J. Heidi Jupp, RN, is a nurse in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Mass General for Children. Her mother was a pediatric nurse whose straightforward and compassionate approach to life and patient care inspired Jupp to pursue her own career in nursing.

What do you like most about your job?

What I like most about my job is caring for children and their families, helping them through challenging times in their journeys with cancer and blood disorders. I feel connected in very positive ways to both my patients and the extraordinary people I work with every day. I have always felt that I have made a difference and have learned something new every day, whether it is about caring for my patients or about myself. It has been very rewarding for me.

What is one piece of advice you would give a woman entering the field of medicine and/or healthcare?

The best advice I could give to another woman looking for a rewarding career is to look at a career in nursing. It is a field that has so many possibilities. There is bedside nursing, research nursing, outpatient nursing, community nursing and more. There are opportunities for advancement, teaching and management, just to mention a few. This is truly a career with so many choices and so many rewards. I would also say to believe in yourself and follow your dreams. Find a mentor. Work hard and don’t be afraid to ask questions!

Has there been an influential woman in your life who supported or inspired you on your journey into health care/medicine?

The most influential person in my life that inspired me to go in to health care, and specifically nursing, was my mother. She was a pediatric nurse and always ready to help anyone in need. She always encouraged me to follow my own path. I admired her direct and honest approach to life. I never felt that I couldn’t do things or become who I wanted to be because I was a woman.

What is special about Mass General for Children?

What I find special about Mass General is that it is an ever-changing place to work. There are innovations in all aspects of the institute from patient care to the physical environment. I have seen and worked with amazing people who have always given their very best.

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