Not Defined by a Grade
“I Am African & I Can” is a women’s empowerment blog highlighting stories of black women’s struggles and successes.
By Hadiatou Wann | 06/14/19
Zainab Jalloh, RN was born in Guinea, Conakry and raised in Sierra Leone. Like many immigrants, she left behind friends, family, and everything she was accustomed to and moved to the United States in search of better education opportunities.
She has always been a straight A student. After getting married in 2014, she enrolled into a nursing program despite being told by many that nursing school was not for her.
Zainab says that in nursing school, an 80 is equivalent to a C. Students need at least a B to pass. Two semesters in, she failed her medical surgical class. After getting a grade bellow what is required of nursing students, Zainab thought that her hopes of becoming a nurse was coming to a halt.
For someone who’s been soaring academically all her life, failing a class was disheartening; she thought it was the end of her life. She also feared not graduating at the same time as her peers.
At the time, she was overwhelmed from juggling being a wife, mom, and a student. But instead of blaming it entirely on the many hats she wore, she owned up to it.
“I won’t be depressed. I’ll get up and work harder,” she recalls telling herself after listening to a motivational speech by religious leader Mufti Menk. Once she heard him talk about the timing of God, everything clicked in her head. When she decided not to let a grade determine the outcome, she regained confidence and eventually graduated with a 4.0 GPA.
She says that after retaking medical surgical, she realized that failing the class wasn't a downfall. It gave her the opportunity to revisit the material and be better prepared to move on to the next level.
When Zainab graduated with a Bachelor's degree in nursing, she was certain anyone else could do it if they put in the effort. She disagrees with the preconceived notion that once a woman is married or has a child, she can no longer go to school. She says that if you are strong and have a support system, your goals are within reach.
Zainab's sister, Bella Sarjoh, says: “Zainab is my baby sis that is not a baby anymore, she is such a kind soul; has always been, ever ready to help others. She is very driven and no matter how difficult does not give up trying, which is something I admire about her! Love her to death and I know she will accomplish great things!”
The Registered Nurse is associated with a non-profit organization called ABISA Springboard to Excellence. They recruit and mentor young girls in Detroit. The organization's aim is to “shape young girls to become amazing women,” by teaching them budgetting, and giving them advice that could help them in other areas of life.
Although nursing school was a roller coaster, last month Zainab graduated as the only black Muslim woman in her class and she is a first generation college graduate. She didn’t give up after failing one class. That experience only motivated her to work harder to get to the finish line. She recently got a job offer working at a hospital's Emergency Department. Although her dream job was to work in labor delivery, she plans on getting experience in the ER department, and then attend two more years of school to become a midwife. She is also embarking on the entrepreneurial route and launching ZeeJay Scrubs, a line offering modest scrubs for health professionals.
Welcome to Zainab’s World
“Once you are happy and have good faith in yourself, you are successful!”
“The nurse is the last resort to the patient; we have to build a relationship with the patient. ”
“No man should dictate what a woman should do with her body.”
“Be strong-minded. Don’t be influenced by people so easily.”
Zainab is into the fashion world. She says, “ I have to be rich because I like to shop.” She also enjoys cooking, and reading motivational books.
“Wearing a hijab shows that I am physically Muslim. I represent my religion everywhere I go. I am always happy to explain why I wear a hijab.”
“Life is a journey. Trust the process.”
Connect with Zainab:
Instagram: @lovezai
Email: Zainabjall@gmail.com
Read other success stories here: www.iamafricanandican.info/blog
Thank you for reading! Knowledge is more valuable when you share it.
SHARE THIS POST because it can change someone's life. Looking for more success stories? SUBSCRIBE below for updates and be informed whenever a new person is featured.