Nursing Scholarship Awarded

Maria and her family.

Congratulations to Maria Elena Flores recipient of the $2,000 chooseNursing.com scholarship sponsored by NurseWeek. Maria is a Class of 2004 nursing student at the University of Southern California.

As early as high school Maria knew she wanted to be a nurse. She volunteered over 1000 hours at Fresno’s St. Agnes Medical Center “I learned that the bond between the patients and their nurses was remarkable, an absolutely refreshing thing to see.” She remembers how grateful patients were for the care they received from their nurses and witnessed tears of joy from both patient and nurse. “To see the special bond between nurse and patient convinced me that nursing was the career for me.”

As a member and chairperson of Movimiento Estudiantil Chican/a de Aztlan (MEChA), a Student Chicano Movement, she leads workshops on domestic violence at high schools in South Central Los Angeles. During MEChA school conferences, she leads workshops and presents nursing as a rewarding and fulfilling career. She has also facilitated focus groups for research projects. As if that weren’t enough, this full-time student finds time to work as a mentor / tutor for a college prep program for students in the Los Angeles School District.

Maria and her mom.

She’s considering joining the Peace Corps after earning her BSN, to help people around the world and get experience. Ultimately, she plans to become a Family Nurse Practitioner and dreams of setting up a clinic in the Los Angeles area, where there is a dire need for affordable health care.

Again, congratulations on your success, we’re pleased to help you realize your dream of being a nurse.

This scholarship continues to be awarded to deserving students in California. To learn more about the criteria for our scholarships, please visit us at chooseNursing.com.

Release Date: June 6, 2003

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