Amber Ballenger
Lipan,Tx
Summary
As an LVN of 33 years, I have mostly specialized in Geriatric nursing, which has always been my passion. Having developed strong skills over the years that have helped me provide the care my residents need; I feel like I stand out even above these skills as an advocate for our geriatric population, always treating my residents with the special care and compassion that they deserve!! In the past 2 1/2 years I have had the pleasure of working with pediatrics home health, giving 1 on 1 care to disabled pts which has been an absolute blessing to me.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Field Nurse
Angels of Care Pediatrics
Ft Worth, Tx
10.2023 - Current
- Administered medications and treatments per physician orders to ensure patient compliance.
- Conducted thorough assessments of patients' health to develop individualized care plans.
- Educated families on medical conditions and home care procedures for improved health outcomes.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate comprehensive patient care services.
- Educated patients and caregivers on disease processes, medications, plans of care and individualized treatment plans.
- Provided emotional support to patients and families during difficult situations, fostering trust and open communication.
- Administered effective nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent and disabled patients.
- Improved patient outcomes by providing high-quality, personalized care to individuals in their home setting.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by building strong relationships and addressing individual concerns.
- Conducted regular home safety assessments to minimize fall risks and ensure a secure environment for recovery.
- Demonstrated flexibility in adapting to changing patient needs or scheduling demands while maintaining consistent quality of care.
- Administered medication as prescribed, monitoring for side effects and potential interactions.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
Charge Nurse
Santa Fe Health and Rehab
Weatherford, TX
01.2021 - 10.2023
- Monitored vital signs and assessed patients' conditions to inform clinical decisions.
- Trained and mentored new nursing staff on best practices and hospital policies.
- Evaluated patient outcomes and adjusted care strategies based on feedback and observations.
- Coordinated nursing care on unit through staff assignments, assisting and rounding with physicians, monitoring patient orders, and communicating with ancillary departments.
- Optimized patient satisfaction through timely response to concerns and effective communication among staff members.
- Collaborated with other healthcare professionals to provide quality patient care.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient information, enabling informed decision-making among the healthcare team members.
- Maintained high standards of patient care during high-volume shifts, managing patient assignments to optimize nurse workload.
- Oversaw administration of medication, ensuring adherence to strict safety protocols, thereby maintaining patient safety.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
Charge nurse
Santa Fe Health and Rehab
Weatherford, Tx
09.2014 - 10.2019
- Advocated for patient needs with balanced approach incorporating evidence-based practices, outcome targets, and current unit capacities.
- Monitored residents' conditions and responses to medications to identify and report on concerns.
- Resolved or reduced patient symptoms with intramuscular, intravenous and oral medicines. as ordered by Physician.
- Administered medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects to quickly intervene in serious issues.
- Completed regular assessments as well as vital signs to ensure residents recovery and well being.
- Managed residents admitting, transfers, and discharges for medicare unit.
- Kept unit operating efficiently by delegating assignments and monitoring staff performance against objectives.
- Contributed to team efficiency, optimal patient flow, and accuracy in treatments by maintaining accurate and detailed reports and records.
- Enhanced patient outcomes through careful monitoring of conditions and comprehensive support reporting to physician as necessary.
- Treated patients with issues such as post surgical recovery and multiple geriatric conditions and diseases and communicating abnormals physician.
- Performing nursing procedures for trach care, respiratory care including updraft tx's and O2 maintenance, , ostomy care, maintenance of foley catheters and g-tubes, iv administration and maintenance and wound care prn as well as multiple other nursing skills when needed.
Charge Nurse
Stephenville Nursing Rehab
Stephenville, Tx
10.2008 - 07.2013
- Advocated for patient needs with balanced approach incorporating evidence-based practices, outcome targets, and current unit capacities.
- Kept unit operating efficiently by delegating assignments and monitoring staff performance against objectives.
- Monitored residents' conditions and responses to medications to identify and report on concerns.
- Assisted staff members with clinical questions and concerns as knowledgeable resource.
- Managed patient admitting, transfers, and discharges for all units.
- Enhanced patient outcomes through careful monitoring of conditions and comprehensive support.
- Resolved or reduced patient symptoms with intramuscular, intravenous and oral medicines.
- Controlled infection risks with careful care of wounds and thorough sanitizing techniques.
- Treated patients with issues such as multiple geriatric diseases and conditions and post surgical care alongside multidisciplinary team.
- Administered medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects to quickly intervene in serious issues.
- Contributed to team efficiency, optimal patient flow, and accuracy in treatments by maintaining accurate and detailed reports and records.
- Practiced multiple skills within the nursing scope such as wound care, trach care , updraft tx's, O2 maintenance, iv administration and ostomy care.
School Nurse
Lipan ISD
Lipan, Tx
08.1997 - 08.2007
- Administered medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects to quickly intervene in serious issues.
- Enhanced patient outcomes through careful monitoring of conditions and comprehensive support.
- Stabilized patients during emergencies with first aid and life support care.
- Developed solid relationships with staff, students, and parents.
- Maintained full compliance with legal, health, and safety regulations.
- Completed vision and hearing, and spinal screenings with little oversight.
- Tracked vaccination records for each student, keeping in standards with the state of Texas requirements.
- Served customers by going above-and-beyond to offer exceptional support for all needs.
- Managed files and continuously updated and organized records.
- Troubleshot problems and developed successful solutions fir individual needs of students.
Education
Licensed Vocational Nurse - undefined
Weatherford college
Weatherford, Tx08.1992
Skills
Respiratory maintenance including trach care, O2 maintenance and updrafts
IV maintenance and administration
Wound care
Diabetes management such as fsbs and insulin administration
Administration of all oral, iM, IV medications with lvn scope
Management of G-tubes and Foley catheters
Compassionate care
Patient advocate
Timeline
Field Nurse
Angels of Care Pediatrics
10.2023 - Current
Charge Nurse
Santa Fe Health and Rehab
01.2021 - 10.2023
Charge nurse
Santa Fe Health and Rehab
09.2014 - 10.2019
Charge Nurse
Stephenville Nursing Rehab
10.2008 - 07.2013
School Nurse
Lipan ISD
08.1997 - 08.2007
Licensed Vocational Nurse - undefined
Weatherford college