According to the Center for First-Generation Student Success, November 8 represents the annual National First-Generation College Celebration "to honor the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965 ... Much like other hallmark legislation of that era, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, HEA was intended to help level a playing field that for too long had been weighed against Americans from minority and low-income backgrounds ... HEA ushered in programs, particularly the Federal TRIO programs, necessary for postsecondary access, retention and completion for low-income, potential first-generation college graduates."
To commemorate the National First-Generation College Celebration, Aarhea Hope (she/her/hers), a student in the College of Nursing's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, student nurse assistant at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and vice president of the student advocacy group Nursing Students of Color, shares her inspirational story of what being a first-generation college graduate in her family will mean to her.
When my grandmother was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer, I became her caregiver alongside my mother. Nurturing my grandmother to a state of comfortability and optimal health sparked my desire to become a nurse. I knew that the nursing profession would enable me to be of service to others. Choosing The Ohio State University to achieve my dream of becoming a nurse was an important decision in my life. I had to move to a new city, make new friends and navigate through college. Not only am I a first-generation college student, but I am also the only one in my family to choose the nursing profession. Though my family supports me in any way they can, I still faced a lot of challenges that my family did not understand.
Making meaningful connections with my cohort at the College of Nursing helped me navigate many challenges. One challenge was not having a lot of guidance at the beginning of my journey, which made me feel lost and unsure about if I made the right decision. The relationships I have made along the way helped me achieve and set new goals for myself. The College of Nursing has fostered my growth as a student, person and professional. My experiences at the college have inspired me to continue to grow beyond my undergraduate career by giving me the confidence to apply to graduate schools. I will be the first in my family to have a bachelor's degree in Nursing and work as an RN in a primary care setting. In the future, I aspire to be the first to have a doctorate degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Being the first in my family to accomplish this type of goal is not easy, but it comes with many rewards. Putting in the work and finding others who can relate to and help me with my journey definitely enabled me to achieve a lot along my journey. Even though I will still face many challenges, I know that it will all pay off in the end. I am very excited for my future, and I am proud to be considered a trailblazer in my family.
