Written by Mykayla Fenn
For as long as I can remember, nursing has felt like something that lived in my heart long before I ever understood what the career involved. I grew up watching my grandmother, a nurse and midwife for more than fifty years, move through the world with this quiet strength that I admired more than anything. She was the kind of person who made everyone feel safe without even trying, and even as a child, I knew there was something incredibly special about that.
When she talked about her work, it was never about achievements or recognition. Her stories were gentle, full of humanity, and filled with moments where she had simply been there for someone who needed her. She spoke about holding the hands of frightened patients, comforting families and welcoming new life into the world. Listening to her, I realised that nursing was not just a job. It was a way of giving a piece of yourself to others. It was love in action.
What stayed with me the most were the people who would stop us in town, calling out her name with pure gratitude. They would tell me how she had cared for them, how she made them feel safe during the hardest times in their lives. I remember thinking, “I want to make people feel like that too.” I wanted to grow up and carry that same warmth, that same gentleness and strength.
As I grew older and life became more complicated, my grandmother remained my anchor. She encouraged me through the hardest moments, celebrated every success and reminded me what I was capable of when I doubted myself. When I started my Bachelor of Nursing, I felt like I was stepping into the world she had introduced me to, and I carried her with me into every class, every shift and every placement.
There were days when placement was overwhelming, when I questioned whether I was good enough or strong enough. Those were the moments I would picture her in her old uniform, smiling the way she always did after a long shift. She had seen so much, endured so much and still loved nursing with her whole heart. Thinking about her made me feel braver. It made me realise that nursing is not about being perfect. It is about showing up with compassion, even when things are hard.
Choosing nursing was not just a career decision for me. It was an emotional one. It was choosing to honour the woman who shaped me, the woman whose kindness taught me more than any textbook ever could. It was choosing to carry forward her legacy of compassion, strength and unwavering care.
As I step closer to finishing my degree and eventually beginning my graduate year, I feel proud. I feel connected to something bigger than myself. And I feel incredibly grateful that my grandmother’s love for nursing planted the seed that grew into the path I am on today. Every step I take in this profession is a reflection of her, and I hope to become the kind of nurse she would be proud of.
Charlie blog is a SSAF funded initiative.
