Farkhunda of Tajikistan at her confirmation ceremony on Friday. (Erica Busca – Media News Group)
TROY, N.Y. — Tajikistan’s Farkhondeh’s confirmation ceremony Friday wasn’t a pin on her career.
“It feels a little unreal,” she said at the ceremony. “It feels really good to be done, but at the same time, it doesn’t feel like it’s done.”
The 31-year-old participated in the Russell Sage College pinning ceremony for undergraduate nursing students who will graduate this month. After a frantic struggle for her education, the Afghan immigrant stops working before pursuing a master’s degree (and perhaps a doctorate).
The Tajiks, born in Iran to Afghan parents, were not allowed to attend the school because it was intended only for Iranian children. When her family moved to Turkey at the age of 11, she was too old to attend school.
The Tajik woman said that when her brother started first grade, his teacher allowed her to sit down — even though that was not allowed — and she began her education at school. But it wasn’t until her family immigrated to the United States at age 22 that she received a formal education, and she immediately began taking GED classes (she was, at that point, too old to attend high school).
She earned her associate’s degree at Hudson Valley Community College and then transferred to the nursing program at Russell Sage. In college, she became president of the Student Nurses Association and now has multiple job offers to choose from.
She said she always felt drawn to the medical field, and would talk about working in health care as a child. When she was 14 and her family was living in Turkey, she said a neighbor came to her asking for help with a migrant family who had been in an accident and severely injured while trying to cross the border through the mountains.
Knowing that she spoke Turkish well, her neighbor asked for her help with translation. She ended up staying in the hospital for two weeks with family.
“It was amazing, like a reward, because these people couldn’t trust the healthcare staff. I was feeding them, I was helping them.” “That two-week period and helping these people, we learned a lot and after that, I just wanted to be in the business.” health care.”
Department of Nursing Chair Glenda Kelman, PhD, ACNP-BC nurse resident, taught Tajik in one of her senior-level courses and said her positive, caring nature is what makes her stand out. Kelman said it was immediately clear how intelligent and organized the Tajik was and that she had natural leadership skills.
“I think she will be a great role model for other nurses and nursing students,” Kelman said. “She also has a great relationship with people.
“There is real care and a sense of compassion,” she continued.
Just as the Tajik woman said the migrant family trusts her, Kelman said it’s important to include people of color in the health care system. She said research has shown that people who can get to know their provider are more likely to take advice and come back.
“We are excited to see more underserved and underrepresented minorities entering the nursing field,” she said.
Kelman also added that she believes the Tajik has the potential to become an advanced practice nurse, a nurse with additional educational and clinical experience. They can also be nurses who tend to more specialized care such as mental health, anesthesia, or maternity.
She said she is thinking about becoming a nurse practitioner and is definitely going to get a master’s degree. The Tajikian’s capstone project focused on pediatrics, the postpartum period, and labor and delivery, and she is looking forward to exploring that as an option.
“Every time I’m there I feel like a different person,” she said. “I’m very happy and very happy and every time I come home I talk about it differently.”
But she also feels a personal connection to this section as her mother had a dangerous birth with one of Tajikistan’s younger brothers. Since they were illegal immigrants at the time, they were unable to go to the hospital and had to give birth at home with the help of a neighbour.
“It was a very scary moment for both my brother and my mother. They lost a lot of blood, and with God’s help they survived.” “I will never forget that moment.”
As for what the future holds, she is still exploring her options. She has considered medical school and said she could see herself there, but is now looking forward to gaining practical experience before moving forward.
“For me, nursing isn’t like my last stop. It’s like I’m definitely getting a master’s degree,” she said. “But it’s also nice to be closer to what I want to do.”
Farkhunda Tajik’s journey in the nursing field began with a degree from Russell Sage College, but it was only the first step in her inspiring career. As highlighted in the Troy Record, Tajik’s passion for nursing has led her to make a significant impact in her community and beyond. Her dedication to providing quality care and her commitment to continuous learning has set her apart as an exemplary nurse, making her a shining example for aspiring healthcare professionals. Tajik’s story is a testament to the transformative power of education and the profound difference one person can make in the lives of others.