ALICE KAZEKJIAN

• 24/7 Oversight of the 5th busiest Emergency Departments in the country, with over 150,000 visits in 2024 and a busy 28-bed Observation unit.
• Manage a team of over 550 members, including 4 managers, 7 Assistant Nurse Managers, and 4 Nurse Educators.
• Wrote and led the team to receive two 2024-2027 Prestigious Lantern Awards for both Adult ED and Pediatric ED.
• Led the team and the Department through a highly successful triennial TJC survey with zero deficiencies across all oversight areas.
• Led certification efforts for various TJC disease-specific designations, such as Advanced Prenatal Care (first in the nation), Healthcare Equity Certification (first in the country), Level 1 Geriatric Emergency Department, AMI/VAD/Heart Failure DSC, Diabetes DSC, Hip Fracture DSC, and Chest Pain re-accreditation.
• Achieved the 7th Magnet re-designation from ANCC.
• Led the team to successfully receive ACS Level 1 Trauma re-verification for the Adult ED in 2024 and attained ACS Level II Verification for the Pediatric ED in 2024.
• Awarded the Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus and Honor Roll Elite Plus in 2024.
• The Pediatric ED became the first Autism Certified Center in the state.
• Advocated for and secured 60 additional FTEs.
• Revamped ED’s new graduate Residency program. Reduced RN vacancy rate from over 30% in 2022 to 5%. Achieved an annualized retention rate of 10%, surpassing the 21.7% national rate for ER specialties in 2022.
• Significantly improved patient experience, evidenced by a 20-point increase in all major NRC domains.
• Identified potential areas for quality and operational improvement through data analysis, developing initiatives based on best evidence practices to enhance overall quality, throughput, and patient satisfaction.
• Established performance metrics to monitor progress and success.
• Implemented policies and procedures to ensure compliance.
• Analyzed financial reports to identify operational improvements, developed strategies to reduce costs while maintaining quality, advocated for additional FTEs, and reduced agency usage by 4 million dollars.
• Participates actively in the network Policy Integration committee and co-chairs the ED Director committee.
• Developed high-performing teams through mentorship, guidance, and professional growth opportunities.
• Fostered a positive work environment that promotes employee engagement, higher retention, and boosts team morale.
• Cultivated a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging open communication and empowering staff to contribute ideas.
• Working on a new urgent care project, hired the team. Opening date: October 2025.

• Responsible for the 24/7 operations of a busy inner-city, the only state-run Emergency Department with 95,000 annual visits.
• Managed 250 direct reports, including Registered Nurses, Medical Technicians, Clerks, and BHA’s.
• Prepared and oversaw the annual operating budget for the nursing department.
• Collaborated with other departments and multidisciplinary team members, working closely with staff and department leaders to ensure safe, high-quality patient care and performance improvement initiatives.
• Successfully reduced nursing staff turnover rate to below 10% within 18 months.
• Led the implementation of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines, resulting in improved ED throughput and a reduction in LBTC metrics.
• Reviewed and revised over 50 department policies, protocols, and procedures to meet Joint Commission standards. Developed, implemented, and monitored quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient outcomes.
• Ensured compliance with regulatory standards from agencies such as TJC and CMS, and contributed significantly to obtaining the Comprehensive Stroke certification in 2019.
• Worked proactively with Infectious Diseases to ensure the ED was equipped to manage COVID-19. Planned and led teams to implement and operate a tent outside the ED, which treated and released an average of 40-70 patients daily, conserving resources for the most severely ill patients.
• Earned the ED the ENA Crisis Response Team Award in 2021.
• Collaborated closely with Army reserve personnel and leaders deployed to our ED to provide assistance during COVID-19.
• Established and maintained effective relationships with medical staff, administrators, and other departments to ensure efficient operations.
• Participated in healthcare committees focused on advancing quality initiatives.
• Oversaw and approved the recruitment, hiring, and orientation of new nursing staff. Ensured ongoing regulatory compliance by staying current with industry standards and updating policies accordingly.
• Monitored and evaluated nursing staff performance, providing feedback and guidance to uphold care standards.
• Excelled at union negotiations.

• Managed a busy Emergency Department with 95,000 annual visits and oversaw 250 direct reports, including Registered Nurses, Medical Technicians, Clerks, and BHAs.
• Collaborated closely with nursing and medical leadership, as well as staff, on quality and performance improvement initiatives in the ED.
• Handled daily operations of the nursing department, including budgeting, scheduling, and staff management. Oversees recruitment, hiring, orientation, and training of new staff in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Ensured adherence to all regulatory compliance standards. Implemented quality control measures to enhance efficiency within the nursing department.
• Demonstrated excellent critical thinking skills and multitasks effectively in a fast-paced, high-acuity environment.
• Excelled at staff management, including recruiting, retaining, scheduling, evaluating performance, coaching, mentoring, and payroll management.
• Resolved staff conflicts promptly through effective communication and works closely with union representatives.
• Collaborated with departments and multidisciplinary teams, engaging with staff and leaders to ensure safe, quality patient care. Reviews, revises, and develops departmental policies.
• Promoted compliance with patient rights policies, addressed grievances, and enhanced the customer experience.
• Conducted rounds to observe care and conduct interviews with staff, residents, and their families.
• Managed nursing schedules and budgets, streamlining processes for cost savings while maintaining high-quality patient care.
• Coordinated with interdisciplinary teams to create efficient, individualized care strategies. Served as a role model by demonstrating exceptional clinical skills, ethical conduct, and a commitment to continuous learning.
• Improved staff performance through regular training and professional development opportunities.

• Dedicated Nurse Manager with 24/7 accountability for a 90-bed Emergency Department overseeing 250 direct reports, including Registered Nurses, Patient Care Technicians, transports, Patient Liaisons, and PI coordinators.
• Monitored daily activities of ED staff and provided guidance when needed. Successfully led nursing staff to achieve DNV re-certification (2016, 2017).
• Contributed significantly to the hospital's transformation into a comprehensive Stroke Center and advancing its Magnet journey.
• Revised and rewritten departmental policies and procedures, uploading them into a new policy and procedure system (Policy Medical).
• Worked directly with the Director of Nursing and the Medical Chair to improve quality, performance, and clinical outcomes.
• Oversaw performance improvement initiatives and managed the department’s budget.
• Ensured compliance with all regulatory standards. Fostered an environment that promotes loyalty among families, physicians, and staff.
• Demonstrated excellent critical thinking skills and the ability to multitask efficiently in a high-acuity, fast-paced environment.
• Skilled in staffing management, responsible for hiring, scheduling, performance evaluations, payroll, and motivating staff.
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure the delivery of optimal patient care, demonstrating effective communication with patients, families, physicians, and other healthcare professionals.
• Analyzed ED operational data to identify process improvement opportunities. Tracked patient wait times, treatment times, and length of stay to assess departmental efficiency.
• Served on multiple hospital-wide committees to promote safe patient care and service growth.
• Rewrote departmental policies and procedures and uploaded them into a new system (Policy Medical). Participated actively in the Cerner project, implementing a new electronic charting system.
• Managed employee performance evaluations and disciplinary actions as needed.
• Established clear expectations and accountability measures, leading to improved team dynamics and productivity.
• Supervised nurses and support staff, fostering teamwork and continuous improvement.
• Participated in quality improvement committees focused on enhancing performance metrics related to emergency services and outcomes.
• Improved overall efficiency through regular evaluation of workflows and implementation of necessary changes.

• Responsible for the overall 24/7 operations of a busy 33-bed Neurology/Stroke unit with 75 FTE’s.
• Led staff and the unit to a highly successful DNV primary stroke re-certification in 2016.
• Created and implemented a core measure flow sheet.
• Contributed significantly to the successful certification of the Comprehensive Stroke program in 2017.
• Oversaw performance improvement initiatives and managed the department's budget.
• Held responsibility for hiring, retention, scheduling, performance evaluations, and payroll of 75 FTE’s staff.
• Ensured unit compliance with DNV standards by developing audit tools to maintain staff readiness.
• Fostered a department culture that engaged staff in decision-making related to practice and patient outcomes.
• Initiated weekly multidisciplinary patient rounds and team collaboration on patient goals, leading to significantly improved outcomes.
• Increased patient satisfaction scores to the highest in the division, from the 55th to the 73rd percentile.
• Conducted performance evaluations and provided constructive feedback to support nurses’ professional growth.
• Trained new nurses on proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
• Managed budgets and controlled costs, meeting financial targets without sacrificing quality of patient care.
• Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop personalized care plans for patients with complex needs.
• Managed staff scheduling and time off to ensure adequate staffing and allow nurses to earn time off.
• Supervised, directed, and motivated nursing staff to achieve high-quality performance.

Managed shift operations and patient flow in a busy Emergency Department with 160,000 visits annually.

• Served as a visible leader and resource within the department. Facilitated active communication among staff and with other units.
• Planned and allocated resources effectively. Ensuring Core Measures are met on time.
• Delegated responsibilities appropriately.
• Conducted staff performance reviews.
• Enforced safe work practices.
• Demonstrated knowledge of hospital policies, procedures, and protocols. Responding swiftly to urgent situations.
• Kept informed about patient statuses.
• Promoted a positive work environment through participation in unit meetings, sharing ideas for efficiency, and addressing ongoing challenges.
• Mentored newly hired nurses for smooth onboarding and growth.
• Performed clinical procedures such as IV insertions, wound dressings, and catheterizations to ensure patient comfort. Building rapport with patients and families to deliver excellent care.
• Managed daily schedules, tasks, and administrative duties.
• Acted as a liaison between patients, families, and healthcare teams to foster trust, understanding, and effective communication.

• Provided emergency trauma care to acute and critical patients.
• Demonstrated strong clinical reasoning skills when assessing patients' conditions, initiating appropriate interventions, and escalating concerns to physicians as needed.
• Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
• Improved patient outcomes by consistently providing high-quality emergency care and implementing evidence-based nursing practices.
• Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary healthcare teams to develop comprehensive care plans for patients presenting with diverse medical conditions in the Emergency Department.

• Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
• Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
• Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
• Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.