Dana James
Colorado Springs,CO
Summary
Caring, hardworking and service-oriented nurse with over 12 years of experience. Well-versed in offering evidence-based, therapeutic care. Currently conducting research related to career wellbeing. Collaborative and motivational leader with a strong mental health forward approach to care. I have served as a charge nurse and have provided educational training to staff and colleagues related to unit needs.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse
UCHealth Memorial Hospital
Colorado Springs, CO
05.2024 - Current
- Administered medications and monitored their effects on the patient's body.
- Managed pain management protocols for postoperative patients according to established guidelines.
- Evaluated new technologies utilized within the OR suite to determine their efficacy in improving patient outcomes.
- Maintained a safe environment for both staff members and patients throughout all phases of the operative process.
- Performed pre-admission testing of patients before surgery to ensure they are medically suitable for the procedure.
- Assisted with quality improvement initiatives within the Perioperative Department.
- Assessed patients' health condition prior to surgery and identified potential risks.
- Documented patient care activities accurately in accordance with department standards.
- Individualized care for each surgical patient by soothing anxieties, checking vital signs and explaining procedures.
- Advocated for patient needs with interdisciplinary team and implemented outlined treatment plans.
Registered Nurse
Mary Washington Hospital
Fredericksburg, VA
09.2019 - 05.2023
- Ensure quality nursing care to adult and pediatric patients in high acuity ambulatory surgery center (40 cases a day on average) Surgeries performed at this center include: GI, Breast, ENT, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology.
- Performed post patient assessment, review of history, discharge planning, and review of diagnostic studies with appropriate follow through and physician consultation.
- Perform airway assessment and management, cardiac and hemodynamic monitoring, and pulse oximetry.
- Establish IV access in all patients receiving anesthesia.
- Diagnose and intervene for patients receiving an anesthetic which serves to alter patient's level of consciousness in the immediate post-operative phase. Reviewed discharge instructions with responsible family/ caregiver of patient.
- Team Lead in charge of providing support to nursing staff and delegating assignments to ensure adequate staffing. Monitored nursing staff and participated in problem identification & resolution.
- Peak Leadership Development Certification
Registered Nurse, PACU
North Coast Surgery Center, a physician-owned facility
Oceanside , CA
02.2017 - 09.2019
- Recovered patients undergoing General, Orthopedic, Breast, Plastic, Laser, Eye, and Gynecologic surgery in an ambulatory setting
- Performed post patient assessment, review of history, discharge planning, and review of diagnostic studies with appropriate follow through and physician consultation. ·
- Managed post-operative pain and surgical sites.
- Assessed and prepared patients/families/significant others for discharge.
- Perform airway assessment and management, cardiac and hemodynamic monitoring, and pulse oximetry. ·
- Diagnose and intervene for patients receiving an anesthetic which serves to alter patient's level of consciousness in the immediate post-operative phase.
- Member of QI committee to assess and promote quality patient care. ·
- Assisted in education workshops for clinical staff.
- Received LENSAR Laser Certification for cataract surgery
Nurse Clinical Manager
Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital
Oceanside, CA
06.2016 - 02.2017
- Clinical Management RN (Contract) Involved in conversion of a Marine Corps clinic serving active-duty members to a “blue side” clinic (implementing policies and procedures under JHACO standards) in an effort to improve the quality of care given to Marines and Sailors.
- Maintained nursing operations by initiating, coordinating, and enforcing program, operational, and personnel policies a
Nurse Clinical Manager
Asia Pacific Plastic Surgery
Honolulu, HI
08.2013 - 04.2016
- Plastic Surgery Practice where I cared for a variety of patients with plastic surgical needs including breast reconstruction and skin cancer related issues.
- Consultation and treatment, both surgical and non-surgical, of full spectrum of cosmetic concern.
- Performed tissue expansion fills for breast reconstruction patients.
- Assessed patients pre and post operatively. Obtained detailed medical history for surgical candidates
Registered Nurse
Grand Strand Medical Center HCA
Myrtle Beach, SC
08.2012 - 04.2013
- Responsible for the health and safety of 6-7 patients on a surgical unit during 12-hour day shifts
- Collected, critically analyzed, and interpreted patient's health care data and information.
- Electronically documented patient's response to nursing and non-nursing interventions.
- Performed complete head-to-toe assessments, focusing on physiologic and psychosocial changes, on each patient every 12-hour.
- Provided preoperative and postoperative education to patients and their families.
- Managed patient's pain using pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain management interventions
Education
Master of Science - Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
University of Colorado At Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO01-2027
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of South Carolina - Columbia
Columbia, SC05-2012
Skills
- Culturally-sensitive care
- Case Management
- Patient Management
- Care Planning
- Nursing staff leadership
- Chart updating
- Community advocate
- Strong medical ethic
- Patient education and counseling
- Strong Clinical Judgment
Certification
- ACLS
- BLS
- PALS
Affiliations
- AANP Student Member
- ASPAN Member
- UExcel Leadership Project 2024 Cohort
Timeline
Registered Nurse
UCHealth Memorial Hospital
05.2024 - Current
Registered Nurse
Mary Washington Hospital
09.2019 - 05.2023
Registered Nurse, PACU
North Coast Surgery Center, a physician-owned facility
02.2017 - 09.2019
Nurse Clinical Manager
Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital
06.2016 - 02.2017
Nurse Clinical Manager
Asia Pacific Plastic Surgery
08.2013 - 04.2016
Registered Nurse
Grand Strand Medical Center HCA
08.2012 - 04.2013
Master of Science - Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
University of Colorado At Colorado Springs
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of South Carolina - Columbia