Young Emirati stroke unit nurse shares her career story, goals

Young Emirati nurse

 Mubarka Nasser Al Karbi, a dedicated 24-year-old nurse, is making significant strides in her career at Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), part of the Pure Health network. Her journey into nursing, particularly in the stroke unit, has been both inspiring and transformative, though it was not initially the career path her parents had envisioned for her.

From an early age, Al Karbi was fascinated by neurology, a passion that deepened during her bachelor’s studies. Now, as a staff nurse in one of the largest hospitals for serious and complex care in the UAE, she finds her role deeply fulfilling. “I have always been interested in neurology. Working in the stroke unit has helped me grow significantly, both professionally and personally. It’s a challenging experience, but incredibly rewarding to assist patients in their recovery and improve their quality of life after a stroke,” Al Karbi shared, reflecting on her career for International Nurses Day, which is celebrated on May 12.

In her 16 months at the stroke unit, Al Karbi has witnessed many profound moments that underscore the impact of her work. One particularly memorable experience involved a 20-year-old patient suffering from acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), a severe neurological condition. “When he first arrived, he couldn’t move his limbs, speak, or eat. After three months of intensive treatment and physiotherapy, he was able to walk, talk, and laugh again. Seeing him smile and thank us from the bottom of his heart was incredibly moving. This is why I love my job – the progress we help our patients make is deeply gratifying,” she recounted.

Despite her current success, Al Karbi’s path to nursing was met with some resistance from her parents, who were initially hesitant about her career choice. They were concerned about the demanding nature of hospital work. However, seeing her passion and dedication eventually won them over. “At first, they were hesitant. They knew how hard it is to work in a hospital, but they saw how passionate I am and how committed I was to becoming a nurse. Now, they are very proud of me and the work I do to help people, which makes me very happy,” she explained.

Looking ahead, Al Karbi has ambitious goals for her career. In the next five years, she aims to complete her master’s and PhD, specializing in neurology or emergency nursing. She envisions herself as a stroke coordinator in a specialized acute stroke unit and as a clinical resource nurse, sharing her knowledge and expertise with future generations of nurses.

Al Karbi is optimistic about the future of nursing in the UAE, particularly the increasing number of Emiratis joining the profession. “Ten years ago, it was rare to see Emiratis working as nurses. Now, there is more awareness, and more Emiratis are viewing nursing as a viable profession,” she noted.

To accelerate this trend, Al Karbi suggests several measures: conducting awareness campaigns to highlight the importance and value of nursing, showcasing success stories of Emirati nurses, and addressing common misconceptions about the profession. Additionally, organizing educational and training programs, engaging local communities, collaborating with schools and universities, offering financial benefits and incentives, and increasing the visibility of Emirati nurses in leadership roles are all essential steps. These strategies, she believes, will attract more Emiratis to nursing and ensure the profession continues to grow and thrive in the UAE.