Leading with Connection

The high-tech world of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where monitors hum and life is measured in grams and milliliters, can easily hide the human element. But for Subadra Hiralall, BSN, RN, a December 2025 graduate of the George Washington University School of Nursing, the "Guyanese spirit" of connection is just as vital as the clinical equipment.

Subadra, a Johnson & Johnson Nursing Scholar and the former president of GW Nursing’s CultureRx, has spent her academic career bridging the gap between global culture and local clinical excellence. Today, as she cares for the "earliest and most delicate sparks of life" at Inova Fairfax, she is proving that nursing leadership is as much about building community as it is about bedside skill.

Bringing the 'Guyanese Spirit' to the NICU

For Subadra, her professional identity is inseparable from her upbringing in Guyana. She describes the Guyanese spirit as one rooted in collaboration, unity, and a profound sense of community.

"The Guyanese spirit is almost like everyone is part of one big family," Subadra explains. "That was something I immediately recognized and appreciated about Inova, especially in its diversity. In the NICU, I plan to bring that same sense of connection by fostering a supportive environment for my coworkers, patients, and their families. I want people to feel seen, valued, and cared for beyond just clinical needs."

In addition to connection, Subadra carries the Guyanese love for curiosity. In an environment as fast-paced as the NICU, she views her clinical practice as an ongoing education, staying open and asking the questions necessary to provide the highest level of care for her tiny patients.

CultureRx: Cultivating a Sense of Belonging

During her time at GW Nursing, Subadra was a powerhouse of student advocacy. As the founder and president of CultureRx, she worked to ensure that the diversity of the student body was celebrated rather than just acknowledged.

The inspiration for the organization came from a Guyanese tradition called Culture Day, an annual festival where people share their "comforts"—the food, clothing, and music that remind them of home.

"These things help the hustle and bustle of nursing school pause for a moment and allow real connection to happen," says Subadra. "It gives people a chance to feel grounded. I believe getting to know people should be something common, almost like a necessity to truly connect."

The impact of CultureRx was felt across the faculty as well. Subadra recalls with pride how professors supported the initiative by bringing their own cultural foods and songs, humanizing the academic experience and allowing students to see their instructors as people beyond the classroom walls.

Representing the Cohort: The Pinning Podium

Subadra’s peers recognized her leadership long before graduation, selecting her as the student speaker for their pinning ceremony. It was a role she took seriously, aiming to craft a message that was "real and relatable," reflecting the shared struggles and triumphs of the Accelerated BSN (ABSN) journey.

Now several months into her career, Subadra has a poignant message for the students currently approaching their own graduation: Don’t lose yourself in the process.

The Road to CRNA: A Foundation of Excellence

While Subadra is currently dedicated to the NICU, her sights are set on the future. She views her time at GW Nursing—and her current role at Inova—as the bedrock for her ultimate goal: becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).

She credits the GW Nursing faculty and the simulation team for making complex, accelerated content feel engaging and manageable. "Even though the program went by really fast, I still felt prepared with the knowledge and skills I needed to pass the NCLEX," she notes.

Subadra Hiralall’s story is a testament to the power of community, connection, and making a local impact. Whether she is advocating for student voice at Innovation Hall or advocating for a vulnerable infant in a neonatal suite, her journey is defined by a deep commitment to lifting others.