As a child, Emma Norton could be found providing the best possible care to her teddies and dolls.

Years later, her caring nature has landed her the prestigious title of Metro South Health Nurse of the Year.

The Team Leader for Woolloongabba Alcohol and Drug Service who has specialised in Addiction medicine for the past 25 years, said winning the award was the highlight of her career.

She humbly added that she felt the award wasn’t just for her, and instead was recognition for all the nurses in the Addiction Services.

“We all work so hard and do an amazing job to achieve the best outcomes for our consumers and patients that we work with.”

A career in healthcare was always on the cards for Emma, who recalled her Grandma once telling her she had a calling to be a nurse from the time she could walk.

Emma said she believes caring is the essence of being a good nurse and tries to be the type of nurse she would want as a patient.

“I am so very grateful and feel very blessed every day to work with such an amazing, dedicated team who always puts the consumer’s needs first,” she said.

“Working with consumers who have a drug/alcohol dependence disorder can be a lifelong disease, but consumers can recover from this and achieve their goal and remain abstinent from their substance use.”

Despite a 30 plus year career in nursing, Emma said she had no intentions of slowing down and instead had her sights set on becoming a Service Director, if the opportunity arises in the future.

Congratulations on your well-deserved award, Emma!