Mikhaidia Miller: First-gen perspectives on nursing, health equity, and what’s next

When first-generation student Mikhaidia Miller’s family emigrated from Jamaica in the 2000s, they empowered her to embrace the “beauty of education,” a core value that would motivate her to attend Penn and study nursing. Inspired in part by her older sister’s career as an oncology nurse, Miller, a fourth-year in the School of Nursing from Darby, Pennsylvania, and affiliated with Penn First Plus (P1P), seeks to make health care more equitable and patient-centered for everyone.

“With nursing, you get that one-on-one enduring time with the patient,” says Miller, whose interests span pediatric care, psychiatric and mental health, and working in the ICU. “You get to [learn] about their families, their fears, their hopes, their dreams.”

P1P, the University’s central hub for supporting first-generation and limited-income undergraduates through community programming, academic advising, and professional development resources, has served as a home base for Miller since her first year at Penn, helping her connect with peers and mentors.

Empowered by Penn First Plus

Participating in P1P’s Gateway Student Mentorship Program (GSM)—which pairs mentees with student-mentors, and also connects these student-mentors with faculty who provide comprehensive guidance—has been a core part of Miller’s college journey.

Miller has been a role model for her own mentees, emphasizing the value of connection and vulnerability between first-generation students. She recalls when one of her mentees, a nursing undergraduate, was struggling with a class, they worked together to build a realistic action plan that would help the student stay on track.

“When you’re around other students who understand your experience and you can open up to them, it’s so much better—and you’re not alone,” Miller says, noting that many of her GSM mentees have become student-mentors in the program.

GSM linked her with Dalmacio Dennis Flores, associate professor of nursing and Class of 1942 Endowed Term Chair at Penn Nursing, who provides Miller with career mentorship and research opportunities that align with her academic interests and professional goals.

Together, they’re examining how LGBTQ+ youth of color approach difficult conversations with their parents and families regarding sexual health.

“[Flores] brought me into his research and helps me access new experiences in the field of nursing,” Miller says. “He’s also provided me with career guidance, helping with resumes [and] how to apply for different jobs.”

Additionally, Miller holds the record as P1P’s longest-serving front-desk staff member. The role includes welcoming visitors, administrative tasks, and stocking inventory. Miller also creates weekly programming that unites the P1P community through food-related activities, such as “DIY and Dim Sum” and “Sculpt-and-Smoothies.”

“It’s good for us to be able to connect, share our experiences, and feel at home,” says Miller, who has also served as events coordinator for Students of Hip Hop Legacy.

Improving health equity for every patient

Miller’s drive to become a nurse is partially fueled by her experiences with overcoming structural barriers.

“Being a woman, being Black, being first-generation, these identities all intersect with my desire to pursue nursing,” says Miller. She hopes to provide affirming, person-first care rooted in relatability, noting research showing that Black patients, especially Black women, are less likely to have their reported pain taken seriously by providers.

“Having a provider that looks like you and understands the experiences that you go through and the biases that can come up due to your race is really, really invaluable,” Miller says.

Next steps toward career milestones

As Miller works toward graduation, she’s benefiting from P1P’s alumni networking sessions, job search coaching, and interview practice workshops. After Commencement, she plans to stay in Philadelphia and work as an RN in ICU care and inpatient settings. Eventually, she wants to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist and is considering Penn for graduate school.

“Penn doesn’t just box you into being one specific thing,” Miller adds. “They open you up to many different avenues that a nursing degree can provide.”

Miller is particularly excited for her loved ones to witness her graduation from Penn—a milestone that will hold immense meaning to her family.

“It’s really not just my degree,” Miller says. “It’s a degree for my family, a degree for our lineage.”