Susan Furlong, BSN, RN

NOVA Chapter 226

VA Boston Healthcare System

Jennifer Jones, LPN

Jennifer Jones, LPN, works in the Podiatry Clinic at the VA Boston Healthcare System. The Podiatrists, Veterans and her co-workers appreciate her professionalism, expertise and kindness and consistently sing her praises. Therefore, it wasn’t surprising when the COVID crisis hit that Jennifer was willing to provide her top-notch level of nursing care wherever she was needed. She was assigned to 7-2-C, the COVID Unit at the Brockton Campus, from April 15, 2020 - June 5, 2020.

Upon arriving to the unit, Jennifer could hear one of the patients loudly voicing their displeasure about being sick, elderly and bedridden. She was apprised by one of her fellow nurses that caring for this particular patient was challenging. Without hesitation, Jennifer entered the patient’s room and introduced herself. Jennifer was surprised when the yelling ceased and the Veteran stated: “Thank you for coming. You have beautiful eyes”. In an instant, a bond was created, the yelling stopped and a more cooperative patient emerged. Jennifer requested to care for this patient every shift she worked.  

Using gentle, kind words Jennifer was able to get the Veteran to share her life story; her career as an interior decorator, the book she wrote, her life in the Army during World War II and many other memorable moments. Jennifer reached out and touched the soul of a lonely, dying female Veteran and as a result, the Veteran found the comfort and solace she required. 

It is with sadness that I inform you that the Veteran did succumb to illness and passed away. However, this Veteran was comforted in her final moments of life and went to her Peace holding the hand of this beautiful heart, Jennifer Jones.

Thank you, Jennifer Jones, for reminding all of us why we went into Nursing in the first place.