By Rebecca Jamieson
Diamond Wimbley x’25 always knew she wanted to work in health care. She considered pediatric oncology but chose nursing because she loved the hands-on interaction with patients at the bedside. She chose UW–Madison because of its reputation for research, competitive nursing program, and proximity to her home in Chicago.
But, as a first-generation student, navigating college, keeping up with her studies, and paying for tuition and living expenses was challenging. “At one point, I wasn’t sure that I would be able to continue my studies,” she says. So, when Wimbley found out she had received two awards from the School of Nursing, including the Dean’s Scholarship, it was a relief. “These scholarships have helped me a lot. Without them, it would have made it hard for me to focus on my studies,” she says. “I won’t forget the times when I didn’t know what I was going to do to afford school. I’m excited to be one of the people who has benefitted from these scholarships and will transform the future of nursing. I’m grateful.”
Now in her second year of nursing school, Wimbley says the most valuable part of her education has been the clinical placements. Wimbley didn’t have clinical experience before school, and her experience confirmed that she’d made the right career choice. “The experience of providing bedside care during my first semester of nursing school was life-changing,” she reflects.
Her first clinical placement was working with older patients in the adult hematology and bone marrow transplant unit at UW Health’s University Hospital. “I found myself talking with [my patients] a lot and connecting [with them], and they would share so much of their life experiences and lessons,” Wimbley says. “They welcomed me with open arms. You don’t feel like you’re working — you’re meeting friends. I can see myself doing this for the rest of my life.”
After graduation, Wimbley plans to return to Chicago to do bedside nursing. “I really like busy, fast-paced nursing so an emergency department appeals to me,” she says. After that, she’s interested in travel nursing or returning to school to become a nurse practitioner.
When she imagines how she would like to transform the future, Wimbley sees building strong, trusting connections with patients as essential. “As a Black woman, I have seen that people with similar social identities may not have access to health resources or have trust in medical professionals.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, Wimbley saw those issues increasing, partly because of decreased in-person contact between providers and patients. “I want to emphasize and build those relationships,” she says. “I want to take the time to get to know patients, hear their stories, and learn about what’s happening at home that may be affecting their health. It’s hard because traditional nursing and health care are so fast-paced, but that’s something I aim to do.”
For those considering a bachelor of science in nursing, Wimbley offers this advice: “If you feel like you want to do this and your heart is there, keep going.” However, she’s honest that the path isn’t always easy. “This program has challenged me a lot. But as long as you genuinely have that love of changing people’s lives, it’s worth it,” she says. “Don’t be scared to explore new options, ask questions, and put yourself in new situations. There are times that I was uncomfortable, but I’ve made great changes within those spaces, and I apply what I’ve learned to my life today.”