Cultivating Community

Columbia Black Student Nurses

Why did you become involved with this group?
I joined Columbia Black Student Nurses (CBSN) because I wanted to help build a community that truly celebrates diversity in nursing.

What have you learned from your involvement?
I’ve learned that when we come together, we create powerful change. CBSN has taught me the importance of community and shared experiences—not just for our growth, but for future student nurses at Columbia.

What achievement by the group are you most proud of?
I’m proud of how we collaborate with other student groups for events like the cultural potluck. It’s a great example of how we build spaces where all students can thrive, connect, and learn more about different cultures.

What do you wish people in general knew about the group’s mission?
I wish more people knew that CBSN is all about building a supportive, inclusive community where everyone feels they belong. We’re here to connect, uplift, and help each other succeed.

How does your group contribute to building a more diverse nursing workforce?
CBSN helps diversify the nursing workforce by providing mentorship, support, and a platform for students from all backgrounds to excel and grow into culturally competent leaders.

Do you intend to continue your involvement with this cause beyond graduation?
Absolutely! I’m passionate about continuing this work beyond graduation. As an active member of the Greater New York chapter of the National Black Nurses Association, I support initiatives to diversify the nursing workforce. The principles of diversity and inclusion I’ve embraced here at Columbia Nursing are things I want to carry with me throughout my career.

What drew you to nursing?
My journey into nursing was shaped by personal experiences, both as a mother and as someone who’s seen the impact of compassionate care. Columbia Nursing’s focus on health equity was the perfect fit for my passion to make a difference.

Finish this sentence: If I had more time I would . . .
dive deeper into discussions on how social factors affect health. There’s so much more we can do to prepare ourselves as inclusive leaders in health care.

Columbia LatinX Nurses

Why did you become involved with this group?
I wanted to engage in a community with other Latin students. For me, as a first-generation Mexican American who grew up in the South, I was craving a Latin community.

What achievement by the group are you most proud of?
We collaborated with Dr. Escolar Esteban at the medical school to do a medical Spanish workshop in March of this year. It was one of our best-attended meetings yet. We were able to utilize Zoom to include as many students as possible and were even able to break out into small groups to practice different medical Spanish scenarios.

What do you wish people in general knew about the group’s mission?
You do not have to be Latin to come and join! We invite people of all different backgrounds to join us and share so we can all learn more about each other.

How does your group contribute to building a more diverse nursing workforce?
I believe this group works at building mentorship with other Latinx members and helps foster and encourage others to grow. This only adds to a more diverse nursing group.

Do you intend to continue your involvement with this cause beyond graduation?
Yes, after graduation I hope to encourage more Latinx nursing students to pursue higher education after they graduate.

What drew you to nursing?
I became a nurse as a result of my sister going through a journey with cancer. After seeing how the nurses cared for her and my family—and being inspired by my mom, who became a pediatric oncology nurse after her daughter, my sister, died—I wanted to become a nurse, too.

Finish this sentence: If I had more time I would . . .
do more medical mission trips! I’ve been participating in medical mission trips since 2021. My first two were as an RN with Heart Care International and Smiles International, both missions specializing in pediatric surgeries. As a pediatric ICU RN, I could assist in the preoperative and recovery phases. Both missions were also to Spanish-speaking countries, so I could use my Spanish to communicate with the families and local medical staff. I hope to do more medical mission trips in the future as a CRNA.

Columbia Men in Nursing

Why did you become involved with this group?
I joined AAMN because I was inspired by the group’s commitment to supporting personal initiatives and advocating for men in nursing. My background in promoting health equity through community programs motivated me to contribute to a supportive environment where male nurses can thrive and promote diversity in our field.

What have you learned from your involvement?
Through AAMN, I’ve discovered the power of community and camaraderie among male nurses. I’ve learned how essential it is to advocate for gender diversity and support within the nursing profession and how a strong network can drive meaningful change and professional growth.

What achievement by the group are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of our organ donation presentation with LiveOnNY. This event, initiated by our treasurer Cris Galan, was a testament to our group’s ability to support individual passions. Cris’s enthusiasm for the topic was fully backed by our members, leading to an impactful presentation that not only educated us but also underscored our commitment to vital causes and demonstrated our collaborative spirit in bringing important issues to the forefront.

What do you wish people in general knew about the group’s mission?
I hope people understand that AAMN is not just about supporting men in nursing—it’s about creating a vibrant community that champions diversity and breaks down barriers. We focus on fostering growth through mentorship, celebrating different perspectives, and advocating for a more inclusive nursing profession.

How does your group contribute to building a more diverse nursing workforce?
We drive diversity by connecting male nurses through targeted mentorship and networking, actively promoting gender inclusion, and creating a space where their voices and experiences are valued. This approach helps challenge stereotypes and inspires more men to pursue and thrive in nursing careers.

Do you intend to continue your involvement with this cause beyond graduation?
Absolutely. I just moved back home to Southern California to start my nursing career and plan to continue supporting AAMN’s mission by staying engaged with the organization, contributing to its initiatives, and advocating for the inclusion and support of men in nursing throughout my career. I look forward to the great things in store for the future of Columbia’s AAMN chapter.

What drew you to nursing?
It was seeing the profound impact nurses had on my family during hospital stays. Their constant presence and compassionate care were incredibly comforting and healing, and I wanted to provide that same level of support and detailed care to others.

Finish this sentence: If I had more time I would . . .
network with other Men in Nursing chapters across New York to collaborate on events that focus on advancing our mission of promoting diversity and support for men in nursing. This would help us share resources and ideas and be more united in achieving our goals.

Nurses for Sexual and Reproductive Health

Why did you become involved with this group?
Joining the executive board gave me the opportunity to become more knowledgeable about sexual and reproductive rights by learning from experts in the field. I wanted to help bridge the gap that other students may be trying to close. I aimed to be a driving force to effect change within the Columbia Nursing community, to help organize events with the team, to bring awareness to students, and to connect with influential leaders in women’s health.

What have you learned from your involvement?
I learned how important it is to continue to uphold and maintain a safe, inclusive space for all students. This is an important goal for the organization.

What achievement by the group are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of the teamwork we developed and the level of engagement that resulted from events, such as our trauma-informed care workshop. It’s truly impactful being able to extend learning outside the classroom, which ultimately helps students become more well-rounded and competent nurses.

What do you wish people in general knew about the group’s mission?
I wish people knew that all people are invited to events, including talks and workshops. They’re not just designed or intended for individuals interested in or on the specialty path toward women’s health.

How does your group contribute to building a more diverse nursing workforce?
Our group contributes by promoting inclusivity and understanding and ensuring that diverse perspectives and backgrounds are represented and respected in our initiatives and events.

Do you intend to continue your involvement with this cause beyond graduation?
Yes, in my future practice as a nurse-midwife, I intend to continue advocating for sexual and reproductive health rights and creating inclusive, supportive environments for all patients.

What drew you to nursing?
I was drawn to nursing because I wanted to make a tangible difference in people’s lives through compassionate care and to empower individuals through education and support on their health journeys.

Finish this sentence: If I had more time I would . . .
dedicate even more effort to organizing impactful events, enhancing educational resources, and connecting with leaders in women’s health for students and individuals in the surrounding community to foster more knowledge and partnerships for individual health journeys.

Asian Nursing Students at Columbia

Why did you become involved with this group?
After relocating to New York City from Singapore, I searched within Columbia Nursing for a community I could resonate with and obtain support and resources from. Noticing a gap in this area, I decided to step up to make it happen so we could share resources, experiences, and knowledge; build lasting interpersonal bonds; and celebrate our heritage. We also wanted to provide a safe space where allies could learn and explore how to provide more culturally competent care to a diverse population upon our entrance into the workforce.

What have you learned from your involvement?
I’ve learned people management skills and, on a personal level, learning to trust others with the organization of events—for example, delegating initiatives to board members in order to give them more leadership development opportunities.

What achievement by the group are you most proud of?
One of the more festive events we have organized—with support from the Office of Diversity—was a Lunar New Year event, where we provided snacks, food, activities, and presentations on one of the most celebrated events in our culture. There was a great turnout, and our guests learned about similarities and differences in how Lunar New Year is celebrated in different countries across Asia. Everyone was laughing and eating mandarins, playing Vietnamese bingo, and making origami. It was such a vibe!

What do you wish people in general knew about the group’s mission?
That our events welcome not only people of AAPI descent, but also allies and people who want to learn more about Asian cultures.

How does your group contribute to building a more diverse nursing workforce?
We hope that opening our culture to others can allow for more cross-cultural understanding and give people a safe space to ask questions and break down stereotypes. And through interactive experiences, we hope to prepare our peers to provide more culturally informed care when they enter the workforce.

Do you intend to continue your involvement with this cause beyond graduation?
I aim to increase inclusivity within AAPI communities and also to change the narrative by emphasizing that celebrating our achievements should not be seen as being in conflict with the Asian values of modesty and humility.

What drew you to nursing?
I was a flight attendant previously and wanted to help in a way that was more impactful. I chose nursing because I would be able to incorporate medical knowledge and assist people to a larger extent, as well as have the credentials to do it.

Finish this sentence: If I had more time I would . . .
spend it zoning out and doing mindless things! Being at Columbia prepares you well for your future in nursing— but, man, we move at a breakneck pace and there is a lot of work!

Illustration by Angelina Bambina/Getty Images

This article originally appeared in the Fall/Winter 2024 issue of Columbia Nursing Magazine.