Jean Sebastian, RN, a home health nurse for Shore Home Care, was named a finalist in the Nurse Hero category when the 2010 Health Care Heroes were announced at a breakfast celebration in Baltimore on March 24. The Health Care Hero annual awards program recognizes Maryland’s physicians, nurses and volunteers who exemplify the highest standards of care.

A nurse for more than 50 years, Sebastian says, “In home care, where the nursing process is one-to-one, I need to respect (my patients) and their private space. The outcomes are the healing wounds, the blood sugar that is in control because of the teaching that has gone on, and the resolution of anxiety and depression because the patient is recovering.”

Sebastian earned her Health Care Hero status through her work as a mentor for novice nurse, Debi Case, RN. Sebastian accepted the challenge of training Case and coaching her to become an independent and competent practitioner.

Commenting on the success of her coaching experience, Sebastian adds, “At Shore Home Care, we expanded this mentoring program to all newly hired nurses, whether they have three years of experience or ten. We have solved the problem of hiring and retaining the nursing staff because they feel confident in their practice and are independent, capable, caring and joyful in their work.”