Meet Zyiah & Zakiah

When Zyiah and Zakiah Bailey walked into their first class at the West Virginia University School of Nursing, they didn’t just sit down as students. They sat down as sisters, best friends and future nurses—ready to begin a journey they had dreamed about together for years.

Now, the Fairmont, West Virginia, natives are preparing to graduate with their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees, their shared dream nearly realized.

“We always knew we wanted to go into labor and delivery,” Zakiah said. “We didn’t know exactly how—whether as physicians or nurses—but we knew we wanted to become midwives.”

That clarity didn’t come from a textbook. It came from childhood experiences surrounded by kids, a tight-knit family, and a deep admiration for their aunt, a nurse. It also came from encouragement and opportunity—especially through the Health Sciences and Technology Academy (HSTA), a statewide mentorship program that helped set them on the path to WVU.

“We actually wanted to go out of state to New York,” Zyiah said. “But it was the best financial decision to come to WVU. If we were going to go anywhere in West Virginia because of our HSTA waiver, we obviously wanted it to be here.”

The Bailey twins found more than affordability—they found structure, clarity and support in a program that felt made for them.

“We’re both super type A,” Zakiah added. “It was so easy to find information about the WVU nursing program. Everything was organized and it made planning really easy for us.”

Their time in the David and Jo Ann Shaw Simulation Training and Education for Patient Safety (STEPS) Center also made a lasting impact, giving them confidence through hands-on learning.

“We spent most of our sophomore year in the STEPS lab,” Zyiah said. “It was helpful being with our peers, learning together and not having to worry about hurting anyone.”

“Learning how to insert IVs, vitals—just being able to do things over and over again until it felt right—that was huge,” Zakiah said. “You could mess up, fix it and keep going.”

Despite their closeness, Zyiah and Zakiah were placed in different clinical groups—an intentional decision to help them grow independently. Still, they leaned on each other every step of the way.

“We always had someone to bounce things off of,” Zakiah said. “We studied together. And if one of us didn’t understand something, usually the other did.”

Mentorship played a critical role, too. Both sisters credit Kelly Lemon, assistant professor and clinical instructor for their OB class, as someone who helped shape their experience and inspire their path.

“She’s a midwife, and we shadowed her,” Zakiah said. “She is the best teacher ever—kind, competent and so intentional in her patient care.”

Beyond the classroom, the sisters built a strong circle of support. Their closest friends include Ella, a fellow nursing student from Fairmont, and part of what became an inseparable group of five.

Now, as graduation approaches, the Baileys are already looking ahead. They’ve applied and accepted roles to work at WVU Medicine in the birthing center.

“We had such a versatile clinical experience,” Zyiah said. “So we thought, why not apply to multiple places and see what fits best?”

Their long-term plan is to return to school to earn dual certification as women’s health nurse practitioners and certified nurse-midwives.

But this moment—this milestone—is also about honoring someone who won’t be in the audience on graduation day.

“Our pawpaw just passed away almost a month ago,” Zyiah said. “He was always pushing us to finish school. We’re dedicating our graduation and our degrees to him. He helped us be proud of it.”

And proud they are. Of each other. Of the work. Of the journey.

“It’s surreal,” Zakiah said. “We’re just ready for the next step. We feel like nurses already—and now we get to be.”