Deciding to pursue education in nursing is not always easy, especially when it comes to people’s misconceptions about the profession itself.
What do nurses actually do? How will nurses make any difference towards people’s health? How do nurses spend time with their family and friends if they spend most of the time besides patients at the hospital? Well, I used to be one of those people.
“As a nursing student, if I look around me, I feel like we have so much to say and show”
Aulia Mayshalwa Az Zahra
Since I was so little, I expressed keen interest in becoming a part of the healthcare team. I admire how they combine their knowledge and skills to save lives.
But making the decision to be a nursing student came up unexpectedly. Even though both of my aunt and my uncle are nurses, I don’t have any discussion about it, so growing up, I only observed everything and then jumped to my own conclusion.
They work at a hospital that is quite far from home. Because of that, they have to hire someone who can manage chores and look after their children when they’re away.
Whenever my grandmother has a plan for a family trip, my aunt and my uncle are mostly the ones who can’t make it due to their schedule. If they can, it’s either my aunt or my uncle who will attend.
Then that day came where I had to choose my college major. I was so in doubt because I couldn’t get into my first-choice major due to a few reasons. I started thinking about going into nursing.
When I visit my aunt and uncle’s house, I approach them and ask questions. The point is being a nurse is indeed challenging, but we have to look at the bright side.
Getting to know our patients better and helping them get back to their normal state is enough to make our hearts warm.
Maybe that’s one of the reasons why they rarely show tiredness on their face and still have a good talk with whoever comes to their house.
That day, my view on nursing gradually changed. My parents fully supported me and left the decision in my hands. I finally chose nursing.
It’s been three months since I joined the Nursing Now Challenge (NNC) as a member of the Challengers’ Committee, comprising student and early-career nurses and midwives.
It all started when my college held an online guest lecture with NNC programme director Professor Aisha Holloway about updates on the initiative. I felt so moved throughout the presentation.
As a nursing student, if I look around me, I feel like we have so much to say and show. But sometimes, the circumstances won’t allow us to.
We need support. We need a platform where our voices are heard, and NNC is here offering everything that we could ask for. Without hesitation, I registered myself on the same day.
Looking back, I must say I’ve grown a lot. From knowing less about nursing to somehow feeling the urge to be actively involved in shaping the future of this profession.
It’s only been three months, but I already received a spectrum of opportunities that I never experienced in other places.
I gain new knowledge, meet and connect with inspiring people, organise events with friends from the South East Asia hub region, improve both my leadership and communication skills, and much more.
I no longer think that nursing has a limited career path. I became more confident working in an interdisciplinary team. I also understand that nurses serve crucial roles, such as in policy making.
My Mom once told me that maybe here, in nursing, I will unlock more possibilities and improve my competencies. She was right.
Continuing to pursue nursing and becoming a Challengers’ Committee member was surely the best decision I’ve ever made.
I proudly say I’m a part of this global movement and vibrant community. No more “I’ve no clue”, only “There’s so much I can do”, and I will keep using my voice to raise the status of nursing.
Aulia Mayshalwa Az Zahra is a second-year nursing student, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia, and Nursing Now Challenge committee member
