“What’s your why?” Mackenzie Lowe, Nursing student
Name: Mackenzie Lowe, but I prefer Kinzi!
Hometown: San Tan Valley, AZ
NAU Program: I am a part of the NAU College of Nursing Traditional Program, and I am currently in my second semester.
What’s your why: It’s always terrifying when someone in my family gets sick. All kinds of health issues seem to appear in my relatives: cancer, MS, heart defects, depression, etc., etc. I had my own run-in with a serious issue about three years ago, where I needed surgery, and I cannot begin to explain how uncertain, uncomfortable, and scared I was in the month leading up to the procedure. By this point, I had experience helping people close to me through surgery, but this was my first time experiencing it all firsthand. Luckily, I had a phenomenal team of nurses that I got to work with pre- and post-op, and they all worked together to keep me calm and safe. I’ve always had this phobia of needles (how silly—a nursing student scared of needles, but here I am!), and I remember vividly seeing the IV needle and wanting to leave so badly I moved my feet from the bed to the floor. Luckily, I had that amazing group of nurses who all worked together to distract me from the IV getting started. They only worked with me for a short while, but I can’t begin to imagine how much more traumatizing the situation would have been without their overwhelming support and kindness. It breaks my heart to hear hospital horror stories where patients were made to feel uncomfortable or even scared of their health team because they were unkind or disinterested in caring for the “person” instead of just the “patient.” I can’t wait to pass the NCLEX and be able to make such a small yet influential impact in some other young girl’s life when she is also scared and feeling alone. Thank you to all the nurses who help those in need!!!
Advice for others considering a career in nursing: Some practical advice I have for nursing hopefuls is to look into getting your CNA before applying to the program! While it is not a requirement, it has been a major comfort for me since I already feel comfortable interacting with patients and performing some clinical activities. Some other advice that is often overlooked is to take care of yourself in nursing school!! Yes, a degree is important, but you are even more important. I hope all nursing students are able to take well-earned time to themselves to practice self-care at least once every few days.
What’s the best part of your major: The best part of my major is the amazing people I have been able to meet and the crazy stories I have been able to share. My cohort and professors are the most interesting and diverse human beings I have ever met, and I learn so much about the world and about being a nurse just from being in their presence. I have only completed one semester, but I have already started writing down funny or exciting experiences because there is something new every day!!
