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Provider Pulse Ep. 13: Between Worlds - How Identity Shaped a Nurse's Path with Alexandria Braithwaite, RN
Manage episode 502286891 series 3671322
We continue our Provider Pulse interview series where we elevate diverse voices from across healthcare fields to hear the paths people took to their current roles and how their life experiences shape the care they provide.
In this episode, we speak with Alexandria Braithwaite,RN a nurse at the International Medicine Clinic. Alexandria shares her remarkable journey—growing up between cultures, moving frequently as a child, navigating code-switching from an early age, and eventually joining the U.S. Navy as a nuclear technician. She reflects on the challenges of military life, her transition into nursing, and how her Oma, who lived with a spinal cord injury and fought for disability rights, inspired her lifelong passion for advocacy.
From the reactor rooms of an aircraft carrier to the bedside of patients in the neuro ICU, and now to Harborview’s International Medicine Clinic, Alexandria’s story is one of resilience, service, and empathy. Her lived experiences give her a unique perspective on the struggles of navigating multiple worlds—and a deep well of compassion for the diverse patients she now serves.
Whether you are a pre-health student, a practicing clinician, or someone interested in how personal history shapes professional identity, Alexandria’s story will stay with you.
Visit EthnoMed.org for additional resources. Follow us on YouTube and Instagram @EthnoMedUW
Chapters
1. Intro (00:00:00)
2. Intro Quote from Alexandria Braithwaite (00:00:31)
3. Childhood on the Move : Growing up adapting to new schools and environments (00:02:29)
4. Code-switching and Identity: Navigating mixed cultural identity (00:07:19)
5. Isolation and escapism: Gaming as an outlet, feeling like an outsider (00:09:25)
6. Choosing the Military: the adverstisement and recruitment (00:10:31)
7. Bootcamp and Transformation: Shock of miliary training, discipline, running (00:15:54)
8. Nuke School and Deployment: Life as a nuclear electronics technician (00:20:09)
9. Transition to Civilian Life and College: GI bill, interest in pharmacy, decision to pursue nursing (00:23:48)
10. First Nursing Roles: ICU and med-surg experiences, marriage, divorce, rediscovering professional direction (00:27:00)
11. Harborview Neuro ICU: Working nights, compassion rooted in Oma's disability advocacy, connecting with patients (00:31:28)
12. Burnout and Reconnecting: Life consumed by work, reconnecting with James, searching balance (00:35:43)
13. International Medicine Clinic: Transition to outpatient care, advocating for patients across languages and cultures (00:37:30)
14. Reflections on Identity: How background and experience with code-switching help her connect wiht immigrant patients (00:39:33)
15. Next Steps and Advice to Young People: Never give up (00:40:17)
16. Outro and Closing Reflections: resilience, service, and compassion as guiding themes (00:41:40)
17. Preview of Next Episode, Danielle Runyambo: Immigrant from DRC, now co-executive director of programs and community impact at Refugee Community Partnership (00:42:28)
18. Contact Information, Thank You for Sharing the Podcast (00:43:51)
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