Ann Squier
Nevada,IA
Summary
I feel blessed that I have been able to work in several areas of Nursing within my 27-year career. It was great to obtain various experiences working in Emergency Department, Acute/Med-Surg & Skilled Unit, Oncology, Labor & Delivery, NICU, Peritoneal Dialysis, and as a Nursing Coordinator in a Pediatric facility (a Residential Treatment Center - Beloit with Lutheran Services in Iowa - for children with behavioral and emotional disorders). Although, yes, I have been in different areas of nursing jobs throughout my career, most came at the 'right time' for myself and my family in finding the hours that worked best for our schedules at home. When my two sons were young, and still at home, it worked out that we did not need to use daycare. Now, I can work full-time and my children are independent young adults. That leaves me open to achieve learning more, and traveling for educational conferences, trainings, miscellaneous.
I enjoy learning immensely - especially in areas of nursing and hands-on procedures. I have been a nurse-preceptor to several nursing students. As a charge nurse, I truly enjoy instructing and teaching policies and procedures to other nurses. Our career is always growing and changing - nurses learn so many new things nearly each and every day!!
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
RN - Charge Nurse
Story County Medical Center
12.2019 - Current
- Administered medications accurately and safely, reducing medication errors and adverse reactions.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction through effective communication, empathy, and timely response to their needs.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for comprehensive patient care plans, resulting in better health outcomes.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Educated patients on disease management and self-care techniques, promoting lifestyle changes for improved health.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Served as a liaison between physicians and patients'' families to facilitate clear communication regarding treatment options and progress updates.
- Promoted a safe working environment by adhering to infection control policies and regularly reviewing safety protocols.
- Served as a liaison between nursing staff, physicians, and management, fostering open communication channels among all parties involved in patient care.
NICU RN
Mary Greeley Medical Center
10.2017 - 12.2019
- Maintained detailed documentation of all aspects of patient care using electronic medical records systems for accurate record-keeping and communication among team members.
- Utilized advanced assessment skills to recognize early signs of clinical deterioration in neonates, initiating appropriate interventions or escalating concerns promptly.
- Communicated effectively with other departments such as pharmacy, laboratory services, social work, case management during the coordination of multidisciplinary patient care.
- Performed thorough physical assessments on newborns daily to detect early signs of potential complications or abnormalities requiring attention.
- Assisted with high-risk deliveries as part of the Neonatal Resuscitation Team, implementing life-saving interventions when necessary.
- Facilitated smooth transitions of care from NICU to home by coordinating with healthcare providers and family members.
Labor & Delivery RN
Mary Greeley Medical Center
09.2016 - 10.2017
- Educated expectant parents on prenatal care, childbirth options, breastfeeding techniques, and newborn care for informed decisionmaking.
- Administered pain management techniques including epidurals, spinal blocks, intravenous medications safely while monitoring their effectiveness.
- Improved breastfeeding success rates by providing lactation support and education to new mothers, addressing their concerns, and troubleshooting challenges.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized birth plans tailored to each mother''s needs and preferences.
- Decreased incidence of postpartum hemorrhage with timely administration of medications and interventions as needed.
- Supported maternal-infant bonding by encouraging skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth whenever possible.
- Developed strong rapport with patients and families through empathetic communication, active listening, and cultural sensitivity during challenging times in labor and delivery process.
- Mentored new nurses by providing guidance on best practices in labor and delivery nursing care for successful skill development.
- Assessed neonates immediately after delivery for any signs of distress or complications, initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
- Assisted physicians during cesarean sections, forceps deliveries, and vacuum extractions to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
- Provided emotional support and guidance to new mothers and families during labor, delivery and postpartum.
- Responded to emergency situations such as pre-eclampsia, early labor, and fetal distress.
- Assisted physician during delivery, examination and surgical procedures by anticipating needs, encouraging patient, and attending to baby after birth.
- Assessed infant health directly after birth using APGAR and monitored health for specified amount of time for any changes in status.
- Managed epidural analgesia infusions and monitored vital signs during labor and delivery.
- Coached new mothers with breastfeeding techniques, postpartum self-care and infant care to promote easier transition into motherhood.
Oncology Nurse
Mary Greeley Medical Center
10.2015 - 09.2016
- Administered chemotherapy, pain medications and other medicines based on physician orders and patient requirements.
- Collaborated with oncologists to develop targeted treatment plans for patients with various cancer types and stages.
- Established rapport with diverse patient populations by demonstrating empathy and understanding during difficult periods of illness or treatment.
- Maintained detailed documentation of patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes using electronic health record systems.
- Provided emotional support for patients and families coping with the challenges of a cancer diagnosis.
- Advocated for patient rights, ensuring access to appropriate pain management options during end-of-life care.
- Streamlined patient flow in an outpatient infusion clinic by efficiently managing schedules and resources.
Nursing Coordinator
Lutheran Services of Iowa, LSI
03.2014 - 08.2015
- Coordinated schedules and duties with other members of the nursing team.
- Ensured regulatory compliance by maintaining accurate documentation and staying current on industry best practices.
- Coordinated Pediatric Clients' appointments with Pediatrician Clinic, Dentist, misc. for healthy child visits and appointments for health concerns or illness.
- Met with Psychiatrist and care plan team in weekly meeting sessions to discuss clients' therapy goals, outcomes, and medications.
- Managed each clients' medications within the 5 Residential Facility Units.
Peritoneal Dialysis RN Coordinator - Home Dialysis
DaVita
11.2011 - 03.2014
- Supported patients' families through education about treatment options, medications, coping strategies, community resources available to them.
- Instructed & performed 1:1 training with each patient in Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) Home Treatment. Including, manual exchanges for PD and use of the Baxter Cycler (mechanical exchanges).
- Taught 'Kidney Smart' classes monthly in Ames and Marshalltown - teaching patients in early to later stages of renal failure how to stay healthy, avoid triggers/factors that could advance them into later stage(s) of renal disease. Also, taught and demonstrated the modality options of treatment in dialysis & the types of dialysis access PD catheters, fistulas, misc. - should dialysis be necessary to start - and prior to transplant.
- Reduced hospital readmission rates by developing comprehensive discharge plans and collaborating with healthcare professionals.
- Achieved an award and bonus for all of our Clinic's Peritoneal Dialysis Home Patients remaining infection-free and out of the hospital for over a year.
- Drew monthly labs on each PD patient and then reviewed them with Nephrologist and each patient at their home dialysis clinic visits.
- Worked closely with all 3 Nephrologists in planning and coordinating PD treatments; including diagnostic studies of accuracy in each patients dialysis home program and plan of care.
Charge Nurse - RN Acute/Inpatient & Emergency Dept
Story County Medical Center
08.2005 - 11.2011
- Coordinated nursing care on unit through staff assignments, assisting and rounding with physicians, monitoring patient orders, and communicating with ancillary departments.
- Conducted daily shift reports to inform staff of changes in patient care assignments.
- Mentored and supervised junior nurses, fostering a supportive and professional work environment.
- Supervised and managed daily scheduling, tasking, and administration.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to develop and implement individualized care plans for patients.
- Advocated for patient needs, resulting in improved patient outcomes and satisfaction.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Worked in the Emergency Department as the only nurse each shift (working 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the time) - would occasionally need help from Paramedics and/or floor staff, when the ED had higher volumes of patients or greater acuity needs, misc.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Performed triage on incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses.
Education
Associate Degree in Nursing - Nursing - RN Program
North Iowa Area Community College
Mason City05-1998
Skills
- Certifications, up-to-date:
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification via AHA
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification
- Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) certification
- Previously:
- NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) certification
- Recently attended 'Charge Nurse Leadership Workshop' - October 2nd & 3rd, 2024
- 'Kidney Smart Program' Education Coordinator - for Ames, IA area (via DaVita Dialysis) - 2013 through 2015
Timeline
RN - Charge Nurse
Story County Medical Center
12.2019 - Current
NICU RN
Mary Greeley Medical Center
10.2017 - 12.2019
Labor & Delivery RN
Mary Greeley Medical Center
09.2016 - 10.2017
Oncology Nurse
Mary Greeley Medical Center
10.2015 - 09.2016
Nursing Coordinator
Lutheran Services of Iowa, LSI
03.2014 - 08.2015
Peritoneal Dialysis RN Coordinator - Home Dialysis
DaVita
11.2011 - 03.2014
Charge Nurse - RN Acute/Inpatient & Emergency Dept
Story County Medical Center
08.2005 - 11.2011
Associate Degree in Nursing - Nursing - RN Program
North Iowa Area Community College
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