Black Nurses Network of Roanoke

07/29/2026

Barbara L. Nichols, the first Black nurse to lead the American Nurses Association (ANA), has passed away at the age of 87. Her career, which spanned over six decades, was marked by breaking racial barriers and redefining nursing leadership.

⚖️ *Career Highlights*
- First Black president of the Wisconsin Nurses Association in 1970
- Head nurse at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Queens
- Influenced national health policy by bringing nursing to the forefront

Nichols' influence was felt far beyond any single hospital or state. Her leadership inspired nurses across the U.S. and around the world.

💡 *Legacy and Impact*
Born in Waterville, Maine, Nichols was inspired by strong nurses in her life, including a family friend who worked as a public health nurse. Her mother often joked that Nichols was destined to be a nurse from birth.

Her journey is a testament to her dedication and impact on the nursing profession.

How has Barbara Nichols’ legacy impacted your career?

(...continued below)

07/26/2026

Happy Black Nurses Week®

To every Black nurse…

This week is for you.

For the times you had to prove yourself before anyone believed in your knowledge.

For the moments your expertise was questioned, your leadership overlooked, or your voice dismissed.

For every shift where you carried more than your patients.

You carried expectations.
You carried stereotypes.
You carried the responsibility of representing an entire community while still trying to care for yourself.

Yet you showed up.

You advocated.

You comforted.

You led.

You healed.

Your story matters.

Your sacrifices matter.

Your excellence matters.

And your legacy matters.

Black Nurses Week® begins today because on August 1, 1879, Mary Eliza Mahoney became the first Black professional nurse to graduate from a nursing program in the United States. At a time when opportunities for Black nurses were limited by discrimination, she persevered and opened doors that many believed would remain closed.

Your story is now part of that same legacy.

Black Nurses Week® is more than a celebration.

It is a reminder that history did not make room for Black nurses. Black nurses made history anyway.

Now it’s our turn to preserve that legacy, strengthen it, and leave it better than we found it.

Happy Black Nurses Week®.

May this week remind you that you belong, your work matters, and your legacy is still being written.

06/09/2026

05/31/2026

Sharing

Please share if you know anyone: Please share in your circles!

If you know ANY MALES...

Tennessee State University and Meharry Medical College have an accelerated 7-year MD/DDS program with full-ride scholarship potential—and currently have zero Black male applicants.

🎓This is where our network can make a real difference. Please share broadly with any qualified high school seniors in your circles.

Details:

-Who: Black male high school seniors

-Requirements:3.5 GPA & 28 ACT

-Outcome: MD or DDS in 7 years

-Benefit: Potential full-ride scholarship

-👉🏾Next Important Steps: Send candidate information ASAP to:

Ms. Barbara Murrell (Founder & Chair)

-Email: mailto:[email protected]

-Phone: (615) 804-6125

-Ms. Lalita Hodge (Program Coordinator)

-Email: mailto:[email protected]

-Phone: (615) 963-6949

…If you know any black males graduating from high school this year and are interested in becoming a doctor or dentist. These schools don't have any applicants.

Please share!! 🤗🤗

05/27/2026

just raised the bar 👏🏾🩺

The university’s nursing program has officially earned a 100% first-time pass rate for its 2025 Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates, outperforming both Maryland and national averages. The milestone also helped Morgan secure a top ranking among nursing programs across the state for the 2025-2026 academic year.

The university’s nursing program was also ranked in the 97th percentile among Maryland nursing programs, reinforcing Morgan’s growing reputation for excellence in healthcare education. Full story ➡️ https://92q.com/5904309/morgan-state-nursing-program-100-percent-nclex-pass/

03/16/2026

Are you planning to work toward your Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN) degree? VDH is offering scholarships for $2000/year for eligible students. Find out more at https://ow.ly/KTrr50YsscZ or read more below.

Eligibility includes:
🔹 U.S. citizenship or national.
🔹 Residency in Virginia for at least one year.
🔹 Eligibility for in-state tuition.
🔹 Possess a high school diploma or General Educational Development
(GED) certificate.
🔹 Acceptance/enrollment as a full or part-time student in a school of nursing in Virginia.
🔹 Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.50 on a 4.00 scale.
🔹 Demonstration of financial need, verified by the Office of Financial Assistance at the applicant's school.

Submit a completed application and a recommendation from the program director. Email [email protected] if you have any questions. Applications are open March 2 – April 2, 2026.

01/31/2026

Tap in Roanoke Nurses:
✔️You safe in
this ❄️?

01/27/2026

This part…

The healthcare field is becoming crowded with people who lack compassion,
and that reality should deeply concern all of us.
This profession is not a trend, a social media aesthetic, or a fashion choice.
It is not about cute scrubs, designer bags, or matching tumblers.
It is about human lives placed in your hands.
Every patient carries real pain, real fear, and real loss.
They arrive with trauma that cannot be filtered or edited away.
They trust caregivers during their most vulnerable moments.
That trust should never be taken lightly.
Nursing and caregiving demand skill earned through discipline.
They require dedication that doesn’t clock out with the shift.
They call for empathy when exhaustion feels overwhelming.
Compassion is not optional—it is the foundation of care.
If you cannot show humanity when it matters most,
this path is not meant for you.
Patients deserve more than a job title.
They deserve caregivers who genuinely care. ❤️