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What defines an underserved community? What experiences have you had that have
prepared you to work with underserved populations?
As a registered nurse, I have been fortunate to work with different population from
various cultural backgrounds, gender, and walks of life. When I was in the Philippines, I
participated in a medical mission in one of the remote town in Ilocos Norte whereby access to
hospitals and other health facilities are limited. I was a nursing student before when I volunteered
in the medical mission. I was able to observe the daily life of the people in that place and how
they provide care for the sick and ill. The nearest medical facility in their place is about two
hours drive. They have been using alternative medicines such as herbal remedies to cure the sick
and to help them feel better. Most of the people in the area were farmers and fishermen. On the
four days that we stayed in their community, we were able to teach them basic health promotion
and common disease prevention. These are the two main components critical to the future health
of the people in the community. The most memorable memories I had during the medical
mission is when we prepared a simple meal for the community to have during our last day in
their area. The joyful expressions in their faces made us realize that happiness is not measured on
how wealthy a person is but on how healthy you are. We leave the community with great joy and
feelings of fulfillment in our heart that we were able to help disseminate teachings on disease
prevention.
Last 2012, I participated with the Tropic Care Kauai- an outreach program of the US
Marines and Navy to the population of Kauai. This program provides opportunities to each
individual without any discrimination of access to healthcare. Here, I was able to employ my
nursing skills such as vital signs taking, physical examination, and triaging. During my first and
second semester in the nursing program, I participated in several community health programs.
My clinical group chose to provide Blood Pressure screening at the Kukui Grove Shopping Mall
(Lihue, Kauai) last September 2011. We educated the people that participated in the said
program about the risk factors and ways to prevent hypertension. Last October 2011, we
participated in the Nutrition and Diabetes campaign held at the Kukui Grove Center. We
disseminated information to the public regarding the increase percentage of childhood obesity
and diabetes in our island. Furthermore, we rendered health teachings on ways to control and
prevent obesity and diabetes through healthy eating, increasing physical activity, and quitting
smoking. When I started nursing school in Hawaii, I did not do much of a volunteer work in the
community because of the hectic schedule of being in the nursing program. However, I took care
of my grandmother who was suffering from moderate Dementia while I was in the nursing
program. I provided her baths, prepared foods, administer her medications, brought her to her
quarterly check-up, assisted her to the toilet, and making sure she is safe for almost 4 years.
Through active participation by selflessly serving the undeserved population meaning
uninsured, living in poverty, medically vulnerable, and isolated communities, I was able to gain
experience that will help me prepare for my commitment in the Nurse Corps Scholarship
Program. As a nurse, I know that money is not everything in this profession; rather it is how you
provide your selfless service to those people who are in need of medical attention. It has always
been my dream to give back to the community and to travel to underprivileged countries to lend
a hand to care. It would be an honor to serve destitute and needy people as a way to further

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define the profession of nursing. This will provide me a chance to intermingle with various
people that has different cultural backgrounds and provides me with affirmation to why I do what
I do.
Last 2013, the strongest typhoon in recorded history hits the Philippine islands especially
in the Visayas region. Thousands of properties and agricultural products were dismantled from
the blows of strong winds and heavy rains. Hundreds of lives were killed from being drowned or
being trapped in their houses. The world mourns for the Philippines during that year. I was able
to travel back to my country along with some other friends and provide small acts of relief and
help care for the sick, elderly, pregnant women, and the children. We were able to provide
emotional support to the families that are weeping in tears searching for their loved ones. This
experience provided me a desire to continue on with my nursing career and to help the people by
serving them selflessly.
I believe I have met the mission of the Nurse Corps program by providing health equity and
quality service to the undeserved population in our community. My passion in selflessly caring
for others is not acquired through studying the course but by the lessons and memories you
created from your experiences, which gives you the drive to help the undeserved population.
Nursing profession is a calling to serve others.