Finding a Village—and Her Voice—in Nursing
Jaynia Harris - DNP Midwifery ’26
I used to believe that the way things are is simply the way they have to be, but the faculty here have ignited in me a fierce commitment to using my voice for those who go unheard.
Please tell us a bit about yourself; where are you from, and what do you like to do in your spare time?
I’m a native Brooklynite originating from the beautiful island of Grenada. I am a first-generation college graduate in the United States, and I take great pride in being an example for future generations in my family. I love sewing, designing clothing, and getting lost in romance novels. I also enjoy taking long, aimless walks, building Lego masterpieces, and traveling the world to embrace new cultures.
Why did you decide to pursue nursing, and why did you choose Columbia?
My passion for nursing is rooted in my Caribbean upbringing, where holistic care has always been central to healing. From childhood, I saw my family rely on herbs, tinctures, and nurturing to promote wellness. This aligns directly with nursing’s commitment to treating the whole person, not just the diagnosis. Nurses recognize that external factors impact health outcomes and work within interdisciplinary teams to address these. We consider family, community, socioeconomic status, and health care access in each patient’s journey. Our purpose is to support patients at the most vulnerable points in their lives, helping them return to health and restore well-being at every step. I chose Columbia for its exceptional education, evidence-based approach, and the opportunity to learn and serve in New York’s diverse communities that need care the most, like the one that made me the woman I am today.
What are you passionate about, and how has being a student at Columbia Nursing allowed you to follow that passion?
My passion lies in women's health, reproductive justice, and bodily autonomy for all people. I am dedicated to providing comprehensive, high-quality women's health care regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. Columbia's midwifery program has equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and depth of understanding needed to deliver exceptional women's health care across the lifespan. Columbia has also profoundly shaped my perspective on advocacy, something I once underestimated. I used to believe that the way things are is simply the way they have to be, but the faculty here have ignited in me a fierce commitment to using my voice for those who go unheard.
Do you have a favorite memory of your time at Columbia Nursing?
My favorite memory is the moment my life shifted from feeling isolated, because I've always been shy and struggled to make friends, to finding the most incredible group of women I now call my sisters. They've taught me more than I ever could have imagined: resilience, strength, kindness, patience, and skills I could never thank them enough for. Nursing is deeply rewarding but incredibly rigorous, and I couldn't have done it without the village we built together. They are truly the best women in the world, and they will make amazing nurses and providers. I am not myself without them.
What are your next steps after graduation?
After graduation, my first priority is passing boards and finding a work environment where I feel supported as I begin my career. Beyond that, I hope to continue traveling the world and embracing new cultures. Through my church, I plan to go on mission trips, teach, and deliver babies across the globe, giving back to communities with little access to care. My greatest dream is to return home to Grenada and open a women's health clinic accessible to all. I want to be a beacon: to take everything Columbia has given me and pour it back into the world. I also hope to step into leadership and advocacy in a meaningful way, because there is so much work left to be done, addressing the Black maternal mortality crisis, expanding reproductive health and rights, dismantling gender bias in medicine, and advancing LGBTQIA+ health care, among so many other pressing issues.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Thank you to the midwifery faculty for always pushing us to do the work and equipping us with the foundational skills we need to become the best midwives we can be. A special thank you to Caroline Handschuh for being not only an exceptional professor but a truly remarkable mentor, for seeing me as a whole person, understanding that life happens, and bringing such humanity to this DNP journey. Thank you to professors Ashley Graham-Perel and Natalie Voigt for showing me that faces like mine belong in spaces where I never thought to imagine myself.