2024 Health Care Champions Nurse: Jessica Atchison

Whether she is streamlining technology, developing a new training program or creating health care jobs, Jessica Atchison is a trailblazer of cutting-edge care. As executive director of professional practice and a registered nurse at Mercy Hospital Springfield, she is an influential leader to the hospital system and community.

“Through workforce training and staffing modernization, we not only improve the quality of patient care but also ensure that our health care system remains robust and adaptable for future challenges,” she says. “My goal is to elevate the visibility of these critical issues, draw attention to the specific needs of the Ozarks and influence broader health care discussion and policies.”

Atchison holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Southeast Missouri State University and master’s degree in nursing health care administration from Southwest Baptist University. Her 19-year career has been spent entirely at Mercy in several departments with 15 of those years in leadership roles. Atchison improves patient care through developing solutions that increase efficiency and efficacy across the hospital system. Her numerous initiatives have widespread benefits – an example is a seminal surgical technologist workforce training program in partnership with Drury University. To reduce temporary staffing, Atchison also led the adoption of a flexible staffing model. Within the model’s first year, Mercy hired 400 new employees. Participation in student programs has doubled and nurse retention has increased by 10% in the past fiscal year.

“These initiatives not only improve the direct care that patients receive,” Atchison says, “but also contribute to a more resilient and responsive health care system in our region.”

Adaptability is essential in health care. Atchison develops solutions with long-term vision, meeting the current challenge and considering future needs. She immerses herself in groundbreaking research to ensure treatment plans and services remain cutting edge.

Atchison is motivated toward continuous growth, impact and collaboration. She believes learning is a lifelong endeavor and she leads by example in making a tangible impact. Outside the hospital system, she volunteers at Messiah Lutheran Church, is on the parent-teacher organization at Lyon Elementary in Republic and is an active member of the Missouri Nurses Association and Missouri Organization of Nurse Leaders. She is on the advisory boards for Ozarks Technical Community College and SBU.

“Through workforce training and staffing modernization, we not only improve the quality of patient care but also ensure that our health care system remains robust and adaptable for future challenges,” she says. “My goal is to elevate the visibility of these critical issues, draw attention to the specific needs of the Ozarks and influence broader health care discussion and policies.”