Nursing student’s appreciation for hard work shaped by her childhood as a refugee of war
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was carried May 5 in the Erie Times-News annual magazine celebrating the region’s nurses.)
In 2000, Amira Sabic fled war-torn Bosnia with her parents and siblings. As the baby of the family, she was only six at the time and accustomed to being taken care of by her five sisters and one brother.
Today, that experience is a mere memory, but certainly not the traits that those early years engendered in her.
“Being a refugee has made me appreciate life more,” Amira said. “I think coming from a background where our upbringing was very tough, and resources were limited, has made me appreciate the process of working hard and maintaining my success.”
Like others in her family, Amira grew up inspired by the idea of nurturing and healing others. Eventually, she followed in the footsteps of her older sisters, Nermina, Alma, and Edina, all of whom graduated from the nursing program at Mercyhurst University and are currently working in the field. Amira looks forward to graduating in May and accepting a job at Erie’s St. Vincent Hospital. Her long-term goal is to join Alma and Edina as traveling nurses.
“We are all very passionate and love to help people,” Amira said of her sisters. “We got into this field for two reasons: our mother has some health issues, and we wanted to be knowledgeable and better able to help her; and, well, there’s something very rewarding about helping people.”
From her childhood as a refugee of war to growing up in a family challenged by starting over in a foreign country, Amira has learned to be understanding of all people and their circumstances.
“Being a Muslim myself, I have had instances where my religion has been a target,” she said. “I think through that experience, I have learned to be not judgmental of anyone’s circumstances or where they come from. I’m determined and selfless because of my upbringing. Being a child of seven has taught me to be kind, to be patient, and to always be present.
“When I think of a nurse, I think of a person who is all those things for their patient.”