Marnitta Demming: Specialized Nursing
“Don’t forget where you come from. Stay humble, focused, and don’t get distracted.”
by Marcinho Savant
“Listen to your parents and elders. They are coming from a positive place--- trying to help you , to see you do better. Embrace them! Don’t push them away... "
Marnitta Demming, RN
Shreveport-born and raised, Marnitta Demming is a practicing emergency room nurse, presently enrolled in a “Bachelor of Science in Nursing to a Doctor of Nursing Practice” degree program at the University of South Alabama. “After obtaining the Master’s portion you can work as a Nurse Practitioner while finishing final requirements for the Doctorate degree.”
She wanted to be a doctor at a very young age--- her initials are M.D.! She was exposed early on, to caring and assisting her own family members. Marnitta’s grandmother and grandfather had diabetes. Perhaps as a learning opportunity, they allowed her to assist with testing glucose levels, and injecting insulin (which her grandfather drew into the syringe) when needed, “My grandparents were able to administer their own injections, but, my grandfather just allowed me to do them.”
Loss resonated strongly at home as well. At the age of eleven, her grandfather, Martin Jones, underwent a triple bypass surgery and, regrettably, never came home. She attended Caddo Career and Technology Center, years later, and enrolled in, and completed, a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program in her junior year of high school. Marnitta began to seriously consider nursing, and really wanted to know if anything could have been done differently. If she could learn anything that would allow her to do a better job in saving the lives of others.
She began working as a CNA, due to her passion for helping older people. “I learned about life”, she said. She began employed life at a Taco Bell, while getting certified--- then she began going to work for nursing homes, because it paid better than fast food.
“You form a bond with your residents, and their passing was the hardest part. I learned that life was too short. You’re caring for your patient, and then the next day they were gone.”
She wanted to be a doctor at a very young age--- her initials are M.D.! She was exposed early on, to caring and assisting her own family members. Marnitta’s grandmother and grandfather had diabetes. Perhaps as a learning opportunity, they allowed her to assist with testing glucose levels, and injecting insulin (which her grandfather drew into the syringe) when needed, “My grandparents were able to administer their own injections, but, my grandfather just allowed me to do them.”
Loss resonated strongly at home as well. At the age of eleven, her grandfather, Martin Jones, underwent a triple bypass surgery and, regrettably, never came home. She attended Caddo Career and Technology Center, years later, and enrolled in, and completed, a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program in her junior year of high school. Marnitta began to seriously consider nursing, and really wanted to know if anything could have been done differently. If she could learn anything that would allow her to do a better job in saving the lives of others.
She began working as a CNA, due to her passion for helping older people. “I learned about life”, she said. She began employed life at a Taco Bell, while getting certified--- then she began going to work for nursing homes, because it paid better than fast food.
“You form a bond with your residents, and their passing was the hardest part. I learned that life was too short. You’re caring for your patient, and then the next day they were gone.”
“You form a bond with your residents, and their passing was the hardest part. I learned that life was too short. You’re caring for your patient, and then the next day they were gone.”
Marnittas’ challenges continued, but her drive never wavered. After graduating high school in May, she was enrolled in college, and on campus by August. “If you wait around you don’t want to go”, she cautioned.
Enrolled at the University of Louisiana at Monroe--- majoring in nursing. Then, in 2006, she was completing prerequisite courses, living on campus, excited about achieving her goals. She learned that her grandmother died, while in the middle of acclimating to her new situation. She left campus, came back home, and especially to help her grandfather, who had been married to his wife, as long as she can remember. He was now a widower whose other half of life was gone. “School had just started, and after her death, I wasn’t focused at all. I withdrew because I was needed back at home. After my grandmother passed, I worked on my paperwork for transfer to Grambling which would allow me to commute from Shreveport. I started at Grambling in 2007.”
She carpooled to campus five days per week. “I knew my grandmother would still want me to go and finish school. She was misdiagnosed in 2006, when her grandmother then went into a facility. They had told the family that her grandmother had suffered no stroke, but she, in fact, had. This drove Marnitta to complete her studies with even more intensity. She sat for, and passed her Boards in 2010. “I started nursing at LSU Shreveport in 2010." Even while devoted to attempting to assist people, she has endured racist patients rejecting her care, merely because of the color of her skin.
She reminds herself that she’s “doing it for the Lord, not for the patient... What if it was me lying in that bed? You can ask God to help but you have to do the work , and giving back to patients, a kind word, a compliment. Might save somebody’s life, or brighten their day.”
Enrolled at the University of Louisiana at Monroe--- majoring in nursing. Then, in 2006, she was completing prerequisite courses, living on campus, excited about achieving her goals. She learned that her grandmother died, while in the middle of acclimating to her new situation. She left campus, came back home, and especially to help her grandfather, who had been married to his wife, as long as she can remember. He was now a widower whose other half of life was gone. “School had just started, and after her death, I wasn’t focused at all. I withdrew because I was needed back at home. After my grandmother passed, I worked on my paperwork for transfer to Grambling which would allow me to commute from Shreveport. I started at Grambling in 2007.”
She carpooled to campus five days per week. “I knew my grandmother would still want me to go and finish school. She was misdiagnosed in 2006, when her grandmother then went into a facility. They had told the family that her grandmother had suffered no stroke, but she, in fact, had. This drove Marnitta to complete her studies with even more intensity. She sat for, and passed her Boards in 2010. “I started nursing at LSU Shreveport in 2010." Even while devoted to attempting to assist people, she has endured racist patients rejecting her care, merely because of the color of her skin.
She reminds herself that she’s “doing it for the Lord, not for the patient... What if it was me lying in that bed? You can ask God to help but you have to do the work , and giving back to patients, a kind word, a compliment. Might save somebody’s life, or brighten their day.”
“They tell me I’m crazy--- and I tell that girl that ‘it’s okay! I take my medicine!’ Life is to short not to laugh.”
A God-fearing, and God-loving woman, religion started at home with her, and she has made time to worship all her life. “If you get up and go into a man’s job 12 hours plus, at LEAST give God a couple hours, once per week.” “I put God first--- above everything, and I consult him in all that I do! Keeping God first, seeking him, and treating people right, following biblical principals... These are the keys to living a peaceful, productive, life--- and one that is pleasing unto Him. ”
With a keen eye for observation, Marnitta now has plans for how to go forward, upon completion of her dual degrees. She plans to open her own health care practice here in the city. “People are scared of mental health, mental illness, they feel stigmatized at the mention of mental heath care. They’re not taking their meds, and they need resources. It is so rough on families that don’t know what to do with mental illness. Their loved one stays at LSU for a few days, for example, then they are discharged with no follow-up care. There needs to be a place for people to get the help they need, and to realize that mental health challenges are just as real a disease as diabetes or cancer--- and can be treated. “There is also a lack of access to care across the board, and people are using emergency rooms as substitutes for targeted care from specialists.”
As much as she passionately cares for the well-being of others, Marnitta is equally passionate, and resolute about her own life, goals and needs. Single, at the moment, she is not certain of what the future holds. She wants a few kids, but notes that “they are expensive, and I need to have proper time to give them.” As for dating, “Till you’re married, you’re SINGLE”, so no... I’m not dating! With school and stuff, I have no time for any foolishness.”
With a keen eye for observation, Marnitta now has plans for how to go forward, upon completion of her dual degrees. She plans to open her own health care practice here in the city. “People are scared of mental health, mental illness, they feel stigmatized at the mention of mental heath care. They’re not taking their meds, and they need resources. It is so rough on families that don’t know what to do with mental illness. Their loved one stays at LSU for a few days, for example, then they are discharged with no follow-up care. There needs to be a place for people to get the help they need, and to realize that mental health challenges are just as real a disease as diabetes or cancer--- and can be treated. “There is also a lack of access to care across the board, and people are using emergency rooms as substitutes for targeted care from specialists.”
As much as she passionately cares for the well-being of others, Marnitta is equally passionate, and resolute about her own life, goals and needs. Single, at the moment, she is not certain of what the future holds. She wants a few kids, but notes that “they are expensive, and I need to have proper time to give them.” As for dating, “Till you’re married, you’re SINGLE”, so no... I’m not dating! With school and stuff, I have no time for any foolishness.”
The Road to Greatness is a Long One.
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“No blame game allowed. We must take responsibility for ourselves, and our decisions. If something isn’t right in your life, you can’t blame anybody but yourself. There’s nothing out there in those streets. Many people say that college is not for them and that may be true. Obtain a trade and do a job that can be done with a clear conscience! Don’t forget where you come from. Stay humble, focused, and don’t get distracted. All things are possible through Christ, who strengthens you.”
It is clear that Marnitta is a driven, focused, serious, no-nonsense, woman who kicks down any obstacle that threatens to interfere with her path. She is also a complete clown! “They tell me I’m crazy--- and I tell that girl that ‘it’s okay! I take my medicine!’ Life is to short not to laugh.”
Ms. Demming also treasures fun, and family, second only to God. To entertain herself, she loves to “Laugh, keeping it real, telling the truth, being around family, having just a few friends...going to church, enjoying my Pastor, and church members.” Her family keeps her encouraged in all things. She credits many people for their positive influence on her life. Her, late, grandmother, Kathleen Demming; Charlie Demming, Brenda Demming, Paula Hunter (Mom), Step-dad Wayne Hunter, and Tramaine Demming (brother) and Alexis Hunter (sister); Apostle Cornell Hamilton, Pastor Patricia Hamilton at From Bondage to Freedom Outreach Ministry, in Shreveport.
An avid talker, Marnitta rarely says meaningless things. “Listen to your parents and elders. They are coming from a positive place--- trying to help you , to see you do better. Embrace them! Don’t push them away... Elders pushed me, many people don’t have that blessing. They’re out there with a bunch of kids, no education, no inspiration... But the only person stopping you is you! Don’t let anybody hold you back.
“No blame game allowed. We must take responsibility for ourselves, and our decisions. If something isn’t right in your life, you can’t blame anybody but yourself. There’s nothing out there in those streets. Many people say that college is not for them and that may be true. Obtain a trade and do a job that can be done with a clear conscience! Don’t forget where you come from. Stay humble, focused, and don’t get distracted. All things are possible through Christ, who strengthens you.”
She is going to continue to achieve everything that God has in store for her. This seems abundantly, and irrefutably, clear.
Church? Say “amen”.
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If you know of an inspirational, daring, young person in Shreveport-Bossier, please let us know by contacting The Shreveport Sun editorial desk with your recommendation, and we will do our best to feature nominees in future editions. Contact us by calling (318) 631-6222.
Ms. Demming also treasures fun, and family, second only to God. To entertain herself, she loves to “Laugh, keeping it real, telling the truth, being around family, having just a few friends...going to church, enjoying my Pastor, and church members.” Her family keeps her encouraged in all things. She credits many people for their positive influence on her life. Her, late, grandmother, Kathleen Demming; Charlie Demming, Brenda Demming, Paula Hunter (Mom), Step-dad Wayne Hunter, and Tramaine Demming (brother) and Alexis Hunter (sister); Apostle Cornell Hamilton, Pastor Patricia Hamilton at From Bondage to Freedom Outreach Ministry, in Shreveport.
An avid talker, Marnitta rarely says meaningless things. “Listen to your parents and elders. They are coming from a positive place--- trying to help you , to see you do better. Embrace them! Don’t push them away... Elders pushed me, many people don’t have that blessing. They’re out there with a bunch of kids, no education, no inspiration... But the only person stopping you is you! Don’t let anybody hold you back.
“No blame game allowed. We must take responsibility for ourselves, and our decisions. If something isn’t right in your life, you can’t blame anybody but yourself. There’s nothing out there in those streets. Many people say that college is not for them and that may be true. Obtain a trade and do a job that can be done with a clear conscience! Don’t forget where you come from. Stay humble, focused, and don’t get distracted. All things are possible through Christ, who strengthens you.”
She is going to continue to achieve everything that God has in store for her. This seems abundantly, and irrefutably, clear.
Church? Say “amen”.
###
If you know of an inspirational, daring, young person in Shreveport-Bossier, please let us know by contacting The Shreveport Sun editorial desk with your recommendation, and we will do our best to feature nominees in future editions. Contact us by calling (318) 631-6222.