“Care is not only treatment; it is holistic wellbeing— nurturing the mind, body, and spirit.”
1. Could you briefly introduce yourself and tell us about your journey as a nursing student at IHNA Australia?
“Hi, I’m Aishwarya. I am now a nurse and a business owner, with a deep passion for meditation and breathwork. My journey as a nursing student at IHNA Australia has been a truly great experience.
What made it stand out for me was learning from such experienced educators. They didn’t just teach from a book; they integrated their own rich, real-world experiences into our lessons, which was amazing to learn from. I really appreciated how IHNA focuses on every small detail, especially when it comes to medication safety and patient-centered care.
The most valuable part of my journey was the emphasis on building our confidence. The school ensured that we felt truly prepared and capable before we ever stepped out into our clinical practice, and that support made all the difference in my transition into the workforce.”
2. What inspired you to pursue a career in nursing, and what aspects of the profession interest you the most?
“My inspiration comes from a desire to combine my passion for wellness—like meditation and breathwork— with clinical care. What interests me most is patientcentered care. I love that nursing allows me to look at a person as a whole, not just a clinical case. Being able to bring a sense of calm and presence to a patient’s bedside while managing their physical health is what I find most fulfilling.”
3. What have been some of the most meaningful learning experiences during your nursing education so far?
“The most meaningful part of my education was the transition from the classroom to clinical practice. IHNA’s focus on every small detail of patient care gave me a strong foundation. I particularly valued the medication units; the educators’ rich, real-world experience helped me understand not just the ‘how’ but the ‘why’ behind safe practice, which built my confidence before I even started my placement.”
4. What kinds of digital learning tools or technologies have you encountered during your studies and clinical practice?
“The main digital tool I’ve used during my clinical placement is the EMR (Electronic Medical Record). In the Australian hospital system, the EMR is where everything happens. It allows you to see the patient’s entire history, their current medications, and their treatment plan all in one place. Instead of hunting for paper files, I can just look at the computer and immediately understand what that patient needs right now.”
5. How have these digital tools helped you better understand nursing concepts or prepare for clinical practice?
“Using the EMR during my placement made managing patient care so much easier and safer. In the past, trying to understand the handwriting of different health professionals could be really challenging. A simple misunderstanding of a doctor’s handwriting could easily lead to a mistake, like giving the wrong dose of a medication.
The digital system completely removes that guesswork. Because everything is typed and clear, it helps avoid medical errors and ensures that everyone on the healthcare team is on the same page. It gave me a lot of peace of mind knowing that the information I was acting on was accurate and easy to read.”
6. From your perspective as a student, how can digital technologies support nurses while still maintaining the human connection and compassion that are central to patient care?
“From my perspective, digital technology is a tool created by humans, for humans. It is designed to help us manage information better, not to replace the care we provide. When the right training is provided, you realize that using these systems isn’t actually time-consuming—it’s incredibly efficient.
By having all the patient’s history and medications in one place, I spend much less time on the administrative side of documentation and hunting for files. Because I’m not stuck behind a desk or struggling with paperwork, I can allocate more of my time to the actual ‘care’ part of nursing. Ultimately, the technology handles the data so that I can be more present, maintaining that vital human connection and compassion at the bedside.”
7. Could you share an example from your learning or clinical training where digital skills played an important role in improving your confidence or competence?
“One specific example was during a busy shift when I had to check a patient’s complex medication history. Because of my digital skills with the EMR, I was able to quickly pull up their past reactions and current scripts without having to hunt for a paper chart or struggle to read old handwritten notes. Being able to access that data instantly made me feel much more competent. It allowed me to stay calm and professional, which is important to me as someone who values mindfulness and presence at the bedside.”
8. Looking ahead, how do you think digital skills will shape your future role as a nurse, and what advice would you give to fellow students?
“Looking ahead, I see digital skills as a way to make nursing safer and more precise. My advice to fellow students is to embrace these tools early on. Don’t look at technology as a burden; see it as a way to stay organized. As a nurse and a business owner who values meditation and breathwork, I’ve learned that when your systems are efficient, your mind is clearer. If you master the digital side, you’ll have more mental space to focus on the human side of healing.”
Disclosure: The personal experiences and reflections shared in this article are my own. AI was used to assist with grammar, spelling, and structural comprehension to ensure the best reading experience.