uc irvine school of nursing assistant clinical professor shelley burkey

Assistant Clinical Professor Shelley Burke.

Assistant Clinical Professor Shelley Burke joined the UCI Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing faculty in 2021. For Black History Month, she reflects on her career as a Black nurse, what she’s learned and offers guidance for the next generation.

What does it mean to you to be a Black nurse?

Black nurses make up about 12.4% of nurses nationwide, but we are not even present in some places in the country. Sometimes we are the rare sight one may see on a unit, and many times when they see us, we are asked, “Are you a real nurse or a nursing assistant?”

So, being a Black nurse allows many of us to show others we are committed to an honorable profession and want to make a difference in our job, the community we serve, and the people we serve.

Black nurses continue to make inroads in this profession. Many Black nurses have earned advanced degrees and are nurse leaders in their organizations. Black nurses can make a difference in communities of color. People of similar ethnic and cultural backgrounds feel someone understands their world and can empathize with their concerns on healthcare matters.

We understand healthcare disparities and sometimes experience marginalization on our jobs, but we know we have a purpose of being here, so we continue. I am proud to be a Black nurse and contribute my skills, knowledge and expertise to healthcare. I have served from a bedside nurse to a nurse educator and leader, and I was fully aware of my awesome responsibilities to others with each opportunity.

What obstacles have you overcome on your way to your position now? 

Becoming a nurse not only requires the aptitude and diligence to succeed, but in many cases, it requires financial support and stability to make it through the educational process.

One big obstacle for many Black students is financial. Many Black families do not come from a place of wealth and privilege and do not have the financial support to give to their children. In my case, I was a new immigrant to the USA, starting with nothing, so I worked and went to nursing school. It was physically and emotionally challenging, but I did it.

Other obstacles Black nurses may experience are the lack of mentorship and clear academic advisement from professors throughout their nursing education. A Black nurse, in many cases, must learn to push against all odds to make it out successfully on the other side of an arduous nursing school program.

What advice do you have for the generations of Black nurses coming after you? 

Black nurses must realize that they can reach their highest potential if given the opportunity and the financial and social support. Many black nurses may be single parents, so it isn’t easy to keep advancing their educational careers even when they desire to go to the next level.

My advice to Black nurses is to look for programs that can support their career and education advancement and pursue those avenues to achieve and accomplish their goals. Do not settle for mediocrity nor make excuses for yourself. 

What do you wish the young student/new nurse in you knew back then that you know now?

As a student or new nurse back in the day, I wish I knew how to navigate the USA educational system better and where or who to turn to for support and advice. I learned many things through trial and error. 

These days, many nursing programs are equipped with many resources to help the student to be successful. I would advise students to seek early support, counsel, and advice if they are experiencing financial, emotional, spiritual, or any other issue during their journey through nursing school.

Is there anything else you want to add?

I count it a great responsibility being a nurse and a bigger opportunity when you are a nurse leader. It gives one the privilege of being at the table of decisions and contributing your perspective to the discussion. Black nurses need to know that their perspective is valuable, and they bring their unique knowledge, culture, and understanding to any discussion.

Contact Shelley Burke ›

Support the UCI Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing: For more information, to support a future nurse or nurse-led research, please connect to Juliana Goswick, Director of Development at jgoswick@hs.uci.edu.

About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UCI is the youngest member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. For more on UCI, visit www.uci.edu