For Shanay Plater, a student in the GW Nursing MSN in Nurse-Midwifery program, the decision to pursue this advanced practice role wasn't a single "aha" moment—it was an inherent calling. She felt she was “born to help bring life into the world,” tracing her fascination with birth back to childhood.
“Every experience supporting a woman through labor has been unique and special,” Plater shares. “I love that midwifery allows me to care for women throughout their lives and nurture infants in their earliest days. Caring for women and children truly feels like my calling.”
Plater is now navigating the rigorous demands of graduate studies, preparing to join a profession dedicated to holistic, women-centered care. Her journey is defined by passion, discipline, and a deep-seated commitment to increasing access to safe, compassionate maternity services.
Redefining the Midwife’s Role
One of Plater’s primary objectives is to address the widespread misunderstanding of the nurse-midwife role. She points out that many people fail to realize that nurse-midwives are highly skilled primary care providers capable of caring for women throughout their entire lifespan, not just during pregnancy and birth.
This limited perception is a significant hurdle to improving public health, especially in underserved communities where access to quality maternity care is often scarce.
“Midwifery care has been proven to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality, yet access remains limited,” Plater notes.
After graduation, she hopes to become a fervent advocate for the profession, promoting the vital role of midwives by consistently providing evidence-based, high-quality, and compassionate care. Her overarching goal is clear: to ensure that every woman has access to safe, low-intervention maternity care, helping to close critical health equity gaps.
Guided by Pioneers and Instincts
Plater’s connection to her future profession is heavily influenced by the history of midwifery. A powerful experience during her "Midwifery Professional Role Development" course involved researching a true pioneer: Jesusita Aragon, a Hispanic midwife and healer.
Aragon, despite having no formal education, delivered over 12,000 babies and even built her own birthing center by hand. Her story struck a profound chord with Plater because it demonstrated that midwifery is truly a life’s devotion, often pursued in the face of adversity. Aragon’s belief in the “harmony of nature and the supernatural in healthcare” motivates Plater to blend modern medical knowledge with a deep respect for natural processes and community dedication.
Plater is committed to honoring this legacy by providing care that is safe, compassionate, and holistic. As she enters the field, she plans to honor women's autonomy, ensuring they have a voice in how, when, and where they give birth, while always trusting her instincts to support families through this transformative experience.
The Art of Balance and Personal Presence
Like many GW graduate students, Plater manages a complex life, balancing the roles of wife, mother, daughter, sister, and full-time professional alongside her rigorous studies. She admits there are times when she feels overwhelmed, but her perseverance comes from reminding herself of her original purpose and how close she is to achieving her dream.
“Prioritizing both study time and self-care has been essential,” she shares. She intentionally carves out time for simple joys like a spa day or a Starbucks run, and cherishes time with her family, who provide her with an invaluable support system. Building a community within her cohort has also been a key to her success, allowing the students to share ideas, hold each other accountable, and provide essential encouragement.
Plater brings unique qualities to her practice: a creative and personalized approach to care, recognizing that every family deserves care tailored to their specific needs; a natural talent for problem-solving; and, perhaps most importantly, a calming presence. This demeanor proves vital in emergencies, fostering confidence and a sense of tranquility during challenging moments in the birthing process.
A Vision for Autonomy and Holistic Care
Plater’s philosophy for the future of maternal and gynecological healthcare is rooted in respecting the history of the profession. She notes that birth was historically regarded as a natural process, with midwives providing holistic, family-centered care. While hospital births and technology became the norm, evidence continues to prove that midwives improve outcomes, lower costs, and provide personalized attention.
Her philosophy for life—to stay grounded in purpose while embracing balance—is what keeps her motivated. She believes that caring for others starts with caring for herself.
Plater concludes, “Staying connected to my values, my family, and my community allows me to approach both life and midwifery with passion, empathy, and resilience.”