An early appreciation for healthcare workers
Luka Bwaye is used to change and meeting challenges head-on.
Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bwaye moved to southern Africa to live in a refugee camp in Namibia after he and his family were displaced by war.
That refugee camp is where Bwaye grew up, living there for about a decade before he and his family, helped by the Northern Nevada International Center (NNIC), immigrated to the United States. Bwaye was about 17 years old when he moved to the U.S., and he became a student at Earl Wooster High School in Reno.
Growing up in the refugee camp instilled a fundamental respect for healthcare workers in Bwaye. He admired those who dedicated themselves to taking care of him, his family and all those living in the camp, even when they had limited access to healthcare resources. That experience shaped his outlook on life and inspired him – he’s now a student at the ҹɫÊÓƵ in the Orvis School of Nursing.
“I wanted to take care of others the way that we were taken care of,” Bwaye said.
Bwaye experienced a whole new life in Reno. He was faced with learning a new language and culture. He dedicated himself to his education and making friends, connecting with as many people as he could to practice his English skills. He joined the track and field and cross-country teams in high school, enjoying the physical activity, the mental health benefits and the connections he made with teammates.
“I knew I wanted to pursue healthcare as a university student, so when I started attending the ҹɫÊÓƵ, I majored in public health and took the prerequisites for nursing,” he said.
After graduating from high school, Bwaye wanted to stay close to family in Reno, so he decided to become a student at Nevada. When that happened, again he was faced with learning a new facet of American culture – the culture of campus.
He fully immersed himself in the college experience, playing sports like volleyball on the Quad, going to campus events and making friends who helped him navigate this new stage of life. He’s just completed his fourth year of the nursing program, dual-majoring in nursing and public health, and was a student of the Honors College.
“The ҹɫÊÓƵ is really welcoming,” says Bwaye. “It’s been really easy getting to know people, learning about the culture of campus and American life, and assimilating. It says a lot about the University – how welcoming it is.”
Giving back
Bwaye is a busy individual. In addition to his rigorous studies and extracurricular sporting activities, he is also involved with the same organization that helped him and his family immigrate – the NNIC. Bwaye currently speaks three languages: Swahili, Portuguese and English and is working on a fourth – Spanish. He enjoys practicing his language skills by performing translation work with the NNIC.
“I do interpretation for the NNIC from Swahili to English, and I'm a volunteer,” he said.
Bwaye helps new refugee families get accustomed to the culture in Reno, helping them with everyday skills and tasks like learning the public transportation system to get around, teaching them how to drive, and helping them get signed up for schooling and learning English so that they, too, can find the success that he has worked to achieve.
The Orvis School experience
Nursing is a competitive degree path to pursue. Often, candidates feel pressure to compete with their peers. That pressure fades away once a student is accepted, according to Bwaye.
"I really appreciate that the Orvis School of Nursing has a culture of working together."
“I really appreciate that the Orvis School of Nursing has a culture of working together. Once students are in nursing school, they don’t compete anymore – they have a common objective, which is to finish nursing school. They share tips on how to do well on the next exam and meet up for study groups,” he said. “I consider my cohort to be my long-term friends.”
Bwaye acknowledges that the nursing program is competitive to get accepted into, and so he worked hard to get there.
“I was really excited when I learned that I had been accepted because when I first moved here [to the U.S.] I could barely read and write in English,” he said.
The Honors edge
During his third semester of the nursing program, Bwaye was introduced to pediatrics and maternal health, an area of medicine he feels passionate about.
“I was blown away by learning about women’s bodies and the things they have to go through during pregnancy, unexpected and expected findings, and the post-partum experience. Learning how to care for a child and be a parent,” he said.
He believes more people should know about this area of medicine.
“I never would have learned about that area of health had it not been for nursing. I’m quite impressed with all the things women go through in pregnancy and after, during postpartum and while raising a child,” he said.
As a student in the Honors College, Bwaye had an extra project to complete to earn his honors degree. As part of that project, he created a five-page booklet for new and expecting mothers, helping them to navigate the process, entitled “Mama and Me.” His professors loved it, and Bwaye is proud to have created something that will spread awareness around maternal health.
Learning on the job
Bwaye now holds an apprenticeship in the Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU) at Renown Hospital in Reno. There, he’s helping care for patients transitioning from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as they become more stable, before they can transfer to a specialized treatment unit. Here again, Bwaye’s language skills come into practice as he communicates with patients in their own language.
Upon his graduation, he hopes to work for Renown doing intermediate care nursing for about seven to eight years, building on his understanding of nursing, learning the clinical skills and the critical thinking skills that will help him to be the best healthcare worker he can be.
“It takes time, because in nursing, you are always learning,” Bwaye said.
Eventually, he plans to return to the University of Nevada to earn an advanced degree as a Nurse Practitioner.
Finding balance, friends
To decompress, Bwaye goes to the gym and plays sports like volleyball and soccer. He also likes to find quiet places to be in nature in Northern Nevada. One of his favorite spots is the Sparks Marina, where he fishes for an hour or two.
“The University has really great professors who not only want the best for you while you’re here, but they want a great future for you.”
“It is great for my mental health,” he said.
The professors have been especially welcoming. Whenever he would get confused in class or doing coursework, he’d ask the professors for help.
“They were my number one tool. I’d stay after class and ask questions and they’d help fill in the gaps,” he said. “The University has really great professors who not only want the best for you while you’re here, but they want a great future for you.”
Continuing to be active, saying “yes” to new opportunities, and making new connections with people have been instrumental in shaping Bwaye’s journey.
“My experience has been really great,” he said. “The University has a really good culture when it comes to being welcoming to others who have different backgrounds and cultures. I did find my pack.”
About Find Your Pack
“Find Your Pack” is that highlights real students at the ҹɫÊÓƵ as they explore their passions, overcome challenges and discover who they are. From student-athletes to researchers, artists to engineers, each story showcases the diverse paths students take — and the supportive community that helps them thrive.
