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Nurse of the Quarter: Dr. Marie O. Etienne Proves Nursing Has No Limits
By Maggie Aime, MSN, RN
A JOURNEY THAT PROVES NURSING HAS NO LIMITS
A HUMBLE START TO A TRAILBLAZING JOURNEY
HER SHOES MUDDY FROM PLAYING, her cheeks wet with tears after a grandmotherly scolding, a young girl in Haiti suddenly feels a gentle touch on her shoulder. A nun kneels down to comfort her. "Don't cry," the nun says softly in French.
This isn't the opening scene of a heartwarming movie. It's the real-life origin story of Dr. Marie O. Etienne, a visionary, pioneer, and leader in the field of nursing.
That young girl was Dr. Etienne, and that pivotal moment of kindness from the nun left an indelible mark on her heart. “She just looked so immaculate,” Dr. Etienne recalled, her eyes still sparkling at the memory. “I said in my mind, when I grow up, I want to be like her!"
Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and raised in Arcahaie, Haiti, Dr. Etienne's journey to nursing began in the most unexpected way — with a desire to become a nun! Little did young Dr. Etienne know this chance encounter would set her on a path to revolutionize the nursing world.
Dr. Etienne will also tell you she comes from a humble family, one that instilled in her the values of hard work and perseverance. At 14, she embarked on a new adventure, moving to the United States. Armed with determination and zero English skills, she faced the daunting task of adapting to a new world. This was merely the beginning of many challenges she'd overcome with flying colors!
STUMBLES, STRUGGLES, AND SUCCESS
When Dr. Etienne's mother gently steered her away from nunhood and toward nursing, a new chapter began.
But it wasn't all smooth sailing. While in the nursing program at Miami Dade College, Dr. Etienne hit a roadblock when she didn't pass one of her classes. She then switched to Broward College and powered through their nursing program.
Then, the NCLEX threw her a curveball, taking two attempts to conquer. But she made a promise: "God, if I pass my NCLEX, I will never stop going to school." Spoiler alert: She kept that promise! From there, it was full steam ahead. Bachelor's degree? Check. Master's degree? Yes! She became a pediatric nurse practitioner and went on to earn her DNP. "Failure doesn't mean it's the end," she now tells her students. "It's a learning experience. You didn't pass the test, so now you have a testimony!" And keep pushing through.
BREAKING BARRIERS AND MAKING HISTORY
Dr. Etienne began teaching at Miami Dade College in the '90s, touching the lives of countless nursing students over the years. Her passion and expertise didn't go unnoticed, and she steadily advanced through the ranks.
In 2007, her exceptional teaching skills were recognized when she received the Stanley G. Tate and Family Endowed Teaching Chair for Excellence in Academia at Miami Dade College. It’s quite the title, and she saw this award as both an honor and a challenge. "Once you receive that type of recognition," she explained, "you can't go backward. It pushes you to become even greater."
I always aim to be greater, to uplift students. If they see I can do it, maybe they can, too.
And greater she became. In 2011, she achieved the title of full professor, consistently raising the bar for herself and inspiring her students to do the same.
But Dr. Etienne's impact wasn’t confined to the classroom. She's been on the front lines during critical times, lending her skills to earthquake relief efforts in Haiti and leading medical missions in the Dominican Republic and other places, showing students and others the true meaning of nursing in action.
LEADING WITH DEDICATION AND SERVICE
Her dedication and commitment to service caught the attention of the American Red Cross. In 2013, they awarded her the prestigious Florence Nightingale Medal, one of nursing's highest honors. She was one of only five recipients in the U.S. and 32 worldwide that year.
Dr. Etienne's leadership continued to shine. She served as president of the Haitian American Nurses Association of Florida from 2005 to 2007 and became the founding president of the Haitian Alliance Nurses Association International in 2018.
In 2024, she achieved an unprecedented milestone: She became the first Black president of the Florida Nurses Association in its 118-year history. This accomplishment opened doors for greater diversity in nursing leadership.
Yet, throughout her impressive journey, Dr. Etienne stayed true to her core mission — serving others. Through medical missions, advocating for her profession, and leading (and creating) various organizations and nursing associations, she continues to make a difference. Her motivation remains simple yet powerful: “I always aim to be greater, to uplift students,” she said. “If they see I can do it, maybe they can, too.”
FAITH, FOCUS, AND FAMILY
How does Dr. Etienne manage her numerous roles and responsibilities? Her answer is refreshingly simple: “I live in the moment,” she said with a serene smile. But there’s more to her method than meets the eye.
Dr. Etienne’s foundation is her faith. This spiritual guidance has been her compass, especially during challenging times. A harrowing experience in 2018 became a turning point. After a frightening encounter with armed assailants in her driveway as she returned home from a pinning ceremony, Dr. Etienne found herself with a renewed sense of purpose. This led to the creation of her non-profit, Global Innovative Foundation, dedicated to helping survivors of crimes, human trafficking, and domestic violence.
To juggle her many responsibilities, Dr. Etienne emphasized honesty, focus, and discipline, adding, “Everything you do, do it in the spirit of excellence.” She’s quick to acknowledge her support system, warmly crediting her family’s love and encouragement as vital to her success.
Her numerous accolades, from the Lifetime Achievement DAISY Award to being named an Inspired Woman of Health, are a testament to her impact. But for Dr. Etienne, it’s never about personal glory. As she reflects on her journey, her hope is that people will remember her simply as someone who dedicated her life to serving others and did so with excellence. With her track record, it’s safe to say she’s already achieved that goal and then some.
STAY ENGAGED, BUILD COMMUNITY, AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Dr. Etienne’s message to her fellow nurses is both heartfelt and powerful, focusing on the importance of community and personal growth in nursing.
“Be present,” she urged. “Be a light to others, so you can make them feel better, so that they can heal, knowing that someone cares.” This simple yet profound advice captures the essence of nursing — compassion and healing through human connection.
JUST A FEW OF DR. MARIE O. ETIENNE'S ACHIEVEMENTS
- President of the Haitian American Nurses Association of Florida (2005-2007)
- Awarded the Stanley G. Tate and Family Endowed Teaching Chair for Excellence in Academia at Miami Dade College (2007)
- Recipient of the Florence Nightingale Medal from the American Red Cross (2013)
- Founding President of the Haitian Alliance Nurses Association International (2018)
- Founder of Global Innovative Foundation, a non-profit helping survivors of crimes, human trafficking, and domestic violence (2019)
- First Black president of the Florida Nurses Association in its 118-year history (2024)
She also encourages nurses to join professional organizations, whether the Florida Nurses Association or others that resonate with them. Why? “To give back, to be part of the solution by being engaged,” she added.
She reminds nurses to think bigger and broader because creating a thriving community is a team sport. It’s about joining forces with professionals from all walks of life. “Because everyone has something to offer. What you know, I don’t know, and what I know, you don’t know,” she enthusiastically said. And so together, by pooling our collective wisdom, we can create a ripple effect of positive change.
Drawing inspiration from great leaders, Dr. Etienne shared one of her favorite quotes from Martin Luther King Jr.: “You don’t need a college degree to serve, but a heart full of grace.” She also lives by Mahatma Gandhi’s words, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Dr. Etienne’s story challenges every nurse to dream big, persevere, and strive to make a difference. It also reminds us that destiny is often shaped by the smallest moments. And, in the end, it’s not about the accolades or titles but about the lives touched and the communities transformed.
