Morgan McKibbin
Quick Facts
Age: 20
Pronouns: she/her
Major: Nursing
Transfer Institution: Pre-Nursing, University of Washington
“Civility is unconditional empathy as a driver of positive social change, commitment to cultivating a holistic and nuanced understanding of other’s perspectives and the ability to navigate uncomfortable situations with composure and respect, prioritizing both individual dignity and social justice. ”
Service & Work:
Certified Nursing Assistant - Seattle Children's Hospital (Sep 2023-Present)
Certified Nursing Assistant - Golden Heart Staffing Agency (July 2023 - Sep 2023)
Volunteer - Sunday Friends Foundation (Jan 2013-Present),
Assistant Preschool Teacher - University Child Development School (Jan 2023-July 2023)
Family Nanny - Private Employer (March 2022 - August 2023)
Crew member - Dunkin' (Jan 2022-June 2022)
Awards & Honors:
Dean's List (Fall 2022, Winter 2023, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Winter 2024)
Purple & Gold Scholarship (2022-2024)
Alfie Scholars Award (2024-2026)
Morgan’s Story
I would like to begin with a phrase that once brought me immense shame and guilt: my name is Morgan Mckibbin. I am the daughter of a fearlessly kind single mother, an older sister, a Certified Nursing Assistant and a proud Alfie Scholar studying Nursing at Seattle University.
When I was about 8 years old, my world was turned upside down when my mother informed me that my father was going to “adult time out”. My mother, without a college degree, scrambled to find a job as the possibility of becoming houseless loomed over our heads. She seamlessly navigated the abrupt transition from being a stay-at-home mother to working two jobs to support our little family. While she juggled household tasks and the inexplicable heartbreak and betrayal brought on by my father, her love never wavered. With so many hours spent at work, my sister and I did not see her face as much, but we always felt her love and support.
Several years later, my mother explained to me my father’s convictions. I came to understand why so many of our loved ones broke off contact and why those remaining drowned my sister and me in comments of pity. For a while, I was debilitated by the guilt of crimes that I did not commit. Facing societal judgment and isolation, I received the message that my father’s choices were a reflection of my character. I was reluctant to disclose my last name when introducing myself, fearing people would associate me with my father. I viewed the world as cruel and unkind.
After witnessing my younger sister grapple with the emotional turmoil and social isolation, it became my mission to separate myself from this grim legacy. I sought to prove to myself and those around me that I exist as an extremely motivated and successful individual, not my father’s daughter. In this mission, I have developed a strong sense of self-efficacy and a deep appreciation for independence. I was inspired by my mother’s persistent love, even in the face of cruelty. Her love truly acted as a transformative force in my life, empowering me to break free from the cycle of hatred that I once felt trapped in. Watching her taught me that love is an incredibly powerful, contagious force.
Having experienced the power of love, I seek to apply this knowledge to my future career in nursing. I believe that my deepest calling is to let my love serve as a guiding light for those around me, and to remind the world of its kindness.
Being a CNA has taught me that the art of nursing is not built on deeming patients worthy or unworthy of love, compassion, and equitable care. Rather, it depends on the ability to care for people without stopping to inquire or decipher whether or not they are deserving of it.
Mission:
A future career in nursing is meaningful to me because throughout my life I have been taught that tenderness and strength are contrasting traits that do not exist in the presence of one another. I feel that it is my life’s mission to disprove this notion. In my eyes, nursing perfectly illustrates the crossroads between empathy and resilience. The opportunity to stand alongside patients in their most vulnerable moments while also tenaciously advocating for their needs is precisely why I am confident that nursing is my calling.
Reproductive care in the United States must not be discussed without acknowledging the alarming disparities that affect mothers belonging to minority groups, specifically African American mothers. I am committed to being a lifelong learner to better understand the unique circumstances affecting each patients’ health. Ultimately, as a provider my goal is to positively impact Black maternal health, using my experience as a CNM to advocate for policy changes and resource availability geared towards decreasing racial disparities in maternal mortality rates.
Goals:
My primary professional goal is to become a Certified Nurse Midwife. This goal is especially important to me because from an early age, I have been fascinated and inspired by the miracle of motherhood and birth. I believe it is another example of the intersection between strength and gentleness. I will find great joy in the privilege of supporting and leading a family through the birthing journey. With an expanded scope of care, I seek to challenge myself intellectually as a learner and professionally by becoming specialized in the realm of women’s reproductive health.
After completing a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree and gaining bedside experience as a Registered Nurse, and becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife, I hope to lend my expertise to advocate for policy changes to address reproductive disparities.
