I am continuously haunted with memories of countless encounters of both blatant and inconspicuous racism, cultural ignorance, and bigotry I have witnessed and experienced in my career. As a nursing student and new nurse, I found it challenging to determine how best to navigate these encounters tactfully while simultaneously preserving my professional self-esteem and confidence … Black nurse mentors are key to ensuring that black nursing students begin their careers better equipped to handle the unique nursing experiences they will undoubtedly face.
-Tineka Pace, BA ’97, BS ‘02, RN