Doors are whirling open to the hospital floor, rushing in Emma Gilbert, a nursing candidate with an incredibly compassionate personality who loves to bring joy to others.
Growing up, Gilbert would always help take care of others in her family, especially her grandma. This action brought her empathy and a permanent connection with her grandma, but ultimately, a drive to care for people.
“Nursing is really satisfying because you get to help other people and make connections,” said Gilbert.
Gilbert began studying to be a nurse because she always wanted to help people who couldn’t help themselves. She, along with taking care of her grandmother, helped to take care of all of her siblings, making sure they were always provided for.
“Once I got a job, I paid for everything for my family, including all of my insurance, car payments, and personal expenses,” said Gilbert.
She worked strenuously in all of her medical classes in order to make a perfect score on the PTCB–or Pharmacy Technician Certification Board–exam.
“I didn’t study that much for the PTCB because passion was driving me more than anything else,” said Gilbert.
This passion has been something always been with her; ever since working with medical education, she has never felt weary.
“I have always wanted to go into the medical field… I just like hospitals,” said Gilbert. “No one in my family is involved with nursing; it’s just something I’m driven to do.”
Though no one in her family has been in the medical field, her family has helped her build the qualities she finds make the best nurses.
“In order to be a good nurse, you have to have empathy, and I consider myself someone with immense empathy because of my life experiences,” said Gilbert.
Her empathy has helped her in her training, but has also caused her emotional turmoil because of how deeply she feels.
“Nursing is hard emotionally because you want to do everything you can for your patients, you want to be connected, but sometimes you can’t because you just don’t have time [to help everyone],” said Gilbert.
Gilbert does have plans, however, to help as many people as she can once she continues her nursing program in the fall at ETSU.
“While at ETSU, I’m planning on giving myself more credit [for what I choose to do], no matter how small, my work is important and meaningful because I get to help others,” said Gilbert.
