A nurse since 2003, Jessica Ann Hessel, DNP, CRNA is a 2017 graduate of the Drexel Nurse Anesthesia program. She completed her doctor of nursing practice degree in 2020.

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 awesome family, which includes her partner Andy and their blended family of four daughters. Aside from spending time with her family enjoying the outdoors, Hessel can be found cooking, quilting and gardening, although never all three at once. No matter the activity, she is usually accompanied by her two French bulldogs, LuLu and Jacques.

She looks forward to serving the community of professional nursing and adding to the legacy of the giants upon whose shoulders we all stand.

Professional Society

American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA)
Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists (PANA)

Selected Publications

Editor and contributor:
Bonsall, L.M. (2019). Lippincott Nursing Pocket Cards. Philadelphia: Wolters|Kluwer.

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 doctor of nursing practice (DNP) with 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 is completing her certification in hypnotherapy 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 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”