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Emma Olson '22
Emma Olson ’22
When Emma Olson ’22 was in high school, her brother had brain surgery. He often spoke fondly about the nurses who helped take care of him during his recovery. The oldest of eight siblings, Olson always enjoyed caring for others, but those conversations sparked her interest in the nursing profession.
“Seeing the coordination and time management of nurses, the intensity of their busy shifts and the connections they make with patients and families really resonated with me,” said Emma, an Austin, Texas, native.
When it was time to decide on a college, one of the factors that persuaded her to choose Agnes Scott College was its dual-degree program in nursing. Through the program, offered in collaboration with the Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, students spend three years at Agnes Scott earning a Bachelor of Arts degree followed by two years at Emory earning a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.
The program was a perfect fit for Emma, who took advantage of everything a liberal arts education has to offer during her first three years. Agnes Scott’s emphasis on academic excellence, interdisciplinary studies and experiential learning laid a strong foundation for her nursing education. Her first-year Global Journeys trip took her to Chile, where she explored local museums, learned about the country’s rich history and made lifelong friendships. She spent her SCALE experience with the Refugee Women’s Network, where she learned how to communicate and connect with people from different cultures. In addition to being a member and captain of the women’s basketball team, Emma also served as an Impact Peer Leader focused on children’s healthcare and as secretary and treasurer of the college’s UNICEF chapter.
“My education at Agnes prepared me to be confident enough to make educated decisions and try new things even if they feel unfamiliar. It also prepared me to be a leader who listens more than talks, to spend time with the people you are working with and to always stand up for what you believe in.”
Emma Olson
When it came time to transfer for her two remaining years, Emma was ready. She dove into her nursing studies at Emory, which has the top-ranked Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.
An increasing number of Agnes Scott students agree with Emma that nursing is an ideal career for people like them with a head for science and a heart for humanity—a trend that could not be timelier given that many nurses currently in the field are reaching retirement age and the general population is growing older and sicker, creating more demand for nurses. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 6% over the next decade.
Today, Emma, who majored in psychology at Agnes Scott, works as a nurse at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta on the hematology-oncology floor, where she cares for children with blood disorders, such as sickle cell disease, and different types of cancers, such as leukemia and brain tumors.
“I think there are a lot of people out there who want to be helpful and who want to have a career that is challenging but meaningful, and that is nursing,” she said. “I couldn’t really see myself doing anything else.”
