Twin Travel Nurses
“I Am African & I Can” is a women’s empowerment blog highlighting stories of Black women’s struggles and successes.
By Hadiatou Wann | 10-18-2020
Sonna and Souadou Diallo shared the same womb. To this this day, their lives are intertwined. The twins were born in Atlanta and moved to Cincinnati, Ohio at the age of 8. They went to the same schools, and now share the same profession.
They went to a STEM high school that was adjacent to the college they ended up attending. The college offered anatomy courses. Since then, they had a clear vision of what they wanted to study after high school.
In high school, they took the ACT—an exam required to go directly to the Nursing program. The scores were good enough to get them into the University, but not high enough to get them directly into the nursing program. Advisors told them to think of a plan B in case the Nursing program rejected them. At the end of their freshman year, they took the actual exam to get in the nursing program and nailed it the first time!
After obtaining their bachelor's degree in Nursing, they worked for a year and half before becoming travel nurses. Sonna and Souadou didn't tell colleagues that they were looking into becoming travel nurses because they didn't want others' opinions to discourage them.
Some of their colleagues expressed that they had dreams of becoming travel nurses, but couldn’t because they were married and had children. For the moment the 24-year-old twins are neither married nor have children, which gives them an advantage as travel nurses.
Being a travel nurse felt natural to them, since they've always loved traveling. They also model on the side.
Imagine having a portable friend. That's what these twins are to each other. They live together, travel together, work together, and go through the highs and lows of life together.
Sonna is one minute older than Souadou. Because they work in the same hospital, sometimes patients confuse them. Though they look alike, they have some differences. Souadou is slightly taller and has a nose piercing. Sonna has a rounder face, and Souadou has a longer face.
Sonna works in medical surgical (Oncology). Souadou works in the rehab unit. They both work 3 nights a week and see 4 to 6 patients per night.
Beth Knox and Sonna have been close friends since freshman year of highschool (2010). She says, “Sonna is very caring of other people. She always makes you feel welcomed, accepted and I can just be myself around her. She is classy, confident, intelligent, ambitious and a leader. She inspires me to be a single, confident and a independent woman. I'm blessed to have a friend like her.”
Zinadia Hicks says, “Souadou is one of the only people in my life who has been there for me from thick to thin. She’s always there when I need her, she’s understanding and we always have a good time. Souadou has a heart of gold and I admire her for that.”
As Sonna and Souadou rotate hospitals, they have to adapt because every hospital has different policies. Even though they signed a contract that requires them to work at the hospital for only 13 weeks, Sonna’s favorite thing about being a nurse is the flexibility and being able to put a smile on her patients' faces. Souadou's loves building a bondage with patients, and witnessing patients' progression.
Sonna and Souadou are first generation graduates. They are changing lives one hospital at a time. They showed that people's expectations shouldn't be your limit. the trails they leave behind is proof that age does not matter, long as you prove yourself fit for the position. In the future they want to aim for a master's and help improve health conditions in Guinea.
Welcome to Sonna & Souadou’s World
The twins love seafood. When they are not working, they bike ride, shop, volunteer and help the homeless.
“I admire my sister’s generosity and her confidence, and how great of a friend she is by putting others before herself.”
“I admire my sister’s resilience and ambition, she never lets anyone or anything bother her and she goes after what she wants no matter what.”
“A strong woman is someone who exudes confidence, is independent, resilient and shows incredible strength.”
“Never give up or allow anyone to discourage you and know that nursing is a broad profession and YOU will find your niche.”
“Sisterhood is an unbreakable friendship that involves being there wholeheartedly for one another.”
Connect with Sonna & Souadou
Sonna's IG: sonna_rn
Email: sonnadiallo@ymail.com
Souadou's IG: souadou_rn
Email: souadoudiallo@ymail.com
Read other success stories here: www.iamafricanandican.info/blog
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