Ernest Grant is an American nurse and educator living in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.[1] In 2018, he began serving as the 36th president of the American Nurses Association (ANA). Notably, he is the first male to serve in this position.[2][3] One of his goals has been to encourage diversity in nursing. Since being elected, the percentage of male nurses has increased.[4] He also serves as adjunct faculty for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing.[5]

Dr. Ernest Grant
NationalityAmerican
Alma materPhD in Nursing from University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Occupation(s)Nurse, public health professional
Known for36th president of the American Nurses Association

Notably, he was the first African American to graduate from his LPN program, which kickstarted his nursing career.[6]

"If it wasn’t for the community college system, I would not be where I am today. It was a leg up to continue my education."

Education and awards

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Grant earned his PhD in Nursing from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2015. Prior to earning his PhD, Grant was presented the Nurse of the Year Award for his work treating those injured on 9/11. George W. Bush presented him with this award in 2002.[7]

In 2022, Grant received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.[8][9]

Professional work

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Grant has extensive experience working with burn injuries. He worked at the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has also taught burn education to U.S. soldiers prior to their deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan during the George W. Bush administration.[10][11]

COVID-19 pandemic

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Grant was instrumental in advocating for nurses' safety during the Personal protective equipment (PPE) supply shortage in early 2020.[12][13][14]

Grant, an African American, signed up to participate in a COVID-19 vaccine trial to help rebuild trust with the Black community.[15] During an interview with Black Enterprise, Grant commented, “I thought it was imperative to serve as a role model to not only nurses who need to be involved and included in COVID-19 vaccine development, but also for Black people who have been historically underrepresented when it comes to vaccine testing. As a result, it was especially important for me to be that representation, given the disproportionate effect of COVID-19 in our Black communities.”[16]

Grant was also interviewed by David Greene (journalist) of NPR about his experience in the COVID-19 vaccine trial to help decrease vaccine hesitancy.[17]

References

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  1. ^ "'It's OK to take the vaccine': Head of nursing group entered trial to alleviate fears". News & Observer. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  2. ^ "Local nurse ready to serve as first male president of American Nurses Association". WRAL News. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  3. ^ "Ernest Grant Breaks Barriers". Nursing Center. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  4. ^ "Making History: Q&A with ANA's First Male President Ernest Grant". Minority Nurse. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  5. ^ "ANA President". ANA. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  6. ^ "Ernest J. Grant President of NCNA and ANA 2018-2020 | North Carolina Nursing History | Appalachian State University". nursinghistory.appstate.edu. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  7. ^ "ANA President". ANA. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  8. ^ "Ella, Nosbusch, Grant to receive honorary degrees from UW–Madison". news.wisc.edu. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  9. ^ "Honorary Degree Recipients". Office of the Secretary of the Faculty. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  10. ^ "ANA President". ANA. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  11. ^ "10 things you didn't know about Ernest Grant, the first male ANA president". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  12. ^ "ANA's President Calls Nurses "Warriors Without Armor"- Survey Finds 66% Lack Adequate PPE". Nurse.org. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  13. ^ "Q&A: ANA president advocates for readiness in fighting COVID-19". Modern Healthcare. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  14. ^ "Nurses Say They're Short on Masks, Other Protection Supplies". Bloomberg. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  15. ^ "'It's OK to take the vaccine': Head of nursing group entered trial to alleviate fears". News & Observer. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  16. ^ "American Nurses Association's First Black Male President Participates in COVID-19 Vaccine Trials". Black Enterprise. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  17. ^ "ANA President On Why People Of Color Should Be Involved In Vaccine Trials". NPR. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
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