Originally from Tonga and now based in Juneau, Apakasi Luka brings a deep sense of purpose to his journey in nursing. A husband and father of three young children, he has balanced family life, work, and school with determination by taking a steady and intentional path toward his goals over the years. Outside of his studies, he enjoys hiking and fishing, making the most of Southeast Alaska’s outdoors with his growing family.

His journey into healthcare began with a strong foundation of service. After working as a nurse in Tonga, he moved to Alaska and began advancing his credentials, starting as a Certified Nursing Assistant in 2020, earning his LPN in 2023, and now continuing through APU’s Practical Nursing to Registered Nurse Bridge Program toward his associate degree. He currently works in the medical-surgical unit at Bartlett Regional Hospital, where he has gained two years of hands-on experience caring for patients.

Nursing, for Apakasi, is more than a career, it’s a continuation of family tradition and a commitment to giving back. Inspired by his family and community in Tonga, he and his siblings all pursued nursing to care for loved ones and support those around them. “In a small town, you see how much people rely on each other,” he shares. “Being able to help your community and even offer advice to neighbors means a lot.”

At APU, he has especially appreciated the flexibility of the program and the strong support from faculty. “The professors are very helpful and truly advocate for you, even during hard times,” he says. “Their expectations are clear, and they deliver the material in a way that makes it easier to balance work and studying.”

One of his most memorable experiences has been participating in in-person simulations with APU faculty when they traveled to Juneau. “Getting to interact face-to-face and have in-person conversations with them was really meaningful,” he says. He is also looking forward to traveling to Anchorage for an upcoming NCLEX review, where he hopes to connect more with fellow students and faculty.

This past semester, he has expanded his clinical knowledge through his medical-surgical coursework, gaining exposure to critical nursing skills and new areas such as the critical care unit, operating room, and same-day surgery. These experiences, amongst many others, have built on his LPN training and are preparing him for the next step in his career.

After graduation, he plans to continue working in nursing and hopes to eventually pursue further education. He is especially interested in expanding opportunities for students in Juneau, including the possibility of future bridge programs.

His advice to future students is simple but meaningful: “Starting as an LPN is a great foundation. You get hands-on experience while learning the theory behind it, and it really sets you up for success in nursing.”