Power
Empathy isn't just power: it's a superpower. While it doesn't mean you can read minds (you're thinking telepathy), there is a kind of sixth-sense thing about it. You can understand what a person is going through, and that deeper sense of understanding will help you guide them towards a healthy coping strategy.
You also have heightened listening skills, which will allow you to ask the right questions to lead your patient through their grieving process.
And boy, will you ever be helping through some grieving. Everyone is different, all pain is unique, and unless you're only working in one specialty you're going to confront all types of loss and injury. Whether a bereaved widower, recovering amputee, or newly-homeless family, you're expected to help strangers move on from something they're having difficulty dealing with on their own. This is greater than friendship; this is trust and confidence.
Sometimes, you'll even get one of those tough, "man's man" guys to let it out and cry. Seriously, that's some legit power right there.
Occasionally, you'll be faced with people whose grief and depression or anger are all-encompassing—to the point where they may be a danger to themselves or to others. Make no mistake: when used intelligently and carefully, your power can actually save lives. But as with all masked and unmasked superheroes, with great power comes great responsibility.
Getting a person to open up to you means that, on some level, you've earned their trust. Don't futz that up by making jokes or being sarcastic or dismissive when someone genuinely seeks your help.
Listen, ask questions, empathize, and your work can help change lives for the better. That's actually really cool, even if no one's going to make a comic book out of it.