The Story Behind the Schooling: Nursing, Journalism, and a Student’s Voice

Jun 26, 2026

26:47

Pregnancy & Maternal Health Nutrition & Diet

Episode Description

Hosts Marion Leary, PhD, MPH, RN and Rebecca Love, RN, MSN, FIEL welcome Danae Petit, a rising senior nursing student at the University of Pittsburgh and senior columnist at The Pitt News, for a powerful conversation about nursing school, identity, and the power of telling your own story.

Danae shares the rude awakening of her freshman year, the moment a small interaction at a campus food spot inspired her most-read column on what it means to be a Black nurse, and how falling in love with a labor and delivery clinical rotation helped her find her niche. Along the way, Marion and Rebecca dig into why nursing needs more storytellers, why representation in the profession matters, and why writing about real nursing experiences can shape the future of healthcare.

Whether you're a nursing student, a nurse leader, or someone who has ever wondered whether your voice in this profession matters, Danae's story is a reminder that small moments and honest writing can ripple outward in ways you don't expect.

Jump Ahead:

00:59 — Welcome and introducing Danae Petit
01:47 — Why Danae chose nursing instead of medical school
03:02 — Discovering writing as a creative outlet at The Pitt News
04:48 — The "rude awakening" of freshman year
05:32 — The shift from high school to college-level studying
06:52 — Is nursing school harder, or is it the transition?
08:26 — How readers responded to her first nursing column
09:43 — The comfort of knowing you're not alone
10:20 — Writing about what it means to be a Black nurse
11:00 — The small moment at the food spot that became a column
13:24 — Why diverse voices in nursing matter
14:46 — "Whether I realize it or not, there are always people watching"
17:13 — Representation in nursing: 11% of undergrad students are Black
18:28 — Finding her niche in labor and delivery
18:45 — Her first C-section and falling in love with L&D
20:49 — A favorite professor and the joy of L&D
21:31 — What senior year looks like
22:18 — Will the writing continue after graduation?
23:49 — Marion and Rebecca on why nursing needs more storytellers
25:53 — Closing thanks

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