Dr. Siseena: From Nurse to Doctor, A Tale of Unyielding Determination, Overcoming all Odds

Dr. Siseena, a woman who turned her dreams into reality through sheer determination and resilience. Her journey from being a junior public health nurse to earning a doctorate is nothing short of inspirational.

Siseena’s educational journey kicked off in government schools near her home, laying a strong foundation for her future endeavors. She pursued her degree at a government college in Thalassery, Kerala, and later completed an Auxiliary Nurse and Midwife course, often referred to as the Junior Public Health Nursing course in Kerala. Her thirst for knowledge led her to earn a BEd in Natural Science from Kannur University and an MSc in Industrial Fisheries from Cochin University in 2002. Before officially starting her career as a Junior Public Health Nurse in 2005, she briefly served as a guest lecturer.

Amid her career, Siseena pursued an MA in Sociology through distance education and aced the NET and SET examinations. However, her interactions with the Muslim community during her work highlighted challenges in explaining family planning and child immunization, as they were initially reluctant to heed these important healthcare concerns. This experience ignited her interest in exploring deeper into these issues, ultimately leading to her doctoral research topic: “Social Attitudes and Health Care Culture: A Study on the Muslim Community in Kannur District, Kerala.”

Siseena started her PhD journey in 2016 and successfully defended her thesis in February 2020, earning her doctorate at the age of 47. Her path was riddled with obstacles, including skepticism from friends and colleagues who questioned her decision to pursue a PhD. But, Siseena remained resolute in her pursuit of higher education.

One of her first challenges was finding a guide for her PhD. After several rejections, Dr. B Bindhu from the Department of Anthropology at Kannur University agreed to mentor her. Making this collaboration work meant she had to modify university rules to make room for her interdisciplinary research, and it wasn’t a piece of cake for her. The negativity and doubt surrounding her only fueled her determination to attain her PhD.

Throughout her journey, Siseena received strong support from her husband and children. Despite taking a break from her career during preliminary coursework and data collection, she managed her finances by taking out loans and later rejoining in part-time work. Her guide, Dr. B Bindhu, proved to be an invaluable source of support.

Siseena’s journey was not without personal challenges; her mother’s stroke added to her responsibilities. Her mother, a teacher herself, had always been her pillar of strength. Sadly, her mother passed away before witnessing her daughter’s remarkable achievement. 

In addition to her academic achievements, Siseena is also a talented poet and writer, with her work published in magazines and accolades received in poetry competitions among government employees. She firmly believes that every woman has the potential to achieve her dreams and become financially independent. Her advice to young girls is clear: never stop until you achieve financial independence.

Dr. Siseena’s remarkable story is one that emphasizes the incredible heights one can reach when faced with adversity. It stands as an inspiring example for others to relentlessly pursue their dreams, knowing that with dedication, any obstacle can be overcome.