Marko Katic from Capljina holds a master's degree in nursing. He has been employed at the Primary Health Care Center Capljina since 2018. He gained his first work experience at the age of 23 at the Emergency Department.

Why did you choose this profession?  I chose this profession because I come from a family of medical professionals. My mother, also my role model and the main reason why I chose this particular profession, has been a nurse at the Emergency Department for 35 years. My father is a laboratory nurse by profession and my sister is a dental nurse and nutritionist. I currently serve as a Head Nurse  of the Emergency Department at the Primary Health Care Center Capljina.

What your workday looks like... The first thing that happens when I arrive at work is the so-called shift handover, specifically a conversation with colleagues who worked the night shift about the interventions they had during the night. Then, together with colleagues from the day shift, we agree on the tasks awaiting us. We prepare the workplace, check the equipment and check and count medications, so that we are sure that we have enough for the interventions that follow. Sometimes we do not even have time to do that because when the 124 phone rings, we all drop what we are doing at that moment, swiftly grab the necessary equipment and rush to respond to an emergency. No day is the same, so there is always a certain amount of excitement.

What is it like to be a nurse in BiH...  It is nice to be a nurse in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially if you like helping people. Although, it is sometimes physically tiring due to the lack of manpower, we are overloaded and stretched in many ways. The position of nurses in Bosnia and Herzegovina is quite complex and in some situations very difficult. During various trainings, I like to exchange experiences with colleagues from other parts of BiH. Talking to them, I notice similarities and differences in work, the problems they encounter, and how they solve them. In this way we all try to improve certain things and strive to be better in what we do.

Shortcomings in the Institution you are employed at... As in many other health institutions throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, so in the one I work at, the biggest "problem" is the lack of staff and the lack of medical equipment, which should be in line with international regulations, so that we can be at the same level with other colleagues. Also, I would appreciate having more training and courses related to our profession, so that we can learn to better and more professionally overcome various situations, of course, all for the benefit of patients, that is, people who seek and need our help. These are also the only things I would like to change in Primary Health Care Center Capljina.

Good and bad sides of nursing profession... There are good and bad sides of the nursing profession, but the good ones dominate, at least I believe so. Among the good sides I would include the feeling of satisfaction you get when you help someone who is helpless. I would also emphasize the solidarity and closeness that develops among us, colleagues who work in the Emergency Room, because we become like family. That is how I met my future wife. As for the bad things, they are stress, physical and mental strain and lack of understanding from some patients. There are many unpleasant situations, even physical attacks. I must also mention that nurses are underpaid for the work they do.

The relationship nurse - patient and nurse-doctor… The relationship between a nurse and a patient, as well as between a nurse and a doctor, is extremely important. Teamwork of doctors and other health professionals makes it possible to help a patient and provide him/her high-quality care. Also, the relationship with the patient is quite important, because we are there to achieve trust through conversation, find out additional information that could help in establishing the diagnosis and further treatment. There is also providing comfort to patients who need it.

The outflow of health professionals from BiH... I think that the outflow of health professionals can be prevented by improving working conditions, providing better protection of healthcare staff, and increasing salaries. Nurses are the ones who face the most poor working conditions and high stress at work. Often when we want to help someone, we are prevented from doing so due to a lack of medicine or equipment. In these situations, we try to help the patient the best we can improvising in various way.

Work and conditions during the coronavirus pandemic... Work and conditions during the coronavirus pandemic were very difficult and stressful, primarily due to the lack of information about the newly emerged virus, the lack of equipment and the enormous number of patients. We health professionals did a great and difficult job. We spent many hours wearing protective masks and suits. The hardest part was during the summer months, because it was unbearably hot in the plastic suits. The physical and psychological consequences of that virus are still felt among health professionals and people who have recovered from it. I hope that something like this will never happen again!

Additional training for health professionals in BiH... It is extremely important for health professionals to have as much training as possible related to the area of their work. This primarily makes it easier for us but also for patients because they receive faster and better care. During trainings, in addition to learning many things, experiences are also exchanged and new colleagues and great lecturers are met.

Trainings organized by the Federal Ministry of Health and Fami Foundation...  I am honored and pleased to be invited and to
have the opportunity to participate in trainings provided by the Federal Ministry of Health and the Fami Foundation. Through new models of access to health services, they teach us how to advance and improve the quality of the health system. Because only through education of health professionals can the effectiveness of service provision be increased, ultimately securing a better outcome for the patient. It is very nice that something like this exists in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

A memorable moment in your career...  There are many events from my career that I remember, both good and bad, considering that I work in Emergency Department. However, I always try to forget and suppress the bad ones and remember only the good ones. Because there is no greater satisfaction than when you save someone's life or help them with their illness.

A message to future generations, colleagues...  I support all young people who want to go for health profession. Although there are a lot of responsibilities and challenges, I have never regretted my choice. I believe that not everyone can do this job, it is a vocation, but whoever has the slightest interest, go ahead! The most important thing is to be persistent and not give up after the first obstacle.