Dana Ballare-Davidson
Lafayette,CO
Summary
Dynamic Registered Nurse and Nurse Coach with a robust clinical background specializing in the treatment, management, and prevention of chronic diseases. Passionate advocate for the weight-inclusive paradigm, dedicated to promoting prevention and recovery from eating disorders and disordered eating. Committed to empowering individuals through compassionate care and evidence-based practices that foster holistic well-being. Proven ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams to enhance patient outcomes and support sustainable behavior change.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
University of Washington
02.2025
- Volunteer facilitator for Weight Stigma Interprofessional Active Learning Series
- Guided participants during case study analysis during break out groups
Ambassador
Be Real USA
09.2025 - Current
- Completed training to give Body Confident Schools and Body Confident Kids presentations
- Offer presentations to schools and parents in my community to foster a culture of positive body image and healthy relationships with food
Nurse Care Coach
Boulder Community Health/ Boulder Valley Independent Practice Association
Longmont, CO
06.2019 - Current
- Provide individual coaching to employees of a school district to enhance engagement in health supporting behaviors
- Encourage a non-diet and weight inclusive approach to promote health and wellbeing while preventing harm.
- Utilize evidence-based guidelines to monitor and manage chronic disease progression in diverse patient populations.
- Create educational materials focused on preventive care and lifestyle modifications tailored to community needs.
- Use Epic EHR to document coaching sessions
- Present case studies to the Human Resources Benefits team on client outcomes.
Nurse Coach and Owner
Insightful Self Health and Wellness Coaching LLC
Lafayette, CO
11.2017 - 06.2019
- Provide individual holistic coaching over the phone
- Form strong relationships and assess readiness for change
- Partner with clients to identify opportunities for change
- Create client-centered goals
- Structure the coaching interaction to meet the client’s needs
- Encourage realistic timelines and clear, focused planning
- Support clients throughout the change process by encouraging small, steady steps
- Empower clients to find their own unique motivations and processes to achieve goals
- Support clients in self-evaluation
Registered Nurse Level IV, Inpatient Telemetry and Medical Units
Good Samaritan Medical Center
Lafayette, CO
01.2014 - 06.2019
- Direct inpatient care for acutely ill adults diagnosed with a variety of conditions including: diabetes, myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiac arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, pneumonia, renal and hepatic failure
- Achieved Level IV on the Clinical Ladder including an evidenced based practice project on advance directives
- Interpret cardiac rhythms using telemetry monitoring
- Implement appropriate nursing interventions based on the disease process and assessment findings specific to each patient
- Safely administer a variety of medications and educate patients about the indications and side effects
- Evaluate the efficacy of interventions to determine the need for changes within the care plan in order to provide the best possible health outcomes
- Educate patients and their families on the complexities involved with their individual diagnoses and the plan of care on a daily basis
- Advocate for patients and their families so that all of their needs are met
- Empathize and provide physical and emotional support to patients and their families that are struggling with the stress that comes with hospitalization
- Communicate and collaborate with all members of the health care team including: certified nurse assistants, the charge nurse, physicians, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, physical and occupational therapists, radiology technicians, telemetry technicians, laboratory technicians, registered dieticians, case management nurses and patients and their families in order to provide safe and holistic care that increases patient satisfaction and results in better health outcomes
- Recognize when a patient’s condition is deteriorating and quickly use critical thinking and assessment skills to develop a plan of action that includes collaboration with physicians and involving the medical emergency response team
- Assist in the development and execution of simple to complex discharge plans with a focus on patient and family education in order to provide the tools and knowledge they need to safely go home and reduce the incidence of readmission
- Document assessments, interventions, plan of care, patient education, medication administration, and clinician communication in the electronic medical record using the EPIC EHR
- Active member of the Unit Practice Counsel in order to improve the functionality, teamwork and safety of the Medical Unit
- Preceptor for new graduate RNs and student nurses
- Education Champion of the Medical Unit. Duties include assisting Unit Educator with staff education regarding policies and procedures
Registered Nurse, Inpatient Pulmonary/Thoracic Surgery Unit
University of Colorado Hospital
Aurora, CO
10.2009 - 01.2014
- Graduate of Post-Baccalaureate Nurse Residency Program
- Managed and provided comprehensive care for a variety of patient conditions: general, thoracic, and vascular surgery, cystic fibrosis, lung transplant, pulmonary hypertension, cardiac with telemetry, and internal medicine
- Precepted and mentored new graduate RNs during a twelve week orientation period which included providing education, guidance, direct supervision, and evaluation of progress towards independence
- Attended monthly meetings and provided valuable information and education to my unit regarding palliative and end of life policies and procedures as a member of the Palliative Care Committee
Education
Professional Development -
Center For Body Trust
03-2026
Professional Development -
University of Arizona
03-2026
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Wisdom of the Whole Coaching Academy
06-2017
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Tufts University
06-2016
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Colorado
Colorado Springs05-2009
Biology
University of Colorado
Boulder01-2004
Skills
- Registered Nurse
- Board Certified Nurse Coach
- Patient Centered Care
- Health Promotion
- Evidenced Based Care
- Motivational Interviewing
- Weight Inclusive Care
- Chronic Disease Management
- Intuitive Eating
- EHR Documentation
Affiliations
- American Holistic Nurses Association
- Association for Weight and Size Inclusive Medicine
Certification
- Active Colorado Registered Nurse License
- Current Nurse Coach Board Certification
- Current BLS Certification
Timeline
Ambassador
Be Real USA
09.2025 - Current
University of Washington
02.2025
Nurse Care Coach
Boulder Community Health/ Boulder Valley Independent Practice Association
06.2019 - Current
Nurse Coach and Owner
Insightful Self Health and Wellness Coaching LLC
11.2017 - 06.2019
Registered Nurse Level IV, Inpatient Telemetry and Medical Units
Good Samaritan Medical Center
01.2014 - 06.2019
Registered Nurse, Inpatient Pulmonary/Thoracic Surgery Unit
University of Colorado Hospital
10.2009 - 01.2014
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Wisdom of the Whole Coaching Academy
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Tufts University
Biology
University of Colorado
Professional Development -
Center For Body Trust
Professional Development -
University of Arizona
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Colorado