Diana D Simmons
LaBelle,MO
Summary
Adept at clinical supervision both in the acute care and outpatient arena as well as promoting patient and clinical education, I leveraged my expertise at Children's Hospital of Illinois to enhance nursing care quality and patient safety/satisfaction to the highest of standards. My background in emergent acute care as well as daily care in a "day hospital" setting, significantly improved patient outcomes. Skilled in EMR systems and interprofessional collaboration, I excel in high-pressure environments. I embody adaptability, integrity and work ethic; with empathy and accountability in all areas of my practice.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
FNPC
University of Illinois College of Medicine; Peoria
10.2016 - Current
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
Clinical Nurse Educator; Pediatric Hem/Onc
Children's Hospital of Illinois; St Jude Affiliate
02.2003 - 10.2016
- Coordinated continuing education events, connecting nurses with relevant resources to advance their expertise within their respective fields.
- Kept current with emerging trends in healthcare education, incorporating new strategies into existing curricula for continuous program improvement.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to ensure consistent patient care and education across various departments.
- Served as a mentor for junior nursing staff, fostering a positive learning environment and promoting professional growth.
- Developed educational materials and resources to support nursing staff in their daily duties.
Registered Nurse PIC/Registered Nurse, PICU
Children's Hospital of Illinois
02.2001 - 04.2004
- 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.
- Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
- Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
- Served as a preceptor for nursing students during their clinical rotations, providing valuable real-world experience and guidance to foster professional growth.
- Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in nursing care and emerging trends in healthcare delivery.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.
Education
Master of Science - Nursing Practice
St Francis College of Nursing
Peoria, IL05-2016
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
St. Francis College of Nursing
Peoria, IL12-2009
Diploma in Nursing - Nursing
Methodist College of Nursing
Peoria, IL12-1994
Skills
- Strong clinical judgment
- Evidence-based practice
- Patient management
- Lab result interpretation
- Complex Problem-solving
- Critical thinking
- Epic systems
- Emergency care
- Acute care expertise
- Performing physical assessments
- Patient education
- Family education
- Intake and discharge
- Emergency response
- Vaccine administration
- EMR / EHR
- Procedure preparations; Current role performing lumbar puncture with CSF collection and intrathecal chemotherapy as well as bone marrow aspirations and biopsies
- Emergency procedures
- At-risk patient care
- Pediatric nursing
Certification
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification (ACLS)
- Basic Life Support Certification (BLS)
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support PALS)
- Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse (CPHON) – May 2011-January 2021;
will retake/set for test July 2025
- APHON Chemotherapy/Biotherapy Provider
- ONS Chemotherapy/Biotherapy Provider
- Children’s Oncology Group (COG) Member 2017 to Present
research
- Research Fellowship for Evidence Based Practice through Memphis St Jude Children’s Research Hospital Oct 2019 through Sept 2020
- Currently the research assistant for three IRB Studies on sickle cell disease including:
hydroxyurea compliance, dosing of hydroxyurea, and immunization compliance.
- STORM – Sickle Treatment Outcomes Research in the Midwest
- QUAKS – Quality Improvement for Urea Adherence in Kids with Sickle Cell Disease
- SCCRIP – Sickle Cell Clinical Research and Intervention Program
- Celgene liaison for education for patients and families prior to the start of this teratogenic drug, 2006 - Present
- CITI (Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative), Human Subjects in Research curriculum for the University of Illinois, November 2005 - Present
- CITI (Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative), Human Subjects in Research curriculum for St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, November 2005 – Present
- i-PLEDGE counselor for safe administration of Cis-Retinoic acid, 2005 – Present i-PLEDGE liaison for approval in prescribing Cis-Retinoic acid. 2005 - Present
- Actively participates in research and data collection through the care of our oncology and hematology patients on a research protocol, 2005 - Present
- Co-Investigator on as Single Institutional Study (in clinic) assessing early intervention with physical activity in children undergoing cancer therapy to improve overall cardio-metabolic status 2022-Present.
Committees and Special Assignments
- Development of a business plan to increase inpatient APN coverage/availability; including full time night shift coverage along with schedule development; December 2023-Present
- New Patient Education Development with built in QI project (pre and posttest prior to safe discharge home post diagnosis and start of treatment)
- Co-Chair for “Cellabrate Wellness” patient conference for sickle cell disease 2017 and 2018
- December 2014 – May 2015 Rapid Improvement Methodology (RIM) Principle Investigator – St Jude/Lab Outpatient Ordering Process.
- Planning Committee for the Central Illinois Cancer Survivorship Conference 2015
- Co Chairman for the First Annual Central Illinois Cancer Survivorship Conference 2014
- 2010-2012 Palliative Care Committee
- 2006-2022 ~ Planning and set-up Committee for Camp COCO
- 2018 – 2022 ~ Camp Hope Board Member
- Fit Bit study co-investigator 2022-present
Licensure
- Registered Professional Nurse for the State of Illinois license # 041288174
- Registered Professional Nurse for the State of Iowa license # 178432
Compact Status: Single State Effective: 02/29/2024-11/15/2026
- Advanced Practice Nurse, State of Illinois license # 209014648
- Advanced Practice Nurse, State of Iowa: license #: A178809
Compact Status: Effective: 04/01/2024 -11/15/2026
- Registered Professional Nurse for the State of Missouri license # 202435086
Compact Status: Single State Effective: 02/29/2024-11/15/2026
- Advanced Practice Nurse, State of Missouri: license #: 2024036143
Compact Status: Effective: 04/01/2024 -11/15/2026
- Controlled Substance, Mid-Level Provider, State of Illinois
- DEA 309.010691
- NPI 1033669817
- Peoria Medical Society - Approved
Timeline
FNPC
University of Illinois College of Medicine; Peoria
10.2016 - Current
Clinical Nurse Educator; Pediatric Hem/Onc
Children's Hospital of Illinois; St Jude Affiliate
02.2003 - 10.2016
Registered Nurse PIC/Registered Nurse, PICU
Children's Hospital of Illinois
02.2001 - 04.2004
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification (ACLS)
- Basic Life Support Certification (BLS)
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support PALS)
- Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse (CPHON) – May 2011-January 2021;
will retake/set for test July 2025
- APHON Chemotherapy/Biotherapy Provider
- ONS Chemotherapy/Biotherapy Provider
- Children’s Oncology Group (COG) Member 2017 to Present
Master of Science - Nursing Practice
St Francis College of Nursing
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
St. Francis College of Nursing
Diploma in Nursing - Nursing
Methodist College of Nursing
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