In Arizona, Native Americans represent 15 percent of the rural population but just 1.1 percent of registered nurses. Charmaine Begay, ’26, is determined to change that.
A first-generation college student from Crystal, New Mexico, and a member of the Navajo Nation, Begay is pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) through Northern Arizona University’s American Indian Nursing Program (AIP). In doing so, she is helping shape a future in which Indigenous communities are cared for by providers who understand their culture and values.
“When Native patients see me, there’s a familiarity. They feel their concerns are heard, understood, and that they have a voice in their own treatment,” Begay said.
Research supports what Begay has seen firsthand. A 2020 peer-reviewed study analyzed nearly 118,000 outpatient surveys and found that patients reported higher satisfaction with their care when their doctor shared their racial or ethnic background.
Begay’s decision to pursue nursing stems from both community need and personal experience. During the COVID-19 pandemic, her father passed away after contracting the virus. Watching nurses care for him with composure and compassion affirmed her path. “I want to be that person for another family in my community,” she said.
Her motivation, however, reaches back even further. “I’ve always been passionate about helping others, and I give my parents all the credit for that,” Begay said. “They raised me to value discipline, respect for our elders, and loving one another.”
That foundation guided her early work at a group home on the Navajo reservation, where she witnessed the barriers faced by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). “I saw a lot of miscommunication—things like nonverbal cues going unnoticed. That inspired me to want to advocate for this population and bring more inclusive healthcare to my community,” she explained.
The AIP equips students like Begay to meet these needs. Each fall, ten students are admitted to the cohort, which prioritizes Native American students from federally recognized tribes. Participants receive up to $10,000 annually in scholarships, along with support for housing and travel. The program also provides reservation-based training, including clinical rotations at Indian Health Service facilities and regional health centers such as Tuba City.
Looking ahead, Begay hopes to work with the Indian Health Service and eventually create programs that expand inclusive care for IDD populations on the Navajo Nation.
Donor generosity is central to her journey, allowing her to focus fully on her education.
“Knowing that people believe in me enough to invest in my education—it motivates me to keep going. It makes me feel like, yes, I can do this,” she said.
Arizona faces a projected shortage of 30,000 registered nurses, and nearly three million state residents lack access to primary care. By supporting the NAU College of Nursing, donors help prepare exceptional students like Begay serve communities where they are needed most, while addressing one of Arizona’s most pressing healthcare disparities.
