For Jaya Bhardwaj, BSN, RN, the path to nursing began in a hospital room—not as a clinician, but as a young patient. At 15 years old, she underwent spinal fusion surgery, a procedure that came with more than its fair share of uncertainty. But a nurse transformed her experience.

“She knelt by my bedside, introduced herself, and sincerely asked how I was feeling,” Jaya recalls. “We shared laughs and talked about our favorite movies and music. That connection made me feel safe and her kindness and willingness to engage with me on a personal level completely changed my experience. This is when I realized that I wanted to be able to do that for other people—prioritize human connection, while improving the health outcomes of diverse populations.”

A full circle moment at Duke
Jaya’s journey to her dream began in 2022 when she enrolled in the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program at Duke University School of Nursing. Over the course of 16 months, she completed all of her clinical rotations within the Duke system. By the time she graduated in 2023, she was ready to hit the ground running—landing her very first nursing role at a Duke clinic.

“This is not just my first job—this clinic and these people are my foundation,” said Jaya, now a Clinical Nurse II at Duke Urogynecology at Patterson Place. “Duke Health is not only where I began my training in nursing school, but it is also where I started my nursing career.”
Purpose in the details

For Jaya, the reward of nursing lies not in grand gestures, but in the quiet, meaningful interactions that shape a patient’s experience.
“Gaining a patient’s trust is a privilege,” she says. “When someone tells me I made them feel calm or cared for—that’s everything. It reminds me why I chose this path.”

It’s also why she’s so passionate about her next step that will deepen her connection to the Duke community further this August.

“I found out I got into the Duke Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner program while I was at work,” she said. “I ran out of the room to tell my manager and coworkers first. It was emotional. They’ve been such a big part of my journey, and sharing that moment with them just felt right.”

Gratitude for the Journey
Looking back on her time at Duke Health so far, Jaya is filled with gratitude—for the experiences, the patients, and most of all, the people.

“It’s been a transformative journey,” Jaya said. “What makes Duke so special are the people. I’ve learned from some of the most incredible nurses, CNAs, APPs, and physicians. I feel so lucky to be surrounded by them.”

And as she prepares to balance school and work, Jaya’s excitement is profound.

“I’m thrilled to keep learning and growing here,” she said. “I will forever be thankful and grateful to Duke Health for helping shape me into the nurse I am today.”

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