BRENDA SASSEN
Arvada,CO
Summary
Dynamic Nurse Practitioner with extensive experience, excelling in comprehensive patient evaluation and pharmaceutical management. Proven ability to educate patients on chronic conditions while collaborating effectively with interdisciplinary teams. Skilled in utilizing EMR systems to enhance patient care and streamline treatment planning.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Nurse Practitioner
Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology
07.2015 - Current
- Evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients with a variety of GI conditions including inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, pancreatitis, IBS, GERD
- Prescribe high risk medications including steroids and immunosuppressants and provide close clinical and laboratory follow up while patients are taking them
- Provide inpatient gastroenterology consultations on patients with acute illnesses and ensure close follow up of those patients with daily rounding and monitoring of labs and diagnostics, as well arrange outpatients follow up or them
- Proficient in 3 EMR systems including Epic, Meditech, and Allscripts
- Provide thorough education regarding acute and chronic diseases that patients develop
- Promote colon cancer prevention by encouraging and scheduling screening colonoscopies
Nurse Practitioner (pre-admission testing/hospitalist)
Sound Physicians, St Anthony/OrthoColorado Hospitals
09.2013 - 04.2015
- Perform pre-operative history and physicals
- Provide medical clearance for patients prior to surgery or refer them for specialty consultation/additional testing if needed
- Provide inpatient medical consultations and participate in daily rounding and follow up of those patients
- Manage pain and chronic medical conditions including blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, acid reflux, COPD, obstructive sleep apnea, etc
- Order, follow up, and treat laboratory data and diagnostics
PACU/Pre-op Nurse
Centura Regional Float Pool
Denver, USA
05.2010 - 09.2013
- Company Overview: Denver, CO
- Same skills and duties as above, but at multiple sites throughout Denver
- Denver, CO
PACU/Pre-op Nurse
Denver Health Medical Center
Denver, USA
01.2008 - 09.2013
- Company Overview: Denver, CO
- Independently cared for pre- and post-operative patients in a fast paced, level 1 trauma center
- Used critical thinking skills to manage serious situations quickly and effectively
- Managed pain and blood pressure by administering prescribed medications and monitoring vital signs
- Devised and executed plans of care and provide comprehensive discharge instructions
- Quickly and effectively prepared patients for surgery by performing physical assessments, obtaining detailed H&Ps, acquiring IV access and necessary phlebotomy, and ensuring consents were present and current
- Frequently filled in as charge nurse: successfully coordinated the flow of patients, allocated staff assignments, and served as a resource to others
- Denver, CO
Travel Nurse
Supplemental Healthcare
08.2005 - 01.2008
- Worked on a variety of units including telemetry, medical, surgical, multi-trauma, and neurology
- Adapted quickly to new environments and patient types
- Learned and effectively used numerous computer charting systems
Staff Nurse
Sharp Memorial Hospital
San Diego, USA
03.2004 - 08.2005
- Company Overview: San Diego, CA
- Worked directly with patients and families on a cardiac step-down unit to promote healing and develop plans of care
- Assessed, interpreted, and often times treated abnormal rhythms found on EKG
- Collaborated with physicians, pharmacists, nurses, case managers, and clerical staff on a daily basis
- Performed minor procedures including IV insertion/removal, catheter insertion/removal, phlebotomy, wound cleansing, and dressing changes
- Administered medications and drips, assessed and recorded vital signs, provided accurate documentation
- San Diego, CA
Education
Master of Science - Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner
University of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN07.2011
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN06.2003
Generals -
Gustavus Adolphus College
St. Peter, MN05.2000
Skills
- Comprehensive Patient Evaluation
- Pharmaceutical Management
- Patient-Centered Disease Management
- Patient education
- Proficient in Electronic Medical Record Systems
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Laboratory data interpretation
- Collaborative Treatment Planning
Certification
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), 11/25
- Basic Life Support (BLS), 11/25
Professional Memberships
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), 1105130
- American College of Gastroenterology (ACG)
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Nurse Practitioner
Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology
07.2015 - Current
Nurse Practitioner (pre-admission testing/hospitalist)
Sound Physicians, St Anthony/OrthoColorado Hospitals
09.2013 - 04.2015
PACU/Pre-op Nurse
Centura Regional Float Pool
05.2010 - 09.2013
PACU/Pre-op Nurse
Denver Health Medical Center
01.2008 - 09.2013
Travel Nurse
Supplemental Healthcare
08.2005 - 01.2008
Staff Nurse
Sharp Memorial Hospital
03.2004 - 08.2005
Master of Science - Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner
University of Southern Indiana
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Minnesota
Generals -
Gustavus Adolphus College
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