Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – One might say that Jen Boyer is getting back to her roots.

Boyer — after spending some time running Springfield Clinic as an interim CEO — is now with Memorial Health as its Chief Nursing Executive and Senior Vice President.  She started in the position earlier in July.

“This role is a role that allows me to continue to help remove barriers for patients in our community,” said Boyer, on the WTAX Morning Newswatch.  “It allows me to continue to help nurses to feel empowered and thrive.”

Boyer says when she wants to “help remove barriers for patients,” she means that healthcare is complicated, so she’s willing to try to make navigating the system easier for patients.  Memorial is also in the midst of making upgrades to its medical records system, she said.

She says nurses are as much “advocates” as they are the first lines of defense, and she loves that.

Boyer said, however, the nationwide shortage of nurses has taken its toll on the profession.

“I think it’s important for us to continue globally to ensure that our nurses are safe at the bedside, and that we highlight the awesome work that the nursing teams do,” said Boyer.

Boyer says she believes the nursing shortage as a whole is starting to take a turn for the better.

She says in Memorial’s case, having strong partnerships between hospitals and nursing schools will help.