Nahid Ernollahi

The decision to become a nurse for me was not difficult. However, my journey to achieve this dream has been challenging. I always knew that I wanted a career that would allow me to combine my love of the sciences, my fascination with the workings of the human body, and my desire to help other people. Nursing, therefore, was a natural fit.    

Before I had to chance to pursue this path, I moved from my native country of Iran to the United States. Although I could read and speak English, I was not fluent, and this was the first hurdle I had to overcome. I began to take English comprehension and writing courses and now I am very comfortable in my ability to communicate both verbally and in writing. I previously worked in a dental office for five years and this was my first foray into the medical field. I obtained medical histories from patients, took vital signs and helped run the front office. I also took University level classes in Iran but I had to re-take all the necessary perquisites for the nursing program from the beginning. This required balancing my role as a student while still maintaining my responsibilities as a wife and mother. I quickly learned to master time-management skills and prioritize tasks. I believe that my personal experiences have made me a better student and will help me to become an excellent nurse. I feel so fortunate to have such a wonderful opportunity to receive the generous scholarship award by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation which has taken off a lot of financial pressure from me and my family.  

 Nursing is a fast-paced, procedure oriented career that allows interaction with people of different ages, sexes, ethnicities and religious beliefs. Living in two different countries and interacting with people from different cultures has taught me to appreciate the differences in all of us and how these differences sometimes affect our response to illness. Additionally, my ability to communicate in English and Farsi will serve as a great asset in this field. Patient care in nursing is constantly evolving; therefore the role of nurses is also expanding. As a result, I will have the option to work in a clinic, a school or a hospital setting. Additionally, I can choose to be as specialized or as general in my practice as I want to be. I am excited about the vast opportunities that are available in this field. I also understand that nursing is a dynamic field and one that requires continually keeping up with the latest medications, procedures and medical technology. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to pursue a career that will combine my desire to help others with a lifetime of learning.