Jacquie Steadman Found Family in Her Nursing Career

For Jacquie Steadman, BSN, RN, nursing has always been more than a job – it’s a calling. Her journey began in high school when she volunteered for a local nursing home and joined a medical assistant training program through Monroe Career & Technical Institute. That experience led her to become a nursing assistant at Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Pocono, where she found inspiration in the fast-paced world of cardiovascular and telemetry care.

“I thought it was so cool to see how everything worked together,” Steadman says. “I was drawn to patient care, especially with the elderly population, and how inpatient and outpatient services connected.”

Steadman worked as a nursing assistant while completing her degree, gaining firsthand experience and mentorship from seasoned nurses. Now, with more than a decade at Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), she’s paying forward that mentorship.

Starting as a “baby nurse,” Steadman found a home at LVH–Pocono. Surrounded by experienced colleagues who guided her through the early years of her nursing career, she quickly learned the importance of teamwork and support.

“My colleagues are like my family,” Steadman says. “Many have come and gone, but now I get to be that welcoming presence for new nurses. I want them to know they have support.”

Steadman credits her leadership and management teams for fostering that supportive environment, especially through challenging times such as the pandemic. “Even our leadership is always looking for ways to grow and improve,” she says.

As a preceptor and charge nurse, Steadman plays a crucial role in developing the next generation of nurses. Her advice to new nurses is simple: ask questions and lean on your team.

“No question is a stupid question,” Steadman says. “You’ll never know everything right away, but as long as you know your resources and that you have support, you’ll be OK.”

Her leadership role has helped her grow both personally and professionally. “I know my unit so well, and being in charge has given me the confidence to advocate for the resources we need,” she says. “It’s about knowing who to call and how to solve problems effectively.”

Steadman has also helped drive advances on the only innovation unit at LVH–Pocono through a supply standardization project on her unit, the largest in the hospital. The initiative streamlined supply organization, saving nurses time and improving patient care. “It took a lot of blood, sweat and tears, but now it’s being standardized across the hospital,” she says. “We’re continuously improving and learning.”

As chair of the Safety and Qualities Council, Steadman works directly with colleagues to identify and implement safety and quality improvements. “We go to each unit and ask, ‘What are your concerns? How can we fix this together?’” she says. “Then we bring those ideas to leadership and make real changes.”

Steadman’s commitment to mentorship earned her a nomination for a Friends of Nursing award. “It was such an honor,” she says. “Being recognized for my role as a preceptor means a lot.”

Reflecting on her nursing career, she’s most proud of her personal growth. “I was once a brand-new nurse who felt overwhelmed. Now, I get to teach others and help improve our hospital,” she says. “I’ve seen the impact of our work, and it’s exciting to know that we are shaping the future of nursing at LVHN.”

Her advice for those considering a career at LVHN? “Do it,” she says. “You’ll be welcomed into a family of nurses who support and appreciate each other. You’ll learn from some of the very best, and you’ll be part of a team that values you as a person.”