I will Give Back to the Hospital that has Given me Back my Life
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(Photo by Will Kirk)

At 21 years of age, I was devastated to be diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. I struggled through many procedures and long hospital visits, until I was admitted at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where the outstanding team of medical professionals encouraged me to be strong and fight my illness. This was a turning point in my life, in which I realized how quickly a person's quality of life deteriorates without one's health.

My experience with illness has led me to the career of nursing. However, through working in schools, camps for sick children, and rehabilitation units, I have decided that my place in nursing belongs with children. I feel that living with a chronic disease
will give me something in common with many of the children that I will eventually care for.

When I graduate from the 17-month accelerated baccalaureate program, I would like to begin my career at Johns Hopkins Hospital in the pediatric department. There, I believe that I will be able to give back to the hospital that has given me back my life. I plan to continue my education, attaining my graduate degree as a clinical specialist in the pediatric field.

I am proud to be a recipient of The Women's Board of the Johns Hopkins Hospital Scholarship. The scholarship has allowed me to realize my potential to care for people and improve the quality of human life. I am confident that it will help me to reach my goal: to care for, help, and encourage sick people in the same way my
nurses have done for me at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Since 1984, the Women's Board of the Johns Hopkins Hospital has generously supported the School of Nursing in recognition of the important role the school plays in contributing to excellent patient care at the hospital. Currently the Women's Board provides annual scholarship support for undergraduate students at the School of Nursing.

-Nadia Irani, Accelerated 2006