Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Debra Norton

Naples,FL

Summary

Seasoned nursing professional offering proven clinical knowledge, natural interpersonal strengths and technical abilities. Knowledgeable about EMR charting, medication administration and interdisciplinary collaboration focused on optimizing patient care and support. Quality-focused and efficiency-driven leader.

Overview

39
39
years of professional experience

Work History

ER Nurse

Lee Health Coconut Point
11.2018 - 04.2019
  • Reduced risk of infections by adhering to strict infection control protocols during procedures such as IV insertion and wound care.
  • Increased efficiency in documentation by utilizing electronic medical record systems for thorough and accurate recordkeeping.
  • Enhanced patient satisfaction by delivering compassionate care, addressing concerns, and maintaining open communication with patients and families.
  • Promoted teamwork among nursing colleagues through effective collaboration, communication, and mutual support during high-pressure situations.
  • Maintained appropriate supplies and equipment within emergency department by regularly monitoring inventory levels, restocking as needed, and notifying management of any shortages or discrepancies.
  • Triaged patients upon arrival, assessing and assigning acuity.

RN Stress Lab

Lee Health System
12.2014 - 11.2018
  • Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
  • Monitored patients with medical and physical stress testing.
  • Administered medications accurately and safely, reducing medication errors and adverse reactions.
  • Patient education concerning stress testing, and post procedure care.
  • Assisted echo technicians with contrast enhanced echocardiograms and bubble studies.

ER Nurse - Health Park

Lee Health System
10.2008 - 12.2014
  • Provided immediate and comprehensive care to diverse patient population, effectively triaging critical cases and implementing life-saving interventions.
  • Demonstrated adaptability in face of changing patient needs by adjusting care plans to reflect evolving situations, always prioritizing patient safety and wellbeing.
  • Contributed to hospital-wide quality improvement initiatives by participating in committees focused on enhancing patient safety and care standards.
  • Enhanced patient satisfaction by delivering compassionate care, addressing concerns, and maintaining open communication with patients and families.

ER Nurse

Dupont Hospital
09.2001 - 10.2008
  • Enhanced patient satisfaction by delivering compassionate care, addressing concerns, and maintaining open communication with patients and families.
  • Triaged patients
  • Charge nurse role
  • Staff education
  • Provided emergency care for patients suffering acute illness episodes or trauma;
  • Streamlined patient flow through ER by effectively prioritizing cases based on acuity levels and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams.
  • Promoted patient and family comfort.
  • Participated in quality improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing overall effectiveness and efficiency of emergency nursing care delivery within department.
  • Led teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing standard of care and best practices.
  • Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
  • Investigated and resolved issues affecting hospital operations and patient care.
  • Reported findings to quality departments after conducting routine restraint audits and worked with team to devise corrective actions for deficiencies.
  • Maintained a safe environment for patients and staff by closely monitoring patients for changes in condition, escalating issues when necessary to physicians or specialists.
  • Streamlined emergency department operations, reducing supply waste and optimizing resource use.
  • Participated in continuous education programs to stay updated with latest in emergency nursing practices.
  • Coordinated with healthcare teams to ensure seamless patient transitions from emergency care to specialized departments.
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to plan and implement patient care strategies.
  • Maintained meticulous records of patient care, ensuring accuracy and compliance with regulations.
  • Enhanced team morale and efficiency, leading by example and fostering supportive environment.

Director of Clinical Servies

Select Specialty Hospital - Ft Wayne
01.2000 - 09.2001
  • Management of all clinical teams - nursing, therapy, and respiratory.
  • Championed best practice sharing among departments, resulting in more consistent execution of patient care processes and improved outcomes.
  • Ensured patient safety by developing robust risk management strategies and proactively addressing potential issues before they escalated.
  • Reduced hospital readmission rates with development of comprehensive discharge planning processes.
  • Developed, implemented, revised, and evaluated policies and procedures.
  • Developed strategic plans for growth and expansion of clinical services, ensuring long-term organizational success.
  • Conducted comprehensive audits to ensure clinical services adhered to established standards, maintaining a high level of accountability across the organization.
  • Collaborated effectively with other organizational leaders on cross-functional projects, further improving overall service offerings available to patients and their families.
  • Interacted effectively with clinical staff and patients by using active listening and interpersonal skills.
  • Coached and trained newly hired employees so that each understood job responsibilities and requirements of positions.
  • Monitored, analyzed, and corrected staff performance and worked with nurse manager to raise standards of practice.
  • Developed and implemented strategic plans enabling facility to meet budgetary and quality assurance goals.
  • Interviewed and hired highly talented individuals bringing great skills and passion to daily jobs.
  • Implemented successful healthcare program through professionalism, quality of care, medical teaching and patient satisfaction.
  • Defined testing protocols, quality assurance initiatives and clinic policies and procedures.
  • Developed and maintained strong interdisciplinary team collaboration to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
  • Engaged in policy formulation to adhere to evolving healthcare laws and standards, maintaining clinic's compliance and ethical standing.
  • Led interdisciplinary teams to integrate innovative treatment modalities, elevating patient outcomes.
  • Improved patient feedback mechanisms, enabling swift responses to concerns and bolstering patient trust.
  • Enhanced patient care standards by developing and implementing comprehensive training programs for clinical staff.
  • Collaborated with healthcare professionals to design patient-centered care plans, improving patient recovery rates and satisfaction.

Home Infusion Nurse

Parkview Home Health and Hospice
08.1994 - 03.2001
  • Reduced risk for complications associated with vascular access devices through meticulous assessment, maintenance, and education.
  • Assessed patients'' understanding of their conditions and treatments, intervening when necessary to correct misconceptions or provide additional information.
  • Refilled and programmed pumps for chronic pain patients.
  • Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
  • Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
  • Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
  • Implemented care plans for patient treatment after assessing physician medical regimens.
  • Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
  • Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
  • Performed triage on incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses.
  • Led teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing standard of care and best practices.
  • Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities.
  • Performed frequent checks on life support equipment and made necessary adjustments to preserve optimal patient conditions.
  • Investigated and resolved issues affecting hospital operations and patient care.
  • Reported findings to quality departments after conducting routine restraint audits and worked with team to devise corrective actions for deficiencies.
  • Continually expanded knowledge of industry best practices through ongoing professional development opportunities and participation in relevant conferences or workshops.
  • Supported positive therapeutic alliances by establishing rapport with patients and their families during initial assessments.
  • Expedited response times to critical situations by effectively triaging incoming calls from patients experiencing issues or side effects related to infusion therapy.
  • Facilitated smooth transitions from other facilities by conducting comprehensive assessments in conjunction with receiving team upon referral completion.
  • Supported account executives and clinical liaisons by providing educational programs or visits to referrals sources as requested.
  • Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
  • Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
  • Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
  • Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
  • Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
  • Learned and adapted quickly to new technology and software applications.
  • Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced environment.
  • Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
  • Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.

Clinical Supervisor

Cameron Home Health and Hospice
10.1993 - 07.1994
  • Monitored, analyzed, and corrected staff performance and worked with nurses to raise standards of practice
  • Assignment of new patients to nurses, monitoring caseload equality
  • Policy and procedure development.
  • Developed a comprehensive clinical training program for new hires to ensure consistent quality of care.
  • Conducted performance evaluations for clinical staff, identifying areas for development and implementing targeted training programs.
  • Organized professional development workshops for clinical staff, keeping them abreast of latest healthcare innovations and practices.

Infusion Coordinator

Health Infusion
04.1992 - 09.1993
  • Management of Ft Wayne branch, reporting to South Bend office
  • Admission and care of infusion therapy patients.
  • Education of home health agency staff who cared for patient directly
  • Instruction on starting peripheral IVs given to home health agencies and nursing homes.
  • Conducted regular audits of infusion supplies inventory, minimizing waste and maintaining adequate stock levels for uninterrupted service delivery.
  • Increased patient adherence to treatment plans by providing thorough education on infusion therapies and procedures.
  • Improved patient satisfaction by efficiently coordinating infusion schedules and addressing individual needs.
  • Served as a knowledgeable resource for patients and families, answering questions and addressing concerns related to treatment plans and procedures.
  • Developed comprehensive policies and procedures manual detailing best practices for Infusion Coordinators within the organization.
  • Built strong relationships with patients and families for optimized care satisfaction.

Pre-Post Nurse

Parkview Hospital
03.1991 - 04.1993
  • Care of inpatient and outpatient surgical patients prior to the operating room
  • Started IVs on all outpatients and verified patency of inpatient IV sites. Restarted IV's as needed.
  • Post op care of patients who had procedures which allowed them to return home.
  • Pt education concerning pre-operative and post op care.
  • Completed surgical checklists to ensure pt had everything needed prior to surgery.
  • Improved patient satisfaction ratings by delivering compassionate and personalized care.

ICU Nurse

Parkview Hospital Randallia
09.1983 - 03.1991
  • Pt care nurse in 34 bed ICU and progressive care
  • Care of open heart surgery patients, vascular surgery patients, trauma patients, and other acutely ill medical and surgical patients.
  • Care of open heart surgery patients with balloon pumps, invasive lines, multiple drips, chest tubes, etc.
  • Completed critical care classes, ACLS certification.
  • Worked different 12 hour shifts depending on needs of the unit.
  • Managed critical care patients with complex medical conditions, providing compassionate care and support to families.
  • Conducted ongoing monitoring of vital signs, lab results, and diagnostic tests to promptly identify changes in patient conditions.
  • Administered medications safely and effectively, following established protocols and guidelines for dosage calculations and administration techniques.
  • Continuously expanded clinical knowledge base through participation in educational workshops, seminars, and conferences related to critical care nursing.

ICU Nurse

St. Joseph Hospital
01.1981 - 09.1983
  • Managed critical care patients with complex medical conditions, providing compassionate care and support to families.
  • Conducted ongoing monitoring of vital signs, lab results, and diagnostic tests to promptly identify changes in patient conditions.
  • Monitored patients' respiratory status and ventilator operation and made adjustments to promote stabilization.
  • Administered medications safely and effectively, following established protocols and guidelines for dosage calculations and administration techniques.
  • Provided life-saving interventions during emergency situations, stabilizing patients and preventing further complications.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans for optimal patient recovery.

ICU Nurse

St. Vincent Hospital and Medical Center
08.1980 - 11.1980
  • Pt care 1:2 or 1:1
  • High quality patient care of critically ill patients with diversified needs in 8 bed hospital setting.
  • Effectively communicated and collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to ensure desired patient outcomes.
  • Performed assessments, monitored vital signs and notified physician of any changes.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Nursing

Ball State University
Muncie, IN
03-2004

Nursing Diploma

St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing
Toledo, OH
05-1980

High School Diploma -

Antwerp High School
Antwerp, Ohio
05-1977

Skills

  • Peripheral IV insertion in adults and children
  • PICC and Port access and dressing changes
  • Administered therapies including hydration, antibiotics, pain management, TPN, immunotherapy, chemotherapy
  • Patient education

Timeline

ER Nurse

Lee Health Coconut Point
11.2018 - 04.2019

RN Stress Lab

Lee Health System
12.2014 - 11.2018

ER Nurse - Health Park

Lee Health System
10.2008 - 12.2014

ER Nurse

Dupont Hospital
09.2001 - 10.2008

Director of Clinical Servies

Select Specialty Hospital - Ft Wayne
01.2000 - 09.2001

Home Infusion Nurse

Parkview Home Health and Hospice
08.1994 - 03.2001

Clinical Supervisor

Cameron Home Health and Hospice
10.1993 - 07.1994

Infusion Coordinator

Health Infusion
04.1992 - 09.1993

Pre-Post Nurse

Parkview Hospital
03.1991 - 04.1993

ICU Nurse

Parkview Hospital Randallia
09.1983 - 03.1991

ICU Nurse

St. Joseph Hospital
01.1981 - 09.1983

ICU Nurse

St. Vincent Hospital and Medical Center
08.1980 - 11.1980

Bachelor of Science - Nursing

Ball State University

Nursing Diploma

St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing

High School Diploma -

Antwerp High School

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Debra Norton