Jezel Jacob-Ashby, MSN

I attribute my success to my passion for working in healthcare. Helping others, building meaningful connections with patients, and contributing to their well-being motivates me to continuously grow and excel in my field.

The best career advice I’ve ever received was to never minimize my talents, stay authentic, and truly listen. Early on, it’s easy to downplay your abilities or second-guess what you bring to the table, especially in environments where you’re still learning. I learned that confidence doesn’t mean knowing everything, it means recognizing your value, your skills, and the unique perspective you contribute.

Staying authentic has also been important. When you try to fit into a mold that isn’t you, it becomes exhausting and unsustainable. Being genuine builds trust with patients, colleagues, and leaders, and it allows you to lead and work in a way that aligns with your values.

And finally, listening, really listening, is one of the most powerful professional skills. Listening to patients helps you provide better, more compassionate care. Listening to coworkers builds stronger teamwork. Listening to feedback helps you grow. Those three things together, confidence in your abilities, authenticity, and the willingness to listen, have shaped how I approach my career every day.

My advice to young women entering this field is to come in with both confidence and compassion. Healthcare, especially in areas like home health, can be an incredibly rewarding profession where you truly make a difference in people’s lives during vulnerable moments. You get the privilege of building meaningful connections, supporting families, and helping patients maintain dignity and independence.

That said, this work asks a lot of you. To thrive, you need a genuine heart for people, deep compassion, and a strong work ethic. There will be challenging days, emotionally, physically, and mentally, but your dedication, integrity, and commitment to doing the right thing for your patients will carry you through. Time management, organization, and the ability to advocate for both your patients and yourself are also essential skills to develop early.

I would also encourage young women to speak up, ask questions, and seek mentors. You belong in this field. Your voice, perspective, and empathy are strengths, not weaknesses. When you combine professionalism with kindness and resilience, you don’t just build a career , you build a purpose-driven life.

One of the biggest challenges in healthcare right now, especially in home health, is clinician burnout driven by excessive documentation requirements. While documentation is essential for compliance, communication, and quality of care, the volume and complexity can take significant time away from direct patient interaction. Clinicians often find themselves balancing patient needs with administrative demands, which can lead to fatigue, reduced job satisfaction, and a risk of compassion burnout.

At the same time, this challenge presents a major opportunity for improvement and innovation. There is growing momentum around streamlining workflows, improving electronic health record systems, and using tools like automation and ambient documentation to reduce the burden on clinicians. When documentation processes are more efficient and user-friendly, clinicians can spend more time focusing on patient-centered care, education, and meaningful engagement with patients and families.

Another opportunity is strengthening team communication and interdisciplinary collaboration. As care becomes more complex, coordinated, well-documented care plans can improve outcomes — but only if systems support clinicians rather than overwhelm them.

Overall, the field is at a turning point where addressing documentation burden, supporting clinician well-being, and leveraging smarter technology can lead to both better care delivery and a more sustainable work environment for healthcare professionals.

The values that matter most to me in both my work and personal life are integrity, compassion, and creating a positive, supportive environment. In my professional role, I’m deeply committed to patient-centered care — making sure every individual feels heard, respected, and involved in their care decisions. I believe healthcare is not just about tasks and checklists, but about truly seeing the person behind the diagnosis and advocating for what’s best for them.

Integrity guides how I work every day. I believe in doing the right thing even when no one is watching, being honest in communication, and taking responsibility for my actions. Trust is the foundation of both patient relationships and teamwork, and I work hard to earn and maintain that trust.

I also value bringing a sense of positivity and fun into what I do. Healthcare can be stressful, and I believe a supportive, encouraging, and occasionally lighthearted atmosphere helps both patients and colleagues feel more at ease. Creating moments of comfort, connection, and even laughter can make a meaningful difference in someone’s day.

Overall, I strive to balance professionalism with compassion, accountability with kindness, and hard work with a spirit that keeps the environment uplifting and human.