Jane Nunley
April 2025
Jane
Nunley
,
RN
300 South
CHI Memorial Hospital
Chattanooga
,
TN
United States
In a profession where seconds matter, Nurse Jane’s commitment to excellence and patient-centred care truly made the difference.
Nomination 1:
Jane was absolutely a joy the first time I met her after my knee surgery following an unsuccessful total ankle replacement. I was very apprehensive about my knee replacement. She was wonderful at putting me at ease and being so warm, friendly, and personable. She shared knowledge and information with me since she’s been with Memorial for a long time.
You can tell she truly loves her work and truly cares for her patients. She is so professional and puts you at ease. Each time she walks in the room, there’s a big smile on her face. She would stop in the room even if I didn’t “call” her to check and see if I needed anything. She would give me suggestions and recommendations since she’s dealt with so many orthopedic patients. She helped me relax and gave me peace of mind. She made me feel comfortable at an uncomfortable time. Jane is truly a wonderful nurse in every way and is an angel of mercy. You can easily see that she is dedicated to her patients and her work.
Nomination 2:
Jane was called to a patient’s bedside regarding complaints of left foot pain. As a post-operative symptom, this is a common concern nurses routinely hear. However, Nurse Jane’s attentiveness and commitment to patient safety set her apart.
Rather than dismissing the pain as routine, she actively listened to the patient’s concerns and conducted a thorough reassessment. Upon examination, she noted that the left operative knee was significantly colder than the right and that the pulse was weaker in comparison. Recognizing the urgency of these findings, she immediately escalated care. She promptly notified the orthopedic nurse practitioner, obtained a stat ultrasound order, and directly contacted the ultrasound department to expedite the process.
The ultrasound results revealed an arterial occlusion, a condition that, if delayed or left untreated, results in nearly 100% amputation. Without hesitation, Nurse Jane informed the hospitalist and facilitated rapid coordination between the orthopedic team and hospitalist, leading to a stat vascular surgery consult. Within three hours of the patient’s initial complaint, they were back in the operating room, preventing a potentially devastating outcome.
Nurse Jane’s swift actions and clinical expertise were life-changing for this patient. Studies in the Journal of Nursing Management indicate that long-term exposure to high-stress environments can lead to emotional exhaustion and reduced engagement in patient care. However, Nurse Jane, who has been a nurse at Memorial for more than 37 years, exemplifies the highest standards of nursing—remaining vigilant, compassionate, and engaged even under pressure.
Her unwavering dedication to patient advocacy and quick decision-making ultimately preserved the patient’s leg. In a profession where seconds matter, Nurse Jane’s commitment to excellence and patient-centred care truly made the difference.
She displays outstanding clinical judgement, leadership, and dedication to patient safety. Without the critical nature of her intervention, while maintaining clarity and professionalism, the patient would have lost a leg that day.
Jane was absolutely a joy the first time I met her after my knee surgery following an unsuccessful total ankle replacement. I was very apprehensive about my knee replacement. She was wonderful at putting me at ease and being so warm, friendly, and personable. She shared knowledge and information with me since she’s been with Memorial for a long time.
You can tell she truly loves her work and truly cares for her patients. She is so professional and puts you at ease. Each time she walks in the room, there’s a big smile on her face. She would stop in the room even if I didn’t “call” her to check and see if I needed anything. She would give me suggestions and recommendations since she’s dealt with so many orthopedic patients. She helped me relax and gave me peace of mind. She made me feel comfortable at an uncomfortable time. Jane is truly a wonderful nurse in every way and is an angel of mercy. You can easily see that she is dedicated to her patients and her work.
Nomination 2:
Jane was called to a patient’s bedside regarding complaints of left foot pain. As a post-operative symptom, this is a common concern nurses routinely hear. However, Nurse Jane’s attentiveness and commitment to patient safety set her apart.
Rather than dismissing the pain as routine, she actively listened to the patient’s concerns and conducted a thorough reassessment. Upon examination, she noted that the left operative knee was significantly colder than the right and that the pulse was weaker in comparison. Recognizing the urgency of these findings, she immediately escalated care. She promptly notified the orthopedic nurse practitioner, obtained a stat ultrasound order, and directly contacted the ultrasound department to expedite the process.
The ultrasound results revealed an arterial occlusion, a condition that, if delayed or left untreated, results in nearly 100% amputation. Without hesitation, Nurse Jane informed the hospitalist and facilitated rapid coordination between the orthopedic team and hospitalist, leading to a stat vascular surgery consult. Within three hours of the patient’s initial complaint, they were back in the operating room, preventing a potentially devastating outcome.
Nurse Jane’s swift actions and clinical expertise were life-changing for this patient. Studies in the Journal of Nursing Management indicate that long-term exposure to high-stress environments can lead to emotional exhaustion and reduced engagement in patient care. However, Nurse Jane, who has been a nurse at Memorial for more than 37 years, exemplifies the highest standards of nursing—remaining vigilant, compassionate, and engaged even under pressure.
Her unwavering dedication to patient advocacy and quick decision-making ultimately preserved the patient’s leg. In a profession where seconds matter, Nurse Jane’s commitment to excellence and patient-centred care truly made the difference.
She displays outstanding clinical judgement, leadership, and dedication to patient safety. Without the critical nature of her intervention, while maintaining clarity and professionalism, the patient would have lost a leg that day.