From the frontlines to the classroom: How UAE nurses are advancing patient care through learning

Dubai: In Dubai, nurses on the frontlines of healthcare are engaging in continuous learning and professional development to improve patient care. Sona Susan Zachariah, a Staff Nurse and MSc Cardiovascular Nursing student at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), highlights how research directly impacts patient outcomes.

Her postgraduate studies have enhanced her critical evaluation skills, enabling her to confidently apply new evidence in real-time clinical situations. Zachariah credits the support of nursing leadership for making her educational pursuits feasible alongside her work. Similarly, Nancy Abusamra, a Senior Staff Nurse and MSc Pediatric Nursing student at MBRU, emphasizes the importance of compassion and family involvement in paediatric care.

With over two decades of experience, she sees education as a continuous journey and highlights the need for emotional reassurance, trust, and a calming environment to improve children's well-being. Both nurses underscore the importance of Dubai Health's Patient First promise, which prioritizes patient safety and well-being during high-pressure situations.

Zachariah encourages young nurses to pursue postgraduate studies, stressing the challenges and rewards of the experience. Abusamra aims to mentor and inspire the next generation of paediatric nurses in the UAE, focusing on technical competence, confidence, professionalism, cultural sensitivity, and compassion. Their stories illustrate how investing in nurses' education benefits patients, families, colleagues, and the healthcare system as a whole.