Jean Riley RN, MHSM

Jean A. Riley, RN, MHSM Donor information:
Education:

My educational background began with a diploma in nursing from Baystate Medical Center (Springfield, MA). I soon realized that I needed to pursue further education and sought a Bachelor of Science in Professional Arts with a major in health care administration from St. Joseph’s College {Windham, ME). In order to advance in the profession of nursing I then pursued a Master’s degree in Health Services Management from the University of Mary Hardin Baylor {Belton, Texas).
Career:

As a registered nurse for more than 50 years, nursing has been my lifelong profession and passion. My wide-ranging career path has included positions in different healthcare settings such as: Staff Nurse and Supervisor in medical/surgical and gynecological units and an emergency department in a busy inner city hospital; Nursing Director of Extended Care Service line that included the emergency department, discharge planning, home health, psychiatry, rehabilitation and skilled nursing; Associate Executive Director of Nursing and Emergency Services at Scott & White Memorial Hospital (Temple, TX) overseeing 1600 nursing staff in the departments of critical are, cardiology, obstetrics, nursery, emergency department, pediatrics and ambulance/helicopter pre-hospital services; Regional Manager of Client Relations at BidShift, Inc. that provided an online staffing software program for acute care hospitals ; and South Regional RN for Arbor house Assisted Living & Memory Care responsible for overseeing resident care, medication delegation and as the primary educator for development of residential community care managers.
Leadership in Nursing

Throughout my career, I have been a keen observer of nurse leaders in various clinical and business settings. I actively sought to develop the personality traits and skills that helped to make them, and myself, successful including an ability to: utilize operations assessment, improve processes and quality of patient care and experience, manage relationships with collaboration and consensus, and project and budget plan, educate nurse managers, and actively engage in all aspects of customer service. Nurse leaders, both formal and informal, must also have innovative problem-solving techniques; be confident, a team player, and a lifelong learner; and always be willing to share the spotlight. Above all, nurse leaders must never forget why they became a nurse – to care for others, that is our professional promise.
I have developed and enjoyed personal and professional experience as a nurse, providing clinical care and educational opportunities, and have particularly found fulfillment through my own management and leadership positions. With this endowed scholarship, I hope to assist the development of new leaders for the future growth and excellence of the nursing profession.