Although she only graduated from Trent University’s Nursing program a couple of years ago, alumna Jordyn Woodhouse RN ’17 (Otonabee College) has already become an award-winning leader for her role as an outstanding mentor to current Nursing students.

The 23-year-old took home the Preceptor Award during the Trent Fleming School of Nursing (TFSON) annual awards ceremony on Friday, April 28 in recognition of her role as a supervisor to current Trent students who work alongside her in a placement at Centennial Place long-term care facility.

“I am so flattered to win this award,” she says. “Since I’m so young in my career, the award made me optimistic about all the possibilities for my future professional goals.”

The award came just before National Nursing Week (May 8 to 14). This year’s theme is ‘Our Nurses. Our Future.’ to showcase the many roles that nurses play in a patient’s health-care journey.

Jordyn was nominated for her award by fourth-year Trent Nursing student Robert Scheuneman who describes her as an exemplary mentor who models collaboration, demonstrates an expertise beyond her years, and shows genuine compassion.

“She takes painstaking efforts to ensure each resident receives the care and comfort they deserve, and you will often find her taking time out of her hectic schedule to provide them heartfelt conversations that they so desperately need,” Robert says.

Jordyn also excels at helping her students reach for excellence, he adds, by always making them feel comfortable when expressing gaps in their knowledge.

“Not once did I feel silly asking her any question,” Robert says. “I felt rewarded for my willingness to learn, which further stimulated my willingness to learn.”

Jordyn became a preceptor only one year after becoming a registered nurse. She says TFSON prepared her well for her career by not only teaching the fundamentals but also connecting her with great faculty who have served as mentors and references. She also enjoyed the fact that clinical placements start in the first year to get early hands-on experience, and that those placements provide opportunities to delve into areas of interest.

In her second-year clinical placement, for example, Jordyn worked with the staff at Lakefield Extendicare to address non-pharmacologic approaches to pain management.

It’s now rewarding to stay connected to the University, she says, by helping train the nurses of tomorrow