#MeetUsMonday - Meet RN to BSN Student Farhan
Meet RN to BSN Student Farhan.
Born in Pakistan but raised his entire life in New York City. The youngest of a family of five who loves boxing, praying, reading books on history and U.S. foreign policy, and enjoying the company of his family. Currently a cardiovascular ICU nurse, DACA recipient, and future certified nurse anesthetist. In the Fairfax cohort of RN to BSN students and set to graduate in spring 2025.
HIS PATH TO NURSING
“I was born in Lahore, Pakistan, but was brought to the U.S. when I was two months old by my parents. I have two older siblings, both of whom are very smart, and got accepted to good universities, but they didn’t go, because at that time, DACA students were ineligible for in-state tuition and student loans. They had no way to pay for school, so they never went, which is a tragedy for my family. So, I had to be the one for my parents.
“Old me would’ve said, ‘Oh, this sucks,’ but my professors tell us to think, ‘Yes, this is messed up, but what can I do to fix it?’
ICU nurse and RN to BSN student Farhan Yasin
“I hadn’t considered nursing until after high school, when my dad got really sick. He ended up having lung cancer and was in the ICU for 50 days before he died. While he was there, I got close with the nurses. They took such good care of him; they were smart, and I was inspired.
“The timing was right, too: at that point in my life, the law changed and allowed DACA students to have in-state tuition and access to federal loans.
“So, while working full-time, I took all the prerequisite courses and enrolled in nursing school and became an ICU nurse. My aspiration was not only to care for the ill and contribute positively to their lives but also to recognize that there are always people who face greater challenges than me. The profession serves as a constant reminder to me to appreciate what I have, rather than dwell on what I don’t.
“I attended Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) for nursing school, earning an associate’s degree, and now UVA for a BSN. I am well-acquainted with UVA and recognized how good it is, which led me to immediately pursue enrollment in the RN to BSN program upon graduating from NVCC.”
WHAT THE RN TO BSN IS LIKE
“You make new friends. The environment is really laid back and enjoyable. You have good discussions, opportunities to take important classes in leadership, pathophysiology, and evidence-based projects that really change your thinking of the profession and make you into a better leader and problem solver.”
“I like how UVA’s program is in person. Other programs, it’s just online; you do assignments, but you’re always by yourself. For me, being able to go somewhere, meet professors, meet other people like me, and build relationships, to talk—it’s incredibly important. I like the classes in leadership, in pathophysiology, statistics: these things will make be into a better nurse.”
"It’s something I need to do, earn this BSN, because it will take me to better career opportunities for the future. That motivates me to get it done."
RN to BSN student Farhan Yasin, ICU nurse
BALANCING WORK, LIFE, AND SCHOOL
“It’s difficult, but the professors are so understanding and were very up-front about how we are working nurses, not to mention new nurses, and we’re going to be studying during our days off. They told us, ‘Communicate with us if you’re having a tough time, if you need a deadline extended, and we’ll work with you.’ They’ve been true to their word.
“They also give you great feedback on your assignments, which is really cool. Dr. Wiersma told me recently, ‘You submitted this, and if you want an even higher score, do this.’ I did and so I earned an A, then, instead of a B.
“But I won’t say it’s not hard. I’m often working 16-hour shifts, and the shifts are hard, people are dying, coding, and it’s intense. What allows me to balance it is that I just do it. I tough it out. It’s something I need to do, earn this BSN, because it will take me to better career opportunities for the future. That motivates me to get it done; I have to get it done.
LESSONS IN REAL TIME
“The true challenges of nursing became evidence to me only after I began my career in this field. The role is both physically and mentally demanding, and often leads to exhaustion. It’s widely recognized that the healthcare system in this country faces a lot of challenges. Healthcare professionals themselves often find themselves overworked and undercompensated, with profit motives overshadowing ethical considerations while working in what are muti-billion-dollar corporations. After participating in a leadership course, though, my perspective has shifted. While we acknowledge the flaws in the system, we also have to move beyond complaining about it and adopt a mindset to contribute to improving it, even in small ways, for our colleagues and the community we serve.
“Other programs, it’s just online; you do assignments, but you’re always by yourself. For me, being able to go somewhere, meet professors, meet other people like me, and build relationships, to talk—it’s incredibly important."
ICU nurse and RN to BSN student Farhan Yasin
“Here’s a small example: On my unit, when I go to the supply closet, it takes 20 minutes to find anything. I told my manager that we needed a color-coded system, with pictures, so that when you walk in there are pictures of all the supplies and when you go to look for it, you find it. It’s simple, but it would make such a difference. I’ve started working on it. And that’s only because of the leadership class.
“Old me would’ve said, ‘Oh, this sucks,’ but my professors tell us to think, ‘Yes, this is messed up, but what can I do to fix it?’"
UVA SCHOOL OF NURSING IN A WORD?
“HOLISTIC. UVA has demonstrated a level of care for me that has exceeded my expectations. I am not merely a student pursuing a degree; rather, they genuinely value me as an individual. The institution is committed to understanding me better as a human being and is eager to assist in both my professional and personal development in any way possible.”
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