Nurses who work in emergency medicine have to possess a particular skill set and temperament. One a daily basis, they make on-the-spot assessments and are called to think clearly and critically under immense pressure. Such a vocation is not for everyone, but for those who are called to it, this area of medicine can be deeply rewarding. 
TLU senior Brooke Brown is one of those people who feels called to it. After graduating with her BS in nursing this spring from TLU’s Houston campus, she will begin her residency in emergency medicine. “I just accepted a position at Ben Taub Hospital in the Houston Medical Center and am very excited for the opportunity,” she says. 
Ben Taub is one of two hospitals in Houston that can boast both elite teaching facilities and a top tier trauma center providing the highest level of emergency medical care. If you want to train in emergency nursing, it’s the place to go.
And when Brown goes, she’ll carry with her not only the lessons learned in her classes, but also some that could only be gained through the experiences she’s had away from any classroom. “During some of my rotations, I was met with the death of a patient or a challenging conversation with families about the status of their loved one,” she says. “These days have taught me to live life in the present and do things that matter to me most, prioritize what I love. Life is too short. I call my grandpa and parents more often as well as visit them when I can.”
As she wraps up her TLU education and moves into her next phase of learning, Brown isn’t focused on what she’ll gain, but rather, is more interested in how she’ll serve and what she’ll give. “Something I hope to contribute to the world is my passion and compassion,” she says. 
There’s that sense of calling again—of a person who has found their life’s work. “I have fallen in love with the nursing career and what nurses do, and I cannot wait to show the world my passion that I have grown for nursing. I also have a lot of compassion and in nursing you need a lot. I want to accept every patient with open arms and ease their fears.”