For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to become a Registered Nurse. Much of my childhood was spent at Children’s Hospital in Seattle, Washington due to congenital birth defects, and throughout that journey I was surrounded by incredible nurses and doctors who forever changed my life. Those nurses are the reason I chose to pursue nursing. It was their compassion, patience, and genuine care that made hospitals feel like a place of safety rather than fear.

I was born with amniotic band syndrome, which restricted the growth of my left hand and leg and resulted in me being a below the knee amputee. I also have a septal heart defect, was born with a cleft palate, and have undergone numerous surgeries throughout my life. I was a proud Shriners baby and have had a tremendous lifelong relationship with my Shriner family. I also spent countless years at Children’s Hospital in Seattle, notably under the care of Dr. Mosca, whose impact I will never forget.

From a very young age, I could sense the difference between nurses who were simply there for a paycheck and those who truly loved their profession. For me, nursing is not just a job. It is a part of who I am. The lessons I learned as a patient and those I have learned as an adult have given me skills that cannot be taught in a classroom. Being on the other side of the hospital bed has shaped the nurse I am today and allows me to provide deeply patient centered care because I know what it feels like to need compassion when you are at your most vulnerable.

While working in the hospital setting during the COVID-19 pandemic, we carried an immense burden. We worked extended hours, overtime, and long shifts while caring for critically ill patients under unprecedented conditions. We were also among the first to receive the COVID vaccine, at a time when very little was known about its long term effects. Along with the physical exhaustion came the constant fear of bringing the virus home to the people we love. I spent numerous holidays isolating and avoiding family and friends, worried that my commitment to caring for patients could unintentionally harm those closest to me.

I am now honored to work in home health, where I care for many amputees as well as aging veterans. This work is deeply meaningful to me, as I am able to relate to my patients through shared experiences and provide care rooted in understanding, dignity, and compassion.

I am a single mom to a wonderful daughter, and I work hard to build a stable and meaningful future for her while continuing to live out my calling in nursing. While I am incredibly proud of earning my nursing education, the burden of student loan debt has been overwhelming. Due to how my loans are structured through Nelnet, I have been paying well above my required monthly amount for years, yet the balance hardly seems to make a dent.

I am humbly asking for support to help pay down my student loan debt. Any contribution, no matter the size, would make a meaningful difference and help relieve the financial weight that has followed me throughout my career.

More than anything, your support allows me to continue focusing on what I was meant to do, caring for others with empathy, dignity, and compassion.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story, for sharing if you are able, and for being part of this journey with me. I am deeply grateful.