Aaron Sangha’s approach to nursing was shaped by many things in his life including his mother’s career, his wife’s breast cancer diagnosis and his quality education at Chamberlain University.
In the United States, Black male nurses are a rarity, comprising less than 1% of the nursing workforce. This stark underrepresentation limits diversity in healthcare and underscores a critical gap in culturally competent care.
As the nation grapples with a nursing shortage projected to exceed 200,000 positions annually by 2031, the need for diverse professionals like Aaron Sangha, BSN ’24, becomes increasingly urgent. His presence in the field is a testament to personal achievement and a vital contribution to a more inclusive and effective healthcare system.
Healthcare Professionals Need Empathy, Not Just Expertise
In his senior year at Chamberlain University, Sangha’s wife, Nichole, learned she had breast cancer. Balancing the emotional toll of his wife’s health battle with the demands of his studies was overwhelming, but the support Sangha received from his professors and peers were sources of unwavering support.
“My professors were very supportive and present and extended lifelines to allow me to make it through the program. And not just make it through the program, but to shine through. I wouldn’t have been able to achieve my degree without them.”
The experience also reinforced Sangha’s passion for patient care and the importance of being there for people during their most vulnerable moments. His experience with his wife’s diagnosis has shaped how he approaches patient relationships today, deeply understanding how critical it is for healthcare professionals to offer empathy, not just expertise.
Nichole completed her treatment and Sangha his degree despite the emotional and mental challenges they faced as a family. Part of his training in clinical rotations was at the same hospital where Nichole had undergone surgery during her treatment.
“That was a cool full-circle moment.”
Leveraging Education to Provide Compassionate Care
Most of Sangha’s life experience is associated with healthcare. His mother is a nurse, and he started his career in marketing with an orthopedic group. In that time being on the peripheral of surgical care, Sangha felt an indescribable pull to patient care and ultimately followed his mother’s footsteps into nursing.
He pursued a nursing degree at Chamberlain, where he earned his BSN in 2024. His transition to healthcare may seem unconventional, but it underscores his deep commitment to making a difference in nursing and in his community.
Sangha’s degree has empowered him to thrive in his role as a surgical services nurse at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Surgical nursing is a specialized branch of nursing that focuses on patients who are undergoing surgery or are in need of surgical care. Surgical nurses, also known as perioperative nurses, work in the operating room or in pre- and post-operative settings.
He was introduced to the specialized career path through Chamberlain’s Practice Ready. Specialty Focused.™ program that gives third-year BSN students the opportunity to delve deeper into nursing specialties through a structured, 16-week online course followed by an eight-week on-site clinical experience.
Leverage Nursing Expertise to Bridge Gaps in Care
Sangha’s education prepared him for the fast-paced and high-risk environment of surgery, equipping him with both clinical expertise and the emotional intelligence necessary to connect with patients.
“Chamberlain’s education wasn’t just about clinical skills; it was about how to connect with people, how to provide compassionate care,” he says. The hands-on training he received, with a focus on empathy and communication, equipped him to address both the technical aspects and the emotional needs of his patients.
That foundation has enabled him to excel in his first six months at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Beyond his first role, he is deeply committed to expanding the impact of his nursing career; his goal is to take the lessons he’s learned and apply them to serve under-resourced communities locally and globally.
For Sangha, nursing is a lifelong calling to serve those who need it most.
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