Dawn Marie Graczyk
Lee's Summit,MO
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate BSN. Well traveled and culturally competent. Extensive experience caring for children with advancing neurodegenerative disease. Current experience as a pediatric dialysis nurse.
Well-spoken patient advocate with experience as both nurse and caregiver, and ability to bridge the gap between the two. Used nursing skills to build and direct a multidisciplinary team including cardiology, neurology, pulmonology, mental health, and gastroenterology for the management of rare neuromuscular disease. Cared for medically complex patients on intermediate, ICU step-down unit. Gained pediatric dialysis experience in top-rated pediatric nephrology program.
Enthusiastic researcher. Passionate about quality patient care; equity; family support; and collaboration among healthcare team.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse
Children's Mercy Hospitals And Clinics
11.2023 - Current
- Safely accessed hemodialysis central lines for pediatric dialysis treatment
- Assessed complex patients and tailored care and interventions to patient needs
- Administered IV therapies and medications as ordered.
- Completed central line dressing changes.
- Obtained and monitored labs drawn from central lines.
- Performed sterile procedures.
- Provided kidney disease and health promotion education to families caring for medically complex children.
- Demonstrated understanding of complex pathophysiologic processes in pediatric populations.
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Saint Luke's Hospital
03.2023 - 11.2023
- Improved patient outcomes by providing comprehensive assessments and developing individualized care plans.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction with compassionate, personalized nursing care tailored to each individual's needs.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for optimal patient care, ensuring seamless communication between healthcare providers.
- Managed complex wound care, including dressing changes, monitoring for signs of infection, and collaborating with wound care specialists as needed.
- Facilitated timely discharges by proactively addressing potential barriers to transition such as insurance coverage or transportation issues.
- Developed strong rapport with patients and families through active listening, empathy, and clear communication during challenging situations.
- Provided education on disease management strategies to empower patients in self-care activities throughout their recovery journey.
- Demonstrated flexibility in managing multiple priorities concurrently during high-stress periods while maintaining a calm demeanor.
Student Nurse Technician
MultiCare Allenmore Hospital
01.2007 - 01.2008
- Maximized patient satisfaction by helping individuals carry out personal tasks such as dressing and walking.
- Maintained patient stability by checking vital signs and weight.
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
- Provided activities of daily living by assisting with serving meals, ambulating, turning and positioning patients.
- Monitored, tracked and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
- Evaluated patients to identify and address wounds, behavioral concerns and medically relevant symptoms.
- Offered immediate assistance in emergency and routine paging situations to evaluate needs and deliver care.
- Provided personal hygiene assistance, giving baths and performing dress changes for patients.
- Maintained stringent hygiene standards of unit with disinfection and consistent restock of all equipment.
- Prepared and maintained records of patient progress and services performed to report changes in patient condition.
- Administered medication according to each patient's medical charts and recorded vitals such as blood pressure, temperature, and pulse.
- Obtained biological specimens for ordered tests and prepared for laboratory transport.
- Corresponded with appropriate doctors to report any changes occurring in patients' health.
- Performed BSN level nursing services as learned in nursing program, while under RN supervision, and in accordance with state laws
Education
Master of Science - Nursing
Benedictine University
Lisle, IL05.2025
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA12.2008
Skills
- Nurse Collaboration
- Nursing Plan Development
- Quality Patient Care
- Multidisciplinary Planning
- Patient Advocacy
- Teaching
- Empathy and Compassionate Care
- Empathy and Compassionate Care
Accomplishments
- Fellowship, Missouri Nurses Association Advocacy Institute: Selected to for one of fifteen positions in the Missouri Nurses Association Advocacy Institute. Fellowship includes education in engagement in the legislative process and participation in group action and creation of testimony in support of a specific bill. Following completion of the fellowship, I intend to stay on as a mentor to future fellows. Volunteer experience
Additional Information
Volunteer experience
Patient Advocacy, RareKC
POPS Program (Parents Offering Parents Support), Children's Mercy Hospital
RareKC: Assisted my children in serving as Rare Ambassadors. Speaker for RareKC Town Hall Meeting, 2018.
Patient Focused Advisory Committee for Rare Disease
.
University of Missouri School of Medicine: guest lecturer 2018-2022. Title: A parents journey toward a diagnosis for children with rare disease
Children's Mercy Hospital, CareForRare (Germany, United States): hosted German bicyclist on US tour in support of research for children with rare diseases, 2019 and 2022
Children's Mercy Hospital: spoke with media on multiple occasions to raise awareness for rare disease and Children's Mercy Research Center, Genomic Answers for Kids
Affiliations
- Missouri Nurses Association
- Sigma Theta Tau, Honor Society of Nursing
- RareKC
- Children's Mercy Hospital Rare Disease Patient Focused Advisory Council
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Children's Mercy Hospitals And Clinics
11.2023 - Current
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Saint Luke's Hospital
03.2023 - 11.2023
Student Nurse Technician
MultiCare Allenmore Hospital
01.2007 - 01.2008
Master of Science - Nursing
Benedictine University
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Pacific Lutheran University
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