Serving Beyond: Jocelin Hood McElderry Provides ‘The Finisher’s Touch’
Clayton, NC – Meet Jocelin T. Hood McElderry, a Registered Nurse, Author, Motivational Speaker, Servant to the community, and Kingdom Benefactor. Jocelin is a strong believer in living a full and productive life, while also assisting others to take their passion and gifts to another level. Jocelin is an entrepreneur at heart and enjoys serves as the Founder and CEO of JTR Consulting, which currently houses The Finisher’s Touch Concierge. Jocelin is a woman who has met challenges head-on and has proven that she has what it takes to live her life out loud and conquer whatever life throws her way with the help of God and her tribe.
I had the opportunity to connect with Jocelin at the 2020 Nurse Boss Summit held at the Raleigh Convention Center, where nurses from all walks of life gathered to share their love for nursing and empower one another to soar as entrepreneurs. Jocelin and I discussed her love for helping others as a retired nurse, and she gladly welcomed the opportunity to share her life’s passion and experience as a nurse:
What attracted you to the healthcare profession, particularly nursing?
What attracted me to healthcare is a question that almost 34 years later I am still trying to answer. As a young girl, I always said I wanted to be a teacher. In the years between being a young girl and becoming a woman that totally changed. I began my career as a healthcare technician at Dorothea Dix Hospital and I felt the tug to further my education and become a nurse.
Do you feel you are making the impact you desire with patients in your position?
The majority of my career has been providing service to an underserved population. I started out in Mental Health, then moved into Corrections and then Public Health. I would not change one day of the journey. I know that I have made an impact on patients by influencing the way they operate on a daily basis and expressing the importance of taking care of themselves.
What, or who has served as your inspiration as a nurse?
My greatest inspiration was a nurse by the name of Mary Peay. She taught me so much about not only nursing but about life as well. She was a strong leader and taught me all she knew to help me become the woman that I am today. I have also found inspiration from the patients I’ve had the opportunity to work with. Their resilience has always inspired me. It is amazing to see how they truly make lemonade from lemons.
Let’s talk more about your role as a nurse and businesswoman. How did the idea of entrepreneurship come about?
In 2018, I was blessed to be able to retire from Wake County after 31 years of serving as a nurse. I was then looking at the next chapter in my life. I discovered entrepreneurship after assisting a friend with her events when she told me that I could no longer do it for free. That is how I got started in the world of entrepreneurship and operating in something a little different than my traditional role in nursing. It was at that time The Finisher’s Touch Concierge was born, with day-of-event coordination being the first service offered. Operating as an entrepreneur has been a different type of challenge, but it still allows me to love people and as well as be of service to them.
Why do you feel it’s important to operate as a nurse in the entrepreneurial arena?
Operating as a nurse entrepreneur allows you to operate based on your sincere passion and build your own policies and procedures. Imagine being able to do something that you are truly passionate about without someone telling you it can’t be done. We have all seen those patients that we wanted to help and connect with outside of the establishment. Owning and operating a business could allow that to become an option and not just a possibility.
What tips do you have for nurses, or others in the healthcare field, who desire to branch out into another aspect of serving as a healthcare professional, whether in the community or through business ownership?
I would say to any nurse in this current climate, now is a good time to explore your entrepreneurial dreams. In most nursing jobs there are policies and procedures that must be followed. Envision having the ability to write your own policies and procedures and live out your dreams while also continuing to help others. Entrepreneurship affords you the opportunities you could possibly never get in a regular job. I say, “ Girl/Guy Get Your Life.”
What advice or tips would you give to nurses during this COVI-10 healthcare crisis?
COVID-19 served as a wake-up call for many of us. Now we must take advantage of every opportunity we have been given to soar and be the BEST we can be! We only go through this life once and we are not getting out alive so make the rest of your days be the best of your days. Someone is waiting for you to show up!!
How can our readers connect with you?
My website: www.jocelintmcelderry.com
Email: jocelintmcelderry@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheFinisher’sTouchConcierge
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thefinisherstouch
Phone: 919-275-2768