AFRO News: Beyond the bedside: How nurses stand strong for their patients

Malik Shelton is an Emergency Room nurse and US Navy Veteran. Originally from Georgia, Malik’s been an Aya travel nurse since May 2020. He’s worked in Massachusetts, California, North Carolina, Georgia and is currently on assignment in Indiana.

Malik shared his experiences of navigating the demanding field of nursing and how he copes.

“It’s not a profession that you join for the money,” said Shelton, who has worked as a travel ER nurse for five years. “There is money to be made in it, but you don’t do it for the money, because if you do, you’re going to crash out in the beginning.”

Shelton said one of the most challenging aspects is dealing with patients who are uncooperative.

“At the end of the day, you have to remember that we take care of people at their worst times,” he said. “You don’t want to bring the drama from the last patient to the room of the next patient.”

Shelton said he uses prayer and music to get through rough moments on the job, while Walker emphasized the importance of boundaries and self-care. 

Shelton spoke about the added challenge of being Black in healthcare.

Shelton noted reactions he receives from patients as a Black male nurse, including being described as a “big Black scary man.”

For aspiring nurses, Shelton offered encouragement.

“It takes a special soul to do each side of nursing,” said Shelton. “There are different ways that you can serve the people of the community. You just have to find a way to do what’s best for you and to remember the reason why you’re doing this.”

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