Emily Gardner was a student at Great Bay Community College for a brief time, but it had a big impact on the trajectory of her career.
Gardner enrolled at Great Bay in fall 2024 for prerequisite courses needed to qualify for the nursing program, she took the spring semester off, and she then signed up for an eight-week course in phlebotomy during the summer. In that class, coursework is split between classroom instruction and clinical practice.
“I took the summer class as a way to put myself in a healthcare setting before becoming a nurse,” she said. “I wanted to get some experience and get some patient care under my belt.”
The course was taught by Dr. Tarry Attallah, a physician with a certification in phlebotomy and extensive teaching experience. Dr. Attallah began teaching the Medical Assistant program at Great Bay in 2023 and spearheaded the development of the phlebotomy technician program.
“Dr. Tarry was one of the best professors that I have had throughout my college experience, and that’s saying a lot,” said Gardner, who earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of New Hampshire before focusing her education on nursing. “She is incredibly kind, very passionate, and she wants you to truly understand the material. She is also very knowledgeable.”
After completing the summer course, Gardner passed a certification exam administered by the National Healthcareer Association, becoming a Certified Phlebotomy Technician. In addition to the coursework and experience, Gardner appreciated Great Bay’s Career Center, which helped her prepare a better resume and feel more confident in her interview skills.
She now works as a phlebotomist one day a week with Core Physicians at Exeter Hospital. “Learning phlebotomy and getting my job with Core Physicians will give me more direct patient care experience,” she said. “This will help prepare me to eventually become a better nurse.”
Ultimately, Gardner enrolled in the nursing program at New Hampshire Technical Institute in Concord. But she credits her time during the phlebotomy course at Great Bay for reigniting her passion for healthcare, further solidifying her choice to pursue a nursing degree.
“At Great Bay, I was able to practice actual physical skills instead of sitting in classes and listening to lectures. Most importantly, it got me excited about where I am headed.”