Jennifer Kruse is applying for the Director of Nursing position at St. Joe Hospital leading their Generations Dementia Care and adult mental health units. With over 22 years of nursing experience and a proven track record of transforming struggling units, she believes she is well-qualified for the role. As a previous unit manager, she took a low performing unit and made it the best in the hospital by coaching, mentoring, and finding each staff member's talents. She has a passion for healthcare and bringing a positive attitude. Her resume is enclosed and she is available to discuss the position further.

1. January 11, 2013
Cherly Reives
St. Joe Hosptial
700 Broasway
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802
Dear Ms. Reives:
Please accept my application for the Director of Nursing position leading Generations Dementia
Care as well as the adult mental health unit at Saint Joseph Hospital. As a registered nurse, I
have over twenty-two years of leadership experience and a proven ability to manage both
patients and staff successfully. I have a passion for health care and bring a creative, positive
“can do” attitude to my team.
As manager of the cardiovascular step down unit, I was given the duty of taking what was known
as the “worst” unit in the hospital to transforming it into the best. Over the eight years, that
mission was successfully accomplished. It was accomplished by coaching and leading and
mentoring not only staff but the patients. It was a matter of leading by example, finding out what
each person did best and helping that person’s talent shine. I provided extensive nursing
education to staff to enrich their knowledge not only related to patient care but also to patient
education. I worked closely with physicians to ensure our team was providing the highest quality
care possible. I partnered with the nursing director of neuro/trauma services, and together, we
developed our hospital’s rapid response team guidelines, protocols as well as led the nurses. I
analyzed all rapid response events, promoting opportunities for improved patient care and
nursing education.
I bring with me rich experiences and a long record of accomplished goals: leading my nursing
team to excellent care, obtaining 100% of patient satisfaction score for the first quarter of 2012,
and maintained a 1.5 patient fall rate. During my interim leading the geriatric psych unit for six
months, I lead my team from the thirtieth percentile of patient satisfaction to the ninety-ninth. I
also reduced falls from an average of five to seven a month to 0.5 a month.
A copy of my résumé is enclosed. I appreciate your time and careful consideration; I am
available to meet with you at your convenience to discuss this position and my qualifications
further. You may reach me at JLBKruse@gmail.com or at 260-693-6409. I look forward to
hearing back from you!
Sincerely
Jennifer Kruse