CU Nursing - Spring/Summer 2021 - 24

G R A D U AT I O N

C O N V O C AT I O N 2 0 2 1

That love for seniors led her to earn a Bachelor's
Degree in Nursing from Regis University
and a Master's Degree in Leadership with a
Concentration in end-of-life care at George
Washington University. After teaching nursing
and working as an ICU nurse, Jeanne decided
she also wanted to be a nurse practitioner,
which requires a master's degree in nursing. So,
she obtained a second master's - and graduated
with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from
the University of Colorado's College of Nursing
in December 2020.

I have impeccable support at home. My family
is everything. They are always willing to listen.
I also work with an incredible team at Bloom. "
- Jeanne Burnkrant, DNP

When Facing Loss and
Heartache, CU Nurse Finds
Support From Family, Friends
By Deborah Mandeville

hile COVID-19 has hit many of us hard, nurse Jeanne
Burnkrant who works with people at the end of their
lives, lost eight patients in April 2020 alone. She
grieved. She missed them. But Jeanne never once
questioned what she does or why she does it.

" That was traumatic. But I still go in to work every day because it's
my privilege. I get to take care of them. That I can be part of that,
sit with them, align with them and meet them where they are is
amazing, " she said. " I don't have to do this. I choose to do this. "
At a young age, Jeanne knew she wanted to be a nurse, and not
just for anyone. She's always had a deep connection and affinity
for older people and their families.
" In many ways, geriatrics is a lot like pediatrics, but that it's
flipped. Instead of talking to the parents of a child who can't
articulate their needs, you're talking to the children of parents
who can't articulate their needs, " Jeanne said.

CU College of Nursing | Spring Summer 2021

She did it all while married, raising twin
15-year-olds, teaching hundreds of undergrad
and graduate students in as many as four
classes every semester, and while working at
Bloom Health Care in Wheatridge. Once again,
Jeanne doesn't have to do it. Like many other
faculty members, she could just teach. Instead,
Jeanne chooses to instruct and, once a week,
make house calls for patients chronically ill.
" My goal is to do both. I think staying clinically
immersed and updated helps me teach my
students at CU and it models a way to earn a
degree and work. The world of medicine is so
mercurial, that to not practice is not an option
for me, because I think that would be to the
detriment of my students, " Jeanne said.
But it's not easy. Especially when she's chosen to help the sickest fighting for their lives.
Jeanne says she can only handle the heartache with support from people at home and
work. She says her husband of 24 years and
daughters are her biggest champions, while
her coworkers are great listeners.
" I have impeccable support at home. My family
is everything. They are always willing to listen.
I also work with an incredible team at Bloom.
I cannot speak highly enough of Dr. Thomas
Lally and the team of physicians, physician
assistants, and nurse practitioners. I connect
with all of them to process the losses. "

CU Nursing - Spring/Summer 2021

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