Meet CHA Nurse Jessica Loria
Staff at CHA celebrated Jessica’s Certified Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse (CWOCN) professional nurse certification.
Nurses play a vital role in health care teams across Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) every day. They go above and beyond to care for patients with kindness and compassion staying true to our mission of caring for everyone, regardless of race, gender or country of origin.
Over the next few months, we will be spotlighting individual nurses and teams of nurses at CHA who are making significant efforts to improve patient outcomes and foster innovative approaches to care. We sat down with Jessica Loria, BSN, RN, CWOCN, WCC, OMS, CHA’s Wound/Ostomy Nurse and Clinical Educator, recently to learn about her daily work.
When did you join CHA and what are some of your previous experiences?
I arrived at CHA in November 2018 after spending five years at the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) doing in-home visits with patients. Before that, I received my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. In the last three years, I have received a series of national certifications in wound, ostomy and continence (WOC). WOC nurses provide direct care to patients with wounds, fistulas, ostomies, drains and pressure injuries. In my role, I serve as an educator, consultant, researcher, and resource to our clinical staff.
Why should patients choose CHA for care?
I am so thankful to still be at the bedside (in our hospitals) and see the humanity our nurses bring to work every day. Patients should understand that we are always looking for ways to innovate to improve our care models. Also, CHA is a cohesive system and you will see friendly faces when you come to our locations.
What makes CHA a great place to work for nurses?
That’s a great question! If you are a recent graduate, CHA has a New Graduate RN Residency Program. It’s a 12-month program that helps new nurses transition into direct care roles. The program is awesome and filled with real-world scenarios in a simulated environment. It’s powerful to hear stories from seasoned CHA nurses and learn from their lived experiences.
For more experienced nurses who have been in the field, I’d say that our patients are deeply grateful for the care we provide. Our patients come from all walks of life and some struggle with the social determinants of health (access to safe housing, local food, and transportation). We also have nursing leadership that is focused on offering professional development and continuing education.
What projects are you most proud of?
Since I arrived at CHA (in 2018), I’ve been focused on tracking pressure injuries, updating our skincare products, and implementing evidence-based protocols that enhance patient care at the bedside. Over the last year, CHA has seen a decline in hospital-acquired pressure injuries thanks in part to improvement efforts of frontline clinical staff.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Well, I really enjoy running! During one of our morning safety huddles at Everett Hospital, someone mentioned that there was an extra bib for the upcoming Boston Marathon in 2019. Running the Boston Marathon has always been on my bucket list and I raised my hand without thinking. I took the plunge and it was great! I helped to raise almost $7,000 to support the CHA Foundation and our Recovery Coaches in the Emergency Department.
Disclaimer
This articles provide general information for educational purposes only. The information provided in this article, or through linkages to other sites, is not a substitute for medical or professional care, and you should not use the information in place of a visit, call consultation or the advice of your physician or other healthcare provider.