Gaby’s Nursing School Fund: Taking the Next Step

Hi all,

I’ve never been someone who asks for help easily. I’ve always been the type to quietly push through and figure things out. But today, I’m learning to lean on others and say—I could use a little help.

My name is Gaby, and I’ve been accepted into an accelerated nursing program—a goal I’ve worked hard toward as a mom of two young girls, while working full-time as a manager in clinical research.

I’ve known I wanted to be a nurse since I was a kid. My mom recently found my old My Book About Me from when I was 6. I had drawn a stick figure with a nurse’s cap and proudly dictated for her to write: “I am a nurse.”

That commitment stayed with me. When I was hospitalized as a child with salmonella, it was nurses who made me feel safe. I still remember one of them going out of her way to find My Neighbor Totoro on the hospital TV—despite my very questionable description of the movie—just to make me smile. Later, I watched my grandmother, my Abuelita, bravely face diabetes and cancer. I saw how nurses were her lifeline, providing care and dignity when she needed it most. That experience confirmed what I already knew: this is what I wanted to do.

My path hasn’t been traditional. I earned my first degree, shifted directions, and after 9 years, went back to school to complete my nursing prerequisites. There were plenty of challenges, but I stayed focused on this goal.

Now, I’m finally ready to take the next step. To fully commit to nursing school and clinicals, I’ll be stepping away from my full-time job. I’ve set up this fundraiser to help cover my school and personal expenses while I focus on completing the program.

Any donation will help cover tuition, books, uniforms, clinical supplies, and related costs so I can fully focus on school and clinical training.

Every dollar, every share, and every kind word gets me closer to becoming the nurse I’ve committed to being for myself and my daughters.

Thank you for reading and for supporting me in this next chapter.

With LOTS of hope and appreciation,

Gaby