Scholar Spotlight

Agnes

Where were you born?

I was born in Nkozi, a subcountry in Mpigi district found in central Uganda.

Why did you decide to become a nurse?

I chose to become a nurse because nurses are kind, caring, bring hope to the sick. Above all, with the knowledge of nursing, one can make a difference between life and death.

In your opinion, why are nurses so important?

They understand the clients better since they spend much more time with them compared to any other health care worker. There is no other profession where one can impact and touch a life like nursing.

What was your reaction when you found out that you would receive a Gretta Scholarship?

I was so excited. I could not believe it. I could not imagine there was now a way to make my dream a reality. I was so happy.

How many hours per week do you have class? How much do you study?

We have class for 32 hours per week this semester and I study for roughly 60 hours per week.

Once you become a nurse, where do you want to work?

I would love to work in my country, Uganda, such that I contribute to the nursing care here.

What kind of nurse would you like to be, and why?

I would love to be a nurse with good professional skills, with good communication skills and one who is caring, kind, empathetic and above all loving to the client’s and fellow health care workers.

What is your biggest challenge in becoming a nurse?

Fear and feeling hopelessness as I watch patients die.

What advice would you give to Uganda and the world in terms of healthcare?

Apart from the compromised image of nursing in Uganda, people still think that nursing is a last resort profession. Yet, nursing has developed worldwide, and so Uganda should follow the trend. In every country enough funds should be allocated to the health sector. Health care workers should be paid a good salary, given incentives to motivate them and their standards of living should be improved. More public and private medical schools should be started and governments should sponsor more bright students who would want and are capable of joining medical schools but don’t have the capability to pay for school charges.

Is there anything more you would like to share?

I thank The Gretta Foundation for sponsoring me to become a nurse. Nurses are truly very special individuals and a profession where one can say, “I am proud to be a nurse” and indeed, I am proud to be a nurse!