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Malayah Lee, a student in the UAMS College of Nursing, plans to graduate in December with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
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Childhood Struggles Inspire College of Nursing Student’s Passion for Helping Others
| Although Malayah Lee has excelled in the classroom for most of her life, she notes that none of her academic achievements have come easily.
“It hasn’t been a linear progression,” said Lee, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) student in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Nursing.
Lee and her three siblings were raised by a single mother in a Little Rock neighborhood where many families struggled to make ends meet. She said the burdens of financial strain and criminal activity in the neighborhood had a negative effect on the children who lived in it.
“It can really shape you as a child, making you question what you’ll be able to achieve,” she said. “There aren’t many opportunities for people to get out of that environment and chase their dreams.”
Lee said there were times when her family didn’t have enough money to buy food. At other times, they had to go without electricity, heating, or running water.
At one point while Lee was in high school, her family could no longer afford to remain in their home. In the ensuing months, Lee found shelter in the homes of relatives or at an extended-stay hotel.
Lee said she endured this period with the help of her loved ones. Her mother was a key source of inspiration, as well as an aunt and uncle who grew up under similar circumstances and understood what Lee was going through.
“My mom had to sacrifice a lot for us,” she said. “I feel like she contributed to my resilience and my determination to accomplish my goals.”
“I’m just so thankful to God and to all the people who have helped me along this journey,” she added.
Through it all, Lee remained a dedicated student. She graduated from Central High School and enrolled in classes at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
But college didn’t mark the end of her financial struggles. Although scholarships and student loans offered some relief, she still had to work her way through school.
“I was working two jobs and had a side hustle doing people’s hair,” she said. “I was trying to keep up with tuition and living expenses, but there were times when it was hard to stay on top of my grades.”
One of her college jobs was an internship at the UAMS Institute for Community Health Innovation in Northwest Arkansas. The institute partners with community-based organizations to develop research and healthcare programs that serve Arkansans in rural and medically underserved areas. Lee enjoyed the work, but she wanted to find a career where she could spend more time interacting with patients, she said.
“That’s when I realized I could go to nursing school,” she said.
After earning her Bachelor of Science in Public Health at UA, Lee returned to Little Rock and enrolled at UAMS to pursue her BSN degree. She plans to graduate in December as part of the College of Nursing’s Fast-Track Program, an initiative that helps students earn their BSN a semester ahead of schedule. Students in the program represent the top tier of their class.
Lee said the connections she has built with students, staff, and faculty have helped her succeed at UAMS.
“This is the most support I’ve ever received as a student,” she said. “It’s not just the faculty; it’s also all the people behind the scenes who make this a warm environment. They make me feel like I don’t have any limitations as I get ready to start my career.”
After graduation, Lee hopes to work in rural communities and areas with a higher prevalence of mental health issues. In particular, she would like to focus on patients from low socioeconomic households. She said her own experiences have fostered her compassion and empathy for others who are in need.
“I want to work with those individuals because I can see myself in them,” she said.