Losalini Tuqiri

For nearly a decade, Losalini Tuqiri, a proud Fiji National University (FNU) alumna, has dedicated her career to nursing, building a strong background in acute and critical care. A registered nurse with experience dating back to her graduation, Losalini currently serves in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), a role she took on after the COVID-19 pandemic, following her service in the Emergency Department.

“I’ve developed a stronger passion for helping patients and families through complex challenges while serving in the ICU,” she explains.

Driven by her love of learning and a desire to enhance her clinical and leadership skills, Tuqiri is currently pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma Certificate in Intensive Care Nursing at FNU.

“I am committed to lifelong learning as well as improving patient outcomes through evidence-based practice, teamwork, and compassionate care,” she adds.

Losalini first joined FNU’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences in 2013, graduating in 2015 with a Bachelor of Nursing. Returning for her postgraduate studies, she has seen significant developments in the School of Nursing.

“Coming back to FNU, I’ve witnessed major changes, particularly from the facilities to new programmes that allow healthcare workers to return and further their studies,” she notes. “At FNU, you get exposure, that is, hands-on learning and real-world clinical experience, which prepares you for the field and boosts your confidence, ready to adapt to any clinical setting.”

Losalini’s journey to becoming a healthcare worker was not without its hurdles. She shares that her nursing student days were quite challenging, an experience that ultimately moulded her into a strong-willed, confident, and enthusiastic professional.

Her inspiration to return to studies stemmed from a simple love for knowledge, a passion to gain more skills, and a drive to do more in her beloved field of nursing. When faced with setbacks in her decision to pursue the Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing, her faith, her daughter, and the support of her family, friends, and work colleagues kept her grounded and gave her the will to persevere. Now, she looks forward to celebrating her success at her graduation ceremony in December.

Tuqiri offers powerful advice for those considering a career in nursing:

“If you recognise that nursing is your calling, a field built on kindness, compassion, and loving care, then trust that inner voice. Ignore the critics; if you believe you can do it, then go for it!”