PV Nursing Grad aims to provide compassionate, quality care that ‘uplifts, heals’

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Prairie View A&M University senior Mayah Weekly's faith and passion converged to point her to a nursing path. Now, Weekly is set to graduate this week with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

She came to PVAMU with the College of Nursing in mind, though, with an associate's degree from Austin Community College, she was still unsure. "I had an interest in health care but doubted if I was capable of pursuing nursing because I did not have a strong background in science like many of the other people I knew pursuing nursing," she said. What she did know was that she wanted to help others. "It wasn't until I sat down with my dad and researched different careers that aligned with my interest that I decided to take a chance and pursue nursing."

Now, thanks to the support of her family and the PVAMU community, she is one step closer to her goal of becoming a registered nurse. "They all supported me and encouraged me throughout the entire process, reminding me of my faith and why I started whenever times got difficult," Weekly said.

It was a path her father helped her find. Weekly saw her father go back to college at age 40, and at one point, they were both in college at the same time. "As someone who is a perfectionist and likes things to go a certain way the first time, his courage to return to school later in life showed me that resilience is better than perfection," Weekly said. "Watching him work full-time and provide for our family while upholding the demands of higher education was inspiring."

While at PVAMU, Weekly met patients from all walks of life during her clinical rotations at Texas Medical Center for over two years. "Through this, I was able to learn the value of providing culturally competent, patient-centered care," she said.

Her passion for nursing is closely tied to her faith: wanting to serve God and serve others. "I spent a few months praying about it until I felt at peace and felt as though this is what God has called me to do," Weekly said of her decision to pursue nursing. "A dream of mine is to work with faith-based organizations to do mission nursing."

Her PVAMU professors remark on her "quiet confidence," highlighted by her commitment to compassionate care. The Austin native currently also serves as a College of Nursing student officer. "Being a part of that organization gave me many opportunities," Weekly said, noting the various speaking, planning and networking opportunities the position afforded her.

She encourages other PVAMU students and incoming freshmen to take advantage of similar volunteer opportunities and leadership roles available to them on campus. "If it were not for joining, I feel I would not have been able to break out of my shell and connect as deeply with others," Weekly said. "For those opportunities, I am extremely grateful. Being a student officer has created positive impacts on my college career."

Weekly has a job lined up at a local hospital, and upon completion of her nursing program and passing the National Council Licensure Examination, she will assume her first job as an RN in February 2025.

"The journey to becoming a nurse has been demanding, filled with countless late nights and rigorous challenges," she said. "There were moments when the path seemed too difficult, but my faith, determination and support from friends and family propelled me forward."

For Weekly, her upcoming graduation holds many meanings. "I'm embarking on a new chapter in my career, specializing in a field I'm passionate about," she said. "All glory to God for this incredible opportunity."

Ultimately, Weekly aspires to become a medical-surgical or intermediate care nurse, a pivotal area of need in nursing and believes her compassion, rooted in her faith, can help her make a difference in her patients' lives. She also aims to continue her education and eventually focus on training the next generation of nursing professionals.

"My ultimate career goal is to make a difference in the lives of every patient I encounter," Weekly said. "I feel especially called to serve God and others through the opportunities that nursing affords me. I aspire to be a strong nurse, delivering compassionate, high-quality care that uplifts and heals."

Click here to view a complete listing of this semester's notable graduates.

By Christine Won

-PVAMU-

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