About Jennifer Swain

Jennifer Swain feels like she didn’t always know what she wanted to do. She began her studies by earning a degree in Exercise Science from the University of Indianapolis. “My mother always told me that I should be a nurse while growing up, because of my yearning to help others and ability to handle bodily contents without batting an eye,” she recalls. When she wasn’t able to find a desirable job with her degree, she went to IU South Bend and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Her mom was right – nursing was the career for her.

As a nurse practitioner in cardiology, Jennifer sees patients both in the office and hospital setting. She addresses health problems like heart failure, heart attacks, heart stents, murmurs, heart valve problems, atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure. Since Jennifer believes that patients know their bodies better than anyone else, she stands by the philosophy to provide individualized, patient-centric care, acknowledging each patient’s unique situations.

Jennifer says she can’t imagine working anywhere besides Beacon, which is where her career began. During her internship, she saw firsthand the excellent teamwork and comradery amongst her colleagues. “I accepted a job position on that unit and then I recognized how admirable the educators are and how respected the physicians are,” she says.

Jennifer continues to build on her education with a team where collaboration is important. “I am not caring for my patients alone. I am caring for my patients as a representative of my entire team,” she says.

In her own words…

Who is or was the most influential person/role model in your life?  My husband is the most influential person in my life. He always reminds me of my strengths and encourages me throughout life.

What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it?  When I was about 12 years old, I started doing construction work with my father. I was actually very good at it and I was able to learn so many skills that I still use to this day. My first real job was as a hostess at Red Robin. That was where I gained my work ethics and customer-service skills.

What is your favorite food?  My favorite food that I make is spaghetti; from a restaurant it is probably shrimp scampi

What were your best/worst subjects in school?  My best subjects have always been math and science while growing up. My worst subject is history.

If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why?  I would want to sit down with my husband’s uncle who passed away almost four years ago. He was one of the brightest people I ever knew, and I’m sure he would have some last minute advice to give us before we met up again in heaven.

In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? What are your hobbies, interests?  I am passionate about my family. Everything I do in life is for my family.  I enjoy going to church, going to baseball games, reading books, doing construction work on my house, and doing fun things with my kids.

What is something most people don’t know about you?  If I were not a nurse practitioner, I would be a professional house flipper.