Christopher Diaz DNP-FNP 2023
Christopher Diaz completed a DNP with a Family Nurse Practitioner specialization in May 2023. Christopher is the recipient of the 2023 DNP Diversity and Social Justice award.
This award recognizes the work of a DNP student in the College of Nursing committed to the health of the ALANA (African American, Latino/a, Asian, or Native American) and LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning) communities, or historically excluded or underserved populations through teaching, outreach and/or scholarship.
About Dr. Diaz:
Christopher Diaz grew up in Wilbraham, MA but has lived in Springfield, MA for the past four years. After completing high school at Minnechaug Regional High School, he attended Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT, earning a Bachelor of Nursing in Science (BSN) in 2017. For the past six years he has worked as an emergency department/travel nurse at multiple hospitals across Massachusetts and Connecticut. He also worked with the homeless community in Springfield to provide them a safe quarantine during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Christopher told us about his nursing journey in a recent conversation:
What inspired you to become a nurse and decide to pursue a DNP degree?
During the high school college search process, I always knew that I wanted to impact the lives of others. To do this, I was very aware that I wanted to study a career in either nursing or education. As I established myself as an emergency department nurse, I began mentoring and precepting other new graduate nurses and fell in love with education in nursing. Therefore, I decided to complete my DNP so that I can teach nursing collegiately and inspire students entering the nursing profession. Combining my two passions allows me to live out a dream that was once deferred many years ago.
Tell us about your experience as a UMass Amherst Nursing student.
My experience as a UMass Amherst Nursing student has been nothing but positive! Through the DNP program at UMass, I was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and was granted the opportunity to teach nursing students as a graduate employee. I also felt very supported through my practicum experiences and gained such an unforgettable education through this program.
What is your favorite quote or philosophy?
I would say that my favorite philosophy is centered around human equality. I am a firm believer that human beings, despite their differences, should be regarded as one another's equals. We all come from different backgrounds and adversities that make us who we are. Trying to understand and support one another through these differences is so important in creating a safe space for all. I have dedicated a lot of time toward understanding this philosophy so that I can be both a better nurse and educator.
What are your feelings about being selected as the 2023 DNP Diversity and Social Justice award recipient?
I am so humbled that the selection committee chose me as the recipient for this award. I have spent lots of my graduate work focusing on how I can improve the quality of health care among several minority populations in our community. Having been honored with this award shows me that my work is making a difference and has not gone unnoticed!
What are your hopes and plans for the future?
My hope for the future is to continue teaching future nurses at the university level. I also plan to work part-time as a nurse practitioner in pediatrics at the same facility where I did my pediatric practicum. Completing this program has opened so many doors that I have been able to capitalize on!