A registered nurse since 2003, Jessica Ann Hessel, DNP, CRNA, is a 2017 MSN graduate of the Drexel Nurse Anesthesia program. She completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in 2020 at Drexel, focusing on mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for healthcare providers.
Prior to specialization in anesthesia, Hessel was an emergency department nurse, vascular access specialist and worked in a neuro-cardiac intensive care unit. As part of the clinical editing team at Wolters|Kluwer publishing, she has been a contributing author, a content editor and peer-reviewer for Lippincott and Nursing Center.
Hessel resides in West Chester with her family, which includes her partner Andy and their blended family of four children. Aside from spending time with her family enjoying the outdoors, Hessel can be found cooking, sewing or gardening, although never all three at once. No matter the activity, she is usually accompanied by her cadre of French bulldogs.
Professional Society
American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA)
Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists (PANA)
Selected Publications
Bonsall, L.M. (2020). Lippincott Nursing Pocket Cards. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters|Kluwer.
Emmons, J. (2018, May 8) Renewing our inspiration. [Blog post]. Retrieved from: https://www.nursingcenter.com/ncblog/may-2018/renewing-our-inspiration
Emmons, J. (2018, July 11) Her face. [Blog post]. Retrieved from: https://www.nursingcenter.com/ncblog/july-2018/her-face
Emmons, J. (2018, August 4). She needs a nurse. [Blog post]. Retrieved from: https://www.nursingcenter.com/ncblog/august-2018/she-needs-a-nurse
Hessel, J. (2021, February). TheDNPConversation. DNP, Inc. [Video Post]. Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/bnJhBUKkH08
Research Interests
Hessel has spoken at local, regional and state meetings on the topic of second victim phenomenon, provider distress and burnout. She earned a DNP with a focus on the use of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) techniques to increase resilience and positive coping skills among high-accountability healthcare professionals. Hessel gives of her time to help educate caregivers on how to manage work and life stress through skills such as meditation, body-scanning and yoga. Further complementing her self-care portfolio, Hessel completed her certification in hypnotherapy in 2021 to assist others in managing stress and anxiety.
Specialization
Nurse anesthesiology, in a regional trauma center, caring for patients across the lifespan.
Drexel University – Philadelphia, PA
Doctor of Nursing Practice: June 2020
Focus: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Health Care Professionals
Drexel University – Philadelphia, PA
Master of Science in Nursing: May 2017
Regis University – Denver, CO
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Gwynedd-Mercy College – Gwynedd Valley, PA
Associate of Science in Nursing: June 2003
Ursinus College – Collegeville, PA
Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology: June 1997
Honors Research and Thesis:
“Death and Dying Customs Among the Older Order Amish: A cross-cultural comparison”