If you ask B.J. Tilley, RN, what makes a great nurse, he won’t talk about awards or recognition. He’ll talk about listening.
He’ll talk about grabbing an extra blanket, checking on a patient one more time or taking a few minutes to help someone through an overwhelming situation. Those small acts are what have defined his career in the emergency department at FMOL Health | St. Francis.
Over the past year alone, B.J. received 545 positive mentions on patient satisfaction surveys and was mentioned 224 times in positive Google reviews. Together, that’s more than 750 positive patient remarks highlighting his compassion, professionalism and the way he helps people feel safe during some of the most stressful moments of their lives.
The recognition came as a surprise.
“I was absolutely blown away by the response from all the patients,” B.J. says. “I never in a million years thought I’d get this many positive reviews.”
For him, those comments point back to a simple philosophy.
“I think they really respond to the fact that you’ve got to treat them like family,” he says. “Once you make them smile, you leave all that worry, doubt and fear at the door. Then you can really focus on taking care of them.”
One patient encounter stands out above the rest. After a family from out-of-state was involved in a car accident while passing through Monroe, they suddenly found themselves injured, without transportation and unsure where to go next. B.J. spent a few extra minutes gathering sandwich trays for the family, arranging transportation and helping them get where they needed to be.
“The small things are what make all the difference,” he says.
Starting Every Day with Purpose
B.J. has been a nurse for 16 years, beginning his FMOL Health career at FMOL Health | Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital in Lafayette before eventually making his way to St. Francis. During that time, he’s cared for patients through everyday emergencies, the challenges of COVID-19 and countless unforgettable moments.
To care for others, he believes it’s important to begin each day with the right mindset.
Every morning starts with what he calls two non-negotiables: prayer and reading the Bible.
He believes that foundation helps him remain steady, even on the hardest days in the Emergency Department.
“Nursing has its hard times for sure, but God becomes the balance. You don’t have to worry about balancing anything else,” he says. “I let that flow over into my nursing and the care that I give my patients.”
That preparation carries into every patient interaction. As he walks patients into his treatment room, he wants them to know they’re no longer facing their situation alone.
“They can leave all their worry and fear at that door,” he says. “I’ll take everything from here. I’ve got everything under control, and I’m going to take care of them.”
A Day in His Honor
In 2025, St. Francis surprised B.J. by declaring August 6, 2025, as “B.J. Tilley Day,” recognizing the impact he has made on patients, coworkers and the organization.
The celebration was meaningful, even if his teammates still tease him about it.
“I still get gently ribbed about that day,” B.J. says with a laugh. “But I take it in stride, and it makes me laugh every day.”
While the celebration recognized him, one moment from that time meant even more.
After his patient comments and reviews were tallied for the year, he received what he thought was a simple thank-you card from St. Francis chief nursing officer Kayla Johnson, RN, MSN. Instead, the card was addressed to his wife, thanking her for supporting him and making it possible for him to care for others every day.
That gesture has stayed with him because it reflected something he believes deeply: no one succeeds alone.
It Takes an Entire Team
Although patients often recognize B.J. by name, he’s quick to redirect the praise toward the people around him.
He talks about trauma nurses responding to critical emergencies, triage nurses caring for hundreds of patients, providers who squeeze in one more patient at the end of a busy shift and leaders who always make time to support their staff.
“They deserve all this credit,” B.J. says. “It’s a team effort.”
He tries to support his coworkers the same way they support him. If he has a skill that can make someone else’s day easier, he believes he should use it. Whether it’s starting a difficult IV or stepping in to help during a busy shift, he knows those moments have a ripple effect that ultimately benefits patients.
“If God gives you a gift, you use it,” he says.
Why He Keeps Coming Back
Emergency medicine can be demanding, unpredictable and emotionally challenging. Yet after more than a decade and a half in nursing, B.J.’s reason for returning each day remains simple.
“I love what I do,” he says.
He believes every interaction offers an opportunity to make someone’s day a little better.
“If you can be the change in one person’s day for the better — if you do that for one patient a day, that’s 365 patients that you’ve touched in a year. So why not come back and do it?”
For B.J., nursing is measured one conversation, one smile and one act of kindness at a time.
When patients leave his care, there’s one thing he hopes they remember above everything else.
“They need to know that God loves them,” B.J. says, “and so do I.”
