DCI Nurse Receives National Recognition

Jessica Jin worked for three years after college as a research technician in Duke’s Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapies. She would also help consent hematology and oncology patients into research trials. Several patients mentioned that her sunny personality brightened their day and they encouraged her to become a nurse. When a physician on the unit also recommended she return to school, Jin decided to pursue a career in oncology nursing.

Jin’s journey has come full circle. For the past four years, she has been a nurse at Duke University Hospital on the same unit she used to work on as a research technician. She cares for patients battling blood cancers like leukemia and auto-immune diseases like systematic scleroderma.

“I really love my co-workers. It’s such a supportive environment,” said Jin, RN, BSN, BMTCN, a clinical nurse III. “I also enjoy working with this patient population. Working with oncology patients is difficult. But when they thank you for giving them a new chance at life, it helps balance the tough days.”

Earlier this year, Jin received news that validated her chosen profession. She is the 2021 Blood and Marrow Transplant Certified Nurse of the Year (BMTCN). The annual award recognizes a nurse who has made significant contributions to blood and marrow transplant (BMT) nursing and nursing service as well as supported and promoted BMT nursing and/or oncology nursing certification.

“Jessica is one of those individuals that always looks for opportunities to advance evidence-based nursing, but it is her human compassion that moved me to recommend her for BMTCN of the Year,” said Kristin Kegerreis, RN, BMTCN, clinical lead nurse on the 9200 unit. “She is an advocate for patients and will even come in on her days off to assist with admissions. It is Jessica’s drive to advance BMT nursing and her commitment to compassionate care that make her the BMTCN of the Year.”

Jin received the award virtually during the Oncology Nursing Society’s annual congress on April 20. And she’s been accepted into the Duke University School of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program.

“I’m excited for the future and I intend to remain in oncology nursing,” Jin said.