Jennifer M Rinvelt
October 2025
Jennifer M
Rinvelt
,
BSN, RN, CEN, CPEN, SANE-A
Emergency Department
University of Michigan Health - West
Wyoming
,
MI
United States
Jen leads by example by following policies, asking questions, and collaboratively working with all the multidisciplinary teams that are included in an ED patient’s visit.
I would like to nominate Jen Rinvelt, BSN, RN, CEN, CPEN, SANE-A, for the Daisy Nurse Leader award. Jen embodies servant leadership, compassionate nursing care, and has gone above and beyond to serve our community and team members.
Jen role models extraordinary behavior by coming in extra hours when the team is short. She jumps into any difficult clinical scenario with grace, knowledge, and compassion. Jen leads by example by following policies, asking questions, and collaboratively working with all the multidisciplinary teams that are included in an ED patient’s visit.
Jen has gone above and beyond the ensure the ED Nursing team is prepared for low-frequency, high-risk patient populations, including obstetric emergencies and pediatric patients. Jen initiated bringing the Pediatric Early Warning Score (PEWS) in 2020 when she recognized we were under-triaging pediatric patients. She subsequently monitored every pediatric patient presenting to the ED for years to ensure we were appropriately using the PEWS and that our triage accuracy was improving. This project improved our pediatric triage accuracy from 47.6% (2019) to 92.5% (2021), and she continues to monitor for opportunities. She continues to advocate for our pediatric population through participation on the Pediatric Care Committee, completing routine pediatric readiness assessments, and closing gaps identified through these venues. Jen collaborated with the ED Educator Dawn Coval to bring the Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course to West after identifying our other options in the community were not best serving our ED Team Members.
Jen also advocates for our pregnancy loss and obstetric emergency patient population. Jen did research on her own time to find a not-for-profit “Metro Detroit Share” that will donate early pregnancy loss gift bags. These bags include resources for grieving, a small blanket, personal care supplies, a journal, a candle, a bear, and other items to support the patient once they return home. Jen ensures the ED always has these well-stocked and encourages all our team members to provide them to patients seeking care in the ED for early pregnancy loss. After recognizing a new need for our patients with sensory processing disorders, Jen created a sensory bin including hearing protection, sunglasses, worry stones, lap mats, and sound machines to improve the experience of this unique patient population.
Jen has created a unique partnership with the Childbirth Center to ensure the ED is prepared for obstetrical emergencies. She collaborates with the unit CNS, Emily Hapner, to identify best practices, communication opportunities, and process improvement. Jen has updated the ED’s obstetrical triage guidelines, improved triage documentation, and advocates for ongoing education for the ED RN.
Personally, when a personal event overwhelmed me and I needed a hug, she was there with an empathetic embrace and pure compassion in her eyes.
Jen is a DAISY Nurse Leader, and I hope you will consider this nomination. From ED Staff members:
Jen role models extraordinary behavior by coming in extra hours when the team is short. She jumps into any difficult clinical scenario with grace, knowledge, and compassion. Jen leads by example by following policies, asking questions, and collaboratively working with all the multidisciplinary teams that are included in an ED patient’s visit.
Jen has gone above and beyond the ensure the ED Nursing team is prepared for low-frequency, high-risk patient populations, including obstetric emergencies and pediatric patients. Jen initiated bringing the Pediatric Early Warning Score (PEWS) in 2020 when she recognized we were under-triaging pediatric patients. She subsequently monitored every pediatric patient presenting to the ED for years to ensure we were appropriately using the PEWS and that our triage accuracy was improving. This project improved our pediatric triage accuracy from 47.6% (2019) to 92.5% (2021), and she continues to monitor for opportunities. She continues to advocate for our pediatric population through participation on the Pediatric Care Committee, completing routine pediatric readiness assessments, and closing gaps identified through these venues. Jen collaborated with the ED Educator Dawn Coval to bring the Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course to West after identifying our other options in the community were not best serving our ED Team Members.
Jen also advocates for our pregnancy loss and obstetric emergency patient population. Jen did research on her own time to find a not-for-profit “Metro Detroit Share” that will donate early pregnancy loss gift bags. These bags include resources for grieving, a small blanket, personal care supplies, a journal, a candle, a bear, and other items to support the patient once they return home. Jen ensures the ED always has these well-stocked and encourages all our team members to provide them to patients seeking care in the ED for early pregnancy loss. After recognizing a new need for our patients with sensory processing disorders, Jen created a sensory bin including hearing protection, sunglasses, worry stones, lap mats, and sound machines to improve the experience of this unique patient population.
Jen has created a unique partnership with the Childbirth Center to ensure the ED is prepared for obstetrical emergencies. She collaborates with the unit CNS, Emily Hapner, to identify best practices, communication opportunities, and process improvement. Jen has updated the ED’s obstetrical triage guidelines, improved triage documentation, and advocates for ongoing education for the ED RN.
Personally, when a personal event overwhelmed me and I needed a hug, she was there with an empathetic embrace and pure compassion in her eyes.
Jen is a DAISY Nurse Leader, and I hope you will consider this nomination. From ED Staff members:
- She is a strong advocate for us as staff. When a patient or family is escalating, she is right there to support us and help de-escalate the situation, ensuring our safety.
- She is always willing to help. She is great in a crisis – staying steady and solid.
- She allows us to grow and does not micromanage. She has allowed me to participate in interviews and help ensure the right people join our team.
- She will not ask us to do something that she is not willing to do herself.
- Jen is a very good advocate for the department. She is always looking out for her staff, being encouraging, and is very deserving of this recognition.