DONNA DACUNHA
Colonia,NJ
Summary
Registered Nurse with over 40 years of hospital-based experience, including more than 30 years leading hemodialysis operations, staff development, and interdisciplinary care for complex renal patients. Current home health role serves Veterans through comprehensive assessments, individualized care plans, patient education, treatment follow-up, and coordination with physicians, families, and caregivers.
Overview
1
1
Certification
45
45
years of professional experience
Work History
Home Health Care Registered Nurse / Field Nurse Supervisor
ACE Home Healthcare
Union, NJ
05.2025 - Current
- Delivered skilled home health nursing care to Veterans with complex and chronic healthcare needs, enhancing patient quality of life.
- Conducted comprehensive nursing assessments and developed individualized care plans, ensuring tailored treatment for each patient.
- Administered prescribed treatments and monitored patient condition changes, facilitating timely follow-up or escalation as needed.
- Educate patients and caregivers regarding medications, treatment plans, chronic disease management, and safety.
- Coordinate care with physicians, families, caregivers, and other healthcare professionals.
- Maintained accurate clinical documentation and provided field supervision.
Nurse Manager, Hemodialysis
Trinitas Regional Medical Center
Elizabeth, NJ
01.2012 - 08.2022
- Managed hospital-based and outpatient hemodialysis operations, including staffing, scheduling, assignments, and daily clinical needs.
- Supervised nursing staff, enhancing skills through orientation, training, mentoring, competency development, and performance evaluations.
- Served as a clinical and leadership resource for complex patient-care and staffing concerns.
- Collaborated with physicians and interdisciplinary teams to coordinate care, ensuring positive patient outcomes.
- Ensured regulatory compliance and promoted patient safety, infection prevention, and quality improvement initiatives.
- Continuous hospital employment through affiliated organizations
Clinical Coordinator, Hemodialysis
Trinitas Regional Medical Center
Elizabeth, NJ
01.2001 - 01.2012
- Coordinated clinical operations, managed patient assignments and staffing needs, prioritized treatments to ensure optimal patient care.
- Provided clinical guidance and support, enhancing nursing and dialysis staff performance and patient outcomes.
- Worked closely with physicians and interdisciplinary teams to coordinate complex renal and dialysis care.
- Facilitated staff orientation and training, ensuring competency development to maintain high standards of care.
- Maintained consistent employment at various affiliated hospitals to support patient care.
Charge Nurse / Hemodialysis Registered Nurse
Trinitas Regional Medical Center
Elizabeth, NJ
07.1981 - 01.2001
- Provided specialized care to patients with chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease, acute kidney injury, and complex medical conditions.
- Administered and monitored hemodialysis treatments while providing comprehensive care to patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis.
- Assessed patients, laboratory results, treatment needs, and vascular access including fistulas, grafts, and dialysis catheters.
- Coordinated patient assignments and treatment schedules to optimize clinical priorities and enhance patient care.
- Identified and addressed dialysis-related complications while educating patients and families on effective renal care management.
- Continuous hospital employment through affiliated organizations
Education
Associate Degree - Nursing
Middlesex County College (MCC)
Edison, NJ01-1981
Skills
- Home health nursing
- Chronic disease management
- Kidney disease management
- Care coordination
- Patient education
- Patient safety assurance
- Quality standards compliance
- Regulatory compliance knowledge
- Clinical operations
- Care coordination
- Nursing leadership
- Staff development
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Risk management
Certification
Registered Nurse — New Jersey (Active, Unrestricted), Basic Life Support (BLS) | CPR Certification | AED Certification, Valid Driver's License
Affiliations
- American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA)
- DAISY Award / Excellence in Practice Recognition
Timeline
Home Health Care Registered Nurse / Field Nurse Supervisor
ACE Home Healthcare
05.2025 - Current
Nurse Manager, Hemodialysis
Trinitas Regional Medical Center
01.2012 - 08.2022
Clinical Coordinator, Hemodialysis
Trinitas Regional Medical Center
01.2001 - 01.2012
Charge Nurse / Hemodialysis Registered Nurse
Trinitas Regional Medical Center
07.1981 - 01.2001
Associate Degree - Nursing
Middlesex County College (MCC)