Source: Zimbo nurse trainee shines in Zambia -Newsday Zimbabwe
Gracious Chiedza Jim, a 30-year-old from Kwekwe, has made her mark in Zambia, scooping top awards as an outstanding nursing student.
She outshone more than 7,000 students to become the national overall best student in registered nursing in Zambia recently.
“It really came as a surprise, and I was honored to receive such recognition in a foreign country,” Jim said.
Her awards include Best in Medical and Surgical Nursing, Best in Leadership, Management and Governance, and the Board of Directors Award, becoming a national sensation.
Jim’s journey into nursing began during her IT attachment at Kwekwe General Hospital in 2021, where she was inspired by the medical environment and her two nurse sisters.
“Hearing medical personnel speak in their medical language was so intriguing,” she said.
“I was exposed to the hospital setting, attended meetings with medical staff, and participated in disease surveillance. It was really interesting.”
A self-described socializer, Jim is passionate, proactive, and hardworking. She credits her success to self-motivation and the focus she developed during her training.
“I wasn’t sure about nursing at first, but the training helped me realize it was the right fit,” she said.
“The first week was about life skills, self-awareness, and goal-setting. It helped me focus and improve myself,” Jim added.
Beauty Siansende Zimba, the Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of the Nurses and Midwifery Council of Zambia, said Jim’s excellence among thousands of students is a testimony to hard work and commitment to strengthening the health profession.
“We must be torchbearers of good behavior and dedication in healthcare. This achievement by Gracious Jim must motivate others to take their lessons seriously,” she said during the colorful ceremony.
Jim attended Tasungana Primary School, Munyati High School, and Manunure High School. She also spent two years at Gtel and studied IT at Kwekwe Polytechnic.
“I developed an interest in IT, but nursing has opened new professional avenues for me,” she said.
Born and raised in Kwekwe, Jim is the sixth of nine children. Her mother is a farmer, and her father is a retired transportation manager at Kwekwe General Hospital.
“My sisters, who are professional nurses, inspired me to pursue nursing,” she said.
Jim’s achievements are a testament to her dedication and perseverance. Her story serves as encouragement for aspiring healthcare professionals in Zimbabwe and beyond. Like Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, Jim embodies modern values of care and commitment to the profession.
Her passion for data collection and analysis, discovered during her IT attachment, further reflects her natural dedication.
Jim’s success shines as a reminder of the impact that devoted healthcare professionals can have on their communities.
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