PURSING a career with a dream for big achievements or titles is something that demands passion and a determination to overcome the odds.
Chris Sade Jr is one of the Solomon Islands National University’s (SINU’s) High Achievers for this year.
He was awarded the Distinction for the Bachelor of Nursing- Primary Health Care amongst the graduates at the SINU 2024 Graduation on 31 August.
Mr Sade is from Bimbir Village in Santa Cruz, Temotu Province. He did his early education at the Primary School in his home village and from there, he went to Luesalemba Provincial School where he did Forms 1 to 3.
He then moved to Honiara and did Forms 4 and 5 at Honiara High School and Form 6 at King George Sixth School.
Mr Sade was interviewed by Solomon Star regarding his High Achievement at SINU.
The following were the questions and responses of the interview:
*What inspired you to study Nursing Career?
- I have a heart of caring for the sick. I sympathise with people who are sick and I am always a man to help people. I see nursing as a God given career to help and care for His sick people.
*What were your challenges in your Nursing studies?
- Nursing studies is very challenging, but at the same is very rewarding. Studying the anatomy and physiology of human body is not that easy because most of the terms used are not always English terms. There are terms used that are different languages such as Greek, Latin, Hebrew, etc, which we do not even learn anywhere. Therefore, I’d say it’s not that easy.
*What are your challenges in your Nursing career?
- Leading and managing a team of professionals is very challenging. They are all educated and qualified; therefore, they have their own opinions on issues of concern.
- Having a family is also challenging because I have to put food on the table and prepare my children for school every day.
*How do you overcome these challenges (strengths in your career)?
- Sometimes you just have to listen and be assertive. Being a leader is not a Boss. It is a responsibility that you carry on your shoulder for those whom you serve. I am a simple man that always considers issues affecting other people and I try my best to attend to them.
*With your career, how do you think you can help with people’s health?
- Health involves all the four (4) aspects of life: physical, spiritual, social, and psychological. Therefore, the help a health worker render must be based upon all these four aspects of life for the recovery of people who are sick.
*What is your career dream in the future?
- I dream of being the National Head of Nursing in Solomon Islands.
*What do you see about yourself in ten (10) years’ time?
- In ten years’ time, I want to be the Director of Mental Health Services, and or the Provincial Health Director of Temotu Province.
*What would be your words of encouragement to students who are pursuing or want to pursue a Nursing Career?
- Work hard. Be a caring person, learn to listen and be considering. Grab any opportunity (s) coming your way, so that you excel to new heights. Nursing is a blessing, a reward and a career full of opportunities. Do not complain, because nursing career means working in harsh conditions that you will not expect. In nursing career, you also have to learn to expect the unexpected, therefore you should learn not to complain.
*Who would you want to acknowledge for supporting you in your nursing studies and career?
- God, the unseen guest in everything that I do.
- My struggling mother, the one behind all my success.
- My wife and children.
- My relatives who supported me so dearly.
- My hardworking lecturers who shaped me through to be a nurse.
*Who would you want to acknowledge for your ‘High Achiever’ award?
- God who gave me all the strength I needed to overcome every challenges.
- All my lecturers for who shaped me into who I am today.
- My fellow colleagues and classmates.
- All nursing students of class 2023.
By AGNES MENANOPO
Solomon Star, Honiara
