Impact Story: Crystelle Bewley

My journey into nursing began in the NICU

The Diana Grant Mackie Scholarship supports Māori nursing students to pursue their studies and strengthen the future nursing workforce.

For Crystelle Bewley, the scholarship has helped her continue her nursing degree while raising four children as a sole parent. In her own words, she reflects on the experiences that inspired her to become a nurse and what the scholarship has meant to her journey.

My journey into nursing began not in a classroom, but in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Wellington Hospital, where I spent a great deal of time as a young mother.

At just 18 years old, I gave birth to my twin daughters prematurely. At the time, I was already a mother to a one-year-old son, and I faced an overwhelming situation caring for three young children, two of whom were medically fragile, while navigating life as a single parent. My twin girls spent months in the NICU, and throughout that time, I saw firsthand the incredible work nurses do. I also witnessed how understaffed and under pressure they were, often stretched beyond their limits. Despite being so young, I took an active role in my daughters’ care; helping with feeds, monitoring, and medical tasks as guided by the nurses. My bond with the nursing staff and my involvement in my daughters’ recovery sparked a deep passion in me for the profession.

Over the next two years, we were in and out of hospital frequently as my daughters battled ongoing health issues. This experience opened my eyes to the challenges within our healthcare system, but also to the vital role nurses play in supporting not just patients, but entire families. Those years were difficult, but they were also the foundation for the resilience, empathy, and strength I carry with me today.

Now, as a mother of four, I am even more committed to becoming a nurse and supporting families through their most vulnerable moments just as I was supported. I am especially passionate about working in neonatal, paediatric, or primary health settings where I can bring both lived experience and clinical skills to make a real difference.

Receiving the Diana Grant Mackie Scholarship has been very meaningful to me, both personally and academically. As a sole parent of four children, balancing the financial responsibilities of raising a family while studying nursing is challenging. This scholarship has alleviated some of that financial pressure, allowing me to focus more fully on my studies and clinical learning rather than constantly worrying about the cost of education.

Academically, the scholarship has enabled me to engage more fully in my nursing programme, reducing the need to balance additional financial commitments. It has allowed me to allocate more time to preparing for classes, completing assessments, and developing the knowledge and clinical skills required to provide safe, compassionate, and culturally responsive care.

Looking back on my journey so far, I am proud of how far I have come. It has not always been easy, especially with minimal support. Becoming a mother at a young age, navigating the challenges of raising four children as a sole parent, and supporting my daughters through significant health issues required resilience, determination, and perseverance. There were times when the future felt uncertain, but each challenge strengthened me.

Returning to study has been both rewarding and demanding. Balancing the responsibilities of parenting with the academic and clinical expectations of nursing has required careful planning, discipline, and sacrifice. While there have been times of self-doubt and exhaustion, each milestone I have achieved has reminded me why I chose this path and has increased my confidence in my ability to succeed.

Being Māori has also influenced the way I view healthcare. I understand the importance of recognising the whole person and their whānau, culture, values, and lived experiences, as opposed to focusing solely on their illness. I have seen how culturally safe care can strengthen trust and improve health outcomes, and I want to contribute to a healthcare system where Māori feel respected, listened to, and empowered in decisions about their health.

My long-term goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner. While my immediate focus is on becoming a registered nurse and gaining experience in clinical practice, I aspire to continue my education and develop the advanced knowledge and leadership skills required to become a Nurse Practitioner.

My lived experiences have become one of my greatest strengths. They have taught me empathy, patience, adaptability, and the importance of compassionate care. They have also given me a deep appreciation for the difference healthcare professionals can make in the lives of patients and their whānau. These experiences continue to shape the kind of nurse I aspire to be: someone who listens, advocates, and provides care that is both clinically safe and genuinely compassionate.

Looking back, I see a journey defined not by the challenges I faced, but by the growth that came from overcoming them. Every obstacle has strengthened my commitment to nursing, and I am excited to continue learning, developing my skills, and working towards a career where I can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others and set a good example for my tamariki.

A highlight would be my clinical placements. They have given me the opportunity to apply what I have learned in real healthcare settings, develop my confidence, and build meaningful relationships with patients and healthcare professionals. Each placement has strengthened my passion for nursing and confirmed that I have chosen the right career.

On a personal level, one of my greatest achievements has been showing my children that it is never too late to follow your dreams. Seeing them encourage me, celebrate my successes, and witness the value of hard work and perseverance has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this journey.

If I were speaking to someone considering applying for the Diana Grant Mackie Scholarship, I would encourage them to apply with confidence and be genuine in sharing their story. Don’t underestimate the value of your lived experiences or the challenges you’ve overcome, they are experiences which help shape the kind of healthcare professional you will become.