Hello, friends, neighbors, people I haven't seen in ages, family, strangers and everyone in between!

I've been accepted to Drexel University's ACE (accelerated) bachelors of science nursing program in Philadelphia, PA! I have been working towards this goal since the start of my college career, and am so over-the-moon excited that I'm finally starting on this new path. 

When I first started college, back in 2008, I decided to pursue a career in nursing. I thought, "This is perfect! I love helping people, being active, I'm interested in science.." And so I did. I became a certified nursing assistant and started taking science classes out the wazoo. What I didn't expect (as a very young 19-year-old) was reality. Working in nursing homes and playing  a part in the end of people's lives, in trying to make pain and loneliness a little more bearable, in just being there- just to say, "I'm here. How can I help?"

I was overwhelmed. I was frightened by sickness and the inevitability of life. I had never been so exposed to death.

I changed my major. 

As the years passed, studying sociology and psychology,  I grew into myself (as most college kids do)- and I began to look back on my experiences working in nursing homes in a different way. One memory always came to mind.

I cared for a woman in her own home who was a hospice patient. She had been a nurse herself, just six months prior, yet having suffered a stroke and being diagnosed with stage four lymphoma- her body had deteriorated extremely quickly. Her mind, however, was still active. SHE was still there. A woman with a past, present, future. Emotional needs.  Humor and love. Possibly an inner dialogue on the do's and don'ts of nursing as we did our best. Her body was completely immobile, twisted into herself and bedridden. Except for her feet. She danced her feet around her sheets. Rubbing my hands. Communicating what she needed. "Yes!" "No!" "I need a foot massage!"

How quickly we go from being a strong body, capable of helping and fixing and giving, to relying so completely on another person, often a stranger. 

This is my Nursing Manifesto: I believe in giving dignity and respect to all people. I believe in the power of compassion and a kind voice. I believe in science and medicine and miracles. And I believe in long nights studying as I work toward my future nurse self.

I am so incredibly excited to start in this new journey and career, learning everything I can about the wellness of body and mind to change and improve lives (maybe yours?). 

I have been serving 60+ hours a week between two restaurants to save money for this program. But here's the thing. The program starts on March 28, 2016 and the cost is $44,000 in 11 months (very accelerated!), meaning I'll have tuition payments of $11,000 due every two and a half months. So far I have:

-$13,000 in federal student loans
-$10,000 from my awesome mom

That leaves $21,000. Which is why I am asking you, if you are able, to donate a financial gift and help a fellow human being start a new life and career. I would be so grateful! 

(Oh, and free bandaids for whoever pitches in.)

Thank you thank you thank you for supporting me and my future nurse self.