By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
Two Coppin State University nursing students recently shared their inspiring stories about why they are pursuing a career in nursing and how they find the motivation to persevere.
“I always knew I wanted to go into the medical field,” said Mawata Keita, a sophomore at Coppin. “I didn’t know if I was going to want to be a doctor or a nurse, but what made it clear was when my mom almost died giving birth to my brother, and how nurses can be advocates for their patients, especially Black women, when they’re going into labor.”
Tanayah MaGee, 18, said she’s pursuing nursing because she’s always felt the need to help others.
“It makes me feel better about myself,” said MaGee a freshman at Coppin. “I’ve always wanted to help people get better.”
MaGee said her desire to help people feels especially important in today’s society where she’s seen individuals, far too often, ignoring those in need.
MaGee, who’s working to become a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse, said the news motivates her to persevere through her studies.
“Every time I read a sad story, it just makes me want to help more,” she said.
Both MaGee and Keita mentioned the importance of advocating for Black female patients. as a Black nurse.
“Often, Black women are not listened to when it comes to their needs,” said MaGee. “They’re often labeled as dramatic and aggressive. Me being a Black female nurse, I’ll hear them out. I’ll know that they’re not being aggressive and just actively in pain.”
A 2023 survey from HealthCentral, a digital health media platform, reported that over 94 percent of patients have experienced their doctor ignoring or dismissing their symptoms.
Keita, 19, views having Black women in nursing as a matter of life and death.
“People need to see people that look like them in rooms when decisions are being made about their bodies, especially if they are not well informed on the topic,” she said.
MaGee and Keita shared advice for their fellow aspiring nurses.
“Keep going,” said MaGee. “Anatomy and Chemistry are going to be hard, but you’ll get through it. Once you learn it, you’ll feel so much better.”
Keita, who aspires to be a midwife, advised having a purpose when pursuing a healthcare career.
“Be true to you,” she said. “Know why you’re in it, and stay true to the course.”