ANA Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation® Spotlight: Chantel Vazquez, BSN, RN
Published
Nurse cares for her community — and herself — as a mentor for American Indian nursing students
As we celebrate Native American Heritage Month, the American Nurses Association (ANA) recognizes the invaluable contributions of Native American and Alaska Native nurses. Their deep cultural knowledge, compassion, and dedication enhance quality of care and strengthen our health care community.
This month, we spotlight #healthynurse Chantel Vazquez, BSN, RN, (pictured in black shirt) enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Tribe of Belcourt, North Dakota.
Chantel is a graduate student in the University of North Dakota (UND) Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program and a fellow of the ANA’s Minority Fellowship Program. She also works full time as a nurse mentor in UND’s Recruitment & Retention of American Indians into Nursing (RAIN) program. For more than 35 years, RAIN has offered academic, career, personal, and financial support to American Indian students pursuing degrees in nursing and related health care fields.
Giving Back as a Former RAIN Student
For Chantel, mentoring nursing students allows her to give back to her community. It means a lot to do so in a program that supported her as an undergraduate student roughly 12 years ago.
“As an enrolled member of my tribe, I was aware of RAIN and the support services they provide when I began my studies at UND,” she says. “I enrolled right away. RAIN became a home away from home for me as a young student. This was so important because it can feel like a shock coming to a big university, especially for people from smaller communities.”
When Chantel saw there was an opening for a RAIN mentor, she knew it was meant to be. “I thought it was a perfect opportunity to earn my MSN and contribute to a program I loved,” she says.
Supporting the Next Generation of American Indian Nurses
As a RAIN mentor, Chantel helps students with clinical skills, such as setting up an IV pump or taking blood pressure. She also meets with students each semester to assess their needs.
“We discuss any anticipated barriers to their educational goals, and I help connect them to support or resources they need,” she says.
Just as important as the academic support, Chantel says, is the way RAIN provides a warm environment and place for students to belong. “We are that support system every student needs when they leave home,” she says.
A Nurturing Environment for All
To receive scholarships and financial assistance through RAIN, students must be a member or descendant of an Indian tribe, Chantel says. However, the program offers mentorship and support to any student who needs assistance.
“As long as they are UND students, we can help them,” Chantel says. “We always put food out in the office, and any student is welcome to pop in and grab a snack between classes. We want everyone to feel they have a place here.”
Prioritizing Mental Wellness for Herself and Her Mentees
Chantel understands the importance of carving out time for wellness from a jam-packed schedule. With her focus on mental health nursing, she embraces therapy as an act of self-care.
“I truly believe that everyone can benefit from therapy,” she says. “Caring for our mental health is an important part of wellness, just like going to the gym.”
She also encourages the students she works with to take care of their mental health. “Sometimes, what they need is someone to listen without judgment,” she says. “They’re not always looking for a solution. I can support them without saying a word.”
Finding Wellness While Honoring Her Culture
Chantel takes time to nourish her spirit by participating in tribal ceremonies and traditions with her family.
“Spending quality time with my husband, children, parents, and extended family really keeps me grounded,” she says. “We attend powwows and different ceremonies throughout the year. I love beading and sewing, and I just made regalia jingle dresses for myself and my daughter. These practices are very important to me.”
Planning a Future in Mental Health Care and Addiction Recovery
Prior to becoming a graduate student, Chantel spent much of her nursing career in tribal health, Veterans Administration facilities, and public health roles. She discovered a passion for helping people in harm reduction programs.
“I cared for patients in a needle exchange program, and I learned that this population needs so many resources that just aren’t available to them,” she says. “It was heartbreaking. I wanted to find better ways to help them, so I decided to go back to school.”
When she graduates, Chantel plans to focus her career on mental health and substance abuse or recovery and addiction. “I have a heart for people in addiction,” she says. “I want to help them with an open mind that can see the whole picture of what they’re dealing with.”
Chantel Vazquez, BSN, RN, is a nurse mentor for Recruitment & Retention of American Indians into Nursing (RAIN) and a graduate student at the University of North Dakota.
How do you foster wellness for yourself and your community? Tell us your #healthynurse story in the comments!
Not a member of Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation (HNHN) yet? Join today!
Join our monthly challenges at hnhn.org/challenges!
Blog #healthynurse Spotlight
10/30/2025 3:27pm CDT
The #healthynurse Spotlight is a shout out to nurses who are making changes in their lives to improve their health and wellness. You can too! Read their stories for inspiration here.
Post a Comment or Question