Jessica Dennis
September 2021
Jessica
Dennis
,
MSN, RN, CNRN
Neuro Spine Surgery
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Chicago
,
IL
United States
Jess got in her car and drove to Millennium Park. She walked around the park, and after asking multiple security guards, she finally found the patient's scooter. She brought the scooter back to the hospital and up to the patient's room.
I have worked with Jessica Dennis since I started as a new graduate nurse in August 2017 when she was just promoted to Clinical Coordinator. I had the honor of following in her footsteps and becoming a CC myself, which I worked alongside her for the past 2.5 years until she transitioned back to the bedside.
Jessica has always been a role model for me, not only as a nurse or leader, but as a person. As long as I have known Jessica, she has always put others' needs and feelings first. Jessica often stays over her shift to ensure her patients are well taken care of before she leaves for the night. She is an active member of her community and encourages her colleagues to do the same.
Recenty, Jessica took care of a patient who was admitted from the Emergency Department as a care initiation on 10E. This patient was spending the day in Millennium Park riding her scooter when she ended up having to call 911 on herself. She expressed to Jessica how much she loves riding her scooter and that she uses it all the time. The ambulance drivers who were picking up the patient to take her to NMH stated they were unable to transport her scooter with her to the hospital, so the scooter stayed behind with security in the park. The security officers told the patient that they would keep the scooter safe for her. The patient had expressed that she lives in the suburbs and does not have family support or any friends who would be able to retrieve her scooter from security in the park. Keeping in mind that Lollapalooza was to occur in a few days and knowing that area was going to be extremely busy, Jessica took it upon herself to go find and pick up the patient's scooter after her shift that night. After giving report to the night shift, Jess got in her car and drove to Millennium Park. She walked around the park, and after asking multiple security guards, she finally found the patient's scooter. She brought the scooter back to the hospital and up to the patient's room. When Jessica gave the patient her scooter, the patient was so happy and relieved to have her scooter safe that she cried.
This is only one of many instances where Jessica has displayed such kindness and selflessness. She deserves to be recognized not only for this kind act, but for all that she has done to go above and beyond for her patients.
Jessica has always been a role model for me, not only as a nurse or leader, but as a person. As long as I have known Jessica, she has always put others' needs and feelings first. Jessica often stays over her shift to ensure her patients are well taken care of before she leaves for the night. She is an active member of her community and encourages her colleagues to do the same.
Recenty, Jessica took care of a patient who was admitted from the Emergency Department as a care initiation on 10E. This patient was spending the day in Millennium Park riding her scooter when she ended up having to call 911 on herself. She expressed to Jessica how much she loves riding her scooter and that she uses it all the time. The ambulance drivers who were picking up the patient to take her to NMH stated they were unable to transport her scooter with her to the hospital, so the scooter stayed behind with security in the park. The security officers told the patient that they would keep the scooter safe for her. The patient had expressed that she lives in the suburbs and does not have family support or any friends who would be able to retrieve her scooter from security in the park. Keeping in mind that Lollapalooza was to occur in a few days and knowing that area was going to be extremely busy, Jessica took it upon herself to go find and pick up the patient's scooter after her shift that night. After giving report to the night shift, Jess got in her car and drove to Millennium Park. She walked around the park, and after asking multiple security guards, she finally found the patient's scooter. She brought the scooter back to the hospital and up to the patient's room. When Jessica gave the patient her scooter, the patient was so happy and relieved to have her scooter safe that she cried.
This is only one of many instances where Jessica has displayed such kindness and selflessness. She deserves to be recognized not only for this kind act, but for all that she has done to go above and beyond for her patients.