Keep Hannah in Nursing School!

Dear friends,

As a lot of you may know, I am currently in nursing school to obtain my bachelor's degree in nursing. I am in my 2nd semester and have 3 more semesters to go.

I was first inspired to become a nurse while working in hospice managing a hospice volunteer program here in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The amazing, heart-centered work that I witnessed of the hospice nurses touched me deeply, as well as working directly with the dying and their families. 

The work of a nurse is inseparable from my  Buddhist meditation practice. To directly offer care and healing to others in their darkest, most painful hours without judgment, and with the intention of relieving suffering is, from what I understand, exactly what the Buddha taught, as did most other great spiritual masters from other traditions. 

I am on this path in order to become an advocate for others during their illness and vulnerabilty, to offer guidance through an increasingly complicated medical system, and to provide care to those most underserved in our society. There is so much work to be done and I feel I am one of the nurses-to-be  who will roll up her sleeves and get to it...

Unfortunately, I have had a large obstacle thrown in my way that may prevent me from completing nursing school.

This semester I was awarded a very competitive federal scholarship called the NurseCorps Scholarship Program that was to pay for all of my tuition, books, fees, and a monthly living stipend for the remainder of my 2.5 year program. I was one of 225 people to receive this scholarship out of around 2000 who applied for it nationwide! I was overjoyed when I got the good news!

However, this week I was informed by the NurseCorps Scholarship Program that they have decided that the type of nursing program I am enrolled in- a "dual degree" program that my community college participates in with New Mexico State University- is technically not covered for funding. Despite my hours-long conversations on the phone with  NurseCorps representatives and program directors, the bottom line is my scholarship has been revoked because of a bureaucratic glitch.

My source of funding for tuition and living expenses has sudenly disappeared, and I have no income while in school- we are strongly discouraged in our nursing program from working even part-time because of the intensity and mandatory time-commitments of the BSN program. Since I already have a bachelor's degree from my previous education (Naropa University), I have just about reached my loan limit for undergraduate schooling. 

This is devastating news for me, and now I must find other resources for funding. Right now my funds for living are extremely limited as I have been waiting for 2 months for this scholarship to come through. 

If I were to be gifted any money through this GoFundMe campain, all proceeds would go toward my tuition and fees for the remainder of the program (16 months total, excluding summertime when I will be workign full-time during our break in between semesters), and a frugal monthly living budget. 

I am seeking any help with funding starting immediately.

I can't imagine dropping out of nursing school because of this setback. I am already halfway through it! Although I am very discouraged by this news, I have faith that there is always a way when you have the right motivation, right intention. 

This particular path of service- nursing - is my calling, and I intend to offer holistic, compassionate care to people not just in this country, but eventually to others all over the world. I am looking into opportunities with Nurses Without Borders, Peace Corps, and perhaps providing basic care for Tibetan refugees in India, Nepal,  Bhutan, etc. I would also be happy to go back into hospice work if that is where I'm needed most. As I mentioned before, there is so much work to be done.

Asking for help is very difficult for me. I have always been independant and self-reliant. I have put myself through college before, but now my circumstances are giving me an opportunity (yelling at me really!) to reach out and ask for help.  I am reminded by my amazing friends and community that there is a whole lot of love and support out there if I just ask for it!

I would be infinitely grateful for any amount no matter how small or large, that you may be able to offer! 

I will include each donor in my daily mediation practice and prayers to keep the benefits rolling outward to you and others. 

I also ask for you to please forward this GoFundMe page to your friends, family, collegues, and Sangha members. 

May your generosity benefit not just myself, but for all others who will be needing care, comfort, and medical help in the future!