Jessica Wise always took pleasure in helping people. So, a career in health care was an obvious and natural step for her. And today, she is the nurse manager of the medical surgical/intensive care unit at Mercy Health – Tiffin Hospital.
“I became a state tested nursing assistant during high school and that pretty much sealed the deal for me in terms of choosing nursing,” she explains.
Jessica’s first job in nursing was on a long-term acute care floor where she helped care for patients facing a variety of medical needs. It was there that she truly began appreciating the impact she made on her patients’ lives.
“There was one gentleman that had come to us with a tracheostomy and on a ventilator,” Jessica recalls. “Over the two to three months that he was with us, we were able to watch him progress to the point that he was able to walk out of the facility on his own and back to his own home. It is moments like these where you realize that the blood, sweat and tears that we all go through in nursing make all the difference for a patient.”
Jessica earned her master of science in nursing (MSN) in education from Walden University, her bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) from Ohio University and her associate degree in nursing (ADN) from University of Toledo. Although she will always feel connected to her time in the emergency department, Jessica took on the responsibility of a nurse manager “to try and make a difference for those nurses I work with.”
“I want nurses to be happy to take care of people; that’s why we got into this career in the first place,” she adds. “I know the world has changed over the last three years, but I think there are a lot of avenues that we can venture on to change the way we do things for the better.”
Now as a leader, Jessica works to inspire her teams and others. She encourages nurses to ask questions and continue to learn.
“The medical world is always changing and there is always some new technique or gadget that we should know about to help make our lives and the patients easier.”
Jessica and her husband and have a dog, Alphonse, and two cats, Winston and Mason. They enjoy anything that gets them outdoors, spending time with their family and friends, watching movies, reading books and going to concerts.
Not only is National Nurses Month in May, but National Nurses Week is May 6 to May 12.
To all our nurses, we thank you for the excellent care you provide our patients every day! Read more of our nurses’ stories to celebrate.
Also, if you’re a nurse or a health care professional, we invite you to explore and pursue a career with us.
