Alumni Profile: Jenni Rose Johnson, Still Giving to Reynolds!

Jenni Rose Johnson and John Taylor

Jenni Rose Johnson, Class of 2012, is as much a part of the Nursing program at Reynolds as she was as a student – except now she is Jenni Johnson, R.N., Director of the Progressive Care Unit at Johnston-Willis Hospital. 

Recently, Jenni hosted a “Reynolds on the Road” reception, inviting nurses and respiratory therapists employed at the Midlothian hospital to mingle and reconnect with their alma mater. One activity the alumni especially enjoyed was writing notes of encouragement to current Reynolds Nursing students.

It’s the kind of support Jenni loves to give, and she doesn’t stop there. Realizing that recent Nursing graduates were delaying taking their NCLEX exam to become Registered Nurses – “because you’re just flat broke after you finish nursing school,” – Jenni spearheaded the NCLEX Challenge fundraising campaign to help grads cover the cost of the test, increasing their likelihood of performing well on the exam. 

With the help of other Reynolds Nursing alumni, more than $3,000 in NCLEX scholarships have been provided, with recipients employed at RVA hospitals and healthcare facilities. “I got choked up onstage at the Nursing Pinning Ceremony in January,” said Jenni. “It meant a lot to hear one of the graduates thank me in her remarks.” 

To top that? Jenni hired five of those graduates, who are now among her team at Johnston-Willis Hospital.