‘Nursing Was My Calling:’ DUSON Student Focused on Health Equity

Shewit Jaynes knew she wanted to work in healthcare from a very young age. But she decided to volunteer at a local hospital the summer of her freshman year in college, just to make sure she could handle being around blood, needles and other things that often make people feel uncomfortable.

“I was able to informally shadow nurses, and I spent a lot of time talking with patients,” she said. “I enjoyed every second of it, and I knew then that nursing was my calling.”

Now a student at the Duke University School of Nursing, Jaynes is studying to earn her Ph.D. in nursing. She chose DUSON after reaching out to faculty, students and alumni to learn more about the school.

“I am very fortunate that I didn’t have to look far for a nationally ranked Ph.D. nursing program,” said Jaynes, who is from Cary, N.C. “After talking to various individuals, I noticed that there was a common theme of feeling supported at DUSON, which made me feel confident in my decision to attend Duke.”

DUSON’s commitment to integrating health equity and social determinants of health into the curriculum was another big draw for Jaynes. She was heavily involved in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at her previous institution, and her research interest includes improving maternal health inequities.

Jaynes has also been able to take elective courses outside of DUSON and collaborate with students at Duke’s Sanford School of Public Policy, which has strengthened her learning experience.

After graduation, she plans to get a postdoctoral fellowship to receive mentored training and improve her research skills in intervention research and community engagement. After postdoctoral training, she plans to pursue an assistant professor faculty position at a research-intensive university.

Shewit Jaynes is studying to earn her Ph.D. in nursing. After postdoctoral training, she plans to pursue an assistant professor faculty position at a research-intensive university.