The UNLV College of Nursing is proud to announce that Nicole A. Brown was selected as a winner in the Nursing Institute of Nevada's 4th Annual Statewide Nursing Essay Contest. Brown, an undergraduate student from Springfield, Mo., wrote about her inspiration for wanting to become a nurse.

The Nursing Institute of Nevada (NIN) invited nursing students from across the state to participate with this year's theme "Nursing: A Dedication to Caring." Students were asked to submit essays the following categories: Professional Development, Attraction, or Commitment/Retention. Brown's winning essay was entered in the "Attraction" category, which consisted of more than 85 entries evaluated by nine judges.

In her essay, Brown wrote "I think back about the days that changed my life and shaped my current career path... I knew taking care of people was what I was supposed to do." She goes on to describe a life-changing encounter with an ill elderly woman.

Nancy Bridges, Nurse Executive, NV Hospital Association, presented the award to Nicole on April 6th, 2005 on the UNLV campus in Las Vegas. Brown's essay will be published in the Hospital Healthlink and the Springfield Missouri Newsletter. Brown will also be acknowledged at a NIN gala in May.