PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (Dec. 11, 2025) – Kirsten Clark always knew she wanted to attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). And it was Prairie View A&M University’s renowned nursing program that drew her to “The Hill.”
“I wanted to be part of a supportive, culturally rich community that celebrates Black excellence, and PVAMU felt like the perfect place to grow as a nurse and reach my personal and career goals,” she said.
On Dec. 13, Clark will earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, alongside nearly 700 others in this year’s fall class at PVAMU.
“I’ve always had a passion for both science and caring for others,” she said. “From a young age, I loved helping those around me, and my interest in science made me curious about how the human body works.”
Even as a child, she carried a baby doll in one hand and a bottle in the other, a playful foreshadowing of her future in nurturing care.
“Nursing allows me to combine my love of science with compassionate, patient-centered care, making a real impact during some of the most vulnerable moments in people’s lives,” Clark said.
Her desire to become a nurse was solidified when she witnessed her sister’s labor and delivery at age 16.
“Being by her side throughout the experience and watching the nurses care for her with grace, skill, and compassion opened my eyes to the impact nurses have on patients and their families,” Clark said. “That experience deepened my calling to enter a field where trust, human connection, and clinical excellence meet.”
From Arlington, Texas, Clark said PVAMU offers something other universities don’t: the opportunity for nursing students to learn and train at the Texas Medical Center in Houston. During her clinical experience, she gained hands-on experience while rotating through a variety of settings, including intensive care, medical-surgical, and several specialty units.
“Having access to such a wide range of hospitals, specialties, and patient populations gives us clinical experiences that are truly unmatched and prepares us for real-world nursing in a way few schools can,” she added.
During her fourth semester, Clark also had the opportunity to represent the College of Nursing and interview Dr. Anthony Fauci, then the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, on global health, leadership development, and the evolving role of nursing in public health.
“It was an incredible experience that pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow both professionally and personally,” Clark said. “Leading the conversation with Dr. Fauci taught me a lot about the power of nurses’ voices in shaping healthcare systems worldwide.”
Faith as a guiding foundation
At PVAMU, Clark found more than academic excellence and a professional launch point: She found the true community of an HBCU.
“Being at an HBCU is more than just going to school; it’s being part of a community that celebrates history, culture, and excellence,” she said. “It’s empowering to be in an environment where your identity is celebrated, you can be yourself, and your goals are supported.”
On campus, being a part of the Eta Delta chapter of Sigma Theta Tau really enhanced her experience, she said, helping her to feel more connected and confident within the nursing community at PVAMU. Clark has also been recognized by Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and the National Black Nurses Association, and has been on the Honor Roll. Nursing has been as rewarding as it was challenging, Clark said, pointing out her fifth semester was a trial to balance job hunting with clinicals, exams, and assignments.
But every application, every interview, and every rejection taught her confidence and resilience, and gave her the strength to persevere.
“My faith carried me through all of it,” Clark said. “It not only sustained me academically but also inspired the kind of nurse I want to be, one who leads with compassion.”
Her faith is the foundation for her future career as a nurse.
“I’ve always said nursing is my gift to give back, and I really try to be a faithful steward of that gift,” Clark said. “That mindset kept me going through the late nights, hard exams, and stressful clinicals. Whenever I felt overwhelmed, my faith reminded me that God gave me this path for a reason and that I’m meant to use it to serve others.”
Beyond her own journey, it also impacts her approach to patient care.
“My faith pushes me to show compassion, patience, and understanding, even on tough days,” she said. “I want the way I care for people to reflect love and kindness.”
Eventually, Clark hopes to become a women’s health nurse practitioner and a nurse educator.
“I’ve always said that if I weren’t going to be a nurse, I would’ve been a teacher, so knowing I can combine both makes me excited for the future,” she said. “I want to care for women across the lifespan while also giving back by educating and mentoring future nurses.”
She advises PVAMU nursing students: Give yourself grace.
“Nursing school will push you, stretch you, and test you in ways you don’t expect, but it will also shape you into the nurse you’re meant to be,” Clark said. “There will be tough days, but there will also be moments that remind you you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. Believe in yourself, stay consistent, and keep going. You’ll be so proud of the nurse you become.”
Click here to view a complete listing of this semester’s notable graduates.
By Christine Won
-PVAMU-