I have the utmost respect for the amazing patient care and staff support our Jessica provides. She excels at team building ideas, and always remembers when it's doctor's day, or nutrition and social work month, or ... well you get the picture. She is always looking outward to see how she can elevate others.  

I have worked with her through some difficult times. I was not furloughed during COVID, and was expected to carry on responsibilities while the other ladies were ordered to take 6 weeks off. Jessica organized a team meeting and spent hours creating a schedule which only left me by myself 3 days out of the month, and everyone still worked on Wednesdays for PD clinic. I noticed other units struggling as some staff chose to take the full six weeks off in one lump. I am grateful for the support Jessica showed and for taking action to circle the wagons to make sure that our patients and her staff were well cared for. 

She also dedicated time to the KC staff as they struggled through a period of minimal leadership and adjustment to travel nurses. As our department dwindled down to 3 staff, she not only took on dedicated patients for primary nursing, she also completed QAPI and immunization (and possibly anemia management) duties for the KC, worked isolation on the floor once a week, while still keeping her Home duties - QAPI, Transplant and Immunization spreadsheets, Kidney Talk classes, options talks, NHSN member and the duties associated -  (I know I am forgetting things, though she also did many things we knew nothing about)  - while being asked to drop everything if a nephrologist brought a patient over for education about Home Dialysis options. Oh, and did I mention she also took over the pediatric dialysis responsibilities during and after the search for a pediatric nurse practitioner? She remains active in the development of a TSU unit, which provides necessary education to our dialysis patients so they may learn more about their disease process and hopefully become more active in their own self-care. 

And one of our biggest challenges together was working since August at 50% staffing - probably closer to 30% as our Jessica still had her own responsibilities as Care Coordinator, some stated above. Jessica took on preparing half of our home PD patients for clinic appointments as well as taking phone calls, keeping up a new patient training schedule, walk-in patients, unexpected antibiotic prepping, etc.  -  while still getting interrupted by surprise patient education opportunities from the KC clinic. She often took a lap top home to catch up with her Care Coordinator duties. I know my time card reflects a lot of overtime, but please know our Jessica was with me every step of the way.  (Oh and she is attempting to take off this week to be home while her girls transition to summer break activities, however, I have already received 3 emails from her this morning - it's only 6:30 am right now - so I know she snuck that laptop home again even though we tried to tell her to really take off this week).

She instinctively knows how to individualize patient care. She gets to know each of our patients well and has a real knack for determining who needs a gentle reminder vs. a more semi-aggressive 'shove' while patient teaching. She is quick to advise our staff of her choices and the reasoning behind her decisions so we can learn and grow with her.

Jessica is currently helping to organize our IDT protocol so our 11 dialysis units may become unified with required CMS documentation - a duty much like herding cats for sure.

I wish I was a better writer and could give her all the accolades she deserves - please know there are many unspoken kudos that need mentioning (and I'll probably think of at least 5 more after I send you this ) - she remains my hero as an excellent peer and friend. She always shows me how to keep patient care first and remain respectful to our nephrologists and fellows. I hope that I can follow through as an example of the nurse she is as we train new nurses. Thank you, Jessica, for sharing your experiences with us.

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I am a recent hire in the home dialysis unit where we take care of patients performing home peritoneal dialysis and home hemodialysis.  Jessica has been an exemplary leader from day one.  She is everything a staff nurse could ask for in a supervisor/leader/mentor.  She comes in every day and has a smile for everyone she meets.  She is confident, competent, and compassionate with her care and leadership.  She is a bright personality and patients love being around her.

As our leader in the home dialysis program, she exemplifies masterful problem-solving skills.  Jessica is able to find ways for patients to problem-solve on their own, assuring they have the autonomy they require to perform dialysis at home.  She makes time for each of us (her team) whenever needed.  In my training, she has provided kindness and patience so I can learn without anxiety.  Jessica is just an ideal role model in her position.  I know I can trust her and that her goal is to provide the best patient care possible.  I am comfortable and confident in my role here because of her.  Starting any new position in life can be daunting, but Jessica has made me feel like part of the home dialysis FAMILY since I began.  

Our patient population is challenging, and yet she manages to convey information in an empathetic and sympathetic manner.  She teaches us to do the same as a care team.   First, I believe Jessica is a DAISY Nurse because of her humanity and tenderness towards others.  Secondly, she is a devoted nurse who shares her vast experience and skillfulness with her team.  She inspires us to be better, to do better, and to care better.  I can't think of a more deserving nurse to be awarded this honor.  She has set the example for the rest of us.