• Before nursing, I majored in Marine and Environmental Science!

• I was a dance/flag auxiliary member in the band during my senior year of high school and my first semester at Hampton University!

• I run my own makeup business, Tiara Deon Cosmetics.

Growing up, I always said I didn’t want to go into healthcare. I think I feared the emotional weight and responsibility that comes with the field, especially as someone who’s naturally empathetic. I worried about the heartbreak of difficult outcomes and didn’t think I could handle it. That’s why I initially chose to major in Marine and Environmental Science.

But caring for my Papa changed everything. I witnessed the impact of both good and poor care firsthand. During his hospital visits, he didn’t always receive the quality of care he deserved. This was often due to under-staffing, but sometimes due to conditions that simply shouldn’t be tolerated. The experience was even more intense during the COVID-19 pandemic. We all made sacrifices to keep him safe such as, avoiding social outings, limiting who entered our home, and following strict health protocols. It was a challenging time, but it brought us even closer as a family, united by the shared goal of protecting him.

After he passed, I felt a shift. I realized that not only could I do this—I should. I gained the strength and clarity to understand that this is my calling. Most importantly, I have the heart for it.

In America, healthcare is extremely expensive, and not everyone receives quality care, especially without an advocate. Having someone in the family with healthcare experience can make all the difference. Our experience showed me how critical that is, and it's why I’m now pursuing a career in nursing. Caring for my Papa through his final chapter gave me purpose, and I carry that with me in everything I do.