1. Why did you choose a career in infection prevention and control?
Being an ICP is a call to me. It’s the story of me who just started working as a nurse in my first job in 2015 back in India, and it’s just beginning of my career , I always believed prevention of infection is not only one person job and it’s a team work, and being a newly joined registered nurse I have applied this rule in my daily activities and i been appreciated for the same from IC department in my first working month, later after 2 years of working in same hospital I got the job offer to work in IC department but with so many reasons i could not make it happen and i been rejected the job opportunity ,from then I searched for the study courses to get trained in infection prevention and control , but nothing worked out. But in my heart i always had a dream of working in a infection prevention and control department, time passed , In 2019 i moved from India to Saudi Arabia with much better job opportunity , but still in my heart i wanted to work in IC department, after 5 years working in varies department in India, i traveled to Saudi Arabia by having the heart of working in IC team, and I had no idea of which department I could work with ,as its what my heart desired for, I got the chance to attend the interview conducted to select a nurse to work in infection prevention and control team by the IC team of king Abdulla hospital ,Bisha in my first week of orientation class, from then it’s been adventure working as a ICP
2. What advice would you give someone who is interested in an infection prevention and control career?
Prevention and control of infection is not one person job, its every ones responsibility but working in an infection prevention and control team you can do much better and unique work by leading the health care workers and community health care workers to achieve the best health care and community practices in the society.
3. What does being a CIC® mean to you?
Being CIC gives me an immense satisfaction and confidence to work with best scientific knowledge at my work. CIC is the invisible crown with the power of knowledge.
4. What was the best studying method for you when preparing for the initial certification examination?
While I was preparing for the exam, I been actively participating in wats app study group CIC academy, excellent discussion organization by Mr. Mahar Muhammad Al Mahadi and excellent study discussion by Ms. Shazia Irum and Reading APIC Text Book, APIC study guide and participating the mock test.
5. What advice would you give someone pursuing certification?
Do not give up, getting a CIC certification adds the value into your career, it’s not easy but continuous hard work will help you to achieve your target goal to pass CIC exam, follow 3Cs, Consistency, commitment and confidence. Share the knowledge, share the ideas with others.
6. How do you stay up-to-date on infection prevention and control practices?
By reading updated guidelines, by attending webinar and meetings related infection prevention and control; and following CBIC and APIC profile in LinkedIn.
7. Are you part of an APIC or IPAC Canada chapter? If so, would you recommend it to others?
No
8. How has the CIC® helped you grow professionally and in your career?
Being CIC helped me adding the strength to my work and my career, I have updated my knowledge. CIC gave me strength, knowledge and confidence to deal with scenario to act wisely to practice infection prevention and practice in all aspects.
9. Are there any CIC® stories that keep you up at night? This can be related to the examination or a specific patient story that stands out.
I have prepared 2 month for my exam, I still remember preparing for exam been never easy, I been over stressed and had a bad panic attack, I was so scared and decided I could not make it, but I needed to end my fear by giving the try . My wats app study group CIC Academy has been super helpful by motivating me, guiding me and by giving continuous assignments. And my close friend always supported me by saying I can do. After everything once I saw the result on the screen with white letter word pass on a green wallpaper gave at untold happiness. And today I am an inspiration to my colleagues and who started preparing and achieving CIC. Being CIC certified made me to help others who need guidance and motivation