Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Affiliations
Certification
Committees
Timeline
Generic

Carol Ciukaj

Midlothian,IL

Summary

Dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurse (RN) with progressive career history in direct patient care and care coordination in fast-paced environment. Proven to remain calm under pressure and skillfully handle difficult patients and high-stress situations. Consistently developing strong relationships with patients and families through empathetic communication, respectful attitude and excellent customer service.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Registered Nurse, Ambulatory Care Gastroenterology

Rush University Medical Center, RUMC
04.2024 - Current
  • Establishes a caring, therapeutic relationship with patients and families through effective communication, acknowledgement of patient/family perceptions of health and illness and mutual goal setting for optimal patient experience and outcomes
  • Maintains positive and professional relationships with all members of the healthcare team through effective communication, mutual support and respect.
  • Recognizes changes in patient status and responds effectively to enhance patient outcomes.
  • Collaborates with other clinic personnel to ensure task completion to consistently optimize patient outcomes
  • Obtains prior authorizations for medications and procedures. Initiates appeals and external independent reviews when needed.
  • Promotes a health work environment as a Wellness Ambassador and member of the Wellness Committee
  • Provides comprehensive patient assessments to develop personalized care plans in accordance with established protocols.
  • Utilizes electronic health record systems for accurate documentation, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and facilitating communication among providers.
  • Increases patient adherence to treatment plans by providing thorough education on medications, procedures, and lifestyle modifications.

Registered Nurse, Pediatrics

Loyola University Medical Center
02.2001 - 04.2024
  • Charge nurse on pediatric unit
  • Epic superuser
  • Cultivated rapport with patients and caregivers, utilizing proactive communication with parents and children.
  • Provided educational support to patients and families to inform them of procedures.
  • Provided bedside care and treatment for patients in Pediatric/Surgical unit and in monitored Intermediate Care unit
  • Accurately documented treatment, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions and follow-up care.
  • Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
  • Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms
  • Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
  • Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
  • Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
  • Adhered to strict safety measures by carefully determining proper dosages before administering medications.
  • Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
  • Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
  • Assessed and evaluated mental health needs, working with multidisciplinary team to initiate, manage and modify individualized care plans.
  • Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners and verifying interventions met treatment goals
  • Reviewed post-operative orders and continuously monitored patients' post-operative vitals, set up PCA and fluids and oriented patients to unit.
  • Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use and disease management.
  • Provided culturally sensitive care and communication for patients and caregivers
  • Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.

Registered Nurse

Adventist LaGrange Memorial Hospital
08.2000 - 02.2001
  • Establishes a caring, therapeutic relationship with patients and families through effective communication, acknowledgement of patient/family perceptions of health and illness and mutual goal setting for optimal patient experience and outcomes
  • Maintains positive and professional relationships with all members of the healthcare team through effective communication, mutual support and respect.
  • Recognizes changes in patient status and responds effectively to enhance patient outcomes.
  • Collaborates with other clinic personnel to ensure task completion to consistently optimize patient outcomes
  • Obtains prior authorizations for medications and procedures. Initiates appeals and external independent reviews when needed.
  • Promotes a health work environment as a Wellness Ambassador and member of the Wellness Committee

Education

Bachelor Of Science - Nursing

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL
05.1997

Skills

  • PICC Lines
  • Mentoring New Nurses
  • CPR Instructor
  • Wound and Ostomy Care
  • Infection Control Procedures
  • Seizure Disorders
  • Airway Management
  • Pain Management Techniques
  • Epic Systems
  • Critical Thinking
  • Tracheostomy Care
  • Family Education
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Patient Triage
  • G Tube care and enteral feedings
  • Providing age appropriate care to diverse population of patients

Accomplishments

  • Daisy award nomination from a patient

Affiliations

  • Society of Pediatric Nurses
  • American Nurses Association ANA and state membership
  • Case Management Society of America

Certification

  • PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support
  • ACLS- Advanced Cardiac Life Support
  • BLS- Basic Life Support
  • American Red Cross BLS Instructor
  • American Heart Association BLS Instructor
  • Certified Pediatric Nurse

Committees

Ambulatory Department Advisory Committee

GI Wellness Committee

Ambulatory Practice Council

Timeline

Registered Nurse, Ambulatory Care Gastroenterology

Rush University Medical Center, RUMC
04.2024 - Current

Registered Nurse, Pediatrics

Loyola University Medical Center
02.2001 - 04.2024

Registered Nurse

Adventist LaGrange Memorial Hospital
08.2000 - 02.2001

Bachelor Of Science - Nursing

Northern Illinois University

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE