Her Story
About Nakia
I've been working in healthcare for well over 20 years. I started in high school at Manley Career Academy in their education to career program and graduated with my CNA certificate. I worked as a CNA for 8 years with mothers and newborns. Although I initially thought I'd be a labor nurse, my first clinical day showed me my heart was in mental health. I left a higher paying job to work with mental health patients and have been doing so ever since. I recently graduated with my master's degree in December to become a nurse practitioner for psych patients.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Nakia
01What do you attribute your success to?
I did it all for my two daughters. I knew I needed money to provide for my kids so I took that shortcut route for a reason.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Don't stop for your LPN, go straight for your RN. Although I didn't take that path because I had kids to provide for, that's what I tell people now because I lived that life.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Just go for what your heart believes in. Follow your heart. Because some people try to follow the money or what the next person is doing, but that's not going to make you great. When you follow your heart like I did with psych, you don't have the burnout because you're doing what you love.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
As a new grad NP, they don't want to accept you due to lack of experience even though I have over 20 years of psych experience as an RN. It's really a networking game, but some people will give you that chance because they were in my same situation.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In work, respect, communication, and teamwork are most important. In my personal life, respect, honesty, and being reliable.
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