In: Nursing
One of the most debated topics in America is how to provide affordable healthcare to the masses. While many focus on accessible health insurance, I believe the answer lies in accessible healthcare providers. Nurse practitioners often go unappreciated and unrecognized for their versatility and value in the medical profession. With this scholarship, I could continue my training to become a nurse practitioner and provide attainable medical services to underserved communities.
Growing up in a small Montana farming town, the closest hospital was 45 minutes away. The only family doctor in town charged whatever he wanted for an appointment because he was the sole provider. My parents relied on home remedies to treat any ailment my brother and I developed. This is when my passion for medicine first took form.
Minimal medical care was not a concern until my father went in the hospital for severe stomach problems. These were the result of Crohn’s disease, a condition that can be managed with treatment. Because my father had not been to the doctor in years, the flare up was highly aggressive. It took months to get the inflammation under control and get him on preventative medication.
When I decided to go to college, I knew I wanted to help people like my father. I chose to become a nurse practitioner because I can practice medicine without charging a fortune for my services. Nurse practitioners are particularly beneficial in rural communities where hospitals and doctors are limited or non-existent. These are the areas I plan to serve. I am grateful to be considered for this scholarship opportunity, and should I be selected, I will use it to advance my medical education.