School of Nursing student headed to Tanzania after graduation

The coronavirus pandemic has presented obstacles for seniors, but it didn’t stop student Cierra Battle from planning for life after graduation.

With the help of the Kentucky Institute for International Studies Tanzania director, Cierra Battle, who graduates in December, has accepted an elective program at Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania. She will spend her time in the maternity ward, pediatrics and emergency medicine departments for six months.

Battle said she knew she wanted to spend time abroad as a nurse after studying abroad in 2018. She said her desire to become a nurse comes from her love of caretaking. “I come from a large family and helped my mom with my younger siblings growing up. I love babies and wanted to be able to do something that allowed me to do the things that make me truly happy,” Battle said. “Doing my own research and getting some advice from a mentor of mine brought me to the conclusion that midwifery was exactly what I wanted. Being able to be a support and serve women during the process of bringing life into the world is amazing.”

Battle said her goal is to become a certified nurse midwife and open her own practice in Louisville for women of the immigrant population and Black women.

“I want to be able to provide care to these women that is appropriate, accessible, and what they deserve. I eventually want to open a practice in Tanzania,” Battle said.

Battle is a Woodford R. Porter Scholar and previously served as president of the Black Student Nurses Association and as a Diversity Student Ambassador for Admissions.