Nursing school demands dedication, focus, and strong support, and at Arizona College of Nursing (AZCN), we are proud to offer opportunities and resources to help students every step of their journey. That is why AZCN is proud to partner with the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) to cover the cost of memberships for active students as well as fund scholarship opportunities.
Founded in 1971, the NBNA represents 308,000 Black registered nurses and nursing students across 108 chapters and 34 states. NBNA’s mission is focused on advocating for Black nurses in healthcare through ensuring equal access to professional development, promoting educational opportunities, and improving the health of Black and diverse populations. As part of its partnership with the NBNA, AZCN covers the cost of national and local chapter dues for Core Nursing students interested in joining the NBNA across all campuses.
Additionally, in partnership with the NBNA, AZCN established an annual scholarship for pre-licensure students awarded at the national NBNA conference. The $10,000 scholarships are available to active, full-time Bachelor of Nursing students who are members of the NBNA. The scholarships are funded by AZCN and are administered by NBNA.
We recently caught up with three of our 2026 NBNA scholarship recipients, Demetria Brown, Mekelit Fiseha, and Kyara Renelus, to discuss their reactions to receiving the award, their experiences within NBNA, and learn how this support is shaping their academic journeys and career goals.
The NBNA Scholarship’s Impact and Financial Relief
For students balancing their clinicals and classwork with financial commitments, receiving news of the NBNA scholarship was an unforgettable moment.
“When I found out I had been selected for the scholarship, I was overwhelmed with gratitude,” recalled Mekelit Fiseha, a semester 8 student at AZCN’s Las Vegas campus. “I remember reading the email more than once because I honestly couldn’t believe it…I just kept thinking, ‘Wow, this is really happening?’ More than anything, I felt incredibly thankful to be part of a college and an organization that creates opportunities like this for nursing students.”
For others, receiving the scholarship has served as validation for their endless hours of studying, and has provided a boost in confidence.
“I was incredibly grateful and honestly a little emotional. Nursing school is both rewarding and demanding, so receiving this scholarship felt like a reminder that all of the hard work, long hours, and sacrifices have been worth it. It motivated me even more to continue pursuing my goals and reminded me that there are organizations that believe in and invest in future nurses,” said Kyara Renelus, a semester 7 student at AZCN’s Sarasota campus.
Beyond the emotional aspect, the financial support this scholarship provides has been a huge help for students.
“I am beyond grateful for this scholarship because it feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders,” Demetria Brown, a semester 6 student at AZCN’s Melbourne campus, explained. “This scholarship…allows me to worry less about the financial burden of school costs and focus more on my academic performance. It also inspires me to continue to give back to my community and one day, support other nursing students facing similar challenges.”
Connecting With the NBNA Community
The relationship between AZCN students and the NBNA often starts early in their academic journey. Many students discover the organization directly through faculty and staff at the College and informative emails, allowing students to quickly recognize the value of joining a dedicated professional network.
“I first became involved with NBNA through Arizona College of Nursing. As I learned more about the organization’s mission to support Black nurses, promote diversity in healthcare, and provide mentorship and professional development opportunities, I knew it was an organization I wanted to be part of,” said Kyara. “The values and mission of NBNA align closely with my own passion for serving others and making a positive impact in healthcare.”
Demetria experienced a similar spark, explaining, “I became involved with NBNA when learning about it through AZCN’s admission process. After reading about NBNA’s mission and values, I was inspired by its commitment to promoting excellence in nursing, supporting Black nurses, and addressing health disparities in underserved communities.”
Once involved, students gain access to invaluable resources, networking, and national events like the annual NBNA conference.
“Attending last year’s NBNA National Conference was one of the most inspiring experiences I’ve had,” recalled Mekelit. “Seeing accomplished Black nurses who had built incredible careers and continued to grow through leadership and advanced education made me think differently about my own future. For the first time, I saw just how many paths nursing could lead to, and I left feeling inspired to continue my education and dream much bigger than I had before.”
That sense of belonging and guidance is a recurring theme among members as Kyara explained, “Even before becoming a member, I had heard so many wonderful things about how NBNA supports, mentors, and empowers Black nurses throughout every stage of their careers. I knew it was an organization I needed to be part of because I truly believe the nursing journey is always better when you have people who encourage you, hold you accountable, and genuinely want to see you succeed.”
“Having a strong community that celebrates your accomplishments, offers guidance, and helps you grow professionally is invaluable, and I’m excited to continue building those connections through NBNA,” she added.
Shaping the Future of Healthcare
Having now received this scholarship, these three recipients are setting ambitious goals for their careers. Their focus includes mental health, pediatric care, and health equity.
Mekelit plans to advocate for underserved communities.
“My long-term goal is to become a psychiatric nurse and eventually continue my education. I want to advocate for better access to mental health care in underserved and minority communities and create a safe space where people feel heard, valued, and supported. I also hope to lead by example and inspire future Black nurses to dream big and know they belong in this profession,” Mekelit shared.
Kyara aims to serve critically ill children globally, sharing “[my] long-term goal is to become a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) nurse, providing compassionate, high-quality care to critically ill children while supporting their families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. I also hope to one day volunteer with Doctors Without Borders, using my nursing skills to care for underserved communities around the world. Throughout my career, I hope to serve as a mentor to future nurses and continue advocating for equitable healthcare and greater diversity within the nursing profession.”
Demetria is dedicated to continuing her education and focusing on youth mental health intervention.
“My long-term nursing career goals are to continue my education to receive my MSN and become certified as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Mental health is huge to me, and I want to work with children and adolescents because I believe in catching mental health early so that measures can be put in place for them to be successful adults,” Demetria added.
Get Involved
If you are an active Core Nursing student at AZCN at any campus, your national and local membership dues are 100% covered by the College. Use the AZCN link to apply for your membership and explore upcoming scholarship opportunities.
Start Your Future in Nursing Today
If you’re considering a career as a registered nurse (RN), Arizona College of Nursing is here to help you pursue your dream. Our BSN program enables you to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in just 3 years or less with qualifying transfer credits. We’ve helped hundreds of students to earn a BSN degree and enter the nursing profession – and we’re ready to support you on your path to becoming an RN.
Why Choose Arizona College of Nursing?
- Earn a BSN degree in 3 years or less with eligible transfer credits
- Campus locations throughout the US
- Night classes for general education courses
- Hybrid Online/In-Person format for general education classes
- Nursing education is all we do
- CCNE-Accredited Program*
- NCLEX-RN success coaches and exam preparation class
- Financial aid available to those who qualify
Discover Your Path to a Career in Nursing
Information in this post is accurate as of October 5, 2026.
*The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program at Arizona College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (https://www.aacnnursing.org/). All Arizona College of Nursing and Arizona College campuses are institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (https://www.abhes.org/), a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency.