Strength in Numbers: How the Anifowose Twins Found Their Calling in CBU Nursing

It takes a little Goodness and a bit of Mercy to navigate the challenges of a nursing degree. Fortunately, Cape Breton University has both. Identical twins Goodness and Mercy Anifowose never predicted they would be walking the halls of Cape Breton University together, one had plans to pursue law, while the other dreamt of a career as an artist, but a pivot to healthcare revealed that their combined strength was exactly what the profession needed.

Today, the twins are inseparable third-year students in CBU’s Bachelor of Science, Nursing (BScN) program. Drawn to the university for its accelerated three-year curriculum and welcoming diversity, at CBU the sisters have discovered that their divergent strengths and their unwavering support for one another are exactly what they needed to thrive in the field.

Originally born in Nigeria and raised in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, the sisters’ pivot to nursing began practically. After working as Residential Support Workers (RSWs) in a nursing home in Antigonish, they realized they had a knack for patient care that outweighed their previous plans. When looking for the right program, CBU stood out for its academic efficiency, graduate employment rate and reputation.

New Chapter, New Community

“I came to CBU partly because I wanted a bit of independence and partly because I had heard many good things about the nursing program at CBU,” Goodness says, “I knew I wanted to come here when they accepted me, firstly because it saved me one more year compared to other universities which draws me one year closer to my goals in the health field, but also because I had heard lots about the nursing program’s reputation for quality.”

Mercy adds that the campus environment confirmed they made the right choice.

“After coming here and getting used to getting around, I realized that Cape Breton Island is such a beautiful place to be,” Mercy says, “The people are kind, and becoming friends with strangers wasn’t hard.”

Yin and Yang

Navigating the strenuous academics of nursing school, from demanding clinical placements to heavy course loads, can be daunting – especially in a new community, but the Anifowose sisters have found a unique rhythm. They describe their dynamic as “switching roles,” which has become crucial for managing the program’s stress.

“She’s usually more extroverted, and I’m usually more introverted. But certain times I’m extroverted, and then she’s introverted,” Mercy says, “But we tend to like to switch up our personality where we feel like it benefits each other, in a way to kind of balance each other out.”

This balance is critical in their studies. Goodness, the older of the two often takes on a “Mom” role, ensuring they stay disciplined and organized. Mercy credits this “Yin and Yang” dynamic and her sister’s “helpful nagging” for helping her manage challenges and stay on track.

“There are periods of time when if I don’t have somebody holding me up and keeping me motivated, I do get discouraged and I start procrastinating,” Mercy says, “That’s my weakness, and I feel like sometimes when she acts like the mom and starts nagging, it helps me see the bigger picture.”

Support and Community

Finding their footing required more than just academic discipline; it required community. The sisters felt a strong need to find spaces where they could belong, particularly as some of the few Black students in their cohort. This drive led them to help establish a CBU chapter of the Canadian Black Nurses Alliance (CBNA) to ensure students had a voice.

For Goodness, the University’s African Nova Scotian and Canadian Student Support Services became a cornerstone of that foundation. She points to Student Development Officer, African Nova Scotian and Canadian Students, Dionne Romard, as a pivotal figure in her university experience.

“Dionne is such an amazing support system,” Goodness says, “She’s the kind of woman that will kick doors down to advocate for you and make sure things get done, especially when there is a deadline.”

Mercy notes that this support, coupled with connecting with peers who understood their path, has been a highlight of her time at CBU.

“Making friends with the same mindset as me as well as having advisors that put in so much care into both my education and wellbeing as a student and just as a person has been the main highlight since my time in CBU,” Mercy says, “I think a special moment was when both my friends and advisor helped me during a difficult moment that I had experienced in a classroom setting and helped me make small but impactful changes.”

Looking Ahead

As the end of their penultimate semester approaches, the sisters plan to maintain their synergistic relationship both personally and professionally. Their roadmap includes getting an apartment together and working in the same city, ideally in the same hospital unit, to continue relying on the partnership that has carried them through their studies.

Reflecting on their time at CBU, they advise incoming students to emphasize community and perseverance.

“I would say try to make solid friends within your first year, people who have good character and are not afraid to stand with you through thick and thin,” Goodness says, “It’s hard to initially judge people’s character right away, which is why friendship is such a trial and error, but when you make the right kind of friends who won’t hinder you academically, emotionally or physically, but are willing to help and support you, it really makes a difference.”

Mercy encourages students, particularly those from diverse backgrounds, to step into the program with confidence.

“I would say that they shouldn’t hesitate anymore and should come to CBU, because changes are occurring every day to incorporate everyone from all centres of the world,” Mercy says, “And that they will have advisors and friends that will be with them every step of the way.”