Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Interests
I am an lifelong horse enthusiast
Timeline
Hi, I’m

CARA WHITAKER

Registered Nurse
Harper,TX
CARA WHITAKER

Summary

Seasoned nursing professional offering proven clinical knowledge, natural interpersonal strengths and technical abilities. Knowledgeable about EMR charting, medication administration and interdisciplinary collaboration focused on optimizing patient care and support. Quality-focused and efficiency-driven leader. Skilled at multi-tasking (mother of 5 and has co-owned -co-managed our family business helping it get off the ground in 2007.) Excels at identifying where quality improvements are needed, then developing a realistic plan for improvement and implementing it. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.

Overview

18
years of professional experience
7
years of post-secondary education

Work History

Peterson Regional Medical Center
Kerrville, TX

Registered Nurse Pre-Admission Testing
08.2021 - Current

Job overview

  • Collaborated with physicians (anesthesia, PCP, cardiac, pulmonology) to collect information and determine best course of action in preparing each patient for their surgical procedure.
  • Audited charts and reviewed clinical documents to verify accuracy.
  • Updated patient charts with data such as medications and current medical history to keep records current and optimize each patient prior to their surgical procedures.
  • Determine the necessary labwork, perform EKG's, and request anesthesia review as necessary.

St Luke's Baptist Hospital
San Antonio, TX

NICU Registered Nurse
01.2013 - 09.2014

Job overview

  • Communicated with family members and loved ones to provide information about patient care, treatments and medical options. Family centered care was our focus.
  • Administered medications and fluids and checked vital signs on critically ill newborns. Collaborated with Pharmacy and neonatalogists' daily.
  • Crafted tailored nursing care plan for each patient and evaluated it daily for effectiveness.
  • Provided high level of quality care for each and every patient in the neonatal ICU unit.
  • Promoted positive breastfeeding atmosphere in the unit and utilized my skills to provide lactation coaching whenever possible.


Morningside Ministries
Boerne, United States

Registered Nurse Floor Supervisor
08.2011 - 01.2013

Job overview

  • Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment, and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal provider.
  • Led successful team comprised of RNs, LPNs, and ancillary staff.
  • Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
  • Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
  • Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches.
  • Collaborated with the families, PT,OT and ST and PCP to adjust treatment plans as necessary.

Care Choice Of Boerne
Boerne, Texas

Director of Nursing
12.2010 - 08.2011

Job overview

  • Collaborated with staff, management, and external groups to coordinate patient care.
  • Planned and assigned workload to 30+-person nursing staff to direct patient care.
  • Oversaw and approved recruitment, hiring and orientation of new nursing staff.
  • Established new policies and updated existing policies to improve standard of care for patients.
  • Participated in management team meetings to discuss resident status, census changes, and resident complaints or concerns.
  • Ordered all pharmacy supplies and kept check on inventory levels.
  • Developed and updated policies and procedures, maintaining compliance with guidelines from DADS. Acted as the lead liason between DADS surveyors' and Licensed Facility Administrator. Developed and implemented the subsequent action plan following facility survey.
  • Spearheaded and implemented new projects to expand scope of engagement. We added a restorative aide program during my tenure that was highly successful in CNA and resident satisfaction.
  • Monitored and evaluated nursing staff performance, providing feedback and guidance to support standards of care.
  • Successfully negotiated client contract renewals to create increased revenue. Participated in multiple marketing outreach events through-out the community
  • Spearheaded and implemented new projects to expand scope of engagement-changed our order entry system from a completely paper record to a newly implemented computer system.

South Texas Surgical And Spine Hospital
San Antonio, TX - Texas

Registered Nurse, Float Pool
07.2007 - 01.2009

Job overview

  • Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
  • Managed care from admission to floor through discharge for all orthopedic surgical patients.
  • Provided postoperative care for patients from multiple orthopedic surgeons for a vast array of surgical procedures.
  • Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
  • Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion, and airway management.
  • Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.

Sid Peterson Memorial Hospital
Kerrville, TX

Telemetry RN
12.2005 - 01.2007

Job overview

  • Administered heart and blood pressure medication to cardiac patients as prescribed by physicians.
  • Observed patient health and side effects from treatments and medications, noting all details in patient chart.
  • Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
  • Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
  • Provided exceptional care to complex patients needing skilled care such as multiple IV medications, extensive wound care and cardiac or surgical rehabilitation.

Education

San Antonio College of Nursing

Associate of Applied Science from Nursing
01.2004 - 12.2005

University Overview

Graduated with a 3.4 GPA while raising 6 year old triplets

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Bachelor of Science from Biology
08.1988 - 12.1993

Skills

    Strong clinical judgment

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Interests

I enjoy family time most of all. My triplets are all adulting well (MD, RN, CAPENTER.) My younger two children are almost grown, my husband runs the business effectively with minimal assistance on my part and now I am looking forward to furthering my career.

I am an lifelong horse enthusiast

I am an avid equestrian competing in the AERC (American Endurance RIders Conference) regularly. My 14 year old daughter competes with me.  It is a complex sport requiring intense preparation as well as physical and mental fortitude on the part of the human and their equine partner.  I love it!!!

Timeline

Registered Nurse Pre-Admission Testing

Peterson Regional Medical Center
08.2021 - Current

NICU Registered Nurse

St Luke's Baptist Hospital
01.2013 - 09.2014

Registered Nurse Floor Supervisor

Morningside Ministries
08.2011 - 01.2013

Director of Nursing

Care Choice Of Boerne
12.2010 - 08.2011

Registered Nurse, Float Pool

South Texas Surgical And Spine Hospital
07.2007 - 01.2009

Telemetry RN

Sid Peterson Memorial Hospital
12.2005 - 01.2007

San Antonio College of Nursing

Associate of Applied Science from Nursing
01.2004 - 12.2005

Texas Tech University

Bachelor of Science from Biology
08.1988 - 12.1993
CARA WHITAKERRegistered Nurse