Fulfilling my dream to help people in need (sickness).
Today’s post is done after I got a message from Usha Mahapatra (Berhampur, Odisha). She requested me to come and address in their conference to encourage nursing students at their University. My mind wondered to 1982 when I opted to register myself in nursing school rather than choosing to be an IT or accounting professional. This song encouraged me to become a nurse after I saw the movie “Dil apana aur Preet Parai”. Meena Kumari could not become a doctor due to her fy situation and thus became a nurse. So also was my story. My good friends Indrani, Rekha, Ira and Kamlini all became doctors due to their family support, intelligence and hard work. So also I could have since I was equally intelligent and a hard working student.
Far from my home land Puri, Odisha, India, I found confidence, comfort and hope that my dream to help people will be fulfilled at USA. It brought my future into focus and made a difference in my life. I remember when many of my friends loved the smell of sweets, talcum powder, nail polish and fragrance of jasmine flowers, I cherished the smell of freshly washed floor in our local hospital by phenyl detergent. Ha, ha. As a young girl, I wanted to get a science degree (perhaps get into medicine) but I knew for sure that with our conservative family and home situation, college was out of question for me in spite of being an A student all thru.
After I became 16-year-old my father, was looking for a suitable match for me, so he can complete his duty. I married when I was 18 yrs old and had 2 children by the time I came to USA. When my husband went to work and children were at school I started visiting a nearby nursing home to see some people and carry on a conversation. I missed having interaction and leisurely talk with fy and friends in India. I developed a penchant love for the older adults and my old desire to help people ignited each time I visited the facility. With lots of thoughts and dilemma, finally I registered for science courses hoping to get into the nursing program at the nearby college.
After 4 years of hard work I got my degree and became a nurse which may not be the thing for an Odia, Brahmin and married woman. To my knowledge, perhaps I am the first Odia registered nurse in USA from my generation. I worked at Intensive care, surgical, pediatric and geriatric units which was very rewarding to my soul. Now I work as a medical research scientist in Pharma industry doing similar work with drug invention research process which help sick people. For me USA is a land where my dream came true to help people when they are in need and nursing fulfilled that.