Excerpts from Thank You Notes from Our Nursing Scholarship Recipients

Ya' a' tey', greetings in Navajo. My name is Bertha Edison. I am a mother of five wonderful children. I started back to school in 2001 and am in my second semester … pursuing a career in nursing. I am currently working part-time … as a nursing assistant … It was difficult for me to go back to school because my significant other would not allow it. I was in an abusive relationship for many years. I wish I had started back to school sooner but lack of self-esteem and blaming myself for the physical assaults led me to doubt myself that I wasn't smart enough, but here I am half way to getting my degree in nursing. I would not stop what I am doing right now because becoming a nurse is what I have dreamt about for many years.           As for my educational goals, I would like to pursue a bachelor's degree.  Afterwards, I would like to work in a place where I can use my nursing skills at my best.  I am considering being a nurse at the organization where I am currently working.  We encounter more Native Americans-Navajo at the clinic and most of the time I interpret for the physician when needed.  I enjoy what I do to help and comfort patients.   Some of the elderly Native Americans come to the clinic without family and seek help from staff.  I am glad to be of help because I can communicate and help with their needs.  The majority of patients are diabetic and Native Americans.  As a nurse, I would like to be able to provide vital assistance as needed for Native patients with families.  I want to be able to assess, plan, and provide necessary education in preventative nursing.

My name is Urian Begay, I am 27 years old, and am Navajo. I currently reside … with my wife and 2 sons, and our soon to be third child … I've given a lot of thought to what I want in nursing and have decided to pursue a bachelor's degree and specialize in a field such as surgery or pediatrics. In doing so I'd like to help individuals of all paths of life in hope of making a small, but positive difference in their lives. I enjoy helping people and have always been interested in science and medicine, which lead me to choose a career in nursing … I am very thankful for the assistance. It was unexpected and came at a time when it was very much needed.

My name is Tammy Henry. I am a Navajo and a single parent of five children, ages one to 15, whom I fully support. I am a full time nursing student … I also work part-time to financially support my children.          My goals are to complete the two-year nursing program and eventually get into the Bachelor's program. I do hope and pray to continue on to becoming a Nurse Practitioner, which requires a master's degree in nursing. I have always dreamed of working at an Indian Health Service facility and working along side other Native Americans and offering my knowledge and expertise in treating sick patients.

My name is Erika Cooeyate … I am currently a single parent … I am struggling to make ends meets each month and feel that receiving this money has allowed me to pay whatever I need to pay and buy what I need to buy, as well as help me pay for gas to get [to] and from school.           My educational goals are to finish the Associates of Nursing programs and then go on to obtain my Bachelor's of Nursing degree and work as a registered nurse. Once I have obtained my degree in nursing I would like to work in Native American communities. I have witnessed firsthand the health problems in my community as well as in surrounding areas. Our pueblo has many health problems including diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and teen pregnancy. My goal, when I become a nurse, is to provide caring and culturally appropriate treatment to Native Americans. I am very interested in providing education to patients and their families so that they can develop healthy lifestyles.

Lisa Fowler           I am very honored and grateful for your thoughtfulness to support my educational endeavors. You have inspired me even more to fulfill my goals …           I feel I'd really like to represent and help all Native Americans by providing good quality health care …          Your financial support is a very welcomed relief. There are so many days when I've had to chose between (buying for) my children's needs and "stuff" for my own school. I'm a proud parent of four honor roll students. As I continue to attempt to be an example for them, they can see now that we "got our break," and that something finally did "budge."

My name is Nicole Ohmsatte and … I live in the Pueblo of Zuni. This money will help me further my education by enabling me to buy the books and supplies that I will need for my Nursing classes.            My goals to accomplish are to receive my Associate's degree to become a Registered Nurse. After completing my Associate's I want to further my education by receiving my Bachelor's degree. By receiving my BSN I want to put forth the degree and become a nurse practitioner specializing in Diabetes … For the Native Americans Diabetes is increasing within the younger adult generation and by becoming a Diabetes Nurse, it will enable me to educate all Native Americans to become more active and eat healthier in order to decrease and prevent diabetes.

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Date this page was last edited: 08/20/2009