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Keira was first drawn to nursing by the disparate access to healthcare and was seeking a way to make a difference.
“Growing up, I was always very much aware of how the healthcare system and the structure in which it exists disadvantages people. It’d be very naive of me to think that I could change that, but I can change someone’s experience of the healthcare system or make it a little bit easier. That’s why I wanted to do it.”
Though she initially went into nursing with the desire to become a midwife, Keira is open to other options as long as she can keep working with patients.
“There’s nothing more exciting than when you’re able to give them a little bit of patient education or advice, and they actually find it really helpful–when you’ve actually made a difference”
When it comes to advocating for people’s right to inclusive healthcare, Keira is passionate about queer social justice, specifically regarding access to hormone blockers.
“I have very strong opinions about the fact that teens need access to hormone blockers because hormone blockers aren’t going to kill someone, but having to be in a body that is developing into something that you don’t feel is correct, could.”
With access to hormone blockers being highly debated around the world, addressing the issue has become gradually more pertinent for Keira.
“Pride events tend to be very extraverted, and I’m not.”
Aside from finding herself not participating in Pride due to finding it sensorily overwhelming, Keira doesn’t feel her sexuality and experience of gender has shaped much of her identity.
“I find that your identity is heavily shaped by your experiences and the disadvantages you do or don’t encounter along the way. I felt different, but that was more informed by growing up as neurodivergent rather than anything to do with being queer.”
Keira expresses always knowing she wasn’t strictly ‘female’ or straight, but not knowing how and where she exactly fit on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum.
“Because I’ve kind of been told that I didn’t fit the mould of being queer, that I wasn’t ‘gay enough’, I have definitely struggled with knowing where I stood within the LGBTQIA+ community.
“I’ve been called derogatory names or slurs. That’s never really bothered me. Personally, the most damaging thing I’ve experienced in exploring my queer identity was the action of trying to fit myself within a box, when nothing really felt quite right.”
As a queer student, Keira has found that being at university, people are less rigid and much more open, and she’s even found people who have similar understandings of sexuality and gender identity as herself.
Though nursing can be challenging, Keira has found that seeking out the “little moments of joy” has helped her get through her degree.
“I started reading again recently, and that just brings me some happiness and a break from all of the stress and the busyness.”
Keira also reflects on being a “huge theatre kid” growing up, and how continuing in engaging with theatre has helped her find enjoyment beyond her studies.
For other students coming to uni, Keira’s advice is to be open and not to be scared of rejection in a new environment. But, she also emphasises the importance of feeling secure in yourself when you meet someone who might not be the safe space you’re looking for.
“Working on what you feel comfortable sharing with someone based on how much you trust them is really important. I suppose the good and hard thing about uni is that it’s kind of trial and error, trying to find those safe people that you like.”
For new introverted and neurodivergent students like her, Keira also notes that while uni might feel lonely at first, it gradually becomes better over time.
“Those little steps accumulate to something bigger. You’ve got to trust it’ll happen eventually, and you’ll find your people. It took me a year but I sure did.”
Keira isn’t sure what area of nursing she’s looking to specialise in, but she does know that she’d like to keep pursuing other things outside of nursing that bring her joy.
“I’m still in the theatre scene, so I want to make sure I’m still engaging in that side, whether it be behind the scenes and directing or lighting or on the stage and acting.”
Being part of community theatre and social justice advocacy, Keira is sure to stay engaged with her passions and community.
