First off, I’d like to thank you for agreeing to have your real-life story featured on Nursingpreneur. I’m building a high-quality resource platform for all budding nursing and midwifery students. Therefore, your experiences, thoughts, preferences, and suggestions are immensely valuable for Nursingpreneur’s growth.
To that end, I must say that it’s great to have you here.
Now, I’d like you to answer the following questions so that we can shed light on your story and experiences in an engaging way.
Let’s start! Shall we? (Write as much as you want, there’s absolutely no limit)
Could you please tell us a bit about yourself? How has life been treating you?
Hi, my name is Farida Mohamed, proud to be a keen supporter of Mums and lover of all things birth, community, and culture. Midwife/nurse by a profession-mainly midwife who has a passion for supporting mothers in honing in what they desire and require from the journey from maiden to mother.
As I am currently on maternity leave from my work in the hospital space- Life has been busy; as I am a proud wife and mother of four and keen to make my life my own with regards to intertwining my life purpose with my passion for being at ease it’s been hard but extremely rewarding
How did you get into your current field? And do you enjoy doing it? (E.g. of Field such as nursing, and midwifery)
Entering into midwifery, was a pivot from nursing with the soul intention to serve women from my background and uphold my Islamic fundamentals of working towards a higher purpose. It resonates with me so much because I thoroughly enjoyed caring for women from my ethnic and religious background. I absolutely love the cultural familiarities, conversations, and tailored support I am able to facilitate for the families I serve whilst working.
Could you please tell us about your favorite nursing or midwifery moment? (keeping things confidential for clients involved)
My favorite midwifery moment was when I was a student midwife and the only student on the birth ward (a rare occurrence: due to making upshifts). I was told there was a multip (pregnant woman who has given birth before) ready to push coming up from the emergency department. As I was getting the room ready she was wheeled in and as soon as I saw her I knew her personally. I quickly told my preceptor who was beside me if it was ok to care for her: to which she answered ask the woman.
I remember the mother responding vividly saying are you serious Of course!!! Now this mum speaks English but she reverted to her mother tongue ( a language we both spoke-Oromo) during her intense period of pushing and I took complete charge of coaching her and reminding her that she had it under control in our mother tongue. I can vividly remember the comfort we both felt in speaking our language and being able to support her as she needed most.
What is the most striking moment of personal “failure” you’ve experienced in nursing or midwifery?
A personal failure I experienced was disinterested in my Nursing career. I felt as though I had failed: having completed my degree but not as enthusiastic as I was when I first started the degree.
How did you cope with your failure?
I coped with the loss of interest by pivoting and reigniting what was most important: helping women from my background. So I researched different courses and had come across midwifery. Igniting the passion for all things birth- hence starting my midwifery career
Okay! Let’s have a little insight into your entrepreneurial life.
First things first, what comes to your mind when you think about entrepreneurship, in general?
Freedom to work on your own terms whilst working hard behind the scenes
And, what comes to your mind when you think about entrepreneurship in relation to nursing/midwifery?
Endless opportunities that’s a cliche answer to entrepreneurship but it’s true. Rather it’s about how can I marry work freedoms and healthcare really. The ability to support oneself, work in a field that you not only enjoy but are good at and at the same time support one’s community is beyond what I imagined
How do you think entrepreneurship or business per se associates with a nurse’s/midwife’s life? (Influence on midset/expansion of opportunities, etc.)
It can be hard and easy. It’s required to have attention to intuition and detail. Intuition related to your intention; why did you get into this field in the first place? Secondly attention to detail: only then you can see what most people ignore. Once these two aspects are taken into account then your entrepreneurial vision can be activated. The nursing and midwifery degree opens many doors so that opportunities for self-employment can be sought. Often, nursing: midwifery is mainly done within four walls of a hospital. So many nurses and midwives often are not aware of or open to other opportunities, however, it’s imperative to seek and speak with different individuals so that your career can flourish differently
Now, let’s get into the most asked questions.
How did/do you maintain consistency in your doings?
By finding pockets of time within my busy schedule. Even if it is 10min at a time- facilitates consistency and progress
How do you set priorities in your work?
Identifying what is clinically most important and then communicating to the women I’m caring for the plan of the day as this gives them an active role in their care whilst informing everyone involved about the plan of the day or shift.
If you had one piece of advice to give an aspiring nursing and midwifery student, what would it be?
Don’t restrict yourself. Identify your strengths and use that to the best of your ability. Speak with other nurses and midwives who you see as most approachable so that you may gain insight into their experience.
The most important question coming your way.
Caffeine or not caffeine for shift work?
Caffeine, but in tea form for me.
Where can people reach out to you? (social media and email)
Email: farida.theafromidwife@gmail.com
Instagram: farida_theafromidwife@gmail.com
Thank you for answering all these questions. Wishing you all the very best for your future endeavors.
