Natalie Dunkley's college journey has been a testament to personal growth, faith, and good old fashioned hard work. As a freshman, she faced what she describes as an "identity crisis," torn between her lifelong passion for music, nurtured in her dad's music store, and her fascination with anatomy, inspired by her sister's example of balancing nursing with motherhood. Despite this initial uncertainty, it was during her freshman year, in an anatomy and physiology class, that Natalie found clarity. Recognizing the natural connection between her passion for understanding the human body and her desire to care for others, she embraced the idea of pursuing a nursing degree and decided to apply to BYU’s Nursing Program.
Now in her final semester in the College of Nursing, Natalie reflects on her journey and the things she’s learned. As a freshman, Natalie prioritized academia and everything else came second.
“And then I went on a mission and God is really good at humbling us and chastising us…I learned this principle very strong, that people are the most important thing. There is no purpose or task if there’s not a person behind it.”
Gradually, she learned to prioritize serving others, trusting in a loving God to guide her. Through trial and error, she found a balance between her academic pursuits and her commitment to community service, taking on roles as a research assistant, president of the Student Nursing Association, and as a harpist in a local orchestra.
Natalie has worked closely with many members of the BYU College of Nursing, including Dean Jane Lassetter. The two met while on a study abroad in Taiwan for the Public and Global Nursing program. The Dean said of Natalie, “It has been my privilege to work with [her] as she served as the President of the BYU Student Nurses’ Association…she is an outstanding disciple scholar, seeking to serve the Lord and His children through her education at BYU. I am grateful for the service she and the rest of the SNA board provided this year for all the nursing students and the college”.
Through her nursing education, Natalie has also come to appreciate the opportunity and importance of caring for individuals in a personal way.
“I’ve just realized what a sacred opportunity it is that you have to care for these people at some of the worst points in their lives. It makes you rise to the occasion and want to be Christlike…it really is the Healer’s art. And I don’t feel like you go into every shift and you feel that, but then you have these impactful shifts where you do.”
One impactful shift Natalie shared was caring for a young boy with severe flu symptoms that had become life threating. As she looked around his room, she paused on the pictures and sweet notes his family had lovingly hung on the wall. Tears filled her eyes as she felt the depth of his situation and considered the innocence of this child. He didn’t live an unhealthy lifestyle that had caused his illness or bad habits to blame. Simply put, he didn’t deserve to be sick. Natalie has come to realize that life can change in an instant. She commented, “Being in those [situations] puts life into perspective, you see that this is what’s most important; people and family and being right with God.”[CP1]
This eternal perspective and vision have become invaluable as Natalie approaches graduation. She does so with a sense of purpose and trust in God's plan for her future. She knows that wherever she ends up and whatever path she takes, it will be exactly where she is meant to be, guided by her unwavering faith in a loving, omniscient God.