Each community relies on individuals who are there when others are most vulnerable. I would like to be one of those people. My decision to pursue nursing comes from a belief that healthcare is not only about treating illness but about treating people with dignity, patience, and respect. As a high school student preparing for college, I am eager to turn that belief into a lifelong career. This scholarship would help me take that step.
Nursing appeals to me because it combines science with compassion. I have always been drawn to understanding how the human body works, and my science courses have strengthened that curiosity. I have learned from Biology and Chemistry that the small things can make a big difference to health and that careful observation matters. I have also come to understand that learning is not sufficient. Patients require professionals that are able to listen, clarify complex information and provide reassurance during times of uncertainty. I think nurses have a unique opportunity to do both, as they are with the patient longer than just about any other member of the care team.
Nursing requires more than academic ability. It requires compassion, communication and responsibility, and I have sought to be good at all three. I have developed good listening skills, respectful idea sharing and team working abilities as part of school and group projects. I have developed good habits, including being on time and having high expectations, which has assisted me to be organized and focused. I also appreciate kindness, for a kind word can ease another person’s pain. I think these attributes will be useful for gaining patients’ trust and working well with health care professionals.
I have strived throughout my high school years to develop the skills I believe are important for a nurse. Group projects and school activities have helped me know how to communicate and work together, even if there are varying strengths and viewpoints among the members. Taking on a challenging course load and other obligations has given me discipline and time management skills.
I seek to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a plan to specialize in geriatric or critical care nursing. There is a growing number of aging populations, which increase the need for compassionate nurses in greater numbers. I also hope to be a voice for families to help them through systems they are unaware of. I plan on going back to where I can make a difference by providing high-quality nursing care in settings where it is unavailable: where someone is knowledgeable and kind at the bedside.
Age 65 and over
57.8 million in 2022, 17% of residents; 88.8 million in 2060, 24%, about 31 million more.
Age 85 and over
6.5 million in 2022; 17.6 million in 2055, the most; 17.5 million in 2060, 2.7 times as many as in 2022.
2022 is the Census Bureau’s base estimate and its projections run in five-year steps from 2025, so the first two bars are three years apart and the rest five. A population projection does not say how many nurses will be needed. For jobs, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that registered nurse employment will grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, from 3,465,400 to 3,660,100, and ties the rising demand for health care to the large number of older people.
Chart by Writers Per Hour from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 National Population Projections, Table 2: Projected Population by Age Group and Sex (main series, released November 2023; rows “65 years and over” and “85 years and over”), and the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook: Registered Nurses (2025–35 projections).
Show the numbers for every year in the chart
| Year | Age 65 and over | Age 85 and over |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 57,795 | 6,486 |
| 2025 | 63,327 | 7,047 |
| 2030 | 71,183 | 8,560 |
| 2035 | 75,828 | 11,179 |
| 2040 | 78,294 | 13,676 |
| 2045 | 79,832 | 15,950 |
| 2050 | 82,130 | 17,375 |
| 2055 | 85,137 | 17,590 |
| 2060 | 88,788 | 17,526 |
Nursing school is a significant financial commitment for my family. This scholarship will help cover the expenses of tuition, books, and clinical supplies so that I can concentrate on my training. Earning a nursing degree is an investment and a scholarship would help make this goal attainable. With this support, I could devote more energy to my coursework, clinical training, and professional growth. I would take every opportunity with commitment and express my appreciation to the donors, and would make sure I did everything I could to be the best. I am excited to join a profession that unites science and service.
