Jessica J., Nurse Manager, Advanced medical and neuro unit, AHN Jefferson Hospital
Our "Meet the Manager" series offers an inside look at the leaders who are fostering supportive environments for our team members. Today, we're talking with Jessica, the nurse leader on our Advanced Medical and Neurological Unit at Jefferson Hospital.
Please introduce yourself.
Hi, my name is Jessica, and I'm the Nurse Leader on 3NW, the Advanced Medical and Neurological Unit at Jefferson Hospital.
Jessica J., Nurse Manager, Advanced medical and neuro unit
Tell us about yourself outside of work.
I run a mini-farm, actually! It is filled with foster-failure kittens, cats, and two dogs. We also have two children at home. My oldest is a girl who's going to middle school this year, and my youngest is 9. On top of that, I am an avid plant collector. Between the animals and the plants, my house is my home, and that's what I really like to focus on outside of here. I'm also a big Swifty!
Tell us about your path to becoming the manager of this unit.
My path to being a leader here started in 2013 when I began my career as a new nurse on this very unit at Jefferson. At that time, it was an observation unit. I worked here for several years, even staying on casually after I had my children. Eventually, an opportunity came up for me to take a full-time position outside of Jefferson running an orthopedic program.
During that time, it was quickly realized that I wanted to come back here to Jefferson. When this opportunity opened up less than a year after I left, I was able to transition back into the nurse leader role on the unit where my career started. I've been doing that since 2022.
What do you like most about this unit and what made you come back?
My story kind of tells what I like most about the unit. It's the people, it's the culture, and it's the ability to trust your coworkers, whether it be at the leadership level or at the bedside. It's the ability to trust and collaborate with other departments.
Tell us more about the unit itself?
This unit has 47 beds; we're actually the largest unit in Jefferson Hospital. We specialize in telemetry and neurological care. It's really characterized by its fast-paced environment where patient conditions can change quickly, and we have vigilant monitoring for patients, like a stroke patient who has received TNK and needs frequent interventions. The other patient populations we serve include those with neurological disorders such as seizures or altered mental status. We also care for patients with cardiac conditions and neurosurgery patients.
What makes this unit unique?
What makes this unit unique and attractive is the overall culture of collaboration across all departments and the strong teamwork among coworkers. We work very closely with therapies—whether it be speech, physical, or occupational therapies—and we are also very close to our doctors, including our neurological and neurosurgical physicians. Having such a fast-paced environment combined with a collaborative spirit offers a really dynamic and engaging workplace that fosters continuous learning and growth opportunities for our staff.
How do you describe your management style?
I employ a supportive and hands-on approach with my team. You will usually find me out on the floor, not in my office. I really prioritize open communication and active listening. I want the staff to contribute to problem-solving and improvements because they are the ones doing the day-to-day work. I make mistakes just like everyone else, so being able to have those constructive conversations and communicate openly with all team members is what I pride myself in.
What type of nurse fits in well on your team?
Individuals that would really fit well with this team are those who are adaptable, resilient, want to learn, and possess strong critical thinking skills. However, that's not to deter any new nurses, because this is a really, really great place to start your career. One of the most important things I look for is the ability to communicate and be willing to be part of a team. We have LPNs, RNs, and PCTs here, so to become an effective part of that team, you really have to be able to communicate.
Could you speak more about the culture on your unit?
The overall culture of this unit is what I strive to have as a nursing unit. We are able to take a graduate nurse and support them all the way through their career journey. Some stay forever, and some use this as a steppingstone. What we strive for day in and day out is to be able to rely on your coworker and to put the patient at the center of everything we do.
To do that, we need to trust that the person working next to us is going to jump in when we have a question about something. I don't want anyone to ever be scared to ask a question. It takes a good year to get your feet under you, and we are aware of that. For those of us who have been in the game for a little bit, we are able to say "Hey, it's going to be okay." You have to give yourself grace, and we give you enough grace to be able to support you through your career.
Explore open nursing roles on this team and across AHN.