Greetings faculty, staff, alumni, family, friends, loved ones, and, of course, the illustrious class of 2021. My name is Nora James, and I am a graduate of the MSN: Entry into Practice program, as well as a Baltimore Talent Scholar. I have to admit, as a Black woman born and raised in the city, with all odds stacked up against me, I feel especially honored and privileged to be speaking to you all today. To be honest, I was a bit apprehensive about this appointment, but I feel it is my duty not only to myself but to my loved ones and to the world to be the representation that is needed.
I would like to officially congratulate you all for your accomplishments, and thank you for being in attendance today. I would especially like to acknowledge the faculty and staff for being so accommodating throughout our time here, and express my gratitude to our steadfast supporters, in addition to those who could not be here, because I am sure I can speak for many when I say that this journey could not be done alone. I know that a virtual graduation is not ideal, but we are more than deserving to be celebrated, despite the unprecedented circumstances.
When preparing this speech, I was ruminating on all of the “right” things I could say, like mentioning rankings, nominations, and awards, but I did not want to waste this opportunity reciting headlines in our newsletters, or repeating what the administration has already so graciously highlighted. Although I am genuinely proud of being a part of something so big, I cannot pretend as I feel directly affected by those accolades. But what I do know is what it is like to be a proud student here at this elite institution. So, forgive me as I deviate from the traditional culture of academia to take this moment to talk about the “real” things.
Please listen carefully as I am not talking to you as a collective, but to each specific person.
This is the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, and despite the differences in curriculum across the various programs, there are some very undeniable similarities in experiences.
Many of us came from all over the country to attain this well-respected, uniquely designed education, but spent a significant amount of time, some of us the majority, receiving our education online, where our clinical experience, the foundation of our future practice, was either completely eliminated, postponed, or significantly reduced as a result of COVID. Some people have lost loved ones, COVID and non-COVID related. And what about the day-to-day internal battles, like imposter syndrome, the anxiety, and pressure to perform, the unspoken competition that is unfortunately woven into the fabric of industries like nursing, feeling incompetent, being afraid to ask questions in fear of judgment, feeling so emotionally, mentally, and intellectually exhausted that you no longer have it in you to perform at your best because you are not at your “best”?
Although those trials and tribulations are very much valid, I encourage you to really honor the triumphs. As students, we have worked tirelessly through periods of social unrest, this pandemic, even some giving direct patient care, despite the associated risks. We have had to be flexible in regard to our learning style, and all facets of our individual and collective health have been tested and compromised. We should be proud.
We all have our own personal reasons for wanting to pursue nursing, and for me, I honestly thought this journey would be a breeze since I have wanted to be a nurse for as long as I can remember, and have worked so hard to get here. But someone once told me that although passion is what gets you into the field, perseverance is what keeps you there and throughout your nursing career. You are enough. You are capable even in times when you do not believe it, or others cannot see it. Make yourself proud first. You can finally exhale. Congratulations!