Beyond the Bedside: Jean’s Journey as a Nurse Practitioner in the NICU

When Jean first stepped into the world of nursing in 1990, she had no idea her path would lead her to become such a pillar of care, leadership and innovation in Sunnybrook’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). By 1999, she had embarked on her Nurse Practitioner (NP) journey—long before the role was widely understood or recognized. Today, decades later, Jean continues to shape what it means to be an NP in one of the most complex and emotionally charged areas of health care.

More Than a Title

Ask Jean what it means to be a Nurse Practitioner, and she’ll tell you it’s far more than a job description. While many still wonder what the NP title truly entails, Jean sees it as an opportunity—a chance to educate, collaborate and build trust. In the NICU, where families are at their most vulnerable and uncertainty hangs in the air, her role becomes a source of stability.

When parents first arrive—often overwhelmed, frightened, and in information overload—Jean makes it her mission to slow things down. She sits with them, listens, explains, and earns their trust. For her, care doesn’t begin with a chart or monitor. It begins with connection.

The Work You Don’t See

Jean is the first to say that so much of what NPs do isn’t visible to most people. Behind every bedside moment are hours spent developing policies, updating clinical practices, and navigating new areas of research—especially in the NICU, where the NP role is still evolving and often under-studied.

This “invisible work,” as Jean calls it, is part of what pushes care forward. It’s how she and her colleagues ensure that not only are they caring for today’s patients, but also shaping better care for tomorrow’s.

A Place of Constant Learning

What Jean loves most about the NICU is the teamwork. Every day brings opportunities to learn from residents, fellows, physicians, nurses, and even the tiniest patients and their families. She sees herself as both a mentor and a student—guiding others while always staying open to new ideas and perspectives.

In a unit where trainees come and go regularly, Jean believes the NP and nursing teams offer something invaluable: continuity. They are the steady thread in a constantly changing environment—providing reassurance for both families and staff.

Evolving Care, Together

After more than three decades in nursing and over 20 years as an NP, Jean remains deeply committed to growth. Whether it’s exploring new models of care, mentoring future practitioners or simply being a constant face in a time of crisis, she approaches every day with the same belief—care is a partnership.

And in the NICU, where every heartbeat matters and every family carries hope mixed with fear, that partnership makes all the difference.