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A Calling Deferred

Whitfield’s interest in nursing began early. “I always knew I wanted to help in some way and be in the medical field,” she said. While still in high school, she participated in a certified nursing assistant (CNA) program, completing clinical experiences at a local VA hospital. That early exposure cemented her passion. “I fell in love with healthcare and nursing, and my goal when I graduated high school was to go to nursing school.”

But after marrying her husband at age 19 as he was entering the Air Force, the next 25 years were defined by frequent moves. “We were moving around constantly,” she explained. “It was difficult to get into nursing school because I never knew if we would be somewhere long enough to start and finish.”

Instead, Whitfield built a successful career in banking, eventually becoming a branch manager. While she enjoyed the work, the pull toward nursing never faded. “I finally said to my husband, ‘We’ve been doing your career for a while. I really want to stay somewhere for a little bit so I can go back to nursing school. That’s my passion.’”

Returning to Nursing

That decision brought Whitfield back to North Carolina, where she enrolled at Wayne Community College. She graduated in 2013 and began her nursing career—a milestone that marked the fulfillment of a long-held goal. She began on a cardiac step-down unit, an experience she describes as transformative. “I absolutely loved it.”

Her career continued to evolve as she and her husband resumed traveling, giving her the opportunity to work in different healthcare systems across the country. These experiences broadened her perspective and helped shape her approach to patient care and operations.

An Unexpected Turn Toward Leadership

Whitfield’s leadership journey began unexpectedly during a night shift in the emergency department. “The charge nurse from day shift looked at me and said, ‘Hey, you’re orienting charge tonight,’” she recalled. Initially hesitant, Whitfield questioned whether she was ready. “I said, ‘Me? No. Just let me take care of my patients and go home.’”

But she agreed—and that moment became a turning point. “That was just the best thing I ever did. It led me to where I am now.”

Today, she encourages others to embrace similar opportunities. “Don’t be so afraid. Sometimes we don’t see in ourselves what we’re truly capable of. Trust people when they say, ‘I think you would be really great at this.’ Take that leap.”

“Don’t be so afraid. Sometimes we don’t see in ourselves what we’re truly capable of. Trust people when they say, ‘I think you would be really great at this.’ Take that leap.”

Building a Foundation at ɫ��ֱ��

Whitfield’s leadership journey fueled her return to school, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and then pursued a master’s degree from ɫ��ֱ��.

After completing her Master of Science in Nursing in healthcare leadership, Whitfield recognized the value of continuing her education with a DNP. “I thought, if I’m going to go further, let me do it now,” she said.

Her motivation was both personal and professional. “I looked at the people that I want to be one day—Chief Nursing Officers and leaders here at ɫ��ֱ��—and I asked, what did they do to get there?”

Leading with Presence and Purpose

As a nurse manager at ɫ��ֱ�� Health, Whitfield oversees the 2A specialty infusion clinic and the retina injection lab in the Eye Center. Her role blends operational oversight with a strong emphasis on relationship-building.

“My day is being there for people,” she said. “There are a lot of operations, but being present on the unit and in the clinics is very important to me.”

Whitfield rejects the notion of leadership as a title. “I’ve never believed in being a title—I believe in being a leader,” she said. “That means being out in the clinic helping, getting to know people as people, and being the person they can come talk to.”

Her leadership philosophy centers on trust. “The greatest thing you can ever do as a leader is earn the trust of your team,” she said. “You want your team to see that you’re willing to be there with them—not just for them, but with them.”

She advises new leaders to prioritize humility and connection. “When you come into a new area, don’t come in as a position. Come in as a person. Experience it alongside your team. Once you have their trust, you can begin to make meaningful changes.”

A DNP Project Rooted in Experience

Whitfield’s DNP work reflects her commitment to improving the nursing work environment, particularly in the area of workplace safety. Her project focuses on workplace violence, an issue she understands firsthand.

“I chose workplace violence because I have been a victim of violence in the workplace,” she said. During a previous role, Whitfield found herself in an active shooter situation—a traumatic experience that has shaped her perspective as a leader.

“To sit on a floor in a locked room with the lights out, texting my husband to say I love you and not knowing if I would see him again… that’s something no healthcare professional should ever experience,” she said.

Her project examines how nurse leaders can better support staff before, during, and after incidents of violence. “What can we do to make them feel safe and hopefully reduce these occurrences?” she asked.

Whitfield also emphasizes that workplace violence extends beyond physical threats. “It’s not just physical harm—it’s also verbal harm,” she said. “In nursing, we tend to discredit the verbal abuse we receive. We tell ourselves it’s just part of the job, but it’s not.”

Elevating Nurses’ Voices

Central to Whitfield’s work—and her decision to pursue a DNP—is the belief that nurses must have a stronger voice in decision making.

“As a nurse, I strongly believe we need to have a seat at the table,” she said. “Too often, decisions are made without the voice of the nurse.”

A student in the Nurse Innovator and Entrepreneur specialty, she sees doctoral education as a pathway to influence. “Whether it’s through committees or going back to school and taking on those roles, we have to be able to say, ‘From experience, this is what’s best.’”

The DNP program, she explained, “has helped me build the foundation to approach situations and speak to them with the knowledge of how to create change.”

A Supportive Environment for Growth

Whitfield credits ɫ��ֱ�� for fostering her development as both a student and a professional.

“Every school and hospital wants to say they provide the best support—but in my experience, ɫ��ֱ�� really delivers,” she said. “The instructors and advisors would do anything to help you. They want to make it as enjoyable as it can be.”

“Every school and hospital wants to say they provide the best support—but in my experience, ɫ��ֱ�� really delivers."

Her experience as a ɫ��ֱ�� Health employee reinforces that perspective. “I’m constantly amazed at how open this organization is to feedback and how much they want to see people grow,” she added. “In my experience, you can’t always find that.”

Advice for Future Nurses

In her role as a leader, Whitfield frequently mentors new nurses and those considering the profession. While she offers guidance on education and career paths, she emphasizes one essential piece of advice, the one that has led her own journey.

“Nursing is a wonderful profession—but it’s not easy,” she said. “You need to get into nursing because you truly want to make a difference.”