Michael Palazzo

Life does not always go as planned and it is not always easy or fair, but with a little luck and a lot of hard work, second chances are possible and they can be extremely rewarding. I know all about giving second chances and recently, thanks to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, I have been fortunate enough to receive a second chance.

The fall of 2003 was an unforgettable time in my life. I was a sophomore in college and I traveled home every weekend to spend time with my friend, Brian, who was dying from cystic fibrosis. I provided him with as much comfort as I could while he waited for a transplant. When the likelihood of him receiving a transplant grew bleaker and his death seemed eminent, I displayed my true colors by participating in a living donor lung transplant. By doing so, I helped give Brian a second chance at life.

After a long and complicated recovery, I returned to college and earned a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. Teaching was a rewarding career and I expected my successes to result in a tenured position. Instead, after four years, I found myself laid off – the product of economic downsizing in school districts nationwide. I was frustrated by this occurrence and I honestly did not know what my future held for me at that time. But through the support of my family, they helped me realize the positive impact I could have on people if I applied my intelligence, kindness, and devotion to the field of nursing.

Convinced that I could not only excel as a nurse but that I could also be fulfilled with this career choice, I began to search for the best nursing programs in my area. Pace University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program was the clear choice for me, but it came at a steep price – a price that would be difficult for me pay. Luckily, the Robert Wood Johnson New Careers in Nursing Scholarship came to my rescue and granted me a second chance at life by providing a substantial amount of money to use towards my education.
As a soon-to-be graduate and future nurse, I cannot thank the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation enough for enabling me to turn my goal of becoming a nurse into a reality. I am eager to enter the workforce and make a difference in the lives of many people, and I am also excited to continue my education in the future to advance my skillset in the field of nursing.