Jillian Boden has been an asset to the Lexington VA for several years. Beginning as an RN on 3N, she transferred to PCU to gain her incredible critical thinking skills. During COVID, she transitioned to being the Assistant Nurse Manager for 5T and taking on an entirely new role. She has truly given all she can to that job. Despite being an ANM, Jill spends most of her shifts in staffing and ensuring that 5T is running smoothly. She thinks of the Veterans and her staff more than of herself, and her compassion and selflessness are all reasons that she deserves the DAISY Nurse Leader Award. 

Jill found that we were struggling with night shift morale especially during Nurse’s Week. She created an event that allowed night shift to be acknowledged for their hard work and appreciation without being given the leftovers from dayshift. She even made sure that during Nurse’s week, EMS, physicians, and sterile processing were involved in the activities. Without her self-proclaimed NURSEPALOOZA, Jill would have never been able to bring all the units of the Lexington VAMC together and truly feel seen.  

Just recently, one of our ICU RNs covering charge nurse duties on 5T needed emergent transport after a CODE STROKE to UKMC. Jill stopped what she was doing, jumped up, and ran to assist with the emergency. Getting the logistics of transportation involved many hands and lots of phone calls, as it was imperative that this Veteran get to UKMC as soon as possible. Jill assisted as a runner and contacted their house officer to arrange the transfer. She delegated tasks and even made sure that the rest of the unit was running smoothly during the chaos of the CODE STROKE. Jill did what was right for the Veteran in need that night. And when our resources are limited at night, she is someone that we can rely on to assist with anything. Jill truly focuses on veteran-centered care every minute of each shift. It says something when your assistant nurse manager will do anything to help her staff when they are busy or in a bind. 

Jill has also worked very hard to improve the work satisfaction of her staff members. She promotes the idea that everyone can work to their full potential and get the salary they fully deserve. Many of her staff have been able to receive their Nurse III because of her drive to assist them in that cause. Jill wants everyone she works with happy and love their job. The only way that they can truly love their job is to feel appreciated. It is the least she can do by ensuring everyone has the salary they deserve.

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Jill absolutely exceeds the above criteria for DAISY Nurse Leader. Just recently I was pulled to 5T and was assigned charge nurse of 32 patients. Coming from the ICU with only 13 beds to being in charge of double the amount of patients is very overwhelming. Especially when it's only your second time being charge on 5T. As soon as I saw Jill's face, I felt relief. Jill is very hands-on, welcoming, and personable. She took the time to walk me around the unit and orient me on what duties I needed to complete as charge well as preparing food/drinks for nurses' week. Jill came in every single day of nurses' week and made sure that not only the nurses felt appreciated but EMS as well. Within the same shift, a code stroke was called by this RN. Jill was right by my side and helped facilitate the transportation of this particular patient to UK for a emergent thrombectomy. Jill always wants the best outcome for her patients and staff members. Jill is an amazing leader, and many people respect her because she creates an environment of compassion, trust, mutual respect, continued professional development, and ethical behavior. Jill is a great asset to this VA, and without her, we would be lost, and nurses' week would not be the same. Morale has definitely increased due to her presence and she should not be undervalued. Jill, thank you for all that you do.