Introduction
When I began my career as a clinical nurse, my focus was always on individual patients. I wanted to provide care, comfort, and healing. But as time passed, I realized that my ability to help was limited within the four walls of a hospital. Every day, I encountered patients whose illnesses were rooted in systemic gaps, poverty, limited access to care, lack of education, and ineffective health policies. That’s when I knew I had to step beyond the hospital and work where change begins: in public health.
From Clinical Care to Systems Thinking
- My experiences at the One-Stop Crisis Management Center exposed me to the realities of gender-based violence (GBV) survivors.
- At Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences, working as an anesthesia nurse honed my technical skills, but I felt a growing urge to address root causes instead of symptoms.
This transition wasn’t easy. I had to retrain myself to think in systems, policies, and frameworks not just patients and procedures.
Entering the Public Health Ecosystem
I joined the Nepal Health Sector Support Program (NHSSP-III), where I got my first exposure to health system strengthening. Working on maternal and child health opened my eyes to the power of evidence-driven decisions.
Where I Stand Today
Now, at HERD International, I’ve worked on major projects like Rebuild for Resilience (R4R), Nepal Every Newborn Action Plan, and COSTAR. I’ve learned that healthcare is a collective effort, one that demands collaboration between governments, researchers, and communities.
Closing Thoughts
Shifting from bedside nursing to public health leadership has been the most rewarding decision of my career. My goal now is simple: to ensure that every policy, program, and intervention reflects the voices of the people it serves.
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