My name is Rasheda Mallik. I am a nurse. The thought of becoming a nurse first came to my mind when I was in class VIII. In one of our English classes, our teacher told us the story about Florence Nightingale. He described how she nursed soldiers injured in the battle enduring all the adversities. I was enchanted by her bravery in leading a group of 38 nurses to work with people suffering from cholera, dysentery, typhoid and other fatal diseases in a rat-infested filthy environment. From my very childhood, my heart would go with people in physical distress. I always wanted to do something for them. I was very much influenced by the story and decided to choose nursing as my profession. After finishing H.S.C., I got myself enrolled in a nursing institute and obtained a Diploma in Nursing. Then I took up a job in a hospital. In the beginning things were not very easy as I had to take care of my family too. Being a mother of two children, it was sometimes frustrating for me to carry on with my job. It was at this point when I met Mrs. Reba, one of the Head nurses, who joined our hospital as a trainer. She shared her story of struggle with me. I was once again inspired to hear how she had continued her job under difficult circumstances. “If I can, you can too. Just believe in yourself. There are millions of sick people out there who need people like you.” Reba Apa would say. So, now I am working harder and find happiness in the smile of patients when they get well and return home to their family.