If there’s a single mantra that is guiding Amaka Nwaiwu through her nursing career, it’s “What is worth doing, is worth doing well.”
As an immigrant from Nigeria, Amaka’s first job in the U.S. was working as a certified nursing assistant, then a registered nurse at Beaumont Hospital, Taylor.
Amaka explains, “My life-long goal – born out of my desire to reciprocate extraordinary care given to my mom prior to her terminal illness – is to remain a distinguished registered nurse to help individuals, families and communities
achieve an optimum state of well-being by treating, maintaining, and promoting their health.”
The word “distinguished” is an important differentiator for Amaka, who aims to lead in character, academics and improvements of patient outcomes. “It means becoming innovative and achieving adeptness in tackling health care’s complex
challenges.”
In addition to her role as a surgical nurse, Amaka also participates on the hospital’s graduate nurse residency advisory board and the evidence-based research and nursing council.
Whether it’s providing support for graduate nurses or providing valuable feedback to the nursing council, advocacy is at the center of Amaka’s mission for her patients and fellow nurses.
“My passion for patient advocacy grew in my first weeks of orientation when I realized the average patient wasn’t armed with the right questions to ask,” Amaka says. “I noticed the patients felt most comfortable expressing their
needs and expectations to the bedside nurse.”
In advocacy, she stays at a patient’s bedside when a physician is discussing their care plan. She’ll tell the patient, “The doctor is here. Please feel free to voice your concerns or questions.”
It’s a small change, but Amaka believes it empowers the patient and helps her fellow nurses become more empathetic and grow in their role.
As the result of an evidence-based project looking into the physical demands of nursing, Amaka recently collaborated with fellow nurses to deploy chair massage equipment to two nurses’ stations. The goal is to meet the nurses where they are to provide a few minutes of respite and relief.
Amaka believes her nursing career is one with a profound meaning. “The urge to constantly achieve against all odds; the pursuit for knowledge and continuous improvement; the commitment to people, are intrinsic motivators for me.”