We had the good fortune of connecting with Shaiza Alvi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shaiza, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
Saying yes to the hard decisions. Saying yes when all you want to do is stay within your comfort zone. Saying yes when you are afraid of the outcome, but can potentially grow from it. If I didn’t say yes to a lot of things, I would not have my dream job right now, changed majors and started all over at a new university where I knew no one, nor would I be moving to unknown place soon with my husband for his dream job. So say yes, even if you are scared, the outcome may lead you to far in life.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started my blog as a lost first gen college student that happened to also be a nursing student (which comes with its own confusion). I spent so much time trying to find answers from advisors that sometimes discouraged me, gave me the wrong info, and or I just struggled finding answers in general. I wanted to guide and answer questions for others online through IG because medical bloggers became a new niche on social media rather than just beauty or fashion. I noticed the nursing world lacked nurse bloggers so here I am now. Few years later, working as a nurse, going through FNP school, and blogging about it still while coming across amazing opportunities with companies like Wear Figs. I love my figs family and they have pushed me to do better and be part of a motivated group of medical professionals who have gone through their own struggles that they share with their followers.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
OOOO this is a good one, I would take my best friend that was visiting to klyde warren, Georges coffee (love that place so much), Bishop arts for dinner and a fun night with music. The next day we would brunch at yolk and take scooters around downtown some more, grab coffee from magnolias, and then head to a rooftop for pretty night time Dallas views!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I dedicate my shoutout to all first gen kids with immigrant parents. Our parents deserve it all from working minimum wage jobs, being bullied, and sometimes even facing racism. I am forever grateful and in awe of my mom for raising two kids on her own for a while until my dad’s paperwork for coming to the US went through. She worked hard and raised us without letting us feel like we were missing out on anything. Without letting money ever feel like an issue. She even worked through my college days to help me pay rent so I could just focus on becoming the nurse that I wanted to be and not divert attention to anything that she at least had control of. I love you mama!

Website: instagram.com/shai.rn

Instagram: @shai.rn

Image Credits
Blue and pink scrub pics are by Ammar Multani and the white scrub pic is by @artsytaylor on IG.

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.