Hello.

     My name is John Sessoms. I graduated from the College of Central Florida with my Associate of Arts in Pre-Nursing in Spring 2011, my Associate of Science in Nursing in Spring 2013, and my Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing in Fall 2015. 

     My entire journey through nursing has been one of inspiration... allow me to elaborate. Before I entered into nursing, I was working as a tile setter for many years and was considered an expert in my field. One day, I was working on a CRNA's home and we started talking. My wife and I had just had our first child together and I was beginning to feel like I needed to seek out a career with more stability for my family's benefit. I had been thinking of becoming an EMT but when I asked the CRNA about this career path she dissuaded me while encouraging me to seek a career in nursing, citing many advantages of the latter over the former. I investigated nursing closer and was inspired by the vast options I saw that were available as a nurse and decided to "go for it". I completed my pre-requisites and the A.D.N. program in a few years straight through almost every semester. When I graduated, I felt such a sense of accomplishment and was inspired by the achievement to continue on to obtain my B.S.N. degree as well. The sense of fulfillment and accomplishment I felt was great, filled me with pride and, justified the sacrifices I and my family endured; yet, there was one singular, special moment that inspired me more than any other. 

     Below is a picture of my son, Jude, standing in front of a microphone at his VPK graduation. Like all of the children around him for this segment of the proceedings, he is holding a picture of what he thought he wanted to be when he grew up. While other children stated wanting to be ballerinas, firemen, or policemen, my son stated something that melted my heart, inspired me even more, and showed me that I was also an inspiration to him. Jude said, "When I grow up, I want to be a nurse just like my dad." Thinking back to this moment, I can't imagine any greater compliment or accomplishment than being my son's inspiration.

     Therefore, it is with this incredible moment in mind that I hope to continue to inspire others in my nursing career, whether it is inspiring others towards better health or inspiring my peers through the leadership skills that I have started to hone through the BSN program. My hope, in regards to this portfolio, is that the ideas that have inspired me through the course work of the BSN program and nursing in general will help illuminate the unique perspectives I have gained through my education so far, and should demonstrate the worth of advancing one's nursing education for the benefit of one and all.