Janell L Franks
December 2025
Janell L
Franks
,
BSN, RN
NICU
Freeman Health System
Joplin
,
MO
United States
She is the quiet strength behind so much of what we do, the steady heart that keeps everything moving forward.
Janell was nominated by multiple coworkers for the Nurse Leader Award:
No matter what comes up, she is someone we all turn to because she's a bit of a jack of all trades. She is a great advocate for nurses and listens to staff concerns. At the same time, she always makes sure decisions are made with the best interests of the entire team and our patients in mind. She has a unique ability to balance supporting bedside nurses with ensuring we do what is right and safe for our unit.
Janell always steps in wherever she is needed. Whether she's helping on the floor, addressing staffing, and/or workflow issues, she leads by example and never hesitates to help. She's a problem solver. It's really hard to put into words all the things she does for our unit, but it doesn't go unnoticed, and I'm especially grateful to work with her!
***
Janell consistently goes above and beyond for our unit in ways that truly embody the spirit of nursing excellence. She willingly comes in on her days off, works the floor on weekends we are short without hesitation, and volunteers for every extra activity or responsibility that arises. She wears a million hats and carries them all with grace, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to our team and our patients.
Janell is not only an exceptionally smart, precise, and detail-oriented nurse, but also a true perfectionist in the best sense-she holds herself and our department to the highest standards, which is critical when caring for our most fragile patients. Her leadership pushes all of us to be better nurses while making us feel fully supported along the way. She is not afraid to correct you in the nicest way possible. She never misses an opportunity to educate and make you a better nurse. She genuinely wants every team member to succeed and brings out the best in everyone she works with.
What truly sets Janell apart is her kindness and authenticity. Families absolutely love her. She has a remarkable ability to connect with them, making them feel seen, heard, and comforted-especially during some of the most stressful and emotional times of their lives. I can recall many moments when she will stop what she is doing to talk to or comfort a family member during a stressful or upsetting situation.
Janell always knows the right words to say and has a calming presence that brings reassurance during their journey. She leads with her heart, her knowledge, and her actions. Our unit is stronger, more compassionate, and more successful because of her. She is the definition of an extraordinary nurse and leader.
***
Janell has a kind heart and is always helping others. She makes sure to get the job done effectively and even stays over to make sure it is completed correctly.
***
Janell has always been very passionate about her work. As a floor nurse, she gives all of her patients extraordinary care, going above and beyond. When she took the position as clinical coordinator, she helped streamline workflow by organizing the entire unit. No matter how busy she is, she has such a positive attitude, and she will help wherever she is needed. She does so much for the hospital outside of her units at community outreach activities! Our unit is so much better for having her as part of our leadership!
***
Janell gives 110% in everything she does, especially when it comes to leading our unit. She truly cares for her patients, their families, and the other employees at Freeman. I have witnessed her giving all 5 standards every day that she works. If anyone is deserving of praise, it is Janell!
***
There are many ways a Leader can make an impact and go above and beyond their job title. The way Janell does this is by caring, by having a deep well of compassion and understanding for the nurses she works with, and by always being hands-on in finding a solution for a difficult task. Whether at the patient’s bedside or within the logistics of the unit, she takes ownership of every detail.
Janell is our mother hen, our shoulder to cry on when life is hard, our mentor when we need advice, our crazy sister who reorganizes the storage closet six times until it fits just right, and she is our friend. She is there for us, and with us, through every moment that we need her, and we would not have the work culture that we have today without her amazing influence. I'm so grateful to work with her and to have seen how much of a difference one person can make, simply by caring and not giving up.
***
Janell is an extraordinary example of what every leader should be. She never hesitates to jump in and help on the floor. She is so committed to making our unit the best it can possibly be. Whether it be creating policies to better our practice, being a teammate, advocating for staff and patient needs, or ensuring we have all the equipment necessary to do our job, Janell never stops striving to make our lives better. She is so deserving, quietly working behind the scenes to maintain the highest standard.
I am so grateful for you, Janell. You make the unit we all love better. Thank you for your passion, your commitment, your empathy, your resilience, and everything you do!
***
Janell is truly the heart of our unit. She is constantly pulled in countless directions, yet she handles every responsibility with grace, professionalism, and a positive attitude. Never once complaining. No matter how busy or overwhelming the day becomes, she consistently puts others first.
She cares deeply not only for our patients and their families, but for every single staff member on the unit. Janell has an incredible way of noticing when someone is struggling, stepping in without being asked, and offering support in ways that truly matter. She lifts others up, advocates fiercely, and creates a space where people feel safe, valued, and cared for. Our unit would not be the same without Janell.
She is the quiet strength behind so much of what we do, the steady heart that keeps everything moving forward. Her selflessness, empathy, and dedication leave a lasting impact on everyone she touches, and we are incredibly lucky to work alongside someone who gives so much of herself every single day.
***
Janell goes above and beyond in both her roles as a leader and nurse. If there is a problem, she will find an answer. This past week is a prime example. She was faced with an issue we had never experienced in our unit, and she worked diligently to find an answer to keep the patients, families, and staff safe and healthy.
Thank you for all you do for the unit. Everything you do is appreciated and does not go unnoticed.
***
Janell goes absolutely above and beyond in her role. She will always jump up and help us when we get busy on the floor. She 100% puts her whole heart into the care of our patients and will always advocate for them, no matter how difficult that may be. She has analyzed several different processes and found more efficient ways to do them. She has organized multiple storage areas in many departments. With our recent problems, she put in so many hours and tears to help. Nobody deserves this more than Janell!
***
Janell deserves the Leadership Daisy Award for her unwavering dedication to excellence in patient care and her remarkable ability to lead with both heart and purpose. She consistently ensures that every patient receives the highest quality of care by anticipating needs, overcoming obstacles with resilience, and identifying challenges before they escalate.
Janell doesn't just recognize problems; she thoughtfully develops and implements the perfect solutions, inspiring her team to do the same. Her leadership creates a positive, supportive environment where both patients and staff thrive, making her an exceptional role model and a true asset to our organization.
No matter what comes up, she is someone we all turn to because she's a bit of a jack of all trades. She is a great advocate for nurses and listens to staff concerns. At the same time, she always makes sure decisions are made with the best interests of the entire team and our patients in mind. She has a unique ability to balance supporting bedside nurses with ensuring we do what is right and safe for our unit.
Janell always steps in wherever she is needed. Whether she's helping on the floor, addressing staffing, and/or workflow issues, she leads by example and never hesitates to help. She's a problem solver. It's really hard to put into words all the things she does for our unit, but it doesn't go unnoticed, and I'm especially grateful to work with her!
***
Janell consistently goes above and beyond for our unit in ways that truly embody the spirit of nursing excellence. She willingly comes in on her days off, works the floor on weekends we are short without hesitation, and volunteers for every extra activity or responsibility that arises. She wears a million hats and carries them all with grace, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to our team and our patients.
Janell is not only an exceptionally smart, precise, and detail-oriented nurse, but also a true perfectionist in the best sense-she holds herself and our department to the highest standards, which is critical when caring for our most fragile patients. Her leadership pushes all of us to be better nurses while making us feel fully supported along the way. She is not afraid to correct you in the nicest way possible. She never misses an opportunity to educate and make you a better nurse. She genuinely wants every team member to succeed and brings out the best in everyone she works with.
What truly sets Janell apart is her kindness and authenticity. Families absolutely love her. She has a remarkable ability to connect with them, making them feel seen, heard, and comforted-especially during some of the most stressful and emotional times of their lives. I can recall many moments when she will stop what she is doing to talk to or comfort a family member during a stressful or upsetting situation.
Janell always knows the right words to say and has a calming presence that brings reassurance during their journey. She leads with her heart, her knowledge, and her actions. Our unit is stronger, more compassionate, and more successful because of her. She is the definition of an extraordinary nurse and leader.
***
Janell has a kind heart and is always helping others. She makes sure to get the job done effectively and even stays over to make sure it is completed correctly.
***
Janell has always been very passionate about her work. As a floor nurse, she gives all of her patients extraordinary care, going above and beyond. When she took the position as clinical coordinator, she helped streamline workflow by organizing the entire unit. No matter how busy she is, she has such a positive attitude, and she will help wherever she is needed. She does so much for the hospital outside of her units at community outreach activities! Our unit is so much better for having her as part of our leadership!
***
Janell gives 110% in everything she does, especially when it comes to leading our unit. She truly cares for her patients, their families, and the other employees at Freeman. I have witnessed her giving all 5 standards every day that she works. If anyone is deserving of praise, it is Janell!
***
There are many ways a Leader can make an impact and go above and beyond their job title. The way Janell does this is by caring, by having a deep well of compassion and understanding for the nurses she works with, and by always being hands-on in finding a solution for a difficult task. Whether at the patient’s bedside or within the logistics of the unit, she takes ownership of every detail.
Janell is our mother hen, our shoulder to cry on when life is hard, our mentor when we need advice, our crazy sister who reorganizes the storage closet six times until it fits just right, and she is our friend. She is there for us, and with us, through every moment that we need her, and we would not have the work culture that we have today without her amazing influence. I'm so grateful to work with her and to have seen how much of a difference one person can make, simply by caring and not giving up.
***
Janell is an extraordinary example of what every leader should be. She never hesitates to jump in and help on the floor. She is so committed to making our unit the best it can possibly be. Whether it be creating policies to better our practice, being a teammate, advocating for staff and patient needs, or ensuring we have all the equipment necessary to do our job, Janell never stops striving to make our lives better. She is so deserving, quietly working behind the scenes to maintain the highest standard.
I am so grateful for you, Janell. You make the unit we all love better. Thank you for your passion, your commitment, your empathy, your resilience, and everything you do!
***
Janell is truly the heart of our unit. She is constantly pulled in countless directions, yet she handles every responsibility with grace, professionalism, and a positive attitude. Never once complaining. No matter how busy or overwhelming the day becomes, she consistently puts others first.
She cares deeply not only for our patients and their families, but for every single staff member on the unit. Janell has an incredible way of noticing when someone is struggling, stepping in without being asked, and offering support in ways that truly matter. She lifts others up, advocates fiercely, and creates a space where people feel safe, valued, and cared for. Our unit would not be the same without Janell.
She is the quiet strength behind so much of what we do, the steady heart that keeps everything moving forward. Her selflessness, empathy, and dedication leave a lasting impact on everyone she touches, and we are incredibly lucky to work alongside someone who gives so much of herself every single day.
***
Janell goes above and beyond in both her roles as a leader and nurse. If there is a problem, she will find an answer. This past week is a prime example. She was faced with an issue we had never experienced in our unit, and she worked diligently to find an answer to keep the patients, families, and staff safe and healthy.
Thank you for all you do for the unit. Everything you do is appreciated and does not go unnoticed.
***
Janell goes absolutely above and beyond in her role. She will always jump up and help us when we get busy on the floor. She 100% puts her whole heart into the care of our patients and will always advocate for them, no matter how difficult that may be. She has analyzed several different processes and found more efficient ways to do them. She has organized multiple storage areas in many departments. With our recent problems, she put in so many hours and tears to help. Nobody deserves this more than Janell!
***
Janell deserves the Leadership Daisy Award for her unwavering dedication to excellence in patient care and her remarkable ability to lead with both heart and purpose. She consistently ensures that every patient receives the highest quality of care by anticipating needs, overcoming obstacles with resilience, and identifying challenges before they escalate.
Janell doesn't just recognize problems; she thoughtfully develops and implements the perfect solutions, inspiring her team to do the same. Her leadership creates a positive, supportive environment where both patients and staff thrive, making her an exceptional role model and a true asset to our organization.