Why I chose nursing and midwifery by Kortni

Why I chose nursing and midwifery by Kortni - April 2025 Scholarship Essay

When I go to college, I plan to major in nursing. I’ve always known I wanted to work in healthcare, but as I learned more about maternal health, especially the challenges that black women face during pregnancy and childbirth, I realized that becoming a midwife is how I want to make a difference. Nursing is the first step on that path.

Nursing will give me the foundation I need to build a career focused on care, compassion, and advocacy. I want to learn how to treat patients with both skill and heart, especially mothers who are bringing new life into the world. Being a nurse will teach me how to handle the physical side of care—taking vitals, understanding symptoms, responding in emergencies—but it will also show me how to truly be present for people when they’re vulnerable.

I chose this path because I see the gaps in our healthcare system, and I want to help close them. The truth is black women are often not heard or believed when they speak up about pain or symptoms during pregnancy. Because of that, we face much higher risks of complications, and even death, during childbirth. That’s scary and it’s not okay. I want to be the kind of healthcare provider who listens, who explains, who stands up for her patients, and who makes sure they feel safe and supported every step of the way.

This dream is also personal. My mom has struggled with medical issues for years. I’ve watched her push through pain, go to countless doctor’s appointments, and still not always get the answers or care she needed. She’s the strongest person I know and seeing her go through all of that is a big part of what motivates me. I want to make her proud—not just by getting my degree, but by becoming someone who can help women like her. She’s always believed in me, and I carry that belief with me every time I think about my future.

One day, I hope to open my own midwifery practice. I want to create a space where families, especially black families, can feel comfortable and cared for. I want to be there for women through every part of their pregnancy journey, from that first positive test to the moment they hold their baby for the first time. And I want my practice to be more than a clinic, I want it to be a place where people feel educated, supported, and empowered to make the best decisions for themselves and their families.

Majoring in nursing is just the beginning, but it’s such an important step. Through college, I’ll get the hands-on training and knowledge I need to eventually become a certified midwife. I’m excited to take classes that challenge me, to work with mentors who inspire me, and to find my voice in a field where people like me—young, Black women—aren’t always seen or heard.

This journey won’t be easy, but I’m ready for the hard work. I know who I am, I know what I want to do, and I know who I’m doing it for. I’m doing it for the mothers who deserve better care. I’m doing it for the babies who deserve to come into this world safely. I’m doing it for the young girls who need to see someone like them succeeding. And I’m doing it for my mom, who taught me what strength really looks like.

Nursing is more than a major to me. It’s the first step in turning my passion into action, and in building a future where every mother is treated with the care, respect, and dignity she deserves.