Jeanette Livelo
April 2026
Jeanette
Livelo
,
RN, DNP, MS/MBA, NEA-BC
Blake 7
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston
,
MA
United States
She builds confidence in others, fosters professional excellence, and prioritizes both patient care and staff well-being.
Jeanette embodies all the qualities of a DAISY Nurse Leader. She is the biggest cheerleader for the staff in the Medical ICU and consistently champions professional growth and development at every level. From CCTs pursuing nursing education to those exploring other roles in the medical field, Jeanette actively encourages continued learning and advancement. Many MICU nurses aspire to return to school for NP or CRNA programs, and Jeanette not only supports these goals but also coaches them through the process with enthusiasm and practical guidance.
She empowers staff to take pride in their nursing practice and frequently encourages them to apply for the Clinical Recognition Program. Jeanette walks alongside staff throughout the entire process - helping them reflect on their level of practice, preparing portfolios, and even conducting mock interviews. She also inspires innovation and quality improvement. One notable example is her encouragement of staff to submit ideas to the AACN CSI Academy a few years ago. A MICU team was selected to participate, and the project was an incredible success. It led to the innovation of a new medical-grade weighted blanket and continues today as an ongoing research study. Jeanette's enthusiasm, mentorship, and belief in her staff made this achievement possible.
Jeanette is highly visible and present in the unit. She participates in daily bedside rounds throughout the week and makes a point to greet patients and families, introducing herself and ensuring they feel supported. She maintains an open-door policy and openly invites staff to stop by anytime - whether for guidance or just to talk. She posts her weekly schedule so staff can easily arrange meetings, is consistently responsive to emails and Voalte messages, and is deeply accessible - sometimes to the point where we have to remind her to truly unplug when she is away. She regularly recognizes staff accomplishments during huddles, meetings, and emails, especially when someone has gone above and beyond or navigated a particularly challenging patient or family situation. She also organizes staff retreats focused on team connection, education, and awareness of unit-based initiatives, thoughtfully incorporating EAP sessions to support staff well-being.
Working in the MICU can be extraordinarily challenging. Nurses frequently care for critically ill patients while supporting families who are experiencing profound stress, grief, and fear. At times, that distress can manifest as anger, aggression, or even violence. Jeanette is a steadfast advocate for staff safety. Over the past several years, she has provided extensive education on the hospital's Code of Conduct, setting appropriate boundaries, and maintaining a safe environment for all team members.
When the ABRAT score was being introduced to general care units, Jeanette proactively volunteered the MICU as the pilot ICU. This allowed our team to collaborate in hospital-wide discussions about how ABRAT would function in critical care. Based on MICU feedback, meaningful changes were made to the tool's Epic design. Jeanette has been a passionate champion of ABRAT and continues to lead efforts in Workforce Safety. Her advocacy ensures that nurses and staff feel protected, heard, and supported.
Jeanette leads with visibility, approachability, innovation, and unwavering support. She builds confidence in others, fosters professional excellence, and prioritizes both patient care and staff well-being. She is not only a strong leader but also a true role model - and she exemplifies what it means to be a DAISY Nurse Leader.
***
Our Nurse Director has served as the nurse director for the past 13 years, guiding the department through significant growth and change. Throughout this time, she has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to valuing and supporting her nursing staff. By regularly assessing the health of the work environment through staff surveys, she ensures that team members feel heard and engaged.
Our Nurse Director shared the survey results and empowered bedside nurses to take an active role in shaping their workplace by inviting them to identify and prioritize areas for improvement. This collaborative approach fosters teamwork, mutual respect, and shared ownership of the unit's culture. As a result, staff are better supported and more cohesive, which directly enhances their ability to provide high-quality care to the complex patient population served in the unit.
Another meaningful example of her impact is the implementation of real-time recognition for a job well done. This practice extends beyond nursing staff to include unit coordinators and environmental services team members, reinforcing that every role is essential to patient care. While simple, this recognition is highly valued and helps create a positive, motivated work environment, enabling staff to deliver compassionate, attentive, and effective care. Through her dedication and persistence, our director strengthened staffing in the unit by ensuring patient acuity is accurately reflected, so the unit can advocate for and maintain appropriate staffing levels. This has directly supported nurses in delivering safe, high-quality care to complex patients. In addition, she fosters a culture of professional development by encouraging staff to pursue certifications and continuing education. In 2025 alone, three nurses obtained certification, with more planning to do so in 2026.
In conclusion, our Nurse Director's genuine care for her staff is evident throughout the unit and reflected in the outstanding care patients receive. The environment she has fostered is not only supportive but inspiring, so much so that nurses from other departments are drawn to this unit. Those who visit often leave in awe, commenting on the exceptional teamwork, compassion, and collaboration that define the unit.
She empowers staff to take pride in their nursing practice and frequently encourages them to apply for the Clinical Recognition Program. Jeanette walks alongside staff throughout the entire process - helping them reflect on their level of practice, preparing portfolios, and even conducting mock interviews. She also inspires innovation and quality improvement. One notable example is her encouragement of staff to submit ideas to the AACN CSI Academy a few years ago. A MICU team was selected to participate, and the project was an incredible success. It led to the innovation of a new medical-grade weighted blanket and continues today as an ongoing research study. Jeanette's enthusiasm, mentorship, and belief in her staff made this achievement possible.
Jeanette is highly visible and present in the unit. She participates in daily bedside rounds throughout the week and makes a point to greet patients and families, introducing herself and ensuring they feel supported. She maintains an open-door policy and openly invites staff to stop by anytime - whether for guidance or just to talk. She posts her weekly schedule so staff can easily arrange meetings, is consistently responsive to emails and Voalte messages, and is deeply accessible - sometimes to the point where we have to remind her to truly unplug when she is away. She regularly recognizes staff accomplishments during huddles, meetings, and emails, especially when someone has gone above and beyond or navigated a particularly challenging patient or family situation. She also organizes staff retreats focused on team connection, education, and awareness of unit-based initiatives, thoughtfully incorporating EAP sessions to support staff well-being.
Working in the MICU can be extraordinarily challenging. Nurses frequently care for critically ill patients while supporting families who are experiencing profound stress, grief, and fear. At times, that distress can manifest as anger, aggression, or even violence. Jeanette is a steadfast advocate for staff safety. Over the past several years, she has provided extensive education on the hospital's Code of Conduct, setting appropriate boundaries, and maintaining a safe environment for all team members.
When the ABRAT score was being introduced to general care units, Jeanette proactively volunteered the MICU as the pilot ICU. This allowed our team to collaborate in hospital-wide discussions about how ABRAT would function in critical care. Based on MICU feedback, meaningful changes were made to the tool's Epic design. Jeanette has been a passionate champion of ABRAT and continues to lead efforts in Workforce Safety. Her advocacy ensures that nurses and staff feel protected, heard, and supported.
Jeanette leads with visibility, approachability, innovation, and unwavering support. She builds confidence in others, fosters professional excellence, and prioritizes both patient care and staff well-being. She is not only a strong leader but also a true role model - and she exemplifies what it means to be a DAISY Nurse Leader.
***
Our Nurse Director has served as the nurse director for the past 13 years, guiding the department through significant growth and change. Throughout this time, she has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to valuing and supporting her nursing staff. By regularly assessing the health of the work environment through staff surveys, she ensures that team members feel heard and engaged.
Our Nurse Director shared the survey results and empowered bedside nurses to take an active role in shaping their workplace by inviting them to identify and prioritize areas for improvement. This collaborative approach fosters teamwork, mutual respect, and shared ownership of the unit's culture. As a result, staff are better supported and more cohesive, which directly enhances their ability to provide high-quality care to the complex patient population served in the unit.
Another meaningful example of her impact is the implementation of real-time recognition for a job well done. This practice extends beyond nursing staff to include unit coordinators and environmental services team members, reinforcing that every role is essential to patient care. While simple, this recognition is highly valued and helps create a positive, motivated work environment, enabling staff to deliver compassionate, attentive, and effective care. Through her dedication and persistence, our director strengthened staffing in the unit by ensuring patient acuity is accurately reflected, so the unit can advocate for and maintain appropriate staffing levels. This has directly supported nurses in delivering safe, high-quality care to complex patients. In addition, she fosters a culture of professional development by encouraging staff to pursue certifications and continuing education. In 2025 alone, three nurses obtained certification, with more planning to do so in 2026.
In conclusion, our Nurse Director's genuine care for her staff is evident throughout the unit and reflected in the outstanding care patients receive. The environment she has fostered is not only supportive but inspiring, so much so that nurses from other departments are drawn to this unit. Those who visit often leave in awe, commenting on the exceptional teamwork, compassion, and collaboration that define the unit.