Tanisha Terry is a Houston native travel nurse currently working in New York City. Last summer, she worked in the Virgin Islands were she rendered aide to thousands of women and children before, during, and after the devastation of Hurricane Irma.
In addition to nursing, Tanisha has a passion for empowering young women to live the life they’ve always imagined. In 2017, her passion led to the birth of her blog, “Black Girls White Coats.” Black Girls White Coats is a nursing and lifestyle blog for the everyday #girlboss!
My first experience with nursing was taking care of my grandfather in his dying days. At the tender age of fourteen, I wanted me to become a nurse because I knew I had the desire to help people. I chose to work mother/baby because I am a happy person, and I love helping people during one of the happiest times of their lives!
The best advice I would give someone who is considering nursing as a profession is to always remember why you started. The late nights, early mornings, and missed events can get overwhelming, but remembering why you started gives you the extra push to finish. If I had to do nursing school all over again, I would…and only because I now see that the work was worth it!
Working three days a week gives nurses the flexibility to build our professional and personal brand. I love that I can continue to grow in my profession three days a week and work on my “magic” the other four. In 2017 I launched my blog, “Black Girls White Coats”. BGWC is my baby, my personal brand, and one of my biggest accomplishments!
I think the need for nurses to have a personal brand is becoming more crucial because we are wearing so many hats beyond the bedside; we are mothers, wives, travelers, students, entrepreneurs and many more!
I think the need for nurses to have a personal brand is becoming more crucial because we are wearing so many hats beyond the bedside; we are mothers, wives, travelers, students, entrepreneurs and many more!
As a new grad, I started working on a gynecology unit; that helped build a foundation for my career. A year later, I transitioned to the newborn nursery where I gained experience in newborn admissions, mother/baby, and NICU.
I became very complacent at my job in Houston and my desire to see the world sparked my interest to start traveling. My bucket list of assignments keep me going, I have no plans on stopping until I complete them all!
I get to learn the various trades of nursing and gain an appreciation for the different cultures.
My desire to learn and explore gives me the energy to get out of bed every morning. When I’m waking up for work, I’m excited for another day of learning at a new facility and when I’m not working, I’m always eager to explore my new city!
My absolute favorite assignment has been in The Virgin Islands. I’ve had some pretty awesome assignments but I think it’s going to be very hard to ever beat that! And yes, even with all the devastation we endured during Hurricane Irma, I would still go back.
I think it is very important to identify with other aspects of life in addition to nursing because the combination of all of our roles makes us who we are. I am a nurse, a Christian, a sister, a friend, a blogger, and many more!
I am a nurse, a Christian, a sister, a friend, a blogger, and many more!
That we are the #1 most trusted profession!
I wish others would understand that we work HARD, and just because we work three days a week, doesn’t mean we work any less than other professionals!
While I enjoy working at the bedside, I know my time here is limited and I think millennials will stay at the bedside for a shorter period of time. I’m still finding my niche in nursing beyond the bedside, but since I’ve started travel nursing, I have found a genuine love for it!
My next goal is to learn how I can work in the travel nurse industry, away from the bedside, while continually enjoying my financial freedom. Whatever path I take, I’m sure it will be great!
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