Undergraduate / Lifelong reward career; Nurse Practitioner program [5]

Caring for people, helping people with any needs and being able to make a difference in their lives has always meant the world to me since I can remember. I have been involved in the medical field for over 25 years. I started working as a volunteer aid, then Certified Nurses Aid then as an Emergency room technician until I was able to obtain my nursing degree. I volunteered as an EMT for our local fire department which was incredibly rewarding as well.

Being a nurse is a passion of mine, helping patients is a part of my life, and healthcare is as important to me as my family is. I love being a nurse, I love my family and I have found Iowa to be a state that contains communities that are extremely family oriented. Some these small towns have meat packing industries were many of their workers have come from different countries one of them is Mexico. My family is originally from Peru so I am fluent in Spanish so I would volunteer to help them by taking them to doctor appointments or just to try to be there for any other special needs. I was working one night while I was working in the ER when a young Spanish man came in by ambulance because he was injured after riding on the back of the truck fell off and had been run over. I was one of the nurses trying to help him and I am the only nurse that speaks Spanish so I had to be the medical professional to tell the family about their son and his injuries it was one of the hardest thing I had to do. I cried with them, I felt their pain and I spent hours with them. I would come in on my days off to see them and their son who would eventually lose his life. Since then we have always had a unique bond. After this tragedy, the emotions I went through and the connections I made with this family, I knew I was in the right place I was on the right career path. I always want to be the person you can count on in good times, bad times and no matter the circumstances to be compassionate, make a difference, and to do my very best.

Because it can be so difficult for the Spanish community and at times understand due to the language barrier things can get misunderstood or confusing for them. Being able to speak Spanish, my nursing knowledge is a great help to this community because this is where preventative medicine can be so helpful especially with infection, disease, extra hospital care or anything else I can do to help the community I will.

I honestly feel my nursing experiences have prepared me to start my journey as an advanced nurse practitioner. I have always been patient advocate, leader, and a diligent worker and I am also fluent in Spanish and I have used my knowledge to help our Spanish communities. Working in the healthcare I felt has always been privilege and an honor. It requires hard work, compassion, integrity and consideration to follow through with each patient. I am efficient, and confident my abilities have given me the training necessary to succeed in almost any situation. I have a strong skill set and I have achieved a management position in every job I have taken. I am someone who appreciates working out problems, is a solid leader, and someone who brings benevolence and dedication to their work.

Becoming a Nurse Practitioner through South University Family Nurse Practitioner program will help me fulfill my goals of being able to give overall care to all patients young and old. Although I know it will be challenging and intense, but I know it will be a lifelong reward career which meaningful and important to me. I feel I am ready to succeed in your program - mentally, financially, and academically - ready to succeed in your program and I have the skills necessary to excel.