Portsmouth, Va. (November 26, 2007) – Jeanne Venella, RN, MS, CEN, interim director of the Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center Emergency Department, recently received the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) 2007 Nursing Practice Award for Excellence in Clinical Practice

Venella received this prestigious national award at the ENA annual conference in Salt Lake City at the end of September. The award honors an emergency nurse who exemplifies outstanding nursing practice as demonstrated by clinical skills, caring and compassion. A recipient consistently perform above and beyond the requirements of the job description in delivering quality care to patients and participates in nursing programs, committees or projects contributing to emergency nursing practice. 

Venella has been with Bon Secours Maryview since June. Prior to this, she spent 25 years at the Philadelphia Children’s Hospital, one of the nation’s leading tertiary pediatric hospitals. A Certified Emergency Nurse appointed to sit on the National Pediatric Disaster and Preparedness Committee at the American Academy of Pediatrics, Venella’s roles have included: providing direct patient care to critically ill or injured children, serving as a preceptor, supervising a staff more than 135, process improvement planning and change leader. She is also well known for her expertise in recruitment and retention initiatives, and the specific and unique needs of children in disaster and bio-terrorism.

Venella has lectured at numerous national and state Emergency Nursing Conferences on a variety of emergency nursing and professional development topics. She holds a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Villanova University and a master's of science in organizational leadership. She is an active member of the Emergency Nurses Association and a resource specialist for that association. She has also served on many national level committees within ENA.