After a rewarding and successful nursing career in transplant and the in the critical care setting, Jean decided to further enhance her nursing career by obtaining a Master's degree in Nursing Leadership. Of course, the goal of that degree is to obtain a leadership position, which is what brought Jean to the GI lab. Moving from an inpatient focused area to an out-patient procedural area was very different. The position required Jean to orient to every position and area in the GI lab from the front desk, to assessment, assisting in procedures, recovering patients, and reprocessing the scopes. There was so much to learn. Throughout the process, Jean embraced all this new knowledge while simultaneously building a rapport with her numerous preceptors. After her orientation, Jean assumed the role of clinician while continuing to navigate the additional administrative duties for which she would be responsible. Her enthusiasm for learning and her new role was evident daily. She glowed with enthusiasm. Her positive energy was infectious and so very appreciated by the GI staff universally.
Unexpectedly, there was yet another foreboding obstacle for Jean to overcome. Over the last few years, there had been several changes in leadership for the GI Lab. In four short years, the GI lab had 3 new Directors and 2 new clinicians, and suddenly the Director's role was vacant once more. This meant not another role for Jean but an additional role. Although she had support from a Director within the hospital, the job of holding the department together, supporting staff (that were frankly tired of the leadership changes), maintaining quality patient care, responding to the physicians' needs, and navigating numerous meetings fell on Jean's shoulders. You might think this as unfortunate or unfair and I guess we did too, for a minute. In retrospect, it was more like having her wings unclipped. It allowed her to make direct connections with the staff about concerns and together make changes, improvements and even enhancements. Her relationships with the staff grew from friendly and accepting to ones of deep respect and trust. The department got an all over facelift, not only in terms of functional reorganization but addressing old fractures that were never fully repaired. She built honest and trustworthy lines of communication with staff and developed a shared vision of what we, as a unified group, wanted the GI Lab to become.
The GI Lab continues to improve. With Jean's support, many nurses are considering certification and completing senior projects. It is a very happy place to be. We have a great leader and a real advocate. This year the very first time the staff did not plan the treats and activities for GI nurses and Associates Week. Each day a special treat was arranged for and delivered by the New Director and Jean. We are sure we don't need to say it, but it's the thought that counts and we are always in Jean's thoughts and very much appreciated.