What drew you to nursing and healthcare?
Ever since high school, the nursing field has intrigued me mainly due to my love for science and helping others in need. Knowing why each organ is essential to us and how our body systems cooperate to maintain function interested me, and I wanted to continue learning about it. Taking a physiology course at University of San Francisco has furthered my passion for learning about science and how it applies to human bodies. Another thing that drew me into nursing, is the direct patient care. I want to advocate for my patients needs and support them. Helping someone in their most vulnerable state is something I want to do. I will be someone they can rely on.

What do you hope to do as a nurse when you graduate from USF?
When I graduate from USF, I hope to work as an oncology nurse. The topic of cancer is also dear to my heart because my aunt survived breast cancer. More than anything, I want to support families and patients through this difficult time. I want to answer any type of questions they have and educate families on cancer. I am fascinated with how cancer infiltrates the body in numerous ways and because each cancer is unique, there is no cure.

How will the NATO of California/Nevada scholarship assist you in your studies OR
What are you looking forward to as a NATO of California/Nevada Scholar?
The National Association of Theatre Owners of California/Nevada scholarship will help me focus on my education to become the best nurse I can be, all while aiding me with my financial situation.

Why did you choose USF?
I chose USF for its location, diversity, and direct-nursing program. I grew up in a big city, and I wanted to continue living in one throughout my higher education to maintain stability and comfort. I love how bustling and lively San Francisco is as it brings the citizens closer together. The school has a lot of diversity and this helped me feel like I belong here. I also decided to choose USF for its direct-nursing program. USF is one of the few universities in California that offer such a flexible program with direct entry. The program has a high NCLEX-pass rate. The opportunity to go to a school with a high pass rate and a well renowned program, made me choose USF. The school’s core Jesuit values such as “cura personalis (care for the whole person)” is something I love about USF as well. I am someone who loves to include people and never want them to feel left out. Knowing that one of USF’s top priorities is treating others with respect and kindness further adds onto why I chose USF.

Tell us about yourself! (This can be whatever you choose – your hobbies, passions, friends/family, or fun facts about you.)
In high school, I ran on my cross country team for four years and became the team captain in my senior year. Though I was not the fastest runner, I ran because I enjoyed it. Running frees my mind from stresses I have and the satisfaction of completing a run is liberating. My full name is spelled mile and the cross country team gave me that nickname. I’d hear my teammates say “good job mile,” and I quite literally ran the mile. I was also the UNICEF president by senior year. As UNICEF president, I educated my peers on global issues such as child human trafficking and child hunger. Living in the United States means I get to have a free education up until the 12th grade, and I am really grateful for that. One of my inspirations for higher education are my parents. They sacrifice a lot for me to live a stable life, so I can pursue being a nurse. When I become a nurse and earn money, I want to help them retire early because they deserve it.