In an interview with LGBTQ Archives, Austin Nation, associate professor of nursing, shared his story of resilience and transformation. The YouTube channel, which has more than 18,000 subscribers, documents and shares the stories and experiences of the LGBTQ community.
Diagnosed with HIV/AIDS at the age of 26, Nation faced his own mortality until the release of the life-extending drug AZT. Nation said that his experiences inspired him to begin his academic journey. He earned his Bachelor of Science in nursing and Master of Science in nursing leadership at Cal State Fullerton before attending UC San Francisco to earn his Ph.D. in nursing.
“I had some passion and desire, and I could hope and dream again. One of the dreams I had was going back to school and that started me on my academic journey,” said Nation.
Today, he shares his story through theatre performance and teaches in CSUF’s top-ranked School of Nursing. With more than four decades of clinical and administrative nursing experience, Nation researches such topics as health disparities affecting LGBTQ+ communities, minority transgender youth and substance abuse.
Nation will share his story during a performance at the Broadwater Second Stage in Hollywood on July 13 at 8 p.m.