Candace H Nichols
PO Box 369, Boyce,LA
Summary
Highly skilled Neonatal Nurse Practitioner with a proven track record at CHRISTUS St Francis Cabrini Hospital, specializing in premature and sick newborn care and fostering collaborative teamwork. Maintain reductions in hospital readmission rates through expert discharge planning, family education and follow up care of the high-risk neonate as outpatient. Renowned for critical thinking and patient safety and dedicated advocate for neonates and their families, ensuring optimal outcomes. Instrumental in development of and a well-known contributor to neonatal education of associates as well as referring hospitals as a Neonatal Resuscitation Instructor and a STABLE Instructor. Maintenance of the Neonatal Follow up Program that provides developmental screening for high-risk neonates for the first one to two years post discharge from a NICU.
Overview
44
44
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Christus St Francis Cabrini Hospital
07.1983 - Current
- Assessed, evaluated, and cared for >300 neonatal patients per year.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes and ensure continuity of care
- Implemented advanced life-saving measures during emergent situations, stabilizing critically ill infants
- Developed individualized care plans for neonates with complex medical conditions, working closely with families and healthcare providers to ensure optimal outcomes.
- Reduced hospital readmission rates by providing thorough discharge education and follow-up support to families of high-risk neonates.
- Evaluated the effectiveness of interventions on an ongoing basis, adjusting treatment plans as necessary to support optimal patient progress.
- Coordinated care for critically ill neonates, collaborating with specialists and advocating for necessary medical interventions.
- Optimized patient outcomes by staying current with advances in neonatology research and integrating findings into practice.
- Promoted family-centered care, engaging parents in the decision-making process and addressing their concerns regarding their baby''s health.
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives to enhance healthcare delivery within the NICU setting.
- Served as a preceptor for nurse practitioner students, cultivating future generations of clinicians dedicated to excellence in neonatal care.
- Participates in multidisciplinary rounds, providing input on patient care decisions and advocating for the needs of neonates and their families.
- Contributes to policy development within the NICU department, establishing guidelines for best practices in neonatal care management.
- Coordinated with physicians, specialists, and other medical staff to develop treatment plans for chronic conditions.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse
CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital
06.1980 - 01.1995
- Performed comprehensive assessments of neonatal patients, identifying subtle changes in condition that required medical intervention or modification of treatment plans.
- Assisted with complex procedures such as intubation, umbilical line placement, and lumbar punctures to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement individualized care plans for each patient.
- Actively participated in daily rounds with physicians, offering insights on patient progress from a nursing perspective to inform decision-making processes.
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives, resulting in increased efficiency and improved patient safety.
- Collaborated with social workers and case managers to address patients'' psychosocial needs and facilitate smooth transitions to home or step-down care settings.
- Mentored new nurses in the NICU, fostering a supportive environment for learning and professional growth.
Neonatal Transport Nurse
CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital
07.1983 - 01.1995
- Improved patient outcomes by providing specialized care during high-risk neonatal transports that encompassed 60% of NICU admissions at this time.
- Collaborated with physicians to develop individualized care plans for transported neonates, optimizing their health and safety.
- Maintained accurate records of patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes during transport, contributing to quality improvement initiatives.
Education
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) - Neonatology
Children’s Hospital
Columbus, OH12.1994
BSN - Nursing
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Natchitoches, LA05.1990
Associate Degree In Nursing - Nursing
Louisiana State University At Alexandria
Alexandria, LA06.1980
Skills
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse/Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)
- Advanced Life Saving Neonatal Skills
- Neonatal Resuscitation
- Neonatal transport team development & member since 1982
- NNP Preceptor
- Community Outreach Education
- Strong in sound Judgment in neonatal care, attention to detail, critical thinking, decision making
- Patient Safety and Outcomes are priority
Accomplishments
- National Certification as Neonatal Nurse Practitioner since 1995
- Instrumental in starting and maintaining our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit since 1980
- Developed & maintain our Neonatal Transport Service
- Developed & maintain our Neonatal Follow up Program with Neonatologist
- Instrumental in maintenance of our NNP Program.
- Maintain our Vermont Oxford Neonatal Database
- Instrumental in transitioning to electronic medical record for the NICU
Certification
- Nationally Certified Neonatal Nurse Practitioner since 1995
Timeline
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Christus St Francis Cabrini Hospital
07.1983 - Current
Neonatal Transport Nurse
CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital
07.1983 - 01.1995
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse
CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital
06.1980 - 01.1995
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) - Neonatology
Children’s Hospital
BSN - Nursing
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Associate Degree In Nursing - Nursing
Louisiana State University At Alexandria
- Nationally Certified Neonatal Nurse Practitioner since 1995
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