Exceptional nurses provide exceptional patient care

‘Sunnybrook Moments’ recognizes exceptional nursing care at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre—but this recognition doesn’t come from management; rather, it comes straight from patients receiving care.

These ‘moments’ recognize the positive impact a nurse has made on a patient’s life or the life of a loved one. One patient felt compelled to recognize Jennifer Collens - registered practical nurse (RPN), saying: “Her competence as a nurse has only been exceeded by her empathy, care and concern for my well-being in our every interaction. Jennifer has a calm demeanour and obvious talent for her chosen profession.”

“It was fortunate for me to be under her care for several days in a row and how comforting it was to have that kind of consistency in my care. Even with all the demands on her time, Jenn was always patient and took care in her work. Nurses like Jenn Collens will make all the difference for our future.”

Collens has worked as a nurse at Sunnybrook for three years. While she started her career in another field, she realized she wanted to do something different to help people and make an impact in their lives. She also had a personal connection with Sunnybrook: It’s her community hospital, she’s had surgery there and she’s visited loved ones in the ICU there.

“I was always impressed with the way the nurses handled themselves and tackled the hardest parts of the job, bringing reassurance to families,” says Collens. It’s partly what inspired her to become a nurse—and, more specifically, to become a nurse at Sunnybrook.

After gaining experience in several departments, she decided to specialize in surgical oncology, where patients may receive a new cancer diagnosis or undergo cancer surgical treatment. It’s a department where Collens thrives with her specialized skills as a nurse.

Collens also makes sure to update patients frequently throughout the day, even if she doesn’t yet have an answer for them—and to spend extra time with anyone having a particularly tough day. It makes a significant difference for anyone living with a life changing surgery or diagnosis.

In her unit, she also has the ability to take on primary patients, “so that each shift you’re assigned, you’re going to see that patient.” That helps to build relationships, which can provide comfort and continuity of care to people.

While Collens is being recognized for her efforts as an exceptional nurse, she recognizes her colleagues for their efforts, too. “Teamwork is important,” she says, “because without your team you can’t do anything.”