#wildcatnurse

“What do you do other than wear your crown and banner?” and “Is it like Toddler’s and Tiara’s?” are questions I have been asked before. I am frequently questioned on why I decided to get involved with the Miss America Organization (MAO) given their “reputation” or I should say misconceptions to be more accurate. Well, I am here to tell you why getting involved with the MAO has been one of the BEST decisions I have ever made.

I am a pageant girl and a first generation college student. Some would say, the odds of going to nursing school were not exactly in my favor, but just yesterday, I accomplished another milestone that took me another step forward to fulfilling my dream of becoming a nurse. I received my admissions letter to start the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program at the University of Arizona in the Spring of 2016.

My nursing school journey began when I was only a 16-year-old junior in high school when I joined a medical professions program offered at my school. This 2-year program exposed me to various medical professions including Nursing through college school tours around the valley, involvement in Health Occupations Students of America, and volunteer opportunities. Ultimately, this special program gave me the chance to train as a Nursing Assistant and obtain my CNA license. It was during my clinical rotations, I witnessed the selflessness and compassion nurses provide to their patients everyday. After this experience, I was eager to learn more and from then on out, I dedicated everything I did to achieving my goal of becoming a nurse. 

Out of high school, I applied to the University of Arizona, I attended endless chemistry, biology, and physiology study sessions, I studied hard day and night (sometimes pulling all nighters at the library), and there were times I wished it was the weekend just to have a break my classes to do my homework. I aimed high in order to excel in my pre-nursing classes. I also joined the Filipino American Student Association and the Gamma Beta Phi Honors Society, in which I met some amazing individuals who guided me towards the right direction and taught me the importance of serving my community. Lastly, I made the decision to get involved with the Miss America Organization in Arizona. I decided to compete at my very first local in January of 2015 and I was honored to be crowned as Miss Tucson Desert Rose 2015. The Miss America Organization has aided in my college tuition and book costs and I credit a lot of my success thus far to the MAO. I have no doubt the opportunities I have experienced through this organization will help me in nursing school and as a nurse. As a local title holder, I was taught the following things that I believe got me this far and will continue to help me in the future:

 1.     Interview and Communication Skills

(Children’s Miracle Network National Pancake Day Interview with Fox 11)

(Miss AZ Scholarship Pageant 2015 - On-Stage Question: Patricia Duenas)

- Through all of the media interviews, on-stage questions, private interviews, mock interviews, and public speaking, all titleholders acquire exceptional communication skills and interview skills. Being-well spoken does not only benefit in pageantry, but in careers and in just about anything. My speaking skills have come a very long way and I am grateful for that. Not to mention, it probably helped at my nursing admissions interview.

2.    The importance of Patient Advocacy (Children’s Miracle Network)

(Promoting Children’s Miracle Network National Pancake Day at IHOP)

(Tucson Medical Center for Kids - Miss Arizona Bear Delivery Visit)

- The Miss America Organization’s national platform is the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN), a non-profit organization that raises funds for children's hospitals, medical research and community awareness of children's health issues. Being Miss Tucson through the Miss America Scholarship Organization gave me the chance to be a local Children’s Miracle Network Ambassador, which gave me the opportunity to work closely with Tucson Medical Center for Kids and Phoenix Children’s Hospitals. Through all of the fundraisers and events, I had the privilege of meeting some of the patients whose lives have changed through this organization. CMN showed me the importance and value of advocating for patients and has fueled my dream of becoming a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

3.     A “Go Getter” Attitude

(The Daily Wildcat ft. Miss Tucson Desert Rose. By: Lauren Renteria)

- I have learned that having the right attitude can mean all the difference in the world. The Miss America Organization has surrounded me with very inspiring individuals who have immensely boosted my confidence and it has taught me to persevere through anything to achieve greatness. I have learned with hard-work and determination, you can achieve just about anything. MAO has also taught me the importance of being goal-orientated. I constantly set both long term and short term goals for myself. This mindset is what I hope to utilize to reach my career ambition of someday opening up my very own practice as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

4.     Keeping an Open Mind/Never Discriminating

(Miss AZ Scholarship Pageant 2015 - Talent Competition: Patricia Duenas)

(Miss Arizona Class of 2015 - Credit: Morgan Mclane Photography)

- Among the many stereotypes pageant girls are affiliated with, being intellectual is often not one of them. However, the individuals I have come across through pageantry are actually some of the brightest and most talented group of people I have ever met. Law students, medical school students, engineers, journalists, pianists, philanthropists, honors society members, and yes, nurses are just some of the young ladies that comprise the Miss America Organization title holders. It blows me away seeing the daily impact these ladies have on their professions and their education, which led me to always accept ones differences and celebrate diversity. Pageantry is just another one of the countless examples that defends the popular saying, “Never judge a book by its cover.”

Lastly, I want to give endless amounts of thanks to all of my family, friends, colleagues, the UA college of nursing academic advisors, my professors, my medical professions clinical instructors, Gamma Beta Phi Honors Society, and last but definitely not the least the Miss America Organization. Every single one of these individuals/organizations has helped me in my success in gaining admission to my dream school.

I am so ecstatic to embark on this new chapter of my life. Bring it on nursing school!