Over the last year, Jessica has done an amazing amount of work in a compassionate manner. Her units were some of the most impacted by COVID 19 and the increased mortalities on this campus. She not only worked alongside her team members in shifts to provide direct patient care, but she also met with her team to find out what and where she could help with. Whether it was taking a full-time position and making 2 part-time positions because team members needed a break or advanced their career with school, or transitioning a team member to a new unit to get a “break” from COVID for their wellbeing, to baking cookies for her team. She has been going the extra mile to support her team members individually and collectively.

Her work ethic is very strong. As a nurse leader she supports her team with education; either directly or by offering opportunities. She works with her apprentices, her critical care techs to continue their professional education. She has worked to develop the Rapid Response nurse and role at this location and collaborates so they get orientation and experience with the larger Regional Rapid Response team.

One of the things I appreciate about her is her willingness to speak up and advocate for her staff members as well as the patients, continuing to support key elements of the nursing profession.

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This past year has been exceptionally difficult for the nurses on med-tele. Despite this, Jessica stepped up and went above and beyond numerous times to ensure both the patients and nurses were taken care of. The first week SMOF opened, Jessica worked as charge every day for a week. She acted as a guide to us all as we quickly tried to navigate nursing under these new circumstances. She made sure we took our breaks and lunch, helped us get equipment and medications, completed walking oxygen studies, and most of all helped pass out and pick up meal trays. No task was too big or too small.

I will never forget my first day at SMOF. I had 10 patients and at the beginning of my 5 pm med pass, I had to call a rapid for my patient having RVR. No physician came. Luckily, Jessica was there and immediately started calling doctors to get orders and someone to come to the bedside. She then looked at the process of how we call rapids to figure out why the physician did not come and how to avoid that from happening again. Without her strong leadership, I don’t know how that shift would have ended. I am so grateful to work with you as my leader. I always appreciate how you keep nurses and patients in mind with each decision you make.