About nursing at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital
Our team of compassionate, extraordinary nurses is recognized as among the best in the region. We have earned the esteemed Magnet redesignation - the nation’s highest honor for excellence in care.
Our visionary leaders advocate for keeping patients at the center of all we do. We partner with patients, families and our interdisciplinary colleagues to continually provide the highest quality, patient-centered nursing in the Greater Seacoast area. Our goal is to improve the health outcomes of our patients and of the local communities with innovative, evidence-based practices.
Mission
Provide exceptional patient- and family-centered care focused on the highest quality standards through excellence in clinical practice.
Vision
- To lead in shaping the future of healthcare by fostering a dynamic and inclusive nursing environment that attracts and retains exceptional talent.
- We envision a workplace where every nurse and clinician feels valued, supported, and empowered to achieve their full potential.
- Through innovative professional development, competitive benefits, and a culture of recognition and respect, we aim to build a resilient and engaged workforce that delivers outstanding patient care and drives positive change in the community.
Honors
- Magnet Recognition: Magnet redesignation is steadfast proof of our commitment to excellence in healthcare. We prioritize education and development for nurses during every stage of their career. For patients, it means superior care delivered by our nurses - who are supported to achieve excellence. We outperform national benchmarks in multiple patient outcomes, patient satisfaction and nursing satisfaction. Our nurses have a voice in interdisciplinary decision-making that affects their professional practice. Patient care is innovative and evidence-based.
- Baby Friendly Hospital: This award acknowledges our commitment to give mothers the information, confidence, and skills necessary to successfully start and continue breastfeeding their babies.
- Primary Stroke Center Certification from the Joint Commission.
- Level 3 Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center
Leadership
Chief Nursing Officer/Vice President of Patient Care Services
Kayla became Chief Nursing Officer in June 2024. She leads a nursing staff of over 900 clinical and advanced practice nurses and respiratory, cardiovascular, and rehabilitation clinicians. Kayla joined WDH in 2021 as Vice President of Critical Care Services. She has over 16 years of nursing experience in critical care and nursing leadership at several area hospitals, including Lahey Clinic, St. Joseph Hospital, and Catholic Medical Center. Kayla received her Bachelor of Arts from Saint Anselm College, her Associate Degree in Nursing from New Hampshire Technical Institute, and her Master of Science in Nursing from Franklin Pierce University.
Director Surgical Services and Anesthesia
With over 15 years’ experience in surgical nursing, Helen oversees the care provided in the Operating Room, Same Day Surgery, Pre-Anesthesia Services, and the Post Anesthesia Recovery Unit. Prior to joining Wentworth-Douglass, she worked at Huggins Hospital in Wolfeboro, NH. Helen received her Associate Degree in Surgical Technology, Associate Degree in Nursing, and her Bachelor Degree in Nursing prior to earning her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Capella University.
Director Cardiovascular Services
Jordan began his career at Wentworth-Douglass in 2015 as a Cardiovascular Technologist in the Cath Lab, then advanced through different leadership roles. He became the Director of Cardiovascular in 2021, overseeing Echocardiography, Device Clinic, Vascular Ultrasound, Cardiac Rehab, Stress/Nuclear testing, Cath Lab, Electrophysiology, and Vascular Lab. Jordan Received his Associates Degree in Cardiovascular Technology from Southern Maine Community College, and both his Bachelor of Science in Health Science and Master in Business Administration degrees from Southern New Hampshire University.
Director, Emergency Department, Program Development and Integration Emergency Department, Observation Unit, Urgent Cares, Community Occupational Health, and Wound Healing Institute
Prior to entering healthcare, Matt attended the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, ME where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Ecology. Matt joined Wentworth-Douglass in 2005 as a front desk representative and Licensed Nursing Assistant. He received his Associate Degree in Nursing from New Hampshire Community Technical College and his Master in Nursing from the University of NH. Matt worked in the inpatient telemetry unit and the Cath Lab, then moved to the Emergency Department in 2009.
Director, Critical Care Services, Diabetes Services, Respiratory Therapy, and Women and Children’s Services
Nicole joined Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in 2021 as the Assistant Vice President of Women and Children’s services. She has 30 years’ experience caring for infants and their families. She began caring for NICU patients at Boston Medical Center and then became the Director of Maternal Child Health at Catholic Medical Center. Nicole has a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Administration from Salem State University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Fitchburg State University.
Director of Inpatient Services, Med/Surg Float Pool, and Care Coordination
Becky joined Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in 2007 as a staff nurse on 3 North. Over the next 19 years, she progressed through nursing leadership roles across acute care and outpatient services. Becky received her Associate Degree in Nursing from NH Community Technical College and both her Bachelor in Nursing and Master in Business Administration degrees from Saint Joseph’s College in Maine.
Senior Director, Cancer Services
Joining Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in 2024, Rick is the most recent addition to the nursing leader group. He has extensive experience in pediatrics, oncology, and administrative nursing. Rick began his career at Boston Children’s Hospital, then continued to Tufts Medical Center and Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Rick received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of NH, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Regis College, and a Master of Science degree in Nursing Administration from Capella University.
Nursing practice and patient care
Professional practice model
The professional practice model depicts what we value about our clinical practice and provides a foundation for high quality patient care.
View our professional practice model
Professional governance model
Our professional governance model provides structure for shared decision-making among professionals, facilitates interdepartmental communication and collaboration, and empowers interdisciplinary staff to ensure best practice.
Awards and recognition
Commitment to quality and safety
Our Mass General Brigham goal is to lead the nation in providing the highest quality care For Every Patient. In alignment with this system goal, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital nurses are contributing to delivering the highest quality care by engaging in strategies that improve the patient’s experience, and nursing quality outcomes, while also reducing mortality and hospital acquired infections. Using a High Reliability framework, nursing strategies are transforming care that is equitable, team-oriented, data driven, and rigorously focused on mitigating risk and continually improving care delivery.
Research and innovation
Nurses at WDH participate in quality improvement in their departments and through hospital-wide projects. For nurses interested in research, we have a Nursing Research Consultant, who guides ideas from first idea, through IRB review and on to completion. Examples of recent nursing and collaborative research studies:
- Weighted Blanket Study to evaluate the effects of a weighted blanket on the anxiety level of patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy in our Cancer Center
- Study to explore the Clinical Staff Members' Experience During the COVID-19 Pandemic to find opportunities to foster a healthy work environment in our facility