Jennifer Sheppard
August 2025
Jennifer
Sheppard
,
MSN, RN, CNL
Medical Acute Care
Western NC VA Health Care System
Asheville
,
NC
United States
Jenn is one of the most resilient people I have known, and she serves as an example of what a nurse leader should strive to be.
When I first started at the VA as a Clinical Nurse Leader, I had my work cut out for me. Learning a new role in a new environment was daunting, to say the least. I was fortunate to have supportive leadership and staff to answer my many questions. Although not a formal leader at the time, Jenn Sheppard was my primary go-to for reliable information about the ins and outs of the VA.
As a CNL, I was supposed to be a resource for staff on matters concerning cardiology and oncology. I had the cardiology part down, but oncology was an entirely different story. I would refer to Jenn multiple times a day, and it gave me comfort when she was on shift (especially when a Veteran needed chemotherapy administration). Jenn’s knowledge and expertise in oncology and chemo administration were, and continue to be, an asset on 4 East.
As a bedside nurse, she was the best of the best. Her dedication to her Veterans was sincere, and her intelligence and nursing knowledge were deep. Jenn ensured all her patients were mobilized, bathed, and had their needs met. Things that some nurses would say “weren’t their job,” she would do with grace and without complaint. Jenn would also ensure that her team members had a clear understanding of the expectations for the Veteran that day.
I was thrilled when Jenn decided to pursue the Clinical Nurse Leader track for her master’s degree. It has been wonderful watching her develop in her role as a CNL, which comes naturally to her. The achievements she has accomplished during her short tenure as a CNL are impressive.
She played a crucial role in implementing the geriatric protocol. She would engage with the Veteran and their family, ensuring the “All About Me” form was complete. She would continue to hound providers for the correct orders and visit with the Veteran to provide them comfort. Her tireless efforts show the impact that the geriatric protocol has on BERT rates throughout the hospital.
Jenn worked to revamp the infusion notes and developed education for chemotherapy administration that targeted what the nurses needed to know. To ensure that the night shift nurses on 4 East had equal opportunity for education, she would come in at 5 a.m. (with donuts in hand) to provide this education. This is something she did not have to do but chose to do for the benefit of her colleagues.
She is such a trusted person for information that other floors and coordinators have contacted her at home for answers to questions they were unsure of.
Jenn worked tirelessly to develop a process for two nurses to complete skin assessments on admission and transfer (4 Eyes in 4 Hours). This practice not only ensures that the Veteran’s skin is accurately assessed, but it also fosters teamwork on the wards. Jenn stood her ground with this practice despite complaints from staff (we all know how much nurses love change). She did this for the sake of the quality of care for her Veterans.
She had the privilege to present 4 Eyes in 4 Hours for a national VA presentation focusing on best practices to reduce HAPIs. There have been several VAs reaching out to her to adopt this best practice. She also had a poster accepted to the NOVA conference to disseminate her findings and the process of implementing 4 Eyes in 4 Hours.
In addition to her tireless work to improve care, Jenn also has the personality of a leader. She is approachable to staff and readily jumps in and helps at the bedside. One of the most valuable qualities of a leader, and I believe Jenn’s most formidable attribute, is resilience.
Resilience is defined as the capacity to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties. As we all know, working in the medical field requires a certain kind of resilience that is not inherent in all people. The field of nursing is rewarding but can also be emotionally and physically taxing. When the challenges of work are coupled with personal challenges, many would not be able to get out of bed, let alone come to work and excel with a positive attitude.
Jenn is one of the most resilient people I have known, and she serves as an example of what a nurse leader should strive to be.
As a CNL, I was supposed to be a resource for staff on matters concerning cardiology and oncology. I had the cardiology part down, but oncology was an entirely different story. I would refer to Jenn multiple times a day, and it gave me comfort when she was on shift (especially when a Veteran needed chemotherapy administration). Jenn’s knowledge and expertise in oncology and chemo administration were, and continue to be, an asset on 4 East.
As a bedside nurse, she was the best of the best. Her dedication to her Veterans was sincere, and her intelligence and nursing knowledge were deep. Jenn ensured all her patients were mobilized, bathed, and had their needs met. Things that some nurses would say “weren’t their job,” she would do with grace and without complaint. Jenn would also ensure that her team members had a clear understanding of the expectations for the Veteran that day.
I was thrilled when Jenn decided to pursue the Clinical Nurse Leader track for her master’s degree. It has been wonderful watching her develop in her role as a CNL, which comes naturally to her. The achievements she has accomplished during her short tenure as a CNL are impressive.
She played a crucial role in implementing the geriatric protocol. She would engage with the Veteran and their family, ensuring the “All About Me” form was complete. She would continue to hound providers for the correct orders and visit with the Veteran to provide them comfort. Her tireless efforts show the impact that the geriatric protocol has on BERT rates throughout the hospital.
Jenn worked to revamp the infusion notes and developed education for chemotherapy administration that targeted what the nurses needed to know. To ensure that the night shift nurses on 4 East had equal opportunity for education, she would come in at 5 a.m. (with donuts in hand) to provide this education. This is something she did not have to do but chose to do for the benefit of her colleagues.
She is such a trusted person for information that other floors and coordinators have contacted her at home for answers to questions they were unsure of.
Jenn worked tirelessly to develop a process for two nurses to complete skin assessments on admission and transfer (4 Eyes in 4 Hours). This practice not only ensures that the Veteran’s skin is accurately assessed, but it also fosters teamwork on the wards. Jenn stood her ground with this practice despite complaints from staff (we all know how much nurses love change). She did this for the sake of the quality of care for her Veterans.
She had the privilege to present 4 Eyes in 4 Hours for a national VA presentation focusing on best practices to reduce HAPIs. There have been several VAs reaching out to her to adopt this best practice. She also had a poster accepted to the NOVA conference to disseminate her findings and the process of implementing 4 Eyes in 4 Hours.
In addition to her tireless work to improve care, Jenn also has the personality of a leader. She is approachable to staff and readily jumps in and helps at the bedside. One of the most valuable qualities of a leader, and I believe Jenn’s most formidable attribute, is resilience.
Resilience is defined as the capacity to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties. As we all know, working in the medical field requires a certain kind of resilience that is not inherent in all people. The field of nursing is rewarding but can also be emotionally and physically taxing. When the challenges of work are coupled with personal challenges, many would not be able to get out of bed, let alone come to work and excel with a positive attitude.
Jenn is one of the most resilient people I have known, and she serves as an example of what a nurse leader should strive to be.