ANA Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation® Spotlight: Jemal Seid, RN
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Nurse relocates to U.S. to advance his education and help youth with addiction
#healthynurse Jemal Seid, RN, first became a nurse 16 years ago in Ethiopia. Now, working as a nurse in a detox facility in Texas, he has finished his graduate-level degree and will soon become a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP).
Jemal has a deep passion for helping youth with substance use disorders. He is committed to raising awareness and helping to ensure they have equal access to care. With assistance from ANA's Minority Fellowship Program (MFP), he’s working to tackle his goals, one by one. Next up? Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
With an advanced degree, Jemal intends to effect greater change to reach larger numbers of people. Ideally, he'd like to contribute to policy discussions and help shape mental health training programs.
"Training should emphasize trauma-informed care and cultural sensitivity, especially when treating substance use disorder," Jemal says. "It's a step toward systemic change — ensuring future nurses are better equipped to address stigma and support recovery in meaningful ways."
Navigating a Challenging Career Path
Jemal recognized his passion for working in mental health not long after becoming a nurse in Ethiopia, where he witnessed the impact of untreated mental health issues firsthand. He explains that in Ethiopia, mental health is often misunderstood and associated with shame or spiritual weakness. He also sees some of these same stigmas associated with mental health here in the U.S. — and it motivates him.
"That early exposure planted the seed," Jemal says. "But my passion for mental health and addiction treatment truly took shape after I moved to the United States and discovered the specialty."
However, after 5 years working as a nurse in Ethiopia, earning his nursing degree in the U.S. was demanding. Jemal had to overcome many hurdles — including adapting to a new culture and a different health care system. He remembers it being time-consuming and difficult to understand the process. But Jemal devoted himself to studying and learning the new nursing practices.
All his hard work is paying off. Now that he's established and working toward advanced degrees, Jemal can finally focus on the passion that drives him.
"While there is more awareness about mental health in the U.S., stigma still persists — especially around substance use disorders, which are frequently viewed as moral failings rather than health conditions," Jemal says. "I hope to challenge these perceptions by advocating for compassionate, evidence-based care and by sharing stories that humanize these struggles."
Determined to Make a Difference for Adolescents With Addiction
While Jemal works with patients of all ages, he feels drawn to helping teenagers because he knows the impact early intervention can have. "I work in a detox facility and see how these young people struggle with addiction," Jemal says. "My goal is to do whatever I can to help them into recovery and work to eradicate the stigma surrounding mental health."
Jemal says he's able to form a strong connection with young patients by listening without judgment and creating a safe space. He recognizes that every patient is different — they come from different backgrounds and exhibit different behaviors. Jemal believes that when you take time to understand the complexities of each person’s addiction and help them learn to trust the process, you can really help people.
Taking Time for Self-Care
Jemal throws himself into work, but he recognizes that working with youth who have substance use disorders can take a toll. To stay balanced, Jemal's self-care involves spending time with family, engaging in his faith and the community, and playing soccer — a pastime he loves.
"This work can be emotionally demanding," Jemal says. "But the moments of growth and breakthrough make the work incredibly fulfilling."
Impact of the Minority Fellowship Program
Jemal believes he'll be able to accomplish more to improve mental health equity if he’s working with an advanced degree. It's the reason he's becoming a PMHNP and why he'll begin his doctorate program just a few months later.
He says that reaching those goals wouldn't be possible without the MFP. The program enables him to experience and embrace higher learning in every way.
"I'm now a part of this supportive network of nurses," Jemal says. "I never expected to find so many connections with people who think like I do. We share the same values and discuss how we help people and help ourselves. It's inspiring to be surrounded by people who share my passion."
Jemal Seid, RN, works at Restored Path Detox in Frisco, Texas.
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Blog #healthynurse Spotlight
11/13/2025 9:26am CST
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.
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