Healthcare Heroes | Jennifer Furlong, RN

What is your official Title?
I am a Registered Nurse in the Clinical Resource Center. This means I work in multiple departments including IPC and ICU (the inpatient floors), and I’m getting trained to work in the Emergency Department.

How long have you been at Watertown Regional Medical Center? Have you always been in the same position?
I’ve worked at Watertown Regional Medical Center for only 5 months but I've been a nurse for over 10 years. Before coming to WRMC I was a stroke program coordinator for another hospital system and I worked in home health. Before I decided to become a nurse, I worked in education.

What do you enjoy most about working at Watertown Regional Medical Center?
The small, community feel and the fact that all of my fellow nurses are willing to help me learn shows how caring everyone is here. At the same time, the care is fantastic, the doctors are phenomenal and the education and orientation we do here is top-notch so patients are able to get quality care on-top of a caring atmosphere.

What was your inspiration for getting into healthcare?
Growing up, I loved science and I still love science today. I love investigating the how’s and why’s of what is happening to my patients so I can understand what's going on and work with them better.

What would you say to somebody wanting to get into your profession?
You have to have a passion for it and enjoy working with people. If that sounds like you, go for it! I truly believe that I am doing what I was meant to be doing.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
When I'm not at work, I'm usually taking care of my dogs and hanging out with my kids. We live on a little 10-acre farmette that gives me the ability to relax and take some time away. I also do a lot of studying. I have one-year left until I become a Nurse Practitioner.

What is your favorite place in the Watertown area?|
I am new to the area so let me know if you have any suggestions! I drive here from Columbus and really enjoy the countryside, especially in the warmer months.

Why do you believe patients can Count on Watertown Regional Medical Center for quality care?
We have a good team of people. The doctors are knowledgeable, the nurses are knowledgeable and well-trained. The training here, especially for a smaller community hospital is well put together. It's something that I didn’t get at previous positions in larger health networks. It was very nice to see and easy to learn.

What is one thing you’re doing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19?
I make sure to wear my mask, wash my hands and limit my activity to work and essential trips to the gas station and grocery store. We don’t have big gatherings and are making sure to keep things simple.