American Nurses Association

It took 12 years and 12 doctors for Jessica Prothe, BSN, RN, to learn what was behind her unexplained illness: her breast implants.

While too sick to continue working on the frontline, Jessica enrolled in graduate school. She uncovered a dangerous gap: no provider had ever asked about her implants, and she hadn’t known to volunteer the information. She recognized that many patients could be missing critical diagnoses for the same reason.

Motivated by her nursing instinct to act when patient safety is at risk, Jessica began advocating for greater awareness around implantable devices. "If we can raise awareness and spread information about the dangers of implantable devices, people can... get better more quickly,” Jessica says. “No one would have to suffer like I did."

She developed the Universal Screening of Implantable Devices tool, with the goal to have it included in standard nursing documentation. This change could help ensure earlier recognition of complications for countless patients.

“You never know who you’re going to help or who this will influence,” Jessica says. “At the end of the day, advocacy is our ethical duty as nurses...if I just helped one person, it would all be worth it. I think it is those tiny steps and small wins that lead to impactful change."

How has a nurse impacted your life? Share your story at ThePowerofNurses.org.
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