As graduation nears, many students reflect on their time at Samford University. Emma Kelley, soon to graduate from Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing, looks back on her journey from being the daughter of a nurse to becoming one herself. She shares how she balanced earning a minor in dance in addition to her nursing degree, the lessons she's learned and her passion for making a difference in the nursing profession. 

Why did you choose nursing? 

I’ve always known I wanted to work with people. I’m a people person and wanted a career that would allow me to connect with others. When I was younger, I thought I’d take a different path, but seeing my mom as a nurse made me realize just how incredible nursing truly is. 

Hearing her stories and seeing nursing through her eyes, I came to understand how powerful it is to be with someone on the worst day of their life. As a nurse, you have the privilege of being there when people need it most by holding their hand, offering care and using your knowledge to make a difference. It’s such an incredible experience. 

What led you to Samford? 

I’m from New Jersey, and I wanted to pursue nursing along with a minor in dance. It was tough to find a school on the East Coast that offered both. That’s when I stumbled upon Samford and convinced my mom to tour the campus with me. 

 How was it balancing dance with a nursing degree? 

I had to complete my dance minor in two years because clinicals started in my junior year. Everything picked up after that. I joined a community company called Magic City Performing Arts and have been able to dance with them. I also take classes at the Alabama Ballet occasionally, so I’ve been able to keep up with my dance. It's a huge stress relief. I think everyone needs something like that, especially in nursing. 

What has your journey been like as a student at Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing? 

I don’t even know where to start because I don’t have enough good things to say—especially now, being on the other side of things and getting close to the end. I’ve had so many opportunities through the program. I’ve done peer tutoring, worked with students in the cohorts below me, served as a diplomat and been part of events for prospective students. All of that has been fun and meaningful for me. 

One thing I always tell people is you’re not a number here. You’re a person. The faculty and staff know that you have a life, family, routines and hard days, and they see all that. They don’t just see you as a name on an attendance list. 

That sense of community is real here. The professors are the ones who create that environment. Your peers and your cohort become part of it, too, but it really starts with the professors. They build a space where people feel safe, known and supported. That’s what makes this place so special. 

What clinical or simulation experience impacted you the most and helped solidify what you wanted to do? 

Clinical has always been my favorite part of nursing. It’s all very hands-on and practical. Adult health, during the third semester, was my favorite. That’s when everything came together for me—what I was seeing, what I was learning in the classroom and what I was doing with my hands finally made sense. That semester was a turning point. I started stepping into that role and seeing where I fit. 

The fourth semester, during my critical care training, was my hardest. It was a different kind of turning point. It made me realize that’s not my focus area. But I learned a lot about how I handle really difficult situations. It showed me how emotionally challenging some things are and how, at that point, I didn’t really know how to process them. That semester revealed a weak spot I need to work on because this is my future. 

Adult health confirmed that I want to do this. I like being on my feet, caring for different patients and interacting with many people. But critical care reminded me that I still have to grow, especially in how I handle the emotional side of nursing. 

What helped you get through the busy semesters? 

There were definitely a lot of pieces to that puzzle. I would say the people around me were the biggest thing. I have a professor who has been my best mentor. She always sees right through me and says, ‘Emma, this is what’s going on. Let’s talk about it. Let’s work through it.’ Having her as someone who’s been through all of this and sees it in students all the time really changed everything for me. 

My peers going through the same thing were such a big part of it, too. We all had the same fears and struggles. None of us really had answers, but we were doing it together. That made it feel less overwhelming.  

Just being able to sit in that with someone else made such a difference. It was still hard, but we all knew it was hard. Simply put, it was the people who got me through it. 

What advice would you give a nursing student just starting the program? 

There’s really not one magic piece that gets you through because so much is going on. It’s academically and emotionally challenging. There’s what you’re learning in class, what you’re seeing in the hospital and then what you’re learning about yourself. Navigating all of that at once is hard. 

So, I think I’d advise people just to embrace that. Be okay sitting in that dissonance and be grounded in it. Take things day by day, even second by second, if you have to. Be mindful of what you’re experiencing in the moment and try not to compare yourself to the person next to you. 

You’re not behind. You’re not rushing. You’re exactly where you are, and that’s okay. Just be there. Sit in it, work through it and don’t feel like you must speed up or slow down. Just be present and stay grounded in what’s real for you right now, understanding you have a community of peers, staff and faculty there to help you see it through.  

How has your faith played a role in your nursing education and possibly in your future career? 

I remember my very first nursing class. We had a little Bible study and prayed before class. It wasn’t shocking, but it stood out to me. I thought, “Oh, this is something we do here.” After class, I even called my mom and said, “This is so hard and so scary, but we prayed before class.” That moment showed me how much they care. It's not just about us as students but about our faith and creating a sense of peace. 

My professors and classmates also care about it. Being in an environment that supports and encourages faith helped me bring everything together—my faith, education, work and life. It made everything feel whole and a lot stronger. I’m really grateful for that. 

That continued in every class. I was supported in ways I didn’t fully realize at the time, but looking back, I can see how much it shaped me. It strengthened my faith and helped me overcome difficult situations with knowledge and peace. It reminded me to focus on how my faith can carry me through. 

What is next after graduation? 

I have just accepted a job at Princeton Baptist, so I will be staying in Birmingham and working on their oncology floor. That’s the immediate next step. I’m hoping to get some experience and eventually become a clinical instructor here, which I’m also really excited about.