Nursing Profiles

Marie M.

New York, NY
RN, Associate Professor of Nursing

For as far back as I can remember, I have always wanted to be a nurse. When I was in high school, I worked as a nurses’ aide in a local hospital. Despite the fact that this hospital was a 1,500-bed teaching hospital, there were only ten black nurses working there. I was distressed by the ratio of black to white nurses, but I was impressed with the professionalism of those few. I wanted to be just like this courageous group of trailblazers. I became an LPN. Shortly after, I earned my RN, and BSN. After earning my MSN, I again noted the small number of black nurses with higher degrees. I went on to earn an Ed. M, an Ed. D, and my PNP. I am currently an Associate Professor of nursing. But in addition to teaching nursing, I maintain my skills working as a staff nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit, labor and delivery, post partum unit, newborn nursery, and the emergency room. Additionally, for almost 24 years, I taught and trained members of the military. Through the military, I have trained civilian and taught students of nursing in Africa. For over 30 years, nursing has allowed me opportunities to impact the lives of thousands, through education, research and service. I would recommend nursing to everyone, male and female, because it lets you be whatever you want to be, anywhere and everywhere in the world.