The Houston Chronicle's Salute to Nurses program has bestowed scholarships honoring three exceptional nursing students with assistance to support their nursing educational efforts.
The Houston Chronicle marks this tradition every year during National Nurses Appreciation Week, May 6-12.
Recognition in the Houston Chronicle Salute to Nurses special section on Sunday, May 10.
Patricia Ellis, senior, Lee College -- Patricia Ellis works as a correctional officer and decided to go into nursing because she wanted a better future for herself, as she was raised by her grandmother and has supported herself for many years. According to her nominating instructor, Paula Schmidt, RN, MSN, CCRN, Lee College, Ellis has exceeded every student in her class, with 152.5 hours of volunteer service through various organizations.
"(Ellis) has grown through her knowledge and emotions of what life can be like outside of certain environments while continuing to succeed academically," Schmidt said.
"Nursing is such a profound profession, and I wanted to be a part of helping others and changing and saving lives," Ellis said. "Nurses are respected, honored and valued. I want to be a part of helping others in a positive way and know that what I do counts and matters."
Ellis said the scholarship will impact her education by contributing to her going back to school for her BSN.
"Receiving this scholarship makes me ecstatic. It feels as if my hard work and dedication are recognized by someone and shows me that people are watching what you are doing. I have yet to ever receive a scholarship, so to get this one has really made me reevaluate myself and pat myself on the back for all of the hard work I have put into working while going to school," she said.
Kara Jones, junior, University of St. Thomas -- Kara Jones is highly regarded by the faculty at the University of St. Thomas. According to her nominator, St. Thomas dean Poldi Tschirch, RN, Ph.D., Jones has impressed everyone in the school of nursing with her academic excellence, strong work ethic, willingness to help her peers succeed in their own nursing studies, volunteerism and determination to become the best nurse she can be.
One of the main reasons Jones chose to attend the University of St. Thomas was that nursing students take extra liberal arts courses to help them focus on the psychological, spiritual and physical aspects of care.
"It's been an amazing experience that has taught me to be a holistic nurse who isn't just focused on the medical side of things," Jones said.
Jones' focus is on becoming a neonatal ICU nurse.
"I love babies, and how you can teach parents so much about how to care for their children and walk alongside them. I love how this specialty area is geared toward the whole family," she said.
Darla Miller, second year, Lone Star College -- Darla Miller has four children and a husband who works. According to her nominating instructor, Linda Vogel, MSN, RN, Lone Star College -Montgomery, Miller does not see nursing as a career or "job" but as a conduit for her to have an impact and change the world around her.
"I believe Darla will become a leader in helping our profession advance, adapt and thrive in the current challenging environment health care is facing," Vogel said.
"I became a nurse because an instructor saw something in me that I didn't see in myself. I am so thankful because I fell in love with nursing and it is my passion," Miller said. "The guidance and support of my teachers have made me a better person and I have the opportunity to return that favor to my community. Lone Star College's nursing instructors are amazing; they are not just invested in teaching you, but in helping you be a better person in general.
"Receiving this award gives me even more incentive to keep going for it and helps me remember that all of this hard work will pay off and allow me to serve people and give back to the community," Miller said. "Anything that helps me with my education, it's unbelievable the difference it makes for my family."