Deana Shields
Bryant,AR
Summary
Experienced and licensed practical nurse with 16 years of expertise in geriatric, surgical, and assessment nursing. Dedicated to enhancing patient care through innovative approaches. Proficient in conducting comprehensive patient assessments, administering medications, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to optimize recovery outcomes. Passionate about improving healthcare quality and promoting patient independence through compassionate and personalized care.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Med/Surg Nurse
Saline Memorial Hospital
05.2024 - Current
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Met with and patients to discuss and distribute information on health maintenance and disease prevention.
- Educated patients and families on diagnosis, neurological conditions and processes, treatments and expected outcomes.
- Performed routine wound care and dressing changes on schedule.
- Evaluated charting procedures for adherence to best practices.
- Remained calm during high-stress, critical situations, demonstrating sustained focus and problem-solving in real-time.
- Orchestrated quality-driven, cost-effective care in high-volume trauma setting.
- Performed triage on incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
School Nurse
Arkansas School for the Deaf
12.2020 - 05.2024
- Medication Administration, Patient Assessment, Immunizations, COVID-19 Testing and Contract Tracing, Worked with staff and parents for care of students
- Performed health screening for students and faculty by conducting mandated health screenings, including vision, hearing, BMI, and scoliosis evaluations.
- Oversaw health services for school more than 200 students and faculty.
- Served as liaison between families, school personnel, and other healthcare providers on behalf of students.
- Participated in development of school safety plans to address areas of concern.
- Screened for infectious diseases to help prevent spreading within school community.
- Educated students on various health topics to promote overall health and wellbeing.
- Provided support to students with special needs and disabilities to deliver appropriate care and meet educational needs.
- Provided medical consultations to other school personnel to promote well-coordinated school health and safety efforts.
- Administered medication to students as prescribed by physicians to provide necessary treatment and manage health conditions.
- Maintained upkeep on defibrillators, blood pressure monitors and first aid kits to keep resources in working condition for emergencies.
Assessment Nurse
Nursing And Rehab at Good Shepherd
07.2019 - 12.2020
- Liaised between patients and doctors, completing comprehensive assessments and recording medical information to achieve recovery goals
- Assessed and coordinated patient's discharge planning needs with healthcare team members
- Educated patients and families on treatment strategies and at-home care
- Oversaw patient admission and discharge functions, including patient management and care coordination
- Educated and counseled patients and caregivers on diagnoses, treatment and therapy options, disease management and medication.
- Scheduled appointments for patients not requiring emergency services but needing examination from provider and consulting directly with provider.
- Obtained case history and gathered triage information to determine appropriate avenue for care.
- Performed additional clinic and non-triage nurse duties such as instructing patients in general and specific medical care and health issues and administering or dispensing medication and injections.
- Verified, updated and communicated patient history prior to clinic appointments and procedures with providers.
- Assisted in management of patient utilization of health care system and provided patient education relative to health care needs, use of community resources and responsibilities of membership in managed care.
- Verified patient insurance eligibility and identified primary care physician, contacting office to obtain patient file.
- Led teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing standard of care and best practices.
- Recorded details regarding therapies to keep patient charts updated.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
Acute Rehabilitation Nurse
St. Vincent's Rehabilitation Hospital
03.2016 - 09.2019
- Performed assessments to determine individual limitations and strengths
- Monitored and assisted both occupational and physical therapists during treatments
- Administered oral, intramuscular and IV medications to patients and monitored responses
- Used facility EMR system to update patient records, transmit prescriptions and transfer files
- Effectively managed ortho-neuro joint replacement patients
- Carried out physician orders in a safe and appropriate manner.
- Contributed substantially to successful department JCAHO accreditation by consistently operating to highest standards of care.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
Geriatric Nurse
Lakewood Nursing and Rehab
09.2012 - 03.2016
- Monitored and recorded patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress and medication side effects
- Measured and monitored patient vital signs
- Assisted patients to complete activities of daily living (ADL), including bathing, feeding, lifting and transferring
- Assisted patients with functional mobility and daily tasks to increase comfort and reduce disability
- Administered medications, IVs, and injections in accordance with treatment plan directions.
- Consulted and coordinated with health care team to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care plans.
- Prepared, administered and recorded prescribed medications and reported adverse reactions to medications or treatments in accordance with policy.
- Anticipated needs of aging adults and worked closely with multidisciplinary team to provide individualized care to elderly patients.
- Promoted kind, compassionate environment, utilizing active listening and effective communication skills for elderly patients and caregivers.
- Recognized and managed geriatric syndromes common to older adults and aided physician during examination and treatment of patient.
- Closely monitored acute conditions related to falls and accidents, as well as chronic conditions, such as arthritis and COPD.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
Clinical Assistant
Families Inc.
01.2010 - 09.2012
- Routinely audited charting to ensure conformance with best practices
- Educated patients and families on treatment strategies and at-home care
- Provided direct patient care to increase comfort and psychological, social and spiritual well-being
- Educated and counseled patients and caregivers on diagnoses, treatment and therapy options, disease management and medication
- Acted as liaison for hospital staff, physicians, patients and family members
- Monitored and observed patients' to accurately records changes in condition and reaction to medications and treatment.
- Coordinated with appropriate administrative staff to address clinical, operational, and financial questions.
- Called and faxed pharmacies to submit prescriptions and refills.
- Documented vital signs and health history for patients in clinic and hospital environments.
- Utilized effective communication and active listening skills when interacting with physicians, nursing staff, and patients.
- Reviewed physician's calendar and scheduled patient appointments by telephone and in-person.
- Maintained up-to-date patient records with medical histories and test results.
- Obtained client medical history, medication information, symptoms, and allergies.
- Performed prior authorization review of services requiring notification.
- Worked with utilization review to establish prior authorization for timely discharges.
- Contacted insurance companies to obtain prior authorization for medical procedures and medications.
- Obtained prior authorization and precertification for outpatient procedures.
- Completed referrals and prior authorizations according to department guidelines and workflows.
Med/Surg Nurse
St. Vincent Health System
08.2006 - 12.2009
- Assisted with patient surgery preparation by administering proper medication, monitoring patients' conditions and charting abnormalities
- Attended to patients with surgical drains, nasogastric tubes, ileostomies, colostomy bags, peg tubes and tracheostomy tubes
- Monitored and recorded patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress and medication side effects
- Administered oral, IV and intra-muscular medications and monitored patient reactions.
- Educated patients and caregivers on medical diagnoses, treatment options, chronic disease self-management and wound management.
- Documented accurate and complete patient information to address patient problems and expected outcomes.
- Minimized staff and patient infection risk by cleaning and disinfecting equipment instruments.
- Comforted and counseled patients and families throughout care process.
- Gathered lab specimens, ordered testing, and interpreted results to diagnose patients.
- Administered controlled narcotics, inserted IVs, and performed catheterizations.
- Evaluated patients to identify and address wounds, behavioral concerns, and medically relevant symptoms.
- Monitored patient health conditions to report changes to assigned physician.
- Coordinated patient transfers to other facilities.
- Clearly and thoroughly explained diagnoses, treatment options and procedures to patients and loved ones, checking in to verify understanding.
Education
St. Vincent's School of Practical Nursing
Little Rock, ARCabot High School
Cabot, ARPulaski Technical College North Little Rock
North Little Rock, ARAssociate of Applied Science - Registered Nursing
Arkansas State University
Malvern, AR12.2024
Skills
- Medication Administration
- Experience Administering Injections
- EMR Systems
- Patient Care
- Nursing
- Triage
- Laboratory Experience
- Vital Signs
- Medical Records
- Medical Office Experience
- Supervising Experience
- Caregiving
- Case Management
- Tube Feeding
- Phlebotomy
- Venipuncture
- Medical Terminology
- Medical Imaging
- Phone Etiquette
- Critical Care Experience
- Insurance Verification
- Office Management
- Cerner
- Care plan implementation
- Medication and IV administration
- Direct Patient Care
- Patient Education
- Wound Management
- Licensed by Arkansas Board of Nursing
- Patient Assessment
- Mental health care
- Diabetes management
- Pediatric Care
- Geriatric Care
- Seizure Management
- Clinical Documentation
- Clinical judgment
- Patient Management
- HIPAA Compliance
- Coverage and Authorizations
- Eligibility Determination
- Coordination and Scheduling
- Electronic Medical Records
- Insurance Coverage Verification
- Prior authorization processing
Certification
- LPN
- CPR Certification
- AED Certification
- BLS Certification
- Compact State Nurse License
- PN, 02/01/25, AR
References
Sasha Hill, RN
sasha81002@gmail.com
501-259-6047
Paula Stumon, LPN
paula.stumon@arkansas.ade.edu
501-920-9547
Amanda Kee, PCT
amanda.kee@arkansas.ade.edu
501-454-7321
Additional Information
Licensed Practical Nurse
Arkansas State Board of Nursing
License: L048648
Exp: 02/28/2025
BLS Provider
American Heart Association
Exp: 03/2025
BLS
American Heart Association
Exp. 03/2025
PALS
Arkansas Children's Hospital
Exp: 03/2025
Languages
American Sign Language
Limited Working
Timeline
Med/Surg Nurse
Saline Memorial Hospital
05.2024 - Current
School Nurse
Arkansas School for the Deaf
12.2020 - 05.2024
Assessment Nurse
Nursing And Rehab at Good Shepherd
07.2019 - 12.2020
Acute Rehabilitation Nurse
St. Vincent's Rehabilitation Hospital
03.2016 - 09.2019
Geriatric Nurse
Lakewood Nursing and Rehab
09.2012 - 03.2016
Clinical Assistant
Families Inc.
01.2010 - 09.2012
Med/Surg Nurse
St. Vincent Health System
08.2006 - 12.2009
St. Vincent's School of Practical Nursing
Cabot High School
Pulaski Technical College North Little Rock
Associate of Applied Science - Registered Nursing
Arkansas State University