Cailey Aburn submitted 2015-05-07
The prospect of graduating from The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, with a B.S.N., is a vision which I am committed to achieving, and will devote significant time, effort, and energy to successfully completing this rigorous program of study. Entry into this rigorous program required a previous undergraduate degree, which I secured in Biology, from St. Mary’s College of Maryland in 2012. Upon completion of my second of three consecutive quarters, my G.P.A. is 3.85. It is my hope to continually engage in classes that will enable me to learn from experts in the science field so that I can, in return, contribute in a productive, beneficial, and meaningful manner to society.
Scholarships and grants would enable me to attain my goals since I am now solely responsible for financing my further education. When my rigorous program began on May 15, 2014, I was awarded the maximum amount of Stafford Loans for this program and then subsidized a large portion of the remainder with a private loan. The cost of tuition and books, for this program, is $73,000. In addition, I took an additional private loan to cover housing, transportation, and parking. As the youngest of three daughters, my parents funded our college education for the previous eight years. As a Harford County teacher, and State of Maryland employee, my parents were eager to provide my sisters and me with outstanding educations that would allow us to enter professional fields that would aid in the support of others.
I was very close to my maternal grandmother and watched her struggle with the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease for fifteen years. Consequently, my grandfather cared for Betty for the majority of these fifteen stressful years and as a result, suffered three strokes. Last year, my paternal grandfather succumbed to respiratory failure. Throughout these heartbreaking years, I had the opportunity to witness, firsthand, the excellence of various in-home nursing programs, hospitals, assisted living facilities, nursing homes and hospice centers. In our nation, superior care of those in the greatest need is an area that requires attention and continual advancement. It is my sincere hope to complete a degree in Nursing that would enable me to devote the best of my energy and efforts to enhance the quality of life to individuals seeking assistance.
After receiving my B.S.N., my intention is to utilize my skills and knowledge in an environment that meets the needs of the most disadvantaged and underserved. It is my firm belief that this is where my education and expertise would be best employed. It would not only be my short-term goal, but also a long-term objective, to serve compassionately in an underprivileged area. A life well-lived in one in which an individual serves others well and gives hope. By lightening the burdens of others, and giving cheerfully, healing takes place. Booker T. Washington stated, “Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.” It is this vision that inspires me to learn, grow, and succeed in order to help those who can never repay me. I passionately want to devote the time, strength and energy to care for the neediest of our society. My courage, character, and ability to deal well under pressure would prove extremely beneficial in the field of Nursing. The daily challenges and rewards would provide inspiration and motivation for me to further develop my profession on a daily basis. The challenges and rigors would inspire me to consistently raise expectations, and have faith that what I am doing is vitally important. It would be my responsibility to persevere and in doing so, make a difference by helping humanity. This attitude has a strong and limitless ripple effect and can impact those around you in a positive and powerful manner.
There is nothing more satisfying in life than being capable of helping. I strongly desire to pursue a career in Nursing so that I can provide care and compassion to those in need. Nurses have been voted the most trusted profession in America, in Gallup’s annual survey, for the past 14 out of 15 years. Since being included in the Gallup poll in 1999, nurses have received the highest ranking every year except in 2001, when fire fighters received top honors. In our busy world, an individual’s job often defines their existence. To be defined as part of the most trusted profession in America would be an honor. I truly believe that there is nothing more satisfying in life than being capable of assisting others, particularly when they are in pain or distress. It is my firm desire to be successfully trained in the field of nursing so that I can feel confident and poised while helping those in need of medical treatment.
The poem “Success is…” attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, exemplifies my interpretation of accomplishment. As an adult, I will not measure my achievement by personal wealth or acquisition of materialist objects. What will prove more meaningful will be the impact that I have left upon society as a result of my endeavors and hard work.
Success… to laugh often and much to win the respect of intelligent people and affection of children to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a
redeemed social condition to know even one life has breathed easier because you have live. This is to have succeeded.