CeraVe Skincare Scholarships for Diversity and Equity

My name is Deborah Aikins. I did not start my nursing career directly out of high school but I am finding the life experiences I gained did not set me back but rather elevated what I could bring to the nursing profession. After my first degree in biological sciences, I realized that despite my passion for research, I deeply wanted to care for patients directly. I want to support patients with their health goals and comfort families in times of pain. In September of 2022, I began my first year of nursing school in the University of Alberta after-degree program. In both degrees, I have had the opportunity to learn about reproductive health and the need for continued development within this specialty, especially involving women of color. During my maternal/ community health rotation, my passion for women’s health was reignited as I had the opportunity to learn about lactation difficulties, postpartum depression and changes in familial dynamics. I am becoming a nurse to work in women’s health and hope to start a journey in labor and delivery. Under a studentship, I am also researching risk factors associated with women’s heart health at the university. This opportunity has allowed me to bridge my interests in research and clinical nursing. I look forward to continuing my education in nursing by modeling what holistic and patient-centered care can look like.