Dr. Ifeoma Ezebuiro Ezeobele Africans in Nursing Scholarship

My mother always tells me that I was a sickly child. She did not let me leave the house until I was two because I was showing signs of autism. She did not let me receive vaccines because she was afraid that I would have an adverse reaction to them. My mother —who is a pediatrician—took care of me meticulously for those first two years of my life. The only reason I was able to become a healthy young woman was because my parents nurtured me. Sometimes, I wonder if I would have reached the age of seventeen without them. I am alive today because I had access to proper medical care. Unfortunately, this is not the reality for many children in America. Access to good medical facilities is a necessity, not a mere desire, but for many American children, this is not the case. It is impossible to have access to doctors and nurses who can help because the cost of medical care is too expensive. Many children suffer from deficiency diseases because their parents lack the means to take care of them. My parents inspired me to study nursing because they took care of me when I was sick. I want to help other people who do not have this same opportunity. I want to become a nurse because of my parents; however, I did not make my decision until after I moved to America. I recently witnessed America’s nursing shortage firsthand when I accompanied my aunt and cousin to a Fort Worth Children's hospital. I immediately realized that they were short-staffed as soon as I entered the building. To see a doctor, we waited for six hours without a comfortable place to sleep. Even though we finally received help from some nurses, I knew there would be much longer waits for other people. Seeing the other children still waiting for nurses reminded me of the COVID-19 lockdown. During the lockdown, healthcare workers became some of the most important people in the world. After the lockdown, many nurses left the field for other jobs to improve their quality of life. I know that nurses are underpaid and overworked. Regardless of whether conditions in the workforce are improving or not, an essential occupation like nursing cannot be ignored. I want to become a nurse because I find joy in helping sick people regain their health. After witnessing first-hand how the nursing shortage affects American children, I am determined to become a nurse.