People who have experienced the loss of a loved one often say that something inside them will never be the same. Navigating emotions and& what’s next can seem unbearable. Jennifer Torbeck, a charge nurse at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Centralia in Southern Illinois, turned tragedies into her testimony, reminding us all of what “Everyday Incredible&rdquo truly means.
By the time Torbeck turned 20 years old, her life was full and busy as a wife, mom of two, and a hairdresser. Little did she know that the world she once knew would take a drastic turn.
“I found myself going through a divorce, and shortly after it was finalized, my ex-husband took his life. It was absolutely heartbreaking,” Torbeck said as she reflected on those moments. “Over 10 years of marriage. How was I not able to help the one person I really wish I could have? Something clicked in me after that loss, and I said, ‘You know what? I’m going back to school, and that is exactly what I did.’”
That is when Torbeck found herself pursuing a career in health care. After becoming a certified nursing assistant, she worked hard and earned a license as a registered nurse at 38. She has been with SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia, Illinois for 15 years and currently serves as a charge nurse on the Behavioral Health unit.
About five years after the tragic loss of her ex-husband, devastation met Jen once again. She lost two of her sons in the span of a decade.
She said, “I know what it feels like to be so depressed you can't get out of bed. I know what it's like to be a teen mom. A single mom. A grieving mom. Because of my life experiences, I am profoundly understanding and very empathetic with my patients' circumstances. I treat them like family, and I want my other nurses to do the very same. I'm not afraid to be honest with them or even share my own story to help them through theirs.”
Most people have not walked a mile in Torbeck’s shoes but, instead of giving up hope, she chooses to walk courageously in her calling to advocate for patients who cannot advocate for themselves. She says she works in behavioral health because she knows she can make a difference.
“Yes, my job brings challenges, but it's very rewarding in all honesty,” she said. “I get the opportunity to sit and talk with patients, and sometimes that's all people really want is to be heard. It's therapeutic, and I get a sense of satisfaction in knowing I can provide that peace, knowing that you made someone smile or gave them hope.”
