Debra Krueger
Port Washington
Summary
Organized and knowledgeable Registered Nurse with 18 years experience in treating and caring for patients in the PACU. Also have 3 years of pre op and post op/discharge and pre op phone calls. Successful in providing fast and accurate assessments and working calmly under pressure. Recognized for collaborating well with doctors to maintain top-notch healthcare practices. ACLS certified. Involved with several committees to help improve PT care and staff involvement. UBC member for 10 years and chair of UBC for the last year. I have worked closely with the manager and educator to update policies and continue process improvement.
Proven leader skillful in uniting and guiding nursing teams toward achieving patient care goals and improving satisfaction. Focused on continuously driving innovation and improving patient outcomes.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Registered Nurse
Froedtert Theda Healthcare
West Bend
02.2015 - Current
- Administered medications and treatments as per physician orders.
- Monitored patient vital signs and reported changes to medical team.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop patient care plans.
- Supervised post-anesthesia care unit operations and staff activities.
- Coordinated patient care plans with surgical teams and healthcare providers.
- Educated patients and families on post-operative care and recovery plans.
- Trained new nurses on PACU protocols and hospital procedures.
- Implemented safety protocols to minimize risks in patient care settings.
- Facilitated effective communication between nursing staff and physicians during shifts.
- Administered medications to manage progression off anesthesia medications, deal with side effects and promote recovery.
- Employed nursing best practices and clinical judgment to continuously evaluate patients' progress and employed intervention to achieve desired outcomes.
- Maintained a clean working environment by adhering to infection control standards.
- Maintained current knowledge of professional standards related to PACU nursing practice through continuing education activities.
- Managed daily operations of the PACU unit including monitoring staffing levels, staff scheduling, and equipment maintenance.
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives in order to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction scores.
- Responded quickly and appropriately to emergent situations such as cardiac arrest or respiratory failure.
- Monitored patient's response to anesthesia medications and adjusted dosages as needed.
- Identified potential problems related to recovery from anesthesia and took appropriate action to ensure safe transition from PACU back to bedside unit.
- Assessed and monitored post-operative patients for pain management, vital signs, oxygen saturation levels, and other physiological indicators.
- Provided direct nursing care to post-operative patients in accordance with established policies and procedures.
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support and life-saving interventions.
- Administered local, inhalation or intravenous anesthetics to patients undergoing procedures.
- UBC Chair
- PDP Level 3 RN
Registered Nurse
Wheaton Fransican Healthcare
Milwaukee
02.2012 - 07.2015
- Administered medications and treatments as per physician orders.
- Monitored patient vital signs and reported changes to medical team.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop patient care plans.
- Supervised post-anesthesia care unit operations and staff activities.
- Coordinated patient care plans with surgical teams and healthcare providers.
- Monitored vital signs and assessed patients' recovery progress continuously.
- Trained new nurses on PACU protocols and hospital procedures.
- Implemented safety protocols to minimize risks in patient care settings.
- Facilitated effective communication between nursing staff and physicians during shifts.
- Administered medications to manage progression off anesthesia medications, deal with side effects and promote recovery.
- Evaluated assigned patients to effectively plan, implement, and document skilled nursing care.
- Employed nursing best practices and clinical judgment to continuously evaluate patients' progress and employed intervention to achieve desired outcomes.
- Completed direct patient care tests to determine current conditions, responses, and needs.
- Maintained a clean working environment by adhering to infection control standards.
- Maintained current knowledge of professional standards related to PACU nursing practice through continuing education activities.
- Provided effective communication between the PACU team members, physicians, and other healthcare personnel.
- Managed daily operations of the PACU unit including monitoring staffing levels, staff scheduling, and equipment maintenance.
- Educated families regarding homecare instructions after surgery or procedure.
- Monitored vital signs and provided post-operative care to enhance recovery experiences.
- Educated patients on discharge instructions and post-surgery self-care practices.
- Educated patients and families on post-operative care instructions and follow-up visits.
- Provided direct nursing care to same day surgery patients according to established standards of practice.
- Managed intravenous lines related to anesthetic agents used during surgery.
- Monitored patient recovery in post-anesthesia care unit.
- Administered medications and managed intravenous therapies.
- Collaborated with surgical teams to ensure patient safety.
- Educated patients and families on post-operative care protocols.
- Assessed vital signs and reported changes to healthcare providers.
- Trained new nursing staff on PACU procedures and policies.
- Identified potential problems or complications in a timely manner and addressed them appropriately.
- Evaluated effectiveness of interventions used to treat patients' conditions.
- Provided pre-and postoperative care to patients in the PACU.
- Maintained accurate records of patient's medical history, treatments provided, medications administered.
- Adhered to strict safety protocols while providing nursing care.
- Managed IV lines and administered medications as prescribed by physician.
Education
Associate Degree in Nursing - Nursing
Bryant And Stratton
Milwaukee, WI 04.2006 - 12.2007
Skills
- medication administration
- patient monitoring
- pacu management
- critical care evaluation
- Post-anesthesia care
- Emergency response
- Team collaboration
- Critical thinking
- Training new staff
- Basic life support
- Advanced cardiac life support
- Anesthesia recovery
- Vitals assessments
- Patient recovery assessments
- Pain management
- Airway management
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Froedtert Theda Healthcare
02.2015 - Current
Registered Nurse
Wheaton Fransican Healthcare
02.2012 - 07.2015
Associate Degree in Nursing - Nursing
Bryant And Stratton
04.2006 - 12.2007