When Jenil moved from North Carolina to Southern California 15 years ago, she was taking a leap. A former travel nurse, she was ready to lay down roots—but she had no family nearby or built-in support. That changed when she joined Providence. Welcomed with open arms by her team, and now, as Nurse Manager for Maternal and Child Health at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, Jenil works hard to ensure the next generation of nurses feel that same sense of camaraderie and inclusivity.

“They became part of my family.”

Despite relocating thousands of miles from home, Jenil’s colleagues made sure she felt anything but alone. From welcoming her into their homes for dinners to including her in social events like Super Bowl parties, baby showers, weddings and more, they bridged the gap between co-worker and friend. “They became part of my family,” Jenil recalls with a warm smile. “They made sure I didn’t feel alone during the holidays. I made friends back then who are still friends to this day.”

That closeness extends to their work, too. Jenil describes a special kind of trust in her team—especially in a unit where many caregivers choose to deliver their own babies. “Most of our caregivers deliver here with us, so we’re their labor and delivery nurse when they’re here in childbirth,” Jenil shares. “We are their postpartum nurse when they’re here once the baby’s born, and we’re helping with breastfeeding and helping them bond with their newborn baby.”

Jenil says this camaraderie among nurses strengthens the bonds that carry them through high-pressure workdays, making every challenge a little lighter and every success even sweeter. “I think when you have a really good bond with people that you work side by side with, when emergencies happen, all hands are on deck,” says Jenil. “When someone loses someone they love, we’re all there with cards and gifts to say, ‘We love you. We know it’s hard.’ We really are a family even outside of these walls.”

“Caregivers know they’re really cared about.”

As a manager, Jenil helps instill a sense of belonging in new nurses by being present and listening to what they have to say and making sure that her team can connect with leadership. “It makes a big difference when you know your leaders and you can just have a simple conversation with one of them in the cafeteria while you get your lunch. Having approachable leadership really makes you feel like you belong.” 

When she’s not assisting with patients, Jenil has an open-door policy and hopes everyone on her team feels safe approaching her with ideas, concerns or questions. “I tell people, ‘You can call me. You can text me.’ As a leader, I think it’s very important to remember that we are here to serve. I want my team to know that I see them and value them.”

Jenil adds that authenticity is critical. “You’re not going to always get it right, you’re going to make mistakes,” she says. “I think it’s important that everyone gives each other grace. It’s important to be engaged and to listen—and it’s important to be okay with not being right.”

“You feel like you matter.”

That sense of connection exists throughout the Mission Hills hospital. “When you walk into this building, you feel like you matter. You feel part of something important,” Jenil explains. “Even if I don’t always know someone by name, there’s always a kind word or ‘good morning!’ From our security officers, our phlebotomists, our EVS caregivers, to our HR caregivers, we all just have this genuine kindness and respect for one another. And I think that’s what makes a difference here.”

Jenil also finds support as part of the Black Caregiver Resource Group, which allows her to connect with people with shared perspectives and take advantage of mentorship and learning opportunities specific to the Black caregiver experience. Beyond a forum for professional development and connections, the group focuses on health equity for the Black population in the communities that Providence Holy Cross Medical Center serves, including San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Simi Valley.

“I think it’s lovely to see everyone here who wants to be involved,” says Jenil. “We all want to see equality in healthcare, and we want to see people treated with respect and dignity when they come in through our doors, no matter whether they can pay for the care or not, no matter what their ethnic background or race may be, and no matter what language they speak.”

Jenil is proud that the hospital has a diverse team of caregivers to serve its diverse population. “We have caregivers who speak Spanish, Farsi, Armenian and Russian. We have translators to make sure our patients understand exactly what we’re doing and the risks, benefits and alternatives.”

“I feel welcomed. I feel appreciated.”

Looking back, Jenil is glad she decided to give up travel nursing and take a role at Providence. “I am happy here,” she shares. “I feel welcomed. I feel appreciated for the hard work that I do. I’m very blessed and thankful to be a part of this family.”

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