Views from the Shore
I recently had the pleasure of spending some time with three of Shore Medical Center’s newer nurses — Jessica Dagene, Taylor McCreight and Tyler Melnicove — and hearing firsthand why they chose to start their careers here. After listening to their stories, it’s easy to see why Shore is such a special place.
Jessica Dagene works on our Med/Surg and neuro floor. She just graduated from Stockton’s accelerated nursing program in December and has been with Shore for about four months — her very first nursing job. What stuck with me was how she approaches each patient as a person first.
“The first thing I want all my patients to know is that I’m here for them, and I care about what’s important to them,” Jessica told me. “Even if it’s something outside their diagnosis. I learned quickly that finding out what matters most to them really elevates how they see the care they’re getting here.”
Jessica actually did her first hospital clinical at Shore with Elaine Toolsie. That experience made such an impact that Elaine told her to apply right then and held her application until she finished school. Now, Jessica says, “There’s never a day where I feel like I can’t talk to one of my coworkers or my charge nurse or manager. That was a huge part of why I picked coming to Shore.”
Then there’s Taylor McCreight in Maternal Child Health. Taylor also graduated from Stockton’s accelerated program, but even before that, she worked at Shore as a nurse aide, floating through nearly every floor. It gave her a real feel for the people here and how they care for one another.
“When I was an aide, I got to see so many different departments and meet so many amazing nurses and managers,” she said. “So, when I finished school, I knew this was where I wanted to be.”
Taylor was thrilled to start her full-time career right in maternity — the place she’d always hoped for. “It really is my dream job,” she told me. “I love being there for families, especially during such an important and sometimes overwhelming time.”
She shared how quickly her team comes together when it matters most. “When someone comes in already far along in labor, everyone jumps in to get lines, labs — everything — ready. It can be a lot, but it’s really amazing how we all work together so smoothly.”
Taylor also values the little moments. “There’s a lot of coaching and reassurance — answering questions, helping them know what’s normal. Sometimes it’s just talking about their other kids or pets to keep them comfortable. It’s those small things that make a big difference.”
And then there’s Tyler Melnicove, who works in our ER. Tyler spent more than a decade in EMS before going back to school during the pandemic, inspired by a nurse he worked with on critical care transports.
“The teamwork here is just top notch,” Tyler said. “Everybody works together — from nursing to respiratory to aides. Even when we’re busy, we work as a team to make sure patients get the best care.”
He also couldn’t say enough about the education program. “For a standalone private hospital, it’s really impressive. The clinical educators and my preceptor have molded me into the nurse I am, and that just continues every week.”
Talking with Jessica, Taylor and Tyler was a great reminder that while Shore invests in technology and facilities, it’s our people — and the way they care — that truly sets us apart.
Brian Cahill is the Director of Marketing for Shore Medical Center and Shore Physicians Group. He also volunteers on the Board of the Somers Point Business Association and is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Business at Stockton University.
