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I knew from a very young age that I wanted to become a healthcare professional. An anesthesiologist to be exact. I had the grades and I had the drive. However, as the youngest of seven to a single mother, I couldn’t afford medical school tuition. So, my high school guidance counselor encouraged me to enroll in a licensed practical nurse course—a decision that changed my life. Six months into the program, nursing became my passion.
I am an African-American man, standing 6 feet, 6 inches tall. It’s probably safe to assume that I don’t look like what most people might consider your stereotypical nurse. While statistics on demographics in the nursing workforce vary, they do reveal that the profession is considerably lacking representation across race, ethnicity and gender.