Everyday Heroes: Jamie
Jamie Gillespie, BSN, RN
Patient Care Manager, Emergency Department, Medstar Washington Hospital Center
“I am proud to serve as a leader for this team and I am continuously seeking ways to best support them in and out of the clinical setting. They are the true Health Heroes!”
Why did you decide to go into nursing?
My mother is a nurse, so naturally she played a major part in my decision to pursue nursing. After high school, I was determined to find my own path in life and settled on a career in Physical Therapy. One day after church, my mother and I witnessed an elderly woman go into cardiac arrest. Without hesitation, my mother immediately dropped to the ground in her Sunday’s best and began doing CPR until help arrived. My mother wasn’t concerned about the clothing she was wearing, or who was around her. All she cared about was saving a life. I was so proud and inspired by her in that moment and knew that nursing was truly the career for me.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part about being an ER Nurse is the fact that no two days are the same. The fast-paced nature of the Emergency Room challenges you to balance multiple life-threatening situations while providing empathy, compassion and the same quality of care to each patient. While emotionally taxing at times, it is rewarding to see a critically ill patient’s status improve as a result of your interventions.
Any comments on workflow experiences / personal challenges during COVID-19?
Being a Nurse Leader during the COVID-19 pandemic has definitely been a challenging experience. Staff are being faced with the unique challenges of changes to family dynamics, changing schedules, worries of exposure, and many more. Providing them with the necessary balance of managerial, clinical, and personal support during this time is crucial to the health of our employees and our unit.
Fortunately, our team is resilient, flexible, and truly patient centered. Their ability to continue rise to the occasion and meet the changes needs of our patients is exceptional. I am proud to serve as a leader for this team and I am continuously seeking ways to best support them in and out of the clinical setting. They are the true Health Heroes!