Eduardo Alegria

2512 Wilkinson Circle ~ Sarasota, Florida, 34231

(580) 919-3365

eduardo.alegria@icloud.com

Introduction Statement
My motivation for pursuing a profession in nursing began when I was injured in Iraq in 2003. Within a
few weeks at war, I found myself lying in the sand after being hit by the recoil of a 155 mm Howitzer.
I could hear soldiers beside me screaming for a medic. I remember trying to crawl from the middle of
the gun while somehow a medic arrived, quickly assessed my injuries, and stabilized me for transport.
The medic later became my provider, mentor, and friend. That experience led me to change my
military occupation and become an army medic. I found it inspiring that within minutes, a medic
accurately judged the severity of my injury and appropriately determined that more extensive care
from a specialist was needed. Upon arriving at the medical combat hospital, it became apparent that
every soldier fortunate to be receiving around-the-clock treatment was there because of a medic. For
almost 10 years, I was fortunate enough to experience the challenges of healthcare from non-life
threatening ailments to grave catastrophes. I feel immense gratitude to have been able to pay forward
what was done for me that one day in Iraq. Because of my similar experiences, I felt and will feel a
deep connection with those injured patients. I believe I was better able to guide them through the
disorientation of waking up in an unfamiliar location, unsure how they arrived, much less being
completely aware of the incident or extent of the injuries recently sustained. Additionally, I feel I was
able to serve those soldiers/patients on a level that exceeded patient care but also assisted with their
reorientation to a recovery outside of their unit members and loved ones. I choose to pursue this
profession formally outside of the military because I have a strong desire to gain knowledge to be
better able to continue helping those who may not be able to care for themselves.