and therefore I seek scholarship funding out of genuine financial need. Scholarship funding will enormously ease the burden of working full-time while I provide care for my family and advance my career; scholarship funding will make my advanced degree in nursing possible for me.

As an LPN I have worked in a variety of hospital, clinic, and private care settings. My past training has been in-depth but general, allowing me to offer professional support to health care staff and teams and compassionate care for patients. I have worked in pediatrics, geriatrics, and emergency care. My scope is broad and my professional record proves that I have the strength, aptitude, and desire to succeed as a health care professional. Because I thrive in a fast-paced environment and work well under stress, nursing will remain a lifelong career. Caring for others has also been my primary means of self-expression, the one way I have been able to give back to the community and hopefully enhance the lives of others. As a LPN I have been successful but I know that I would be a more effective health care professional as an RN. With advanced nursing credentials I will enjoy an increased level of responsibility and the option to specialize in a select field of health care. Moreover, as an African-American female I can contribute positively to the diversity and caliber of the administrative nursing team at my health care institution and offer a diversity of perspective and opinion when I interact with patients and coworkers.

Although my primary ambition is to heal others by working directly with patients in a professional setting, I also hope to participate in hospital administrative and decision-making procedures. Nurses have the potential to transform their places of employment because of their intimate knowledge of the day-to-day operations of the institution. From catering services to medical technologies, hospital services vary widely from institution to institution and I hope that I can improve the lives of all patients and my coworkers by being mindful of any problems that might arise in the health care setting, problems that could adversely affect quality of care.