Meet Vincent Thorpe OR nurse leader at Glen Cove Hospital

Meet Vincent Thorpe, nurse manager of the operating room unit at Glen Cove Hospital. Vincent’s career growth within Northwell Health highlights the amazing opportunities for personal and professional development possible within our health system. 

In 2012, Vincent started his career as a registered nurse in the operating room at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH). He was hired for the overnight shift, where he gained tremendous experience and worked for  five years. During his tenure, he continued to grow and became a charge nurse from 2014 to 2017.  In 2017, he was promoted to assistant nurse manager to cover weekend shifts before he transferred to Glen Cove Hospital in 2018 to work as a nurse manager in their operating room unit, where he works today. 

 “What I appreciate about Northwell is that I’ve been able to grow within the organization. Northwell provided me with the skills to accept a leadership role and help staff members grow to their potential,” says Vincent.

 Vincent’s role as a nurse manager for the operating room consists of supervising nursing staff and overseeing patient care. He assists with interviewing applicants for open positions within the department, coaching new and junior staff, conducting performance evaluations, and coordinating staff schedules. Additionally, Vincent has the important role of ensuring that the operating room is clean, sanitary and properly equipped for surgeries.  

For Vincent, his love of the operating room comes from how unique it is in its fast-paced and ever-changing environment. “My favorite thing about the operating room is that it is both challenging and rewarding. I particularly enjoy the detailed nature of the unit, learning about new procedures and seeing firsthand how technology in healthcare continues to transform the way we approach medical treatment.  Currently, Glen Cove Hospital is expanding its surgical procedural offerings and I’m excited to be a part of the OR’s evolution.” 

Within his current role, Vincent also assists in the professional development of his team. His role allows him to train, challenge, coach and connect with his colleagues to support their professional growth and goals.  “Nursing is my calling, it’s a dream of mine to inspire others.” His own experiences as a nurse has allowed him to grow into a leadership position and to help others follow in his footsteps.  

“My career has taught me to expect the unexpected. The key to staying grounded is to think critically, communicate effectively and trust in your team’s abilities,” says Vincent. “I am able to plan ahead and emphasize a positive, solutions-oriented mindset. My advice is to always touch base with team members regularly, ensure everyone knows what is expected of them, see the plan of action through and circle back, after-the-fact, to recap in team meetings.” His leadership has helped the operating room at Glen Cove Hospital be recognized on our employee engagement survey as a Tier 1 highly engaged unit in both 2019 and 2020. Also, during the pandemic, the Office of the Secretary of Defense Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve recognized Vincent as a Patriotic Employer for his support of employee participation in America’s National Guard and reserve force.  

His tireless commitment to improving the operating room and to his team has cultivated a supportive environment to deliver care that is as compassionate as it is innovative. “As the OR nurse manager, I’m proud of the hard work and dedication that my colleagues and I have shown in our professions and our commitment to patient advocacy. As a unit, we come together to provide the best patient care possible.” 

Interested in joining the OR team at Glen Cove Hospital? Apply today!