Debbie Thompson
Walsenburg,CO
Summary
Registered Nurse with extensive experience in hospice and geriatric care, recognized for enhancing patient satisfaction through holistic approaches. Proven leadership in mentoring nursing staff and implementing effective care plans. Strong clinical judgment ensures patient safety and advocacy during critical transitions.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse
Compassus Hospice
Colorado Springs, CO
01.2024 - 07.2025
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
- Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- Served as a preceptor for nursing students during their clinical rotations, providing valuable real-world experience and guidance to foster professional growth.
- Provided support for patients'' families during difficult medical decisions or end-of-life care, serving as a liaison between the healthcare team and loved ones.
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans for complex cases.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
Registered Nurse
Bristol Hospice
Colorado Springs, CO
09.2020 - 01.2024
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities.
- Served as a preceptor for nursing students during their clinical rotations, providing valuable real-world experience and guidance to foster professional growth.
- Provided support for patients'' families during difficult medical decisions or end-of-life care, serving as a liaison between the healthcare team and loved ones.
- Facilitated patient transitions between different levels of care, ensuring continuity of services and minimizing disruptions in treatment plans.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans for complex cases.
- Conveyed treatment options, diagnosis information and home care techniques to patients and caregivers to continue care consistency.
Director of Nursing
Center At Cordera
Colorado Springs, CO
10.2017 - 04.2020
- Participated in management team meetings to discuss resident status, census changes, and resident complaints or concerns.
- Oversaw and approved recruitment, hiring and orientation of new nursing staff.
- Ensured regulatory compliance by staying current on industry standards and updating policies accordingly.
- Monitored and evaluated nursing staff performance, providing feedback and guidance to support standards of care.
- Built and maintained positive working relationships with physicians and staff to support seamless healthcare operations.
- Performed rounds to observe care and interview staff, residents, and families.
- Streamlined nursing operations by optimizing staffing schedules, resource allocation, and workflow processes.
- Collaborated with staff, management, and external groups to coordinate patient care.
- Developed positive employee relations, incentives, and recognition programs to promote teamwork and mutual respect.
- Worked closely administration to develop and implement best practices to improve patient outcomes.
- Established and monitored infection control programs to provide safe, sanitary environment to prevent transmission of disease and infection.
- Facilitated continuing education and training programs to drive staff competency and professional development.
- Identified department issues to recommend corrective actions.
- Enhanced staff performance by conducting regular evaluations, providing constructive feedback, and offering tailored professional development opportunities.
- Promoted a culture of safety by enforcing compliance with infection control policies and procedures.
- Led quality improvement projects aimed at enhancing clinical outcomes through data-driven analysis and targeted interventions.
- Developed strong relationships with community partners to facilitate continuity of care for patients transitioning between healthcare settings.
- Mentored new nurses through orientation programs, facilitating their integration into the team and fostering their professional growth.
- Served as a liaison between nursing leadership, hospital administration, medical staff, allied health professionals, patients, families, and other stakeholders to ensure effective communication and collaboration.
- Prepared and reviewed infection control surveillance reports to identify trends and develop effective actions to control and prevent infections.
- Conducted regular risk assessments within the department to identify areas of potential vulnerability and implement corrective actions where necessary.
- Evaluated work performance of Number nursing personnel to determine wage increases and implement discipline.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to create comprehensive care plans for patients.
- Conducted routine facility inspections, identifying areas needing improvement and eliminating hazards posed to staff and residents for continued compliance with associated regulations.
- Established and maintained effective communication with staff, physicians and community organizations to promote high quality patient care.
- Liaised with other healthcare professionals to develop comprehensive patient care plans and provide highest quality of care.
Assistant Director of Nursing
Center At Cordera
Colorado Springs, CO
02.2017 - 10.2017
- Participated in management team meetings to discuss resident status, census changes, and resident complaints or concerns.
- Collaborated with staff, management, and external groups to coordinate patient care.
- Performed rounds to observe care and interview staff, residents, and families.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop efficient care strategies tailored to individual patient needs.
- Contributed to the accreditation process by maintaining compliance with state and federal regulations for nursing standards.
- Mentored new nurses in clinical practice and procedures, fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Assisted in developing policies and procedures for safe medication administration, minimizing errors within the department.
- Served as a role model for nursing staff by demonstrating exceptional clinical skills, ethical behavior, and commitment to continuous learning.
- Promoted a culture of teamwork by encouraging open communication among staff members and facilitating collaboration across departments.
- Optimized staffing levels to maintain an appropriate nurse-to-patient ratio, promoting quality of care without exceeding budget constraints.
- Implemented infection control measures, reducing hospital-acquired infections significantly over time.
- Identified department issues to recommend corrective actions.
- Developed positive employee relations, incentives, and recognition programs to promote teamwork and mutual respect.
- Ensured adherence to safety guidelines for both patients and staff members during all aspects of clinical operations.
- Influenced positive change within the organization by championing innovative ideas that led to better patient outcomes.
- Built and maintained positive working relationships with physicians and staff to support seamless healthcare operations.
- Created customized care plans, working with hospital staff and families to assess and meet individual needs.
- Conducted routine facility inspections, identifying areas needing improvement and eliminating hazards posed to staff and residents for continued compliance with associated regulations.
Director of Nursing
Parkmoor Village Health and Rehabilitation
Colorado Springs, CO
05.2016 - 02.2017
- Participated in management team meetings to discuss resident status, census changes, and resident complaints or concerns.
- Oversaw and approved recruitment, hiring and orientation of new nursing staff.
- Ensured regulatory compliance by staying current on industry standards and updating policies accordingly.
- Monitored and evaluated nursing staff performance, providing feedback and guidance to support standards of care.
- Built and maintained positive working relationships with physicians and staff to support seamless healthcare operations.
- Performed rounds to observe care and interview staff, residents, and families.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans for patients with complex needs.
- Worked closely administration to develop and implement best practices to improve patient outcomes.
- Established and monitored infection control programs to provide safe, sanitary environment to prevent transmission of disease and infection.
- Enhanced staff performance by conducting regular evaluations, providing constructive feedback, and offering tailored professional development opportunities.
- Promoted a culture of safety by enforcing compliance with infection control policies and procedures.
- Led quality improvement projects aimed at enhancing clinical outcomes through data-driven analysis and targeted interventions.
- Prepared and reviewed infection control surveillance reports to identify trends and develop effective actions to control and prevent infections.
- Conducted regular risk assessments within the department to identify areas of potential vulnerability and implement corrective actions where necessary.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to create comprehensive care plans for patients.
- Recruited, hired and trained all staff, providing direct supervision, ongoing staff development and continuing education to employees.
- Conducted routine facility inspections, identifying areas needing improvement and eliminating hazards posed to staff and residents for continued compliance with associated regulations.
- Established and maintained effective communication with staff, physicians and community organizations to promote high quality patient care.
- Developed and updated policies and procedures, maintaining compliance with guidelines relating to HIPAA, benefits administration and general liability.
Charge Nurse
Mount Saint Francis
Colorado Springs, CO
09.2015 - 05.2016
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Coordinated nursing care on unit through staff assignments, assisting and rounding with physicians, monitoring patient orders, and communicating with ancillary departments.
- Conducted daily shift briefs to inform staff of changes in patient care assignments.
- Mentored and supervised junior nurses, fostering a supportive and professional work environment.
- Optimized patient satisfaction through timely response to concerns and effective communication among staff members.
- Promoted a safe working environment by adhering to infection control policies and regularly reviewing safety protocols.
- Collaborated with other healthcare professionals to provide quality patient care.
- Championed a positive work culture by recognizing exemplary performance from team members and addressing conflicts promptly when they arose.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient information, enabling informed decision-making among the healthcare team members.
- Coordinated discharge planning, collaborating with patients, families, and healthcare providers to ensure seamless transitions of care.
- Oversaw administration of medication, ensuring adherence to strict safety protocols, thereby maintaining patient safety.
- Optimized resource allocation, ensuring all patients received timely and adequate care without overburdening staff.
- Facilitated cross-departmental communication, enhancing efficiency of patient care coordination.
- Streamlined shift handovers, ensuring seamless continuity of care and minimizing information gaps.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Implemented care plans for patient treatment after assessing physician medical regimens.
Director of Nursing
Centre Ave Health And Rehab
Fort Collins, CO
05.2009 - 09.2015
- Participated in management team meetings to discuss resident status, census changes, and resident complaints or concerns.
- Oversaw and approved recruitment, hiring and orientation of new nursing staff.
- Ensured regulatory compliance by staying current on industry standards and updating policies accordingly.
- Monitored and evaluated nursing staff performance, providing feedback and guidance to support standards of care.
- Built and maintained positive working relationships with physicians and staff to support seamless healthcare operations.
- Performed rounds to observe care and interview staff, residents, and families.
- Developed positive employee relations, incentives, and recognition programs to promote teamwork and mutual respect.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans for patients with complex needs.
- Established and monitored infection control programs to provide safe, sanitary environment to prevent transmission of disease and infection.
- Facilitated continuing education and training programs to drive staff competency and professional development.
- Enhanced staff performance by conducting regular evaluations, providing constructive feedback, and offering tailored professional development opportunities.
- Managed budgets effectively, identifying cost-saving measures while maintaining high-quality patient care standards.
- Developed strong relationships with community partners to facilitate continuity of care for patients transitioning between healthcare settings.
- Established new policies and updated existing policies to improve standard of care for patients.
- Mentored new nurses through orientation programs, facilitating their integration into the team and fostering their professional growth.
- Prepared and reviewed infection control surveillance reports to identify trends and develop effective actions to control and prevent infections.
- Evaluated work performance of Number nursing personnel to determine wage increases and implement discipline.
- Increased patient satisfaction scores by fostering a compassionate and supportive environment within the nursing department.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to create comprehensive care plans for patients.
- Recruited, hired and trained all staff, providing direct supervision, ongoing staff development and continuing education to employees.
- Conducted routine facility inspections, identifying areas needing improvement and eliminating hazards posed to staff and residents for continued compliance with associated regulations.
- Established and maintained effective communication with staff, physicians and community organizations to promote high quality patient care.
- Developed and updated policies and procedures, maintaining compliance with guidelines relating to HIPAA, benefits administration and general liability.
Assistant Director of Nursing
Centre Ave Health And Rehab
Fort Collins, CO
05.2007 - 05.2009
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities.
- Served as a preceptor for nursing students during their clinical rotations, providing valuable real-world experience and guidance to foster professional growth.
- Provided support for patients'' families during difficult medical decisions or end-of-life care, serving as a liaison between the healthcare team and loved ones.
- Facilitated patient transitions between different levels of care, ensuring continuity of services and minimizing disruptions in treatment plans.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans for complex cases.
- Conveyed treatment options, diagnosis information and home care techniques to patients and caregivers to continue care consistency.
Education
Nursing
University of Mary
Bismarck, ND01.2005
Skills
- Medication and IV administration
- Medication administration
- Direct patient care
- Patient assessments
- Documentation and charting
- Strong clinical judgment
- Patient education and counseling
- Clinical judgment
- Patient and family advocacy
- Infection control measures
- Patient care
- Wound care
- Compassion and empathy
- Patient monitoring
- Care planning
- Patient management
- Care plan development
- Professional bedside manner
- Physical assessments
- Patient care planning
- Family education
- Licensed RN
- Taking vitals
- Nursing staff leadership
- Medication distribution
- Tracheostomy care
- Precepting
- Patient discharge
- Lab result interpretation
- Team coordination
- Complex Problem-solving
- Proper catheter insertion/removal
- Intake and discharge
- Emergency response
- Maintaining privacy
- Relationship building
- Vaccine administration
- Chart updating
- Diabetes management
- Insulin medication assistance
- High level of autonomy
- Chronic disease management
- ADL assistance
- Staff supervision
- Geriatric nursing
- Oxygen saturation standards
- Mobility assistance
- Removing sutures
- Palliative care awareness
- Appointment scheduling
- Home health care
- Patient evaluation
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Compassus Hospice
01.2024 - 07.2025
Registered Nurse
Bristol Hospice
09.2020 - 01.2024
Director of Nursing
Center At Cordera
10.2017 - 04.2020
Assistant Director of Nursing
Center At Cordera
02.2017 - 10.2017
Director of Nursing
Parkmoor Village Health and Rehabilitation
05.2016 - 02.2017
Charge Nurse
Mount Saint Francis
09.2015 - 05.2016
Director of Nursing
Centre Ave Health And Rehab
05.2009 - 09.2015
Assistant Director of Nursing
Centre Ave Health And Rehab
05.2007 - 05.2009
Nursing
University of Mary