The term Nurse Leader brings many ideas to one's head. I have been a team member of this facility for 23 years. I have worked under many different styles of leadership in my career as an OR nurse. I have seen bad times and good. In all the years I have worked in the OR, Jennifer Mitchell has been and is the best Manager I have ever worked for. She is compassionate, fair, dependable, and supports her team. She makes herself available to any of us at any time to discuss concerns and help us troubleshoot issues. She is open to new ideas from the team that improves the workflow of our department. For example, when she was approached about instituting a Shared Governance Council in the OR, she gave us her full support and facilitated establishing the council. This is an idea that has never been utilized in our department. The SGC allows front facing team members to have an impact on issues that impact their daily workflow. By supporting this effort, Jennifer has empowered the team, improved engagement, and morale and promoted a decentralized leadership style. She is truly the embodiment of a transformational leader in her department and throughout Vidant Health.
Jennifer leads by example. She is active in community activities, VH committees, and professional organizations. She is active with promoting team engagement throughout the hospital; serving as an Experience Champion for the Office of Experience. She serves on the OR VCG; representing Vidant Beaufort Hospital Surgical Services in matters that affect our daily workflow. She also assists in "Ringing the Bell" for the Salvation Army. These are a few of the examples she sets as a Nurse Leader.
In her time as the Surgical Services Manager, Jennifer has improved team morale and engagement. Front facing team members feel supported and empowered. She is truly a DAISY Nurse Leader.
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I have worked side by side with Jennifer Mitchell for a great number of years and throughout that experience, she has been a true professional. I have observed her handle the most stressful situations with confidence and calm. It is not always possible to attend to all of the "fires" but she gives it 100%, which in turn, makes those under her supervision respond the same.
We are fortunate to have her as our manager.