West Texas hospitality appeals to Jamaican nursing studentAugust 18, 2021

Native Jamaican Davianna Duncan loves Midland; however, she said she sometimes misses her family, the ocean and the bold flavors of the island cuisine.

“My older sister is a lawyer who has been in the United States for several years,” Duncan explained.  “I have always admired her, and I decided to branch out from Jamaica to experience a new culture as she did.”

Duncan said that she graduated from high school in Jamaica in 2017 and took culinary arts training.  She then worked at a Sandals Resort in Jamaica; however, she had wanted to be a nurse since childhood. 

“Living in Jamaica with tourism being the main industry, learning a trade like culinary arts seemed the appropriate thing to do when I graduated from high school,” she said.  “I always enjoyed cooking and still do, but my dream is to be a nurse.  My parents always told us to first learn a skill in order to earn a living and then follow our dreams.  That’s exactly what I did! I have to thank my family for pushing me to become a nurse and for always supporting my dreams. I would not be here without them.

 “My sister and I were surfing the internet looking for nursing schools one day, and an ad for Midland College appeared,” Duncan stated.  “It was like a ‘sign.’”

In January 2020, Duncan moved to Midland and began taking prerequisite courses toward admission into Midland College’s Associate Degree Nursing program. She also obtained a job at Midland College working as a clerk in the residence halls.  

“Everyone at Midland College has been so friendly and supportive,” Duncan said.  “Right after I registered for classes, I had to have my picture taken for my student ID.  The lady taking the picture, Jan Johnston [secretary to dean of Student Life], was super nice and asked if there was anything she could do for me since I was a long way from home.  She still looks out for me. 

“My hall manager Peggy Lee [O’Shaughnessy Residence Hall Manager] looks out for me as if I am her granddaughter.  She is always there to encourage and support me; she has been my ‘home away from home.’ 

“People in Midland are very friendly, warm and kind. I have met and gained some wonderful friends.  I feel very blessed.”

Duncan has also met many friends through Bible study classes at Stonegate Fellowship.  It was through Stonegate that she was also recommended to assist an elderly woman at her home while she was recuperating from an illness.  

“Mrs. Cramer, whom I helped until she felt better, is still a good friend,” Duncan said.  “I visit with her occasionally, and we bake cookies together.  We enjoy swapping recipes and stories with one another.”

On May 24, Duncan became one step closer to her dream of a nursing career when she began working as a patient care assistant at Midland Memorial Hospital.  

“Working at the hospital will give me hands-on training in caring for patients,” she explained.  

Next week, Duncan will begin her second semester in Midland College’s Associate Degree Nursing program and train to become a registered nurse.  She said that she wants to pursue pediatric nursing and eventually get a bachelor’s degree in nursing, preferably from Texas Tech.

“I plan to stay in Texas,” Duncan said.  “My older sister has recently moved to Houston, and we both love Texas.  The weather is a little weird, but I sure do like the people.”