#MeetUsMonday - Meet BSNs Madeleine and Anjali, Studying Abroad in Australia
Meet 4th year BSN students Madeleine and Anjali.
Originally from Massachusetts (Madeleine) and India (Anjali). Travel lovers. Both inspired by their grandfathers: Madeleine's was a physical therapist with his own practice, while Anjali's served his community through seva, a Sanskrit word that means "selfless service."
Horseback rider and competitive runner (Madeleine). A beach lover who sports a tattoo that says "Aus" (Anjali). Both women will be the first nurses in their families.
Currently studying abroad at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, part of a long-standing semester-long UVA School of Nursing program that offers UVA nursing students the chance to experience nursing school and clinical rotations "down under."
WHY NURSING?
(Madeleine) "My journey began with my own struggles with chronic exertional compartment syndrome. I endured several years of unsuccessful treatments, including surgeries, and ultimately participated in a clinical trial at Boston Children's Hospital to introduce Botox as a treatment for others. I loved being immersed in that medical environment, surrounded by the intelligence, compassion, and dedicate of my healthcare team. Nursing stood out to me as I created meaningful connections with my nurses, and was inspired by their hands-on, social, and interactive aspects of the profession, while also drawing on problem solving and critical thinking skills. These experiences encouraged me to switch my major and transfer to the nursing school as a third-year student."
(Anjali) "Growing up, I was always around my grandfather who was very involved in seva, a Sanskrit term that translates to “selfless service” in English. Seeing him be so vigilant and compassionate to those he served in his community weather it was caring for them when they were sick, or helping out families during rough times, really sparked a light in me and made me want to pursue a career and be able to professionally serve those who are ill or aren’t fully able to care for themselves. I’ve dreamt that one day i would be in a workplace that would allow me to apply the skills and passion that my grandfather accomplished his sevawith. Nothing speaks louder to me than selflessly serving at a hospital to patients who are in need, which is what ultimately drew me to this profession."
THE SKILL THEY'VE LEARNED DURING NURSING SCHOOL THEY'RE PROUD OF
(Anjali) "Good communication and adaptability."
(Madeleine) "Creativity and artistic expression. At UVA I've taken studio art classes, and am pursuing an art minor, which give me a much-needed outlet for self-care and a refreshing change from the rigorous nursing school coursework."
WHAT'S MOST SURPRISING ABOUT AUSTRALIAN HEALTHCARE
(Anjali) "What surprised me most about Australia and its healthcare system is how focused it is on preventive care. There is a strong emphasis on preventing illness through regular health check-ups and education about living a healthy lifestyle."
(Madeleine) "I've been surprised to see how traditional some of the processes are, particularly around medical administration. In the hospitals where I've done my practicals, there are no electronic medical records or automated medication dispensing systems like Pixises. Instead, nurses rely on paper charts to determine which medications are needed, and then manually retrieve them from a medication cart. Nurses must be extremely diligent and attentive to detail using a non-digitized system as the risk of medical error is increased significantly."
THE SCHOOL OF NURSING IN A SINGLE WORD, AND WHY
(Anjali) "FAMILY. The School cultivates a warm and supportive atmosphere that feels like an extension of family. The faculty and staff are incredibly welcoming and truly dedicated to helping students succeed. They promote a sense of community where everyone is eager to assist, making it a place for both personal and professional growth."
(Madeleine) "COMMUNITY. The School fosters a tight-knit, supportive environment where everyone looks out for one another, and there's always a resource to turn to when needed. There's a strong sense of belonging with its small, intimate atmosphere. Students and faculty know each other well and are genuinely invested in each other's successes, both academically and personally."
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Join Madeleine and Anjali all day October 24 on the School's official Instagram stories when they share a "day in the life" of their University of Queensland study abroad!