Meet Jo T., Emergency Department RN at Shenandoah Memorial Hospital

Jo has always been passionate about caring for others. She began her nursing career as an RN and quickly moved into administrative and nursing leadership roles. However, she never lost sight of why she entered nursing in the first place—to take care of people at the bedside.

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jo worked in home health but desired to work in the hospital setting so she applied for a role at Shenandoah Memorial Hospital’s (SMH) Emergency Department. Healthcare workers were facing unprecedented challenges, but Jo was eager to contribute in a more hands-on way and she learned that working with a close-knit team in a high-intensity setting was the perfect fit for her personality.

Living just five miles from SMH in Woodstock, Jo feels a deep connection to her community. "I love that I'm so close," she says. "I could walk to work if I needed to. It feels like I'm not just working at a hospital but serving my neighbors and community."

As an emergency department nurse in a smaller, Critical Access Hospital, Jo finds that patients appreciate the care they receive on a very personal level. "People here are grateful for the care we provide; it makes our work feel valued, and in larger hospital settings, it's not always like that."

One of the things Jo values most about her job is teamwork. "We all rely on one another," she says. "The nurses, respiratory therapists, CT, and X-ray techs are all part of the same team. No matter how hectic or crazy things get in the ED, someone always has your back."

Jo also credits the department's leadership for creating a supportive work environment. "There's a lot of burn out in the ED because the work is so intense, but the teamwork and leadership help us avoid that here. We maintain a healthy environment because we support each other."

Over time, Jo has realized that the emergency department is where she thrives, thanks to the team. "I didn't expect the ED to be my favorite place to work, but the people here make it amazing," she shares. "The teamwork here is what makes this my favorite role. It's demanding but also the most fulfilling job I've ever had." ​

SMH is a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital located in Woodstock, Virginia. SMH is hiring for several positions, both clinical and non-clinical, all with competitive pay rates, sign-on bonuses (depending on the position), and excellent benefits. Search for opportunities at Careers (myworkdayjobs.com).