The Inspiring Story of Jijo K. Jacob, Emergency Room RN
Please introduce yourself to our fantastic crowd.
My name is Jijo Jacob. I was born and raised in India, and I came to the United States 12 years ago, in 2014, and settled in Brooklyn. I completed my education in India before moving here. I started my career at a nursing home and later moved to a hospital contract. Currently, I work at a prestigious hospital with White Glove, where I have been for the past two years.
How would you compare nursing in India to nursing here in the U.S.?
It’s totally different. I’ve been a nurse in India, and I also worked in Bahrain, which is near Dubai. So, I’ve had experience in different places.
When it comes to patient care, the hands-on aspects of nursing —being there for the patient and providing care—are quite similar across these countries. However, the documentation processes and overall administration are much different.
Did you always want to be a nurse?
Not at all. I originally wanted to be a college professor teaching physics. I was well into my degree when a life-changing event occurred.
To better understand my story, it’s important to have some background on what an Indian village looks like. There’s a strong sense of community, and you always turn to your neighbors for help. The medical system was also far from great, although it has been improving over the years. Emergency services like 911 are not easily accessible in urgent situations, and medical transportation was not readily available.
Now, back to that day. My aunt’s husband went into cardiac arrest. Living just a few houses away in our village and being very close to our family, they naturally called us for help in a panic.
I ended up performing chest compressions on him—something I had learned, although I don’t recall where. After that, I booked a car and traveled with him to the hospital.
Fortunately, he recovered and is now healthy and strong.
After that incident, I felt a strong desire to learn more about medicine. I decided to change my path and enroll in nursing school. This was around 2002 or 2003, and it was a decision I have never regretted.
From an Indian village to Brooklyn! Wow, that’s quite a journey. Did you experience any culture shock?
Oh yes! Our village back home was serene and peaceful. The sense of community was strong; people knew each other well and supported one another. The weather was great; I could open my window and breath in the sunshine.
But once I got here, I was near Coney Island Hospital, and the noise from the ambulances made it hard to sleep peacefully for a long time.
Eventually, I adapted. Brooklyn is unique; everyone seems to be living their own lives. Once you are here long enough, you get accustomed to the rush and bustle. I’ve come to really like it here—the lifestyle, the transportation, and especially the food.
After arriving here, I discovered so many different cultures. Back home, I primarily knew Indian people. But here, I experience a variety of communities and cultures, with so many different foods. It’s one thing to see it in movies, but it’s completely different when you feel it in person, especially at the beginning.
In India, we mostly have Indians around; there aren’t many people from different backgrounds. There are Christians, Hindus, and Muslims in India, but they all look similar, and the food is the same. When I arrived here, the cultures were totally different. For example, there’s a large Russian community, and I’ve grown to like Russian food, as well as Chinese cuisine. I’m quite the foodie!
The first time I went to the beach, I was shocked to see people walking around in minimal clothing. Back home, people dressed very modestly, not exposing much skin. That was something entirely new to me.
What do you find most rewarding about being a nurse?
As an ER nurse, I can save lives through my judgment and critical thinking.
Even when things are really busy, sitting with a patient for just one minute can make a significant difference in their life. For many people, it’s literally a matter of minutes when they arrive here.
We love stories of impact! Can you share a remarkable moment?
I remember one case in particular: a man who overdosed and was almost intubated. Fortunately, we didn’t have to intubate him. When he woke up, I spoke to him about his situation and explained the consequences of his actions. I told him that he was too young for this lifestyle, and he seemed to take it to heart.
After a while, he returned to the ER to thank us. Then he asked for me and remembered my name! He brought sweets and shared that he had gotten a job and even found a girlfriend. He was so happy and wanted to express his gratitude to us. That is the kind of achievement that truly matters to me—far more than any monetary reward.
When people come back to say thank you, it means a lot. Most of the time, when they arrive at the hospital, they are frustrated and not in the mood to give thanks because they want immediate care. It’s very rewarding when they realize we are doing our best and, return to show their appreciation.
What’s a challenge you face working in the ER?
In the emergency room (ER), attention is given based on the critical nature of each case. For instance, trauma patients or those experiencing cardiac events, such as stroke patients, receive immediate care. However, there are patients in pain who must wait while others who arrive after them are treated, which can be very difficult.
It’s also challenging when patients are admitted but are waiting for a bed, and we need to move on to new cases. They become frustrated as they wait and keep asking us for help, but we can’t do anything for them during that time.
How do you detach from the tumultuous ER environment back home?
I’m a dad of three, two girls and a boy. So when I get home, they all come to hug me and kiss me, which makes me feel so fresh and I am able to move on. They know how to keep me on my toes! I also like to play music on my keyboard, and my kids love to listen. I also enjoy traveling with my kids, especially camping.
Tell us about some changes you have seen in nursing over the years.
Many new graduates come into the field eager to gain experience but often have little interest in bedside nursing. Their goal is to move on to other roles quickly. It seems that there’s a growing trend where new nurses prefer jobs that offer a more relaxed lifestyle, such as Monday to Friday schedules, rather than the demands of bedside care.
This shift poses a challenge because we need more bedside nurses. Direct patient care is the essence of nursing and I wish I can spread this message to many more nurses!
I hope we don’t reach a point where there is a concerning shortage of bedside nursing.
A message of wisdom to nurses and allied peers?
Being a nurse is a challenging job, both mentally and physically. It requires a genuine commitment to the profession. It’s important not to pursue nursing solely for the opportunities it offers. Of course, compensation is a factor, but you shouldn’t choose nursing just for the money. Instead, you should have a mindset focused on aiding and caring for others and choose a specialty based on what you do best.
Thank you for joining us, Jijo! Your stories were fascinating!
Gigi Babula
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