About Me Statement

  Welcome! My name is Maria Nunez Magana, I am a fourth-year student at the University of California, Santa Cruz. I am currently majoring in Global and Community Health with a Bachelor of Arts. With the experience I’ve gained through my undergraduate, I plan to move forward with a master's in nursing. I aim to become a registered nurse and work to become a nurse practitioner. Having learned and lived through health disparities has encouraged me to be able to provide healthcare to others in need. I believe every individual has the right to receive healthcare, no matter their background, and using my experience, I hope to provide healthcare to communities in need and others worldwide.

I was originally born in El Salvador and moved to the United States at the age of eight. My mother immigrated to the United States to provide a better life for my brother and me. At this time, my country was going through many economic and political challenges, which made it hard for it to make a living. Coming to the United States was a big opportunity, but also a sacrifice, I was leaving my family and my culture. However, I believe this experience gave me a perspective of resilience, breakthrough, and vulnerability. Without this sacrifice, I would not be the first generation to graduate from college.

Having completed clinical hours through an internship, I have learned the importance of working with and caring for patients while understanding the responsibilities of a nurse. This experience has helped me develop the skills necessary to thrive in a fast-paced environment while providing the best support to my patients. Additionally, I have participated in training for community health workers, also known as Promotoras. Through this program, I have learned about the health challenges farmworkers face due to climate change and have informed others about precautions that can be taken to protect them. Exposed to various perspectives on health, I aspire to use this knowledge to inform communities and deliver essential health services.