I am enthusiastically writing to you concerning the Orange Honors scholarship offered by the Home Depot. First, I would just like to thank you for giving back to military families. Second, I am thrilled to be furthering my education and career in a field I am passionate about.
A few years ago, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and plan to return to school this upcoming year to pursue a master’s degree also in nursing. My goal is to become an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner with an emphasis in Adult Gerontology. I am going back to school, not for the money, but because I have a true personal gratification of helping others. Gaining further education will positively impact my life by allowing me to grow in my profession with an emphasis on helping others.
My husband is currently an active duty member of the U.S. Army and is a part of our nation’s Special Forces. He is a communication sergeant and is excellent in his role. We are currently stationed at Fort Carson in the beautiful state of Colorado. The United States Army Special Forces – the Green Berets – constitute our Nation’s single largest special operations force. Recently, the Green Berets have been at the forefront of combat operations since they led our country’s response in Afghanistan after the attacks of 9-11. I believe the families of Green Berets have borne a heavy burden in this war against terror. The families they, too, serve this nation while their soldiers deploy repeatedly into harm’s way.
While my husband is serving our country overseas, an advanced degree would enable me to better serve my community here at home. I would like to grow in my own career while still supporting my husband and his calling. When it comes to motivation, self-discipline, and dedication to succeed we are very much alike. We both love helping disadvantaged populations and trying to make this world a better place.
I am a highly motivated intensive care nurse with an eagerness to expand my knowledge and skills. It has always been my goal as a healthcare professional to make a difference in people’s lives by helping them through their weakest moments. Advancing my career will help me make a difference in the lives of many. With the assistance of this scholarship, I would be able to obtain my lifelong dream of attaining a graduate degree. I trust this scholarship will assist me to gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities I will need to provide exceptional patient care as a nurse practitioner (NP).
The program that I will be entering is geared towards working with older adults. I am fortunate to be entering a field with such great job opportunities. An increasing need for NPs is a major trend in healthcare. As a future NP, I will be helping to meet this rising demand. In this country, a growing and aging population is increasing the demand for health care services and the personnel who provide them. Growth is occurring primarily because of the effects of healthcare legislation, an increased emphasis on preventive care, and demand for healthcare services from the large, aging baby-boom population as they live longer and more active lives than previous generations (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015). NPs will be needed to keep these patients healthy and to treat the growing number of patients with chronic and acute conditions. Numerous studies clearly envision NPs as an integral part of the future health care workforce. One study projects a near doubling of the total NP workforce by 20,253 while another predicts the number of NPs providing primary care will increase by 30 percent by 2020 (Iglehart, 2014).
I have a strong desire to advance my career by returning to school following years of working in intensive care. I trust a master’s degree is the best way to transition to a better career path. A scholarship would provide much needed financial assistance as I pursue additional education. The time and effort this program will require will be worth it in the long run because I will gain a great sense of satisfaction by continuing to work in healthcare. I believe a real key to college success is in ensuring you are in a degree program that best suits you. My previous nursing experience combined with the military life ensures this is the right career move for me and my family. Earning a graduate degree in a subject that I am passionate about will be my greatest reward.
Lastly, I would like to again thank you for your dedication towards improving communities and the lives of military families. I am looking forward to the opportunity to advance my career with the intention to assist others.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. (2015). Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners. Occupational Outlook Handbook (17th ed.). Retrieved from: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives- and-nurse-practitioners.htm
Iglehart, J. (2014). Meeting the Demand for Primary Care: Nurse Practitioners Answer the Call. Retrieved from: https://www.aacn.nche.edu/downloads/aacn-future-task-force/Inglehart- PC-Article.pdf