May 2024
Jennifer
Gaston
,
MSN, RN
Stephen F. Austin State University; DeWitt School of Nursing
Nacogdoches
,
TX
United States
There are many former students who would not be the nurses they are today without the support of Jennifer, and our program is certainly better because of her.
The DAISY foundation writes that, “Exceptionally skilled and compassionate nursing educators play a pivotal role in shaping the nursing workforce and setting an example for future nurses. Society relies on these educators to impart the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for nurses to provide compassionate and complex care.” Jennifer is an exemplar of these principles.
Before coming to SFA, she was known in our community as being an exceptional nurse. During her first semester at SFA, I remember she would be here hours after everyone else trying to learn the role of a nurse educator and ensure that her students got the very best from her. As she has grown into an experienced educator, she still spends an enormous amount of time with students. She is in her office nearly all day, every day that she is not in clinical, having student meetings and remediation appointments, and helping her team brainstorm for her course. She goes above and beyond what is required of her as an educator because she cares deeply about students and the nursing profession.
Jennifer has an incredible understanding and execution of the balance between support and challenge. She understands that nursing is difficult and patients are more complex than they were decades ago. Because of that, she spends hours with students doing the mental and physical work of nursing at the bedside to prepare them for the future. She leads by example, helping students turn patients to prevent skin breakdown, feeding patients who cannot do so themselves, and cleaning patients to protect their skin and their dignity. Some nurses and educators would consider these tasks menial, but she understands that they are the foundation of patient care. Her presence on a medical surgical unit means that the patients there are getting exceptional care, and students are learning to practice safely and with integrity. In her interactions with students, she is kind, encouraging, and supportive. There are many former students who would not be the nurses they are today without the support of this faculty member, and our program is certainly better because of her.
Before coming to SFA, she was known in our community as being an exceptional nurse. During her first semester at SFA, I remember she would be here hours after everyone else trying to learn the role of a nurse educator and ensure that her students got the very best from her. As she has grown into an experienced educator, she still spends an enormous amount of time with students. She is in her office nearly all day, every day that she is not in clinical, having student meetings and remediation appointments, and helping her team brainstorm for her course. She goes above and beyond what is required of her as an educator because she cares deeply about students and the nursing profession.
Jennifer has an incredible understanding and execution of the balance between support and challenge. She understands that nursing is difficult and patients are more complex than they were decades ago. Because of that, she spends hours with students doing the mental and physical work of nursing at the bedside to prepare them for the future. She leads by example, helping students turn patients to prevent skin breakdown, feeding patients who cannot do so themselves, and cleaning patients to protect their skin and their dignity. Some nurses and educators would consider these tasks menial, but she understands that they are the foundation of patient care. Her presence on a medical surgical unit means that the patients there are getting exceptional care, and students are learning to practice safely and with integrity. In her interactions with students, she is kind, encouraging, and supportive. There are many former students who would not be the nurses they are today without the support of this faculty member, and our program is certainly better because of her.