About

Jennylin Schott

“I became a nurse because I have always been interested in helping people,” explained JNESO member Jennylin Schott a Registered Nurse who has dedicated her life to improving the health and welfare of her patients and volunteering to help those in need.

Schott, a Labor and Delivery nurse in the Virtua Health System in Voorhees, N.J., has stepped up to be part of the army of nurses volunteering in the battle against COVID-19.  Since December, she has been working has been working at the Moorestown Vaccine Mega Center which vaccinates 6,000 people daily. 

“When they asked for volunteers, I was very willing to jump in and help make this happen.  I have been working at the center 1-2 days, 6 hour shifts, during the week and weekends in addition to my normal work hours,” said Schott, a resident of Marlton, N.J. “After feeling so helpless as the pandemic took over it felt so good to be part of the solution and see the joy on people's faces to get the vaccine!”

Schott enjoys volunteering at the center. “What we are doing is so positive and people really appreciate it. The oldest person I vaccinated was 101 years old, and I even vaccinated a couple celebrating their 75th wedding anniversary and this was the first time they had left their house in a year.”  She added, “I even had a man ask me if I was a Labor and Delivery nurse at Virtua, when I said yes he proceeded to tell me I was there for all three of his sons deliveries and they are aged 33, 29, and 27 now!  I couldn’t believe he could remember me after so long with my face mask on in a different location.”

Schott’s efforts related to the pandemic also include being part of Virtua’s COVID-19 research team where she helps screen patients for plasma studies and the effects of drugs used to treat the virus. “I have participated in perinatal research at Virtua over the years, and it is exciting to see what kinds of advances we are making in healthcare and then see the results of the research, how it affects patient care and then ultimately how it turns into evidence-based practice for our patients.”

“I feel it is important for all nurses to get out there in the community so they can help people understand what COVID-19 is doing to their friends, neighbors and families,” said Schott. 

Her desire to help others also touched her neighborhood. “Early in the pandemic I set up a bin at our local swim club with old games, puzzles and other that had belonged to my grown kids. I asked that people take what they needed to entertain their kids that were now stuck at home and leave something of their own to share.”

Volunteering for Schott goes way beyond New Jersey. For several years she has joined a contingent of Virtua staff members to spend a week in Florida at Disney World working with the “Give Kids the World” program.  “They work with Make-A-Wish foundation and other organizations to give sick children the opportunity to spend a week in Disney with their families with all the medical support they need as well as a host of volunteers to make their wish a dream come true.”  She added, “We take them on rides, do parades, dress-up and play games with the kids and help take the load off the parents so they can have fun. Unfortunately, I couldn’t go due to COVID-19 last year but I am looking forward to participate again soon.”

As Vice President of JNESO Virtua-Voorhees and Treasurer of the JNESO Board of Directors, Schott also volunteers her time to protect the health and safety of her patients and fellow nurses.

“Being part of a union like JNESO is important, especially with all the issues surrounding  COVID-19,” stated Schott. “It truly helps to have an organization that can help to make sure patient safety is the number one goal in the hospital, and to ensure that nurses are protected.  JNESO gives us a voice with the hospital to manage and achieve the best care for everybody.”

After 36 years of nursing, Schott still loves what she does.  “This is a very rewarding career. I love pregnancy and babies and working in the healthcare system to help people. And, it makes me feel good to volunteer and make a difference in the lives of others.”

She added, “We can all do our part even if you aren’t a health care professional. Volunteer to help your neighbors with whatever they need, whether it is at a foodbank or another organization that is helping people struggling during this difficult time. It is important for all of us to get involved.”