Tiffany Covarrubias-Lyttle, is the recipient of a Nurses Educational Funds Scholarship. She embarked on her nursing journey as a second-career nurse after previously working as a social worker. Her unique perspective from the social work field allowed her to recognize the holistic needs of communities and the profound impact of social determinants of health.

Throughout her career, Covarrubias-Lyttle has worn various hats—leader, researcher, mental health counselor, advocate, and community outreach champion. Her involvement in boards, legislative initiatives, and committees has equipped her with the skills needed to advocate for both communities and healthcare teams. Covarrubias-Lyttle’s educational journey includes earning her Associates in Nursing (ADN) from Centra College of Nursing in 2015 and her Bachelors in Nursing (BSN) from the same institution in 2017. She is now pursuing her Master’s in Nursing (MSN) through the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing Healthcare and Organizational Leadership Master’s Program. As a mother of seven children, some of whom will be starting college in the fall of 2024, this provides the much-needed resources Covarrubias-Lyttle needed to complete her degree. Many of her children were adopted from Foster Care and were the catalyst for her going back to school to be both their mother and their health advocate. This scholarship will allow her to finish her degree and be equipped with the resources, skills, and education needed to be a positive disruptor in healthcare.

As a nurse serving her expansive rural community, she passionately advocates for rural and community health. Her volunteer work with organizations like the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) and the Virginia Nurses Association (VNA) has further equipped her with a voice to speak up for her community. Covarrubias-Lyttle serves as the Board Secretary for the VNA and as Chair of the Policy and Advocacy Committee for NAHN. Additionally, she serves as the Government Relations Chair of the local VNA Chapter, and the Bylaws Chair of the local NAHN Chapter.

On the national stage, Covarrubias-Lyttle has presented on nurse wellbeing at prestigious events such as the 2023 Magnet Conference and for 2024 American Nurses Foundation Nurse’s Week Webinar. She has also addressed critical workplace issues such as workplace violence and staffing for ATI, VHHA, and the VNA. Additionally, she has spoken at state and national levels about climate change’s impact and the role of social determinants in shaping community health, especially in rural areas.

As a recipient of this scholarship, Tiffany Covarrubias-Lyttle is poised to complete her MSN which will equip her with the tools and knowledge necessary to support the well-being of rural communities. Her goals include but also extend beyond individual care; she aims to drive positive changes in policy, legislation, and healthcare access within rural communities. Furthermore, she actively contributes to efforts aimed at increasing representation from Hispanic/Latino communities in the healthcare field. Covarrubias-Lyttle’s compassion and curiosity drive her mission to create a healthier, more equitable world within and through nursing.