Debra Thomas
Dodd Rehabilitation Hospital at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Canal Winchester,OH
37
years of professional experience
My experience with ARN is multi faceted. I have been active in my local chapter, COARN and now Ohio-ARN. I have served as President for a total of 5 terms. I have held other board positions along the way for the past 18 years. I have been involved at the national level, serving on the Engagement Committee chaired by Donna Williams. I have presented at conference many times. A sampling of my presentations are as follows: Alternative Methods for Pain and Anxiety Management, One Man's Journey Through the Rehab Process, Conflict Management, Sex is Not a Dirty Word: Sexuality and the Spinal Cord Injured Patient, and Fostering Teamwork at a Unit Level. I have chaired SIG groups at conference, most recently the Pain SIG. I have been active in Nurse's Day at the Statehouse for many years. I would love to be considered as a Director for the Great Lakes Region of ARN.
Work History
Staff Nurse IV
20 Years 7 Months- Administered medications, monitored responses, and adjusted care priorities based on changing patient conditions.
- Coordinated bedside care with therapists, physicians, and case managers to support safe recovery progression.
- Assessed rehabilitation patients and developed individualized nursing plans aligned with interdisciplinary care goals.
- Documented assessments, interventions, and outcomes accurately in electronic medical records.
- Educated patients and families on medication use, mobility precautions, and discharge instructions.
- Implemented infection prevention, fall precautions, and skin integrity measures to reduce care complications.
- Collaborated with physicians, pharmacists and therapists to deliver quality, evidence-based care.
- Educated patients on self-care management, empowering them to take an active role in their overall health and well-being.
- Acted as a patient advocate, ensuring their needs were met and their rights protected throughout their healthcare journey.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members for comprehensive patient assessments and treatment plans.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
Staff Nurse
11 Years 6 Months- Delivered family-centered pediatric nursing care aligned with Nationwide Children's Hospital clinical standards.
- Administered medications and treatments while maintaining safety, accuracy, and infection-control protocols.
- Assessed patient conditions, documented findings, and updated care plans in electronic health records.
- Coordinated multidisciplinary care with physicians, therapists, and support staff to support treatment plans.
- Mentored new nurses on unit workflows, pediatric procedures, and compassionate bedside care.
- Reinforced evidence-based practice through consistent adherence to hospital policies and clinical guidelines.
- Assessed physical, psychological, physiologic, and cognitive status of patients.
- Demonstrated excellent time management skills while juggling multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Participated in regular staff meetings to share best practices, address challenges, and foster collaboration among team members.
- Participated in hospital committees to recommend quality improvement initiatives.
Staff Nurse
1 Year- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Prioritized patient acuity, responded to changes in condition, and escalated concerns promptly.
- Performed various nursing interventions such as wound dressing, vital sign monitoring, and specimen collection.
- Educated families on discharge instructions, medication use, and symptom monitoring for continued recovery.
- Developed strong rapport with patients and families, fostering trust and open communication during challenging times.
- Directed patient care by initiating and following through with plan of care, continuing care, and discharge instructions.
Advanced Staff Nurse
8 Years 8 Months- Administered medications and monitored responses to support safe, timely clinical interventions.
- Assessed patient conditions and updated care plans using electronic health record documentation.
- Coordinated interdisciplinary communication to align nursing actions with treatment goals.
- Educated patients and families on discharge instructions, medications, and symptom management.
- Mentored junior nurses on patient monitoring, workflow standards, and bedside best practices.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Exhibited strong critical thinking skills when assessing complex medical situations and determining appropriate interventions.
- Led initiatives for continuous improvement in quality measures, resulting in better patient outcomes.
- 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.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Associate of Science - Nursing
Skills
Committee work including Patient Care Council
Diabetes Unit Resource Nurse and Unit Leadership
Patient safety and education
Direct patient care
Medication and IV administration
Board participation at the local level with Central Ohio ARN (Now Ohio-ARN)
Timeline
Staff Nurse IV
Dodd Rehabilitation Hospital at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
04.2006 - CurrentRead More
Staff Nurse
Nationwide Children's Hospital
02.1999 - 08.2010Read More
Staff Nurse
Ohio Valley Medical Center
02.1998 - 02.1999Read More
Advanced Staff Nurse
Duke University Medical Center
06.1989 - 02.1998Read More
The Ohio State University
Bachelor of Science from Nursing
Read More
Youngstown State University
Associate of Science from Nursing
Read More