Dignity Health Merced | helloHealthy | Winter 2019

6 DignityHealth.org/Merced | Winter 2019 A nursing career advances Nursing has always been a perfect fit for Janet Ruscoe, MSN, RN. “From the moment I entered nursing school, it felt very natural to me,” she says. Growing up in a family of health care professionals, Ruscoe had early exposure to discussions on health care, health habits, and what it means when people trust you to take care of them. “I remember listening in on my father and grandfather talking about their work in health care,” she recalls. “I had endless questions, but they always took time to answer them.” Embracing leadership Ruscoe has 30-plus years of nursing experience, gaining leadership experience and advancing her nursing education along the way. Until recently, she was the senior director of perioperative and cath lab services at Dignity Health – Mercy Medical Center in Merced. In September, she was named the hospital’s vice president/chief nurse executive officer, putting her in charge of nearly 600 nurses. “Nursing leadership is something I’ve progressively embraced,” she says. “I’ve been drawn to positions where I have the ability to influence quality of care and create a healthy healing environment for patients and a healthy work environment for staff.” Ruscoe loves what she sees as the twin aspects of nursing: health care science and caring for her community. “I feel we have a duty to take care of our community,” she says. The nursing staff recognizes that their patients are the families, friends, and neighbors of our community members. Warm welcomes and caring support are part of our Hello humankindness promise to our community. A Pathway to Excellence As for the science aspect, one of Ruscoe’s goals in her new position is to work toward designating Dignity Health – Mercy Medical Center as a Pathway to Excellence facility. It requires meeting specific standards set by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. “It is a very achievable goal in the near future,” Ruscoe says. “We have a huge potential for growth here at Mercy Medical Center, and starting us on the Pathway to Excellence journey is an ideal way to advance our nursing practice.” The nursing staff recognizes that their patients are the families, friends, and neighbors of our community members. Warm welcomes and caring support are part of our Hello humankindness promise to our community.