The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is committed to providing Tennesseans with a high-quality affordable education at Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university. Our Tri-Star Scholarship program helps Tennessee residents access the Volunteer experience through three scholarships.
For Gemma Pierce (’21), becoming a nurse is a calling she felt long before enrolling at UT. A native of Knoxville, Pierce chose her major as a way of joining the professional community that stood by her during difficult times. She plans to stand by others in their time of need, paying forward the kindness expressed to her.
“UT was the only university I applied to, and since the nursing program is very selective, I feel fortunate to have been accepted,” said Pierce. “Several of my family members attended UT, which is why I wanted to enroll, and thankfully I got into both UT and the nursing program.”
Not only was Pierce accepted, but she also received support through the Tri-Star Scholarship Program and will graduate debt-free.
“Because I won’t have any loans from my undergraduate education, I’m already thinking about attending graduate school and becoming a nurse practitioner through UT’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program,” said Pierce. “Nursing is one of those fields where you can continue to learn throughout your career. Especially at the moment, during the pandemic, new information comes to light daily, and it’s fascinating.”
Pierce became interested in nursing after her mother’s journey with breast cancer. She was diagnosed the first time in 2003 and completed treatment, but suffered a recurrence in 2010. She fought to live for five years before succumbing, and her daughters and family were always at her side. Pierce, who has faced health challenges of her own, praises her mother’s resilience in the face of illness and wants to help others overcome their own struggles.
“Growing up around the practice of medicine was fascinating to me, and it also made me realize I can help people in that way,” Pierce said. “I feel like I can empathize and do great service in helping others just with my own experience. Nursing is all about knowledge—you have to know about all the body systems—but also a very key point is having a bedside manner that demonstrates you actually care for the patients.”
Because I won’t have any loans from my undergraduate education, I’m already thinking about attending graduate school and becoming a nurse practitioner through UT’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program.
– Gemma Pierce (’21)
Pierce was hospitalized during her freshman year due to an autoimmune condition and found herself having to balance her own health needs and the demands of studying nursing. She says that being supported by a Pledge Scholarship, a type of scholarship in the Tri-Star Scholarship Program, helped her tremendously during those difficult times.
“I didn’t have to sacrifice any of my schoolwork or time studying on worrying about my financial needs,” Pierce said. “There have definitely been times when studying so much was difficult, because nursing can be a pretty demanding major. You really have to plan out your days to make time for everything, and the time management skills you learn are a good thing to have going into the workforce.”
During her hospitalization, Pierce learned that she needed to take care of herself so that she could be in a position to help others.
“The College of Nursing was very open to my taking care of my health,” Pierce said. “I realized I needed some time for myself, that self-rest is important, and that it’s OK to take a step back. The experience made me stronger, and I got better. Now I focus on my own health and manage my time accordingly.”
Pierce is considering specializing in either oncology or dermatology and will base the choice on her experiences with the health care system. One thing she wants to bring into practice is the notion that patients need holistic assistance.
“A major part in nursing is teaching the patient and their family,” Pierce said. “When they are in the hospital, we can keep conditions like high blood sugar or blood pressure down. But once they are discharged, they’re going to have to know how to help themselves. Education about their condition and different medications allow the patient to play an active role in promoting and maintaining their health.”
Pierce is currently doing her clinical experiences in Knoxville hospitals and may stay in the area, where her family is, to give back to the local community using her UT education and training.
