Janice
Gregory
February 2012
Janice
Gregory
,
BSN, RN
Infectious Disease
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Lebanon
,
NH
United States
Surrounded by many of her colleagues, Janice “Jan” Gregory, BSN, RN, listened to Chief Nursing Officer Linda von Reyn, PhD, RN, read the praises of a mother grateful for the way Gregory cared for her son after he developed a post-surgical infection in his knee.
In her nomination letter for February's DAISY Award, a mother described how Gregory went out of her way first to explain test results, then to educate them on administration of IV medication, and finally -- after her son developed a DVT -- to take the time to alert the patient's PCP to order an immediate evaluation.
Gregory recalled working with the family, and noticed how the mother, a fellow nurse, struggled to balance the role of caring for her son as a mother rather than as a professional.
“You’re not as comfortable pushing the buttons when you take off your nursing hat,” Gregory said.
In her letter, the patient’s mother wrote, “She always went the extra mile,” before adding, “She made a big difference in our comfort level of managing my son’s care at home.”
The mother closed her letter with this observation: “Dartmouth is very fortunate to have Janice, an outstanding nurse, and we are very fortunate that my son was under her care.”
Gregory's DHMC colleagues, like Rhonda Amadon, echoed that sentiment: “Patients appreciate her because she gives of herself that extra effort."
“I will knock myself out to do everything I can to help people,” Gregory said.
Following in the footsteps of most DAISY Award recipients, Gregory tried to brush aside the praise after von Reyn reminded her, “The family believes that you’ve done something extraordinary.”
“I’ve read these other articles," Gregory said. "These are awesome nurses.”
To which von Reyn replied, “And now you’re one of them.”
Gregory started her professional journey 36 years ago, going from nursing school to the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Next were assignments in Alaska and San Francisco, before she returned to the East Coast. She's spent 22 years at DHMC the last seven in the infectious-disease group.
All this, for someone who went into the profession because she liked people and wanted to travel. “I was a traveling nurse before I knew that there were traveling nurses,” she said. “I’ve had some of the greatest nursing jobs.”
“I just wish that I could give this award to all the other fabulous nurses that work here!” said Gregory.
In her nomination letter for February's DAISY Award, a mother described how Gregory went out of her way first to explain test results, then to educate them on administration of IV medication, and finally -- after her son developed a DVT -- to take the time to alert the patient's PCP to order an immediate evaluation.
Gregory recalled working with the family, and noticed how the mother, a fellow nurse, struggled to balance the role of caring for her son as a mother rather than as a professional.
“You’re not as comfortable pushing the buttons when you take off your nursing hat,” Gregory said.
In her letter, the patient’s mother wrote, “She always went the extra mile,” before adding, “She made a big difference in our comfort level of managing my son’s care at home.”
The mother closed her letter with this observation: “Dartmouth is very fortunate to have Janice, an outstanding nurse, and we are very fortunate that my son was under her care.”
Gregory's DHMC colleagues, like Rhonda Amadon, echoed that sentiment: “Patients appreciate her because she gives of herself that extra effort."
“I will knock myself out to do everything I can to help people,” Gregory said.
Following in the footsteps of most DAISY Award recipients, Gregory tried to brush aside the praise after von Reyn reminded her, “The family believes that you’ve done something extraordinary.”
“I’ve read these other articles," Gregory said. "These are awesome nurses.”
To which von Reyn replied, “And now you’re one of them.”
Gregory started her professional journey 36 years ago, going from nursing school to the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Next were assignments in Alaska and San Francisco, before she returned to the East Coast. She's spent 22 years at DHMC the last seven in the infectious-disease group.
All this, for someone who went into the profession because she liked people and wanted to travel. “I was a traveling nurse before I knew that there were traveling nurses,” she said. “I’ve had some of the greatest nursing jobs.”
“I just wish that I could give this award to all the other fabulous nurses that work here!” said Gregory.