Jennifer serves as the charge nurse on the unit and constantly demonstrates the characteristics of a valiant nurse. She rounds on every patient every day, greeting them with a warm and genuine smile. She calls each patient by name, and makes them feel like they are welcomed here in the hospital.
Jennifer gets to know not only her patients, but the family members that are most important to our patients as well. She greets them warmly, and puts them at ease.
Most recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with a patient's family member to talk with her about the quality of the care that her family member had received. The patient being discussed has been with us for an extended period of time, and the family has, naturally, has demonstrated a great deal of anxiety with regard to their loved one.
When speaking to the patient's family member, she began to cry about how frustrated she was with being hospitalized. Then, she said "Jennifer has been like a miracle to us". I was awestruck that the saddened woman I was speaking with suddenly transformed into a smiling and enthusiastic young woman sitting in front of me. The family member went on to say how grateful she was for Jennifer's care, compassion, and her "go get'em attitude". She indicated that the patient expressed to her how kind Jennifer was, and that she really aimed to make a difference in his life, but the lives of his family also.
When her peers speak of Jennifer, they frequently say that she has a great sense of humor, she has a positive attitude, and that she is willing to tackle any challenge that is before her. Jennifer's work with this particular patient is just one example of her gentle spirit and her loving nature. She constantly strives to deliver excellent care to every patient that she encounters, treating them as if they were part of her family.