Hi! My name is Stephanie Miller. I am a nursing student at the University of
Pittsburgh. I have been blessed with the wonderful opportunity to go to school where I
can learn how to save people's lives and help them on the road to recovery. I have
discovered that nursing is my passion, and I have definitely chosen the right professional.
path. As I have embarked on my clinical experience at Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh, I
have been introduced to the devastating effects that illness has on patients and their
families. I have been assigned to the surgical oncology floor, so the terrifying words,
"cancer" and "surgery", are common language. Since this is my first year of clinical
experience, my medical knowledge and practice is limited; however, the patients have
said that it is the student nurses that truly make a difference in their hospital stays. I have
never realized that simply changing someone's bed, helping them bathe, or even showing
them a smile gives them joy and strength to make it through another painful day.
Nursing runs in my family - my mother, many of my aunts, and countless family
friends are all nurses, so as I was growing up, it was almost inevitable that I would take in
interest in the healthcare field. Throughout my life, I have witnessed the importance of
helping other people. Although I am only one person, I am one person who can, and will,
make a difference. I have had the opportunity to participate in service projects throughout
the Philadelphia area during my grade school and high school years. Some of the
activities that stick out in my mind include wrapping presents for poor children, visiting
many nursing homes such as Camilla Hall, organizing a Thanksgiving drive to feed
needy families, and much more. One of the most influential experiences in my life was
the opportunity to travel on a mission trip to EI Salvador in the summer of 2009. This
experience has forever changed my outlook on life. These people had absolutely nothing,
and they were still able to laugh at a joke, love unconditionally, and live their lives to the
fullest. They did not care about the superficial aspects of life that we get caught up in;
rather, they saw the heart and soul in each of us. They welcomed us into their community
and taught us more about ourselves than I could ever imagine. Upon returning home after
that life-changing experience, I made it a point to partake in many service projects and to
just lend a helping hand to those who needed it. I was honored at the end of my senior
year to receive the St. Timothy's Award from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia,
acknowledging my service to the community.
I have to thank my parents; because it was through their wisdom and guidance
that I learned to look beyond myself at the bigger picture. My parents have demonstrated
the values of hard work and sacrifice. I cannot even begin to describe how much they
have given up so that our family could be as prosperous and happy as we are. They have
done so much so that my sisters and I could have the greatest opportunities possible. I
attended Catholic grade school, private high school, and now college because of them. I
participated in countless extracurricular activities, dance competitions, and sports games
and they were present supporting me through it all. My parents truly exemplify
unconditional love. As I grew up, they stressed the importance of family. I have two
younger sisters, two best friends. Together, we have countless memories and I know that
they will always be there for me, and I too will be there to support them throughout all
their endeavors in life. I could not be more proud of all they have accomplished.