Tofiga Luavai’s passion for nursing began when she was just a young child living in American Samoa and then O’ahu, Hawaii. After moving to Kodiak in 2016 and later settling in Anchorage, she has built a life centered around her husband and four children, balancing motherhood, work, and school with determination. “Balancing school, work, and motherhood has really shaped me into someone who is resilient and very driven,” she shares.

Currently pursuing her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) degree, Tofiga’s passion for healthcare has been years in the making. After studying medical assisting and working in an ophthalmology clinic, she realized she wanted more direct connection with patients. That led her to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), where she discovered her calling. “I love being able to care for people during vulnerable moments,” she says. Inspired in part by her father and father-in-law, both of whom have heart conditions, Tofiga has developed a strong interest in cardiology and hopes to one day become a cardiac nurse.

At APU, she has found a learning environment that supports both her goals and her growth. “The instructors really want us to succeed,” she says. “They take the time to guide us and give feedback that actually helps us grow.” She especially values the program’s hands-on approach, which allows students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world clinical settings across a variety of specialties. “Being able to apply skills to different settings, like in-patient, outpatient, and specialty areas, has helped me build confidence and see where I want to go in nursing,” she says.

Her clinical experiences have been some of the most impactful moments of her journey. Time spent at the Alaska Heart and Vascular Institute solidified her passion for cardiac care, where she observed procedures like cardiac catheterizations and saw firsthand how classroom concepts translate into patient outcomes. “It felt like everything I was learning was coming together,” she reflects. Another defining moment came when she assisted in responding to someone experiencing chest pain near her clinic. “It showed me how critical our role is as nurses and how important it is to stay calm and act quickly.”

Through these experiences, Tofiga has gained both confidence and clarity in her path. She will begin working as a nightshift LPN at Polaris Transitional Care in Anchorage after graduation, a role that will allow her to continue her education through APU’s LPN-to-RN bridge program starting this summer.

For Tofiga, the journey hasn’t been easy, as working while studying never is, but it has been meaningful. Grounded in the values she grew up with, which are family, respect, and hard work, she continues to push forward for her loved ones and her future patients. Her advice to other students reflects that same perseverance: “Stay consistent and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Nursing school can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. And don’t forget your ‘why’—that’s what will keep you going.” She also tells students to take advantage of the clinical experiences, even if they’re not what you expected. “There’s always something to learn.”