Pain has controlled Lillia Mrza’s life since she was just 13 years old. But in the year leading up to graduating nursing school, the pain became too much to bear, leaving her bedridden for days at a time.

After countless dismissals from professionals and several visits to the ER, Lillia was finally introduced to a specialist who would provide a diagnosis—and more importantly, eventually—relief. During a laparoscopy, an investigative procedure of the abdomen, she was officially diagnosed with endometriosis and had all her endometrial tissue removed. Despite this being an outpatient procedure, she was forced to stay in the hospital overnight because of her pain.

This all happened the week before her final exams.

“My family and friends tried their best to support me and encouraged me to just focus on the exams so I could finish the program,” Lillia said. “I was the last person to take the last exam and it was just my professor and I in the room. I broke down in tears when I turned it in, afraid of the unknown.”

Lillia had always known she was passionate about helping others and knew for a long time that she wanted to be a healthcare provider. It wasn’t until her grandmother, “Nana Gina,” was diagnosed with a fast-progressing case of Alzheimer’s disease that Lillia knew exactly what she wanted to be—a nurse. After all, her grandmother had been a nurse first in Iraq, before her family immigrated to the United States.

“She was an inspirational woman to us all and the most hospitable person I had ever met,” Lillia said. “It was while spending this time with her [after her Alzheimer’s diagnosis] that I knew after this chapter closed, the next chapter would be dedicated to finally pursuing my calling to become a nurse.”

Her perseverance paid off. She is currently transitioning into a new role to work as a Registered Nurse Investigator for the State of Arizona. 

Lillia was invited to join Sigma in 2022, but because of battles with her health at that time, she was forced to miss her ceremony. She chose to preserve her wellness as much as she could so that she’d be able to attend graduation instead.

“It was really hard for me to have missed out on getting inducted with my classmates,” Lillia said. “At the same time, I was so happy to see those purple cords around them on our graduation day.”

In April 2024, Lillia’s chapter, Zeta Beta, invited her back to her alma mater to officially be inducted into Sigma. Though graduation had long passed, she finally got her honor cords to wear with pride.

“I can’t believe that I had the chance to stand up there with my professors and join Sigma,” Lillia said.

Now years after her diagnosis, Lillia says life is good. “I am so grateful for everything that was ahead of me following my diagnosis and first procedure. I feel truly accomplished to have passed my boards, gained a certification, and have had a couple of years' experience as a nurse.”

While she still experiences pain from time to time, she has discovered a community of women with the same diagnosis, and she finds comfort in sharing her struggles with them.

“I no longer feel alone or confused,” she said. “Reading others' experiences and learning remedies to manage symptoms has helped me tremendously.”

Like all Sigma nurses, Lillia demonstrates the attributes of Sigma—love, courage, and honor. But she has gone above and beyond to show that she has courage, and that no amount of adversity could stop her from achieving her goals.

As her nursing journey continues, Lillia looks forward to improving the health of patrons across Arizona and hopes to one day network with all of the generations of nurses she has met at a Sigma conference.

Bijaya Deuja has served as a valuable nurse leader in both Nepal and the United States, making a significant global impact. From working for and with the Nepal law enforcement to serving as a UN peacekeeper, Bijaya’s focus always remains on care.

“Whether it's providing comfort and care during difficult times, advocating for their needs, or celebrating their recovery, the ability to make a difference in someone's life is incredibly rewarding,” she said.

As the Sub-Inspector at the Nepal Police Hospital, Bijaya cared for the physical and mental health of the Nepal police personnel and their families. She also responded to disasters, national crises, and some emergency situations—in which she acted as both a nurse and law enforcement officer, protecting and healing the public.

In 2015, a catastrophic earthquake struck Nepal. Bijaya not only worked in the hospital to provide care to the injured, but she also successfully conducted a comprehensive project of psychosocial counseling, stress management, first aid, and free health camps. With the help of her associates, the Nepal Police Department worked 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide rescue services, support, and care to the entire disaster zone.

While serving simultaneously as a police officer and a nurse was not easy, Bijaya says she simply wanted to serve people in every way possible.

“I wanted to be a role model for women around the globe, demonstrating that dedication and commitment to serving others knows no boundaries,” she said. “I believe that by showcasing my versatility in these two distinct fields, I can inspire and empower women to break down barriers and work towards a common goal of humanity.”

But her impact is far greater than her service to Nepal’s community. During her tenure as a senior nursing officer for the United Nations (UN) from 2018-2019, Bijaya was awarded the UN Medal of Peacekeeper for her service in the Peacekeeping Operations mission.

During her time at UN, Bijaya was responsible for providing humanitarian assistance, networking with UN police officers, and providing awareness and understanding to protect citizens and make the peacekeeping force approachable to women in the community. Thanks to her experience in both nursing and police force duties, she was able to successfully reduce conflict and confrontation in the communities she supported.

As a nurse in the UN, her role involved providing medical care and support to personnel deployed in UN peacekeeping operations. In any given mission area, she would care for patients and officers in her hospital while simultaneously working with other medical personnel to ensure the well-being of everyone in the affected area. She also fulfilled her duties as an officer in the UN by patrolling, offering security, and escorting officials.

Though adapting to diverse communities and cultures—as well as the physical and emotional impact of the role—presented challenges, Bijaya found the opportunity to serve in the UN to be rewarding.

“The appreciation and recognition received from international police officers, women's networks, and UN dignitaries for our hard work and dedication served as a source of motivation and fulfillment. The sense of making a positive impact on the lives of those in need was truly rewarding and gratifying,” she said.

Now, Bijaya continues to serve the communities around her as a bedside nurse, though her goals have shifted from global care to focused, patient-centered care.

“Overall, the transition from working for the UN to becoming a bedside nurse requires a shift in focus from global issues to individual patient care, as well as a new set of skills and competencies,” she said. “While the two roles may seem vastly different, both involve serving others and making a positive difference in the world, albeit in different capacities.”

Bijaya’s service to the world is recognizable, not only through the prestigious awards she has received, but also through her impact. No matter where—or how—she serves, Bijaya embodies global nursing excellence.