The AMSN DEI Committee is delighted to spotlight several members throughout the year in celebration of recognition months. For Women’s History Month, Latrice Behanan, RN, discusses her journey into nursing, the women who came before her in the profession, how she maintains a work-life balance, and more.

What made you choose nursing as a profession?

During my freshman year of college, I realized I wasn’t fully connected to my major. I visited the career success center for guidance, where I met with a counselor and completed several personality, behavioral, and interest assessments. To my surprise, “registered nurse” emerged at the top of the list as a natural career fit. Until then, nursing hadn’t been on my radar, but the more I explored it, the more it resonated with me. I quickly discovered that nursing aligned with both my strengths and my desire to make a meaningful impact. Later, I learned that my paternal grandmother — whom I never had the chance to meet — was also a nurse. Knowing that deepened my sense of connection to the profession and affirmed that I had found where I was meant to be. Nursing has truly become a career I love and am devoted to.

How long have you been an AMSN member?

I joined AMSN in 2020.

How has being part of AMSN supported you in your career or professional growth?

The greatest benefit of joining AMSN is becoming part of a supportive and dynamic community of thousands of medical‑surgical nurses who truly understand the work we do every day. It feels like stepping into a professional home where people speak your language, share your challenges, and celebrate your wins.

AMSN makes it incredibly easy to stay current and continue developing professionally to keep your practice sharp and relevant. Whether you’re a new nurse or a seasoned leader, it’s a space full of insight and support.

What changes would you like to see in the healthcare system to better support women patients?

I would love to see our healthcare systems take more intentional steps to support women, starting with expanding women’s representation in leadership. When women have a seat at the table — particularly in executive, clinical, and policy‑shaping roles — we see care models and priorities that better reflect the needs and lived experiences of women patients. Diverse leadership truly changes the way systems respond.

I also believe addressing implicit bias is essential. Outcomes have shown that women, especially women of color, often have their concerns minimized or their symptoms underestimated. Creating a culture and where women are consistently heard, believed, and taken seriously requires ongoing provider education, accountability, and system‑level awareness.

Lastly, we need stronger women‑specific health education and awareness. Too many women still navigate gaps in understanding conditions that disproportionately affect them — whether related to hormonal health, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, or reproductive changes across the lifespan. When both patients and providers have better access to accurate, evidence‑based information, outcomes improve and women feel more empowered in their own care.

Together, these changes would move us closer to a healthcare system that truly understands, values, and supports women at every stage of life.

Have you had any mentors or role models who influenced your path? What impact did they have on your career?

If I had to choose one woman who has been the most influential in my life, it would be my maternal grandmother, Vivian Wallace. She was the true definition of a matriarch — quiet in demeanor but bold in presence. She embodied wisdom, stability, and guidance. Although she never held a formal leadership role in her career, she led in her own powerful way. She supported so many people, often behind the scenes, with strength and steadiness that shaped our entire family and impacted her community.

My grandmother left a lasting legacy of kindness, resilience, perseverance, and patience. She helped others without ever seeking recognition or praise; it was simply who she was. Her life taught me that leadership is not always about titles or positions — it’s about impact, character, and how you show up for the people around you. Her example continues to guide me, both personally and professionally.

What advice would you give to young women considering a career in nursing?

My advice to young women considering a career in nursing is to recognize that this is a calling grounded in purpose, humanity, and impact. Nursing is meaningful work — you are entrusted with people’s lives and stories in their most vulnerable moments, and that is both an honor and a responsibility.

Give yourself grace as you grow into the profession. You will learn, stretch, and evolve, and that journey is part of becoming the nurse you’re meant to be. And above all, remember this: If you choose a career centered on caring for others, you must also make caring for yourself a priority. Protect your well‑being, set healthy boundaries, and refill your own cup. The compassion you offer others is strengthened by the compassion you extend to yourself.

When you think about women who came before us in nursing, which values or lessons do you think about most?

When I reflect on the women who came before us in nursing, I think about the values that shaped the profession long before any of us stepped into it. The women who paved the way demonstrated extraordinary resilience, compassion, and courage. They cared for patients in conditions that were often challenging, under‑resourced, and unrecognized — yet they led with heart, skill, and unwavering commitment.

Their legacy teaches us the importance of advocacy, especially when patients cannot advocate for themselves. It reminds us that nursing is rooted in service, integrity, and the belief that every person deserves dignity in their care. I also think about their determination to elevate the profession — to build standards, pursue education, and prove that nursing is both an art and a science. Their perseverance opened doors for the rest of us to grow, lead, and practice at the highest level. Those lessons continue to guide me: Stand firm in your purpose, care deeply, and make room for others to rise behind you.

Can you give an example of how you navigate work-life balance when it comes to personal and professional life?

I’ve recently adopted an analogy that has reshaped the way I think about caring for myself and caring for others: What I pour into others should come from my overflow. It reminds me that I show up best when my own cup is full — not when I’m depleted. This perspective encourages me to be intentional about continuously filling my cup rather than letting it run dry.

A big part of that is spending meaningful time with my family and friends. Being around the people who love me, support me, and make me laugh restores me in ways nothing else can. I also value time alone, where I can unplug, disconnect from noise, and simply be still. Those quiet moments bring me clarity, peace, and grounding.

I’ve also worked hard to let go of guilt for resting, for needing space, or for not being everything to everyone at all times. Releasing that guilt has been freeing and has allowed me to show up more authentically and fully in every area of my life.

I try to do things that fuel my mind, body, and spirit. Whether it’s moving my body, reading something that inspires me, spending time in reflection, or engaging in activities that bring joy, I focus on nurturing myself in a way that maintains balance and keeps me whole.

I believe more in work‑life synergy than in traditional work‑life balance. Balance implies a perfect 50/50 split, which is rarely realistic. Synergy recognizes that different parts of life can support each other and shift over time. Some days my personal life needs more of me; other days my work does. Instead of striving for perfection, I strive for harmony.

And through it all, I give my best and leave the rest to a higher power. That mindset keeps me centered, grounded, and confident that doing my best — not doing everything — is enough.

In what ways do you see nurses — especially women nurses — leading change in healthcare today?

Today, nurses — and especially women nurses — are leading change in profound and transformative ways. One area where I see the greatest impact is in advocacy and policymaking. Nurses bring a perspective rooted in direct patient care, lived experience, and a deep understanding of the gaps that exist in our system. That makes our voice essential in shaping policies that truly reflect the needs of patients and front-line providers.

Women nurses are also breaking long‑standing barriers by stepping into leadership roles that were not always accessible to us. We are moving into boardrooms, executive suites, research spaces, community leadership, and policy advisory roles where critical decisions are made. With every barrier broken, we expand what is possible for the next generation.

What inspires me most is how nurses advocate not only for their patients but also for entire communities. Whether it’s pushing for safer staffing, equitable access to care, improved outcomes for marginalized groups, or stronger public health strategies, nurses are driving conversations that lead to meaningful, sustainable change.

Our influence is growing because we lead with expertise and compassion. We bring humanity into decision‑making spaces that desperately need it. And as more women nurses step into their power, we are shaping a healthcare system that is more just, responsive, and reflective of the people it serves.

Who is a woman — inside or outside of nursing — who inspires you?

I am deeply inspired by Michelle Obama for the grace, strength, and perseverance she exemplifies. She leads with compassion and purpose, even in the face of immense public scrutiny and responsibility. Her ability to remain grounded, authentic, and service‑driven inspires me to approach leadership with intention, humility, and unwavering integrity.

I am also inspired by Maria Ashdown, vice president and chief nurse officer of our organization. She is a dynamic and passionate leader who creates space for people to show up as their true selves. Maria leads with humility and transparency, and she invests genuinely in the growth and success of those around her. Her example shows me every day how powerful it is to foster environments where people feel valued, supported, and empowered.

Both women demonstrate that leadership is not defined by titles alone but by presence, purpose, and the impact you leave on others.

What message would you like to share with fellow AMSN members during Women’s History Month?

Here’s to every woman who shows up, stands tall, speaks up, and lifts others as she climbs. Keep shining, keep pushing boundaries — and when in doubt, take a deep breath, straighten your crown, and keep going. As we honor the women who paved the way, let’s continue building a future where our voices shape the world around us. Stay grounded, stay inspired, and remember: You don’t have to do it all — just do your best and trust the rest … because even superheroes take breaks.