In 2006, I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, a chronic illness causing inflammation and ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract. Although Crohn's disease is not something I always wanted, dealing with it over the years has affected me in positive and unexpected ways. I am more self-aware and understand what values ​​are important to me. The hurtful insults I endured in elementary school—when prescribed corticosteroids made my face swell—not only made me emotionally stronger and more resilient, but also more empathetic. However, the most significant impact of my Crohn's disease was that the skilled and compassionate care I received from my team of doctors and nurses not only helped me control my symptoms, but also inspired to pursue a career in nursing. I explored my interest in nursing through personal volunteer opportunities, including working as a training counselor at the Taylor Family Foundation's "Camp Gutbusters," a nonprofit summer camp in Northern California for children with chronic illnesses, and as a summer student volunteer at the University. from California Medical Center San Francisco (UCSF). The personal growth and gratification gained from these experiences, particularly my interactions with sick patients and their families at UCSF, confirmed my instinct that nursing is the right college major and career path for me . Knowing that nursing is a highly skilled and technical profession, I prepared for the academic rigor of nursing school by taking challenging high school math and science classes. During my volunteer assignments, I have interviewed nurses about nursing school, their careers, and the personal traits they should ideally possess. Evaluating me against their response...... middle of article...... experience that prepares me well for graduate school and leadership positions in healthcare. Comments made by Courtney Lyder, Dean of the School of Nursing, at Barco's Nightingales Foundation, about why he chose nursing really resonated with me. Dean Lyder said, “Nursing is the noblest profession one can practice. Nursing chooses people; people don't choose nursing...we have a unique worldview and strive to make the world a better place. It's true: nursing chose me. My extensive research into nursing careers, lessons learned during my volunteer experiences, thoughtful self-assessment made after my discussions with UCSF nurses, and my interest in helping others allowed me to make an informed decision about pursuing a career in nursing, a decision that begins at the University of California, Los Angeles.