Creating an environment where attributes of trust, compassion, mutual respect, continued professional development, and ethical behavior are modeled and supported.

Jennifer is always there for her staff to hear about any situation at any facility, whether it be good, bad, or indifferent. She makes her staff feel empowered and validates their feelings when unexpected circumstances arise. Jennifer always goes the extra mile to make her staff feel heard and seen, and she never discounts our experiences. This, in turn, reinforces the confidence in knowledge and abilities that her employees have, as they are continuously supported and educated regarding varying procedures at different facilities. I have never not shared something I deemed important with Jenn, because she makes me feel so comfortable and like what I am saying and experiencing matters to her.

Being accessible, available, and responsive to the needs of their team.
Even though Jenn has dedicated working hours like everyone else, she continuously makes herself available to her staff. Whether it is working around someone who works midnights and is not necessarily available during "normal" business hours or just sending a quick email to let someone know she will follow up with them the next working day - you never have to wonder if you will hear back from her. She provides various ways of being able to contact her and never hesitates to follow up within a reasonable amount of time.

Problem-solving and encouraging critical thinking.
Jenn is always willing to take our concerns to the table and speak with unit managers to determine how we can best move forward in a way that is safe for flex staff and the patient population. There are many specialty units throughout the ministry that take specific surgical and/or medical cases, which are not always appropriate for general staff to take. Jenn knows that even though staffing has been challenging, it is still important for her staff to feel secure in their ability to properly care for their patients, and she will not hesitate to facilitate a conversation that will no doubt result in clearer communication between other leaders and float staff.

Advocating for their teams.
Jenn is a great advocate for the flex team. Jenn is consistently advocating for the safest scenarios for her staff and is always there with an open ear to hear grievances or input on how to streamline processes and/or communication. Ensuring that the needs of the teams are communicated to organization leadership and organizational priorities and directions are communicated to their teams.

Managing staff that helps staff multiple sites is undoubtedly difficult, especially when each facility has its own specific policies and procedures regarding certain things like drip management, staffing ratios, etc. Jenn is always willing to take concerns to the right people to clarify these policies and procedures to ensure that her staff are always working within their scope and abilities and is willing to hash out details in order to obtain clear and concise directives.

Being compassionate leaders.
Jenn is the definition of a compassionate leader. Not only will she listen to what is on your mind, she will give you examples that she has endured to relate to your situation so you do not feel like you are alone in your experience. She is wonderful at leveling with her staff and reassuring them that nothing can be fixed or addressed unless it is brought up in conversation. Not every situation can be fixed perfectly, but Jenn is there to make sure you do not feel small or unheard. As one of her staff members who have had multiple conversations with her, just having a listening ear from time to time is therapeutic enough to remedy the situation. All leaders should strive to treat their staff with such kindness and respect.

As someone who worked in management prior to becoming a Nurse, managers like Jenn are hard to come by. She is diplomatic, compassionate, respectful, and encouraging to each and every person she speaks to. I love working for Jenn and will continue to do so for as long as possible. Jenn should be celebrated in the biggest way possible for creating this kind of work environment.