UIC Student examines her career path in medicine during the coronavirus pandemic
Mariama Bounds shares her journey toward a career in medical health. Photo courtesy of Mariama Bounds
Due to the coronavirus pandemic South Side native Mariama Bounds has taken time to reflect on the crisis and mentally prepare for her future role as a medical professional.
Bounds, a junior on the pre-nursing track at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), never imagined the coronavirus outbreak would escalate this far and cause so much disruption in people’s lives. She said she was in disbelief about the seriousness of the virus until she watched a press conference where President Donald Trump gave his remarks on coronavirus prior to the statewide shelter-in-place order in Illinois. When she originally learned about the virus back in the middle of February she thought it would disappear within a month.
“Trump...he was addressing how the virus won't be completely gone until July, and to hear that...it registered to me, like, ‘Oh my god, so it's literally real. It didn't feel real,’" she said.
As someone who is hoping to pursue a career in the healthcare field, Bounds is aware of how different diseases and viruses can impact the human body and she agrees with the safety precautions that are put in place to contain the pandemic. She was studying bacteria in her lab practical before her school went on spring break and was able to see first-hand the amount of bacteria that can grow over time.
“I'm taking microbiology and we were extracting and taking in different bacteria, one student, he had swapped his hand. And after we incubated that bacteria he let the sample grow over time, he was able to find a mass amount of bacteria on his hands. So I found that it may not be visible to the naked eye, but if you look at it in a microscope, it is very visible to see and it is insane how many bacterias can be on your hand so I feel that the precaution in regards to washing your hands refrain from touching your face is very logical and it can prevent from having a spread,” said Bounds.
In response to the outbreak of the coronavirus, UIC announced on March 14 to extend spring break to two weeks to allow teachers to have the ability to transfer their classes to an online platform. According to school administrators, classes will be held online for the remainder of the school semester in order to maintain social distancing.
Yet, despite the coronavirus pandemic, Bounds said she has not changed her dream to become a nurse practitioner because she understands the responsibilities and the risk that come with it.
“I understand that by going into the medical field I will encounter more situations similar to the one we are experiencing now,” said Bounds. “Moreover, I know that it will impact me because I will be placing my future patients’ wellbeing over mine.”
Before the pandemic, Bounds prepared for her career following graduation by applying to nursing school - she had an interview scheduled with the UIC College of Nursing. She was looking forward to scheduling her TEAS Exam also known as Test of Essential Academic Skills. This standardized test provides admission staff at nursing schools to determine which students would be viable candidates for their school’s programs. Unfortunately, it has been postponed due to the coronavirus.