Pregnancy and Prenatal Care Inspire an Inova Nursing Career

Nakiara Bell joins Inova Alexandria Hospital postpartum unit after positive experience

When Nakiara Bell, NB, RN, a nurse in the postpartum unit at Inova Alexandria Hospital (IAH), first visited IAH six years ago for prenatal care, she had no idea that her pregnancy would alter the course of her professional life. At the time, she was in college studying to be a kindergarten teacher, yet the compassionate care she received here ignited a new interest.

“What really stood out to me is how all of the nurses supported me. Because my mom was not there to guide me [through labor and postpartum], they stepped in to fill that role,” says Bell. “They helped me to make the best decisions without pushing me toward something [that didn’t feel right] and made sure everything was OK.”

After taking a semester to care for her newborn, Bell returned to school with a new life goal — becoming a nurse. And recently that journey came full circle when she accepted a position on IAH’s postpartum unit.

“I just love helping families and first-time parents,” she says. “You can read all the books [about parenting], but when someone is actually there who can answer questions personally,  having gone through a similar experience, it has a different effect. Being in this nursing role at IAH has been awesome.”

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