Nahj Ep#8: Eiman Al-Iskandarani on the Human Side of Nursing

In Episode 8 of Nahj (نَهْج), Ameer Albahouth sits down with Eiman Talal Al-Iskandarani, a nursing director and healthcare leader, to talk about the real meaning of nursing beyond the common image of bedside care. For Eiman, nursing is not only about clinical tasks, but about seeing the patient fully. It is about education, communication, emotional intelligence, and being present during some of the most difficult moments in a person’s life. Her journey began by chance, but over time, nursing became a calling. From working in intensive care to caring for her father during COVID, Eiman’s perspective changed deeply. She began to see nursing through the eyes of the patient, the family, and the healthcare team.

This episode explores how nurses shape the patient experience, why mentorship matters, and how Saudi nursing talent can help build a stronger healthcare future.

6 Key Takeaways from Eiman’s Journey

1. Nursing Is Much Bigger Than Bedside Care

Eiman explains that nursing has more than 25 specialties, from intensive care and oncology to surgery, emergency care, education, quality, and leadership. The bedside role is important, but it is only one part of a much wider field.

2. The Patient Experience Begins With the Nurse

Nurses are often the first people patients meet and the people they see most during their stay. That makes their role powerful. The way a nurse speaks, explains, listens, and cares can shape the entire hospital experience.

3. Care Is Technical, But It Is Also Human

Eiman shares stories from intensive care that show how small human details can change everything. Talking to a patient in a coma, moving a bed toward the window, helping a student take an exam from the ICU, or comforting a child can all become part of healing.

4. Strong Nurses Need Clear Career Direction

Many nurses do not want to leave nursing. They simply need guidance. Through mentorship sessions and career development support, Eiman helps nurses understand their path, whether they want to grow clinically, move into management, enter quality, or focus on education.

5. Clinical Experience Builds Real Confidence

Eiman believes nurses should not rush past the clinical stage. Real experience on the floor builds judgment, confidence, and depth. It helps nurses understand patients, teams, systems, and the small details that cannot be learned from theory alone.

6. Nursing Has a Major Role in Saudi Healthcare’s Future

From preventive care and patient education to hospital design, innovation, community health, and advanced nursing practice, Eiman sees nursing as a key part of the future. Saudi Arabia already has strong nursing talent. What many professionals need now is support, direction, and the chance to grow.

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