It has been my privilege to know and work with Jen for nearly ten years, since graduating from nursing school in 2007. I'd like to share some thoughts and memories with you and explain why I believe Jen is a true DAISY Nurse Leader.
A good leader makes a full commitment to their position, the company they work for, and to the people, they lead. I think Jen's dedication and loyalty to NCH is possibly unmatched in our company. I believe she truly cares for this hospital, and through her education and experiences, tries to make it a better place for nursing and the patients we care for.
A good leader is present, available, and approachable. I'm a night shift nurse and I see Jen almost every shift that I work. I can count on her to come by and ask me if there is anything she can do to help me with my nursing tasks. I have given her report when we have been short staffed, and I have worked alongside her as she has stepped up on the night shift. I've spoken with her by phone on Saturdays, Sundays, and the middle of the night. Each time, she met my call with courtesy, concern, and her full assistance. Knowing that your manager will pick up the phone 24/7 and be there for you is beyond supportive.
A good Nurse Leader embraces change. We know that healthcare is an ever changing and alive creature, and that big changes will occur in hierarchy, policies, procedures, and at the bedside. Jen's resilience over the years has been admirable. Coming from my federal banking career, where changes were slow to happen, and sometimes harder to accept, Jen showed me by her example, how to acknowledge change by getting in front of it with acceptance and grace. This distinction, I believe, is one of Jen's greatest qualities.
A good Nurse Leader is a true mentor. It was my honor to serve in a leadership capacity on the Practice Council, former Shared Governance committee with Jen for two years. We co-chaired the council, and it was a personal and professional growth experience for me. While I facilitated meetings, Jen kept minutes, and later we discussed the fine points of chairmanship nursing goals for our hospital and forward momentum for our council. This collaboration was a high point for me in receiving nurse mentorship. Through this experience, experiencing her commitment to the council and to me, I realized how this showcased her dedication to the profession of nursing, to NCH's growth, and how it all starts at the base level by mentoring individual members of nursing staff, like me.
For these reasons, and Jennifer's amazing penchant for detail and follow through, I'm thrilled that she will be a new Director of Magnet Program. She is building a legacy of all these things I've mentioned and more. Thank you for your hard work and dedication, Jen.