On a recent afternoon in October, Jessica Taylor explained how she had spent her day at St. Francis Hospital on a clinical rotation in Obstetrics. As she shared details, her voice was filled with passion and excitement for her future career path.

“Right now, with the classes that I’m taking, everything we talk about I’m seeing in clinicals in real time. I saw a C-section and a vaginal birth, and I put in a Foley catheter today,” Jessica said. “At an ICU clinical earlier this semester, I inserted an orogastric tube, as well as my first IV. I am very eager to practice and advance my skills and CBU gives me the best opportunity to do so.”

A native Memphian and Overton High graduate, Jessica transferred from another local university to take advantage of CBU’s highly competitive Traditional Nursing Program. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Health Science degree in 2022 (earning Summa Cum Laude honors and ranking in the top 10% of her class, no less) and is on track to graduate in May 2025 with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

“Jessica is more than just a student nurse—she’s a compassionate leader, a dedicated learner, and a fierce advocate for her patients,” said Dr. Jennifer Hitt, Director of the CBU Nursing Program. “She brings kindness, resilience, and a deep sense of care that touches everyone she meets. The future of nursing is brighter with her in it.”

Thanks to the promise of her many talents, Jessica secured scholarships to cover her costs, so she could graduate from CBU debt free and take advantage of summer learning opportunities instead of working or taking classes.

Jessica’s mother, a first-generation college graduate, is an engineer at FedEx, and her father is an accountant with Baptist Memorial Healthcare. While neither parent works directly in medicine, Jessica points to her parents’ dedication to service and a long line of nurses—some family, some not—who have inspired her to enter the field.

“I work diligently because of the opportunities my mother fought so hard to achieve,” said Jessica. “My maternal grandmother retired as a CNA (certified nursing assistant), but she has always wanted to go back to school to earn her license as an RN (registered nurse). One of the reasons why I want to be a nurse is so I can do it to honor her.
“Being African American in a small town born in a large family of many siblings, my grandmother, unfortunately, did not have the finances or resources to go back to school to accomplish this goal. She tells me all the time how she wishes she could go back, so I want to complete this program, also, for her.”

Another role model for Jessica is a cousin who is a nurse at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and a breast cancer survivor. “I am able to look at her and see the impact that she has as a nurse,” Jessica said. “She is a leader. I also think that nursing is God’s work, and I want to do whatever I can to help others.” A special moment for Jessica was participating with her cousin in the inaugural CBU Goes Pink cancer walk on Oct. 23, 2024.

Following graduation, Jessica plans to work in pediatrics. She has always found it easy to connect to children, a skill she honed while mentoring high school students. As a teenager, Jessica was a victim of intimate partner violence. From that terrible situation grew her interest in the health—especially mental health— and wellbeing of young people.

Last summer, she was one of only 17 nursing students selected from 300-plus applicants for a St. Jude externship. Assigned to solid tumor neurology/oncology, Jessica worked three 12-hour shifts per week, the same shifts nurses work at St. Jude. “We took vital signs and helped families with supplies and hygiene,” she said. “We played with the kids and drew pictures with them. When they needed imaging, we took them down to radiology and stayed with them. Each day, we were each assigned to a nurse and were able to really feel what a ‘day in the life’ is like.”

During her time at CBU, Jessica has also embraced campus life, participating in various organizations, including the Buccaneers cheerleading squad and the Non-Panhellenic Council. She was a President’s Ambassador, is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha and currently serves as the president of CBU’s Nursing Student Organization (NSO).

When she considers the months and years ahead, Jessica is confident and often reflects on one of her favorite Bible verses, Jeremiah 29:11, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.’”