Silent Strength, Bold Voice -The Journey of a Black Nurse

"I AM A BLACK NURSE" is a heartfelt and powerful reflection by a brave Equality 4 Black nurse member who shares her journey from a childhood dream in Africa to becoming a registered nurse in England. The piece eloquently captures the pride of achieving that dream and the harsh realities of navigating a career where her identity as a Black woman is often misjudged and misunderstood.

Despite facing racial stereotyping, isolation, and systemic challenges, this nurse stands firm in her integrity and faith. She refuses to compromise her values, drawing strength from God and our advocacy group Equality 4 Black Nurses.

Through her words, we gain insight into the resilience and determination required to overcome these obstacles, and we deeply value and hold this courageous nurse in high esteem for sharing her truth and standing for justice, fairness, and equality in the workplace.

I am a Black nurse

A dream I carried since I was seven, nurtured in Africa.

Africa - a continent where I was seen as an individual, not just part of a collective.

Africa - rich in resources and talent, yet often starved of opportunities.

Opportunity brought me here, to England,

Where I became the nurse I always dreamed of,

Where I wore the uniform with pride,

Where my hard-earned title brought joy and anticipation.

But quickly, I learned

This career is not for the weak,

And certainly not for the timid Black nurse.

My skin spoke louder than my words.

My voice, no matter how gentle,

Was heard as a lion's roar.

My genuine smile was twisted into smirks of defiance.

Even my silence became a symbol of disrespect.

To my seniors, my words were labelled "aggressive,"

My opinions were "difficult,"

And I was branded as "trouble."

I began to question: Who am I?

Not because I didn't know,

But because my peers had cast me into a role I never asked to play.

Looking to my Black colleagues for support felt like asking for water in a desert.

Their silence was louder than the accusations against me,

Their compliance, a method of survival

"Cover your back," they'd say. "Play the game." But how could I?

A game, by definition, involves two sides playing by the same rules,

And I refused to compromise my soul, my morals,

Just to survive.

I would not play a game designed to erase my voice.

Yet, for a long time, my voice was silenced.

Until recently.

Through God's grace and the advocacy of Equality 4 Black Nurses,

My voice was restored.

God has been my strength through it all.

In my pain, I found peace in His word:

Ecclesiastes 7:21 - "Do not pay attention to every word people say."

I realised - what matters is who God says I am.

I am a Black nurse.

I am vocal - not because I'm rude.

I am opinionated - not because I seek conflict.

I am experienced, skilled, and passionate,

With knowledge and wisdom to share

If only given the chance.

I stand for justice, for fairness, For a working environment where everyone - regardless of race, religion, or gender Can thrive.

To every Black nurse reading this, remember: You are beautifully and wonderfully made.

Your presence, resilience, and contributions are invaluable, and though the challenges you face may be heavy, your strength shines brighter.

Your voice matters, your work matters, and you matter.

At Equality 4 Black Nurses, we see you, we hear you, and we stand with you. If you’ve been touched by this story, or if you’re facing your own battles, know that you are not alone. Join us at E4BN, where your voice will be uplifted, your journey valued, and your contributions celebrated. Together, we can make change happen.