Reading time: 4 minutes
Keira was first drawn to nursing by the disparate access to healthcare and was seeking a way to make a difference.
鈥淕rowing 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鈥檚 why I wanted to do it.鈥�
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.
鈥淭here’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鈥搘hen you鈥檝e actually made a difference鈥�
When it comes to advocating for people鈥檚 right to inclusive healthcare, Keira is passionate about queer social justice, specifically regarding access to hormone blockers.
鈥淚 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.鈥�
With access to hormone blockers being highly debated around the world, addressing the issue has become gradually more pertinent for Keira.
鈥淧ride events tend to be very extraverted, and I鈥檓 not.鈥�
Aside from finding herself not participating in Pride due to finding it sensorily overwhelming, Keira doesn鈥檛 feel her sexuality and experience of gender has shaped much of her identity.
鈥淚 find that your identity is heavily shaped by your experiences and the disadvantages you do or don鈥檛 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.鈥�
Keira expresses always knowing she wasn鈥檛 strictly 鈥榝emale鈥� or straight, but not knowing how and where she exactly fit on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum.
鈥淏ecause I鈥檝e kind of been told that I didn鈥檛 fit the mould of being queer, that I wasn鈥檛 鈥榞ay enough鈥�, I have definitely struggled with knowing where I stood within the LGBTQIA+ community.
鈥淚鈥檝e been called derogatory names or slurs. That鈥檚 never really bothered me. Personally, the most damaging thing I鈥檝e experienced in exploring my queer identity was the action of trying to fit myself within a box, when nothing really felt quite right.鈥�
As a queer student, Keira has found that being at university, people are less rigid and much more open, and she鈥檚 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 鈥渓ittle moments of joy鈥� has helped her get through her degree.
鈥淚 started reading again recently, and that just brings me some happiness and a break from all of the stress and the busyness.鈥�
Keira also reflects on being a 鈥渉uge theatre kid鈥� growing up, and how continuing in engaging with theatre has helped her find enjoyment beyond her studies.
For other students coming to uni, Keira鈥檚 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鈥檙e looking for.
鈥淲orking 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.鈥�
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.
鈥淭hose little steps accumulate to something bigger. You鈥檝e got to trust it’ll happen eventually, and you’ll find your people. It took me a year but I sure did.鈥�
Keira isn鈥檛 sure what area of nursing she鈥檚 looking to specialise in, but she does know that she鈥檇 like to keep pursuing other things outside of nursing that bring her joy.
鈥淚’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.鈥�
Being part of community theatre and social justice advocacy, Keira is sure to stay engaged with her passions and community.
