Meet Edith Palma-Hernandez

When Edith Palma-Hernandez was just a toddler, she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Happily, she is now in remission but undergoes yearly checkups that will continue for the rest of her life. It was that early experience, coupled with the bonds she formed with her nurses, that shaped her desire to become a nurse.

“The people who took care of me were always so sweet,” said Palma-Hernandez, 19. “They totally inspired me.”

From them, she also learned what it takes to be a good nurse.

“Being a nurse is about making connections with patients. Asking them about school and their lives. I’m really good at that — especially connecting with kids.”

When it came to attending college to pursue her nursing degree, cost was a big concern.

“It’s expensive! My parents work so hard, and I work, too. But it’s still a lot of money.”

After hearing about The Promise Scholarship from her guidance counselor, Palma-Hernandez was thrilled, because she was already planning to attend SPC, and the scholarship has made it easier on her family.

“This scholarship is a big thing for my family,” she said. “I was stressing about it for the whole school year, and I was looking for scholarships and student loans. This has definitely made a big impact on me and my parents.”