Diana Simpson
Lakeland,FL
Summary
Dedicated registered nurse with twelve years of diverse experience in bedside and outpatient care, offering a comprehensive understanding of patient needs throughout the healthcare continuum. Renowned for exceptional coordination skills, discharge planning, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure timely and safe transitions that enhance patient outcomes. Committed to patient advocacy and delivering efficient, high-quality care tailored to individual needs. Proven ability to adapt to dynamic environments while maintaining a focus on compassionate service and clinical excellence.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse
Lakeland VA Outpatient Clinic-Tampa VA CBOC
03.2024 - Current
- Implemented quality improvement initiatives that resulted in measurable improvements in patient outcomes and overall service delivery.
- Eased the burden on family caregivers by providing practical support such as resource referrals or assistance navigating insurance claims.
- Facilitated patient education on disease management, medication adherence, and lifestyle modifications to promote optimal health.
- Identified gaps in care for at-risk populations, leading to the development of targeted interventions to improve health outcomes.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate and personalized nursing care throughout their healthcare journey.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments of patients'' physical, emotional, social, and environmental needs to inform personalized care plans.
- Strengthened continuity of care by collaborating with external agencies such as home health services or rehabilitation centers.
- Reduced hospital readmissions through effective coordination of care, communication with patients, and proactive followup.
- Monitored and tracked important patient data to identify trends, inform care plan adjustments, and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients in clinic.
- Conveyed treatment options, diagnosis information and home care techniques to patients and caregivers to continue care consistency.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities.
- Provided timely feedback to healthcare providers regarding patient concerns, facilitating prompt resolution of issues and contributing to a positive patient experience.
- Conducted regular audits of clinical records to identify areas for improvement in documentation accuracy and compliance with regulatory standards.
Registered Nurse
James A Haley VA Medical Center
12.2021 - 03.2024
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
- Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- 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.
- Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
- Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
- Facilitated patient transitions between different levels of care, ensuring continuity of services and minimizing disruptions in treatment plans.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in nursing care and emerging trends in healthcare delivery.
REGISTERED NURSE
VA Medical Center/Hospital
05.2020 - 12.2021
- Zablocki Integrated Health Program (ZIHP) Clinic: Newly developing
- Perform venipunctures, access implanted ports, and maintain central catheter devices
- Assess and complete dressing changes to implanted ports, and central catheter devices
- Modify treatment dosages by assessing patients and labs per protocol and treatment plans
- Obtain blood samples, urine specimens per doctor orders
- Perform nasopharyngeal and mid turbinate swabs for Covid testing, pre procedures
- Help to develop nursing roles and create processes for the newly developing clinic
- Coordinate daily clinic traffic and scheduling of patients for upcoming visits
- Performed sub q and IM vaccinations for Covid-19, flu and routine vaccinations
- Track all relevant patient data and ensuring that stats are updated daily
- Communicate with pharmacy the amount drugs needed for the week and when to prepare them that day
- Administration of IV therapy and monitoring patients' reactions to therapy, responding according per hospital protocols
- Educate patients to understand condition, medications, and self-care skills.
REGISTERED NURSE-NURSING SUPERVISOR
St. Camillus Skilled Nursing Facility
11.2018 - 09.2021
- Assess resident's needs, planning care, implementing interventions, and evaluating resident outcomes
- Provide behavioral/emotional support and supervision for those with dementia and Alzheimers
- Communicates with physicians on the resident's status and desired treatment
- Ensuring medications are appropriately received, stored, and administered to patients.
REGISTERED NURSE
VA Medical Center/Hospital
01.2019 - 05.2020
- Accurately performs skills in administering treatments, performing dressing changes
- Develop and implement nursing care plans to assure appropriate management of chronic diseases and continuity of care
- Implement safe and accurate education to patients and their families
- Provide direction and supervision to CNA's, delegating duties effectively
- Supervising nursing staff and ensuring adequate staffing for the upcoming shift
- Helped to coordinate and educate during the 2020 health competency fair
- Radiation/Oncology Clinic
- Triaged all incoming telephone calls and electronic messages, prioritizing and resolving, involving the provider as appropriate, successfully completing the communication cycle
- Performed intake/consultation for new patients, conducting initial comprehensive nurse assessment, reviewing patient charts and diagnostic reports to ensure that the required documentation was available for physician review to administer radiotherapy
- Evaluated and assessed patient education, their learning needs and provided information to the patient and their family
- Served as a case manager, developing care plans, coordinating with other medical professionals within an interdisciplinary team and worked collaboratively with other team members to achieve desired outcomes
- Performed follow ups/ weekly on-treatment visits for patients under external beam radiation, monitoring and notifying the physician of adverse effects, worsening of those symptoms and dressing changes to the head and neck cancer population
- Developed the charge nurse role to manage operational processes, improve communication to ensure patient needs were being met in a timely manner
- Hand Washing Champion for Radiaton/Oncology Clinic.
REGISTERED NURSE
VA Medical Center/Hospital
07.2013 - 01.2019
- Med Surg/Oncology/Telemetry
- Provided assessment while collaborating with a variety of health care disciplines to help give a more holistic approach to patient care
- Conducted CIWA assessment, administering detox and psychiatric medication as prescribed
- Monitoring and
- Stress management
- Compassion
- Dedication
- Communicating observations with physician and other members of the treatment team
- Ensured medications were appropriately received, stored, and administered to patients
- Managed priorities in a fast-paced environment geared towards the provision of safe and competent patient care
- Interpreted Telemetry strips and implement interventions as needed
- Complied with all legal, regulatory, and best practice guidelines
- Served as a resource to patients in addressing ethical issues
- Delivered safe and accurate education to patients and their families
- Mentored oncoming nurses and nursing aids to help them feel comfortable in their new role and environment
- Participated in nursing team meetings to ensure that best practices were being implemented, clinical knowledge was being improved and role performances were being enhanced
- Helped to develop competencies and ongoing education for oncoming Oncology nurses
- BCMA Trainer
- MRSA champion
- Progressive Mobility committee member
- Provided direct care for oncology patients including monitoring labs, administering chemotherapy, administering blood products, and providing education about chemotherapy, its side effects, and home care after the chemotherapy.
REGISTERED NURSE
Felmers Chaney Correctional Center
11.2014 - 11.2018
- Determined the physical and mental health status of inmates through history and physical assessment at time of incarceration and at periodic intervals thereafter
- Assessed signs and symptoms of patients reporting sick calls, make appropriate referrals to other healthcare disciplines, reporting reactions to treatment, drugs, and changes in a patient's physical or emotional condition
- Developed and implemented nursing care plans to assure appropriate management of chronic diseases and continuity of care
- Provided relevant instruction, counseling, and guidance to inmates to promote and maintain positive health practices
- Completed appropriate preventive screening and diagnostic procedures in compliance with physician orders, protocols and
- Bureau policies and procedures.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY OF
WISCONSIN
Skills
- Highly skilled in telephone triage
- PMDB Instructor
- EQM Champion
- Chair of Share Governance-Lakeland
- Data collection
- Precepting
- Women's health exams
- Case management
- BLS-2026
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Lakeland VA Outpatient Clinic-Tampa VA CBOC
03.2024 - Current
Registered Nurse
James A Haley VA Medical Center
12.2021 - 03.2024
REGISTERED NURSE
VA Medical Center/Hospital
05.2020 - 12.2021
REGISTERED NURSE
VA Medical Center/Hospital
01.2019 - 05.2020
REGISTERED NURSE-NURSING SUPERVISOR
St. Camillus Skilled Nursing Facility
11.2018 - 09.2021
REGISTERED NURSE
Felmers Chaney Correctional Center
11.2014 - 11.2018
REGISTERED NURSE
VA Medical Center/Hospital
07.2013 - 01.2019
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY OF
WISCONSIN