Through a journey of purpose, award-winning Rikadeisuk Suting redefines care in Meghalaya, reports Esha Chaudhuri

On most days at Supercare Hospital, Rikadeisuk Suting (31) moves quietly through hospital corridors, reviewing protocols, tracking patient safety indicators and ensuring nurses have the support they need to deliver care.

However, behind the calm composure of a Quality Nurse is a professional shaped by years at the bedside, moments of grief, life-and-death emergencies and an unwavering belief that nursing is "the highest form of humanity."
As the world marks International Nurses Day, Suting's story reflects not only the resilience of nurses in Meghalaya, but also the evolving role of modern nursing itself; one that extends far beyond the familiar image of the "angel in white."
"They often say the grass is greener on the other side," she says with a smile, "but I am grateful that my journey has been a sweeter version of that proverb."
Her journey began in the wards of Civil Hospital, Shillong, where she worked as an experienced nurse providing direct patient care. Later, after clearing her entrance examination at Supercare Hospital, she transitioned into the demanding environment of operation theatres as an OT Scrub Nurse. Today, seven years into her profession, Suting works in nursing administration as a Quality Nurse, focusing on systemic improvements and patient safety.
"My journey has been about moving from 'doing' care to 'empowering' care," she says.
That philosophy, she explains, was shaped long before she entered nursing school. Growing up, she watched her mother dedicate herself to the profession. The sacrifices she witnessed did not discourage her; instead, they instilled independence and empathy.
The defining moment, however, came during her grandmother's final days. "When my grandmother was on her deathbed, I remember reaching out to hold her hand," she recalls. "I didn't just see her illness; I felt her suffering. That was the moment my purpose became clear."
Suting later secured admission to the College of Nursing at North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), a milestone she describes as a confirmation of her calling.
To her, nursing represents a balance between scientific precision and deep human connection.
"Helping a person navigate their most difficult moment isn't just service," she says. "It is the highest form of humanity."
Years of working in wards, operation theatres and administration have transformed her understanding of healthcare. One of her biggest lessons, she says, is that empathy is not limited to bedside conversations. Efficient systems, evidence-based practices and proper support for nurses are also forms of compassion.
"If our systems are broken, if a nurse is overwhelmed by paperwork or unclear protocols, it is the patient who ultimately suffers," she says.
As a Quality Nurse, Suting now works to bridge the gap between hospital policy and the realities of frontline nursing. Her responsibilities include monitoring clinical protocols, analysing quality indicators and ensuring compliance with NABH accreditation standards.
She credits the management and leadership team at Supercare Hospital for helping her grow into the role.
"They recognised my potential early on and provided me with a platform to lead," she says. "Supercare doesn't just hire nurses; they cultivate leaders."
Yet, despite their crucial role, she believes society still underestimates the complexity of nursing.
"People often celebrate the nursing smile or the angel of mercy," she says, "but beneath that is a sophisticated clinical strategist."
According to her, nurses are constantly making rapid assessments, monitoring subtle changes in patients' conditions and acting as the hospital's "eyes and ears." At the same time, they carry an emotional burden that often remains invisible.
"We move from comforting a grieving family straight into another room to celebrate a recovery, all without missing a beat," she says.
Among the most difficult moments of her career are emergency situations that demand instant emotional and clinical "gear-shifting." She recalls performing CPR during a Code Blue while a patient was rushed through hospital corridors to the ICU.
"In those moments, you are the patient's heartbeat," she says quietly.
What follows after the shift can be equally heavy.
"As nurses, we carry our patients home with us," she admits. "You keep wondering, Could I have done more?'"
She also points to the physical sacrifices nurses make every day; especially women who continue working long shifts deep into pregnancy.
"I have seen colleagues work a full shift today and go into labour tomorrow," she says. "That level of dedication speaks to the iron will of a nurse."
In 2025, her work earned national recognition when she received the prestigious Young Leader Award in Kochi. She became the first recipient from Meghalaya to win the honour that year.
"When my name was called and I saw my picture on the big screen announcing a Quality Nurse from Supercare Hospital, Meghalaya, North East India, I was beyond words," Suting recalls. "I was choking back tears of joy."
For her, the award was never just personal achievement. "It was a message to the rest of the country that the nurses of the North East are growing, leading and achieving excellence at the highest level," she says.
Despite the recognition, she remains grounded in the belief that healthcare is fundamentally collaborative. While doctors are often publicly celebrated, she says nurses must also be recognised as highly skilled professionals central to patient recovery.
"A doctor may diagnose and prescribe, but it is the nurse who executes and monitors that plan 24/7," she says. "Healing is a collective victory."
Beyond the hospital walls, balancing work and personal life remains a constant challenge. She admits she is still learning how to "switch off" mentally after long shifts. Reading and cooking have become her "recharge stations," while family reminds her why patient safety matters so deeply.
"Every patient is someone's child, parent, spouse or friend," she says.
Through her work, Suting also challenges long-held perceptions about gender in nursing, arguing that the profession today is defined by competence rather than tradition.
"I believe nursing was traditionally seen as female-dominated because caregiving roles were historically associated with women," she says. "But today, the profession is evolving."
"Nursing is about skill, knowledge, compassion, communication and critical thinking - qualities that are not limited to any gender," she explains. "Healthcare doesn't care about the hands performing CPR or the gender designing the protocol; it only cares about competence, critical thinking and compassion behind action."
She sees the growing presence of male nurses as a positive sign of change rather than disruption.
According to her, "The increasing number of male nurses reflects diversity, opportunity and progress in healthcare."
She believes that the profession has moved beyond identity-based labels altogether.
"The nursing profession has transitioned from gender to genius," she says.
Now, as International Nurses Day highlights the role of nurses worldwide, she hopes society will move beyond sympathy and develop a deeper understanding of the profession.
"Nurses need empathy over sympathy too," she says.
This year's International Nurses Day theme - "Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowering Nurses Saves Lives" resonates strongly with her own journey from bedside nurse to healthcare leader.
"When you give a nurse a voice in leadership and the tools of quality science, you aren't just improving a career," she says. "You are directly improving patient outcomes."
For young people considering the profession, especially in Meghalaya and the North East, her message is simple: nursing is more than a job.
"It is difficult, yes," she says, "but it is a life lived with deep meaning."
In many ways, that meaning is best reflected in the quiet conviction with which Suting continues to serve - not seeking applause, but striving each day to make hospitals safer, nurses stronger and patients feel less alone.