Duke University Graduate Chose Banner Health

Amna's career path began in engineering. She worked as a process engineer/key account technologist for Applied Materials, Inc. until finding international relief work was more in line with her interests. She continued to pursue her desire to provide aid in the international community and met with an organization called Doctors without Borders. During the meeting she discovered that in order to work in the field, she would need at least two years of nursing experience.

Amna was not deterred and enrolled in Duke University's accelerated Bachelor of Nursing program where she earned a 3.7 grade point average (on a four-point scale). In addition to her exceptional grades, Amna was involved in the international relief program, Explore Medicine.

The program took her to a rural village called El Cacao in Honduras where she assisted in diagnosing and treating more than 740 patients in four days in a make-shift clinic. Her experience in Honduras helped solidify her desire to become a nurse.

Amna discovered Banner Health by searching the Internet for teaching hospitals. She contacted Banner's National College Recruiter and began the application and screening process. While on a visit to the Phoenix area, Amna met with Banner Good Samaritan's Human Resources Representative, Connie Henry and toured the hospital. Amna said that one of the things that attracted her to Banner was that their Code of Conduct and Mission aligned with her values.

Amna chose Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center because it is a teaching hospital and it is focused on patient-centered health care. Additionally, Amna was impressed by Banner's preceptorship program. She said that her preceptorship has helped her transition into the practice of nursing. Amna also has enjoyed her training, particularly her classes on critical care and electrocardiograms (EKGs). Amna has been impressed with the skill and knowledge of her instructors as well as the people she has worked with so far saying they were "welcoming and friendly."

Rewards and Challenges
Amna finds helping others both rewarding and fulfilling. She also enjoys interacting with patients and their families and providing support when necessary. She says her biggest challenge is just being a new graduate, but she is looking forward to learning and growing in her role as an RN.

Highlights and Advice
Amna also was a recipient of Banner Health's National Nurse Scholars Award, which provided her financial assistance during her senior year.

"Receiving the award was an honor and a highlight of my career," said Amna, "It felt like all my hard work had paid off.

"Being an RN is empowering because you have the knowledge and skill to help save lives. The best advice I can give to future candidates is to tour the units, meet with the managers and ask a lot of questions."

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