For Kyesha, the path to nursing was rooted in a lifelong love of working with children. Growing up in a large family where she often cared for her younger cousins, Kyesha always knew she wanted to work with children. Her natural ability to connect with and care for them made it clear that this was the impact she wanted to make.
While Kyesha dreamed of nursing, her grandmother had a different idea and suggested a degree in elementary education. “I thought about it for a while, but I didn’t want to become a teacher. So, I looked for another way to work with kids, and nursing was the next best thing.”
That decision sparked a passion that Kyesha quickly fell in love with. However, Kyesha’s road to becoming a nurse was far from smooth. After starting nursing school in 2011, just three weeks before graduation, the school lost its accreditation, leaving her unable to complete their degree. But Kyesha didn’t give up. Determined to finish what they started, Kyesha moved to Indiana and enrolled in a new nursing program, beginning their journey again from scratch. What was meant to be a four-year pursuit of a nursing degree turned into a seven-year journey.
Despite the setbacks, Kyesha never lost sight of their goal — and her grandmother’s encouragement was always a guiding force.
“My grandmother was my biggest supporter. She was always the one cheering me on, and I know that without her, I might not have kept going. When I finally graduated, she passed away. It’s almost like she waited for me to reach that goal before she left. I like to think that she knew I’d made it.”
Kyesha’s advice for first-generation and BIPOC nursing students who may be facing their own challenges:
“Do it scared. Do it terrified. Take the leap, even when you don’t know what you’re doing. Trust that you’ll figure it out along the way. The hardest part is starting — but once you do, you’ll grow and learn every step of the way.”
After graduation, Kyesha hopes to open her own pediatric clinic in the Chicagoland area, where she can provide children with comprehensive care and support.
