Dorothy Jane Anderson-Buffington
Gillsville,GA
Summary
Dynamic nursing professional bringing over 23 years of experience in nursing education. Extensive academic focus in didactic and clinical education and curriculum development. Dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of patient care with over 30 years as a Registered Nurse with a variety of nursing and leadership experiences. Demonstrates strong working knowledge of regulatory and legal compliance with experience in legal consulting.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Professor
Brenau University, School of Nursing
Gainesville, GA
08.2021 - Current
- Maintained 9 credit hours leading the didactic and lab sections of the on-ground BSN High Acuity course every spring and fall.
- Administered and graded tests and assignments to evaluate student performance and monitor progress.
- Maintained 3 credit hours every fall leading the DNP Bioethics course
- MSN and DNP project committee member in support of their graduate projects.
- Subject matter experts to consult on research.
- Collaborated with peers on research to develop new insights and valuable professional relationships.
- Attend conferences to present findings from research studies conducted in collaboration with peers.
Legal Nurse Consultant
Independent Contracting
Southeastern, United States
02.2019 - Current
- Reviewed medical records to identify patient care issues and evaluate the quality of care provided.
- Developed case summaries for attorneys to use as evidence during trial.
- Analyzed medical data to determine if there was a deviation from accepted standards of care.
- Drafted discovery requests, and responses for use by attorneys in litigation matters.
- Reviewed depositions involving healthcare providers and witnesses involved in the case at hand.
- Assisted with deposition preparation by providing counsel with pertinent facts concerning the case.
- Utilized computerized Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS) and Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
Simulation Educator
Northeast Georgia Medical Center
Gainesville, GA
10.2020 - Current
- Implemented lesson plans to meet the individual needs of healthcare professionals based on scope of practice.
- Organized activities and resources to promote student engagement in learning.
- Subject Matter Expert
Assistant Professor
Brenau University, School of Nursing
Gainesville, GA
08.2015 - 08.2021
- Lead instructor for the didactic and lab sections of the BSN High Acuity Medical-Surgical Nursing course.
- Coordinated all capstone clinical placements for senior BSN Students.
- Secondary instructor for NCLEX prep course.
- Coordinated simulations for all BSN nursing courses except OB.
- Collaborated with Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Psychology Department for interdisciplinary simulation experiences.
- Review and edit course materials such as syllabi or lecture notes prior to start of semester.
- Provided feedback on course activities during office hours or via email correspondence.
- Organized guest lectures from experts in the field of study to supplement course content.
- Advised students on their academic plans, career paths, and personal goals.
- Mentored junior faculty members by providing advice on teaching strategies and pedagogy.
- Planned events such as adult and pediatric end-of-life simulation events and interprofessional simulation events as the subject matter expert.
Interim Undergraduate Chair
Brenau University School of Nursing
Gainesville, GA
01.2013 - 08.2015
- Administrative duties for admissions, progression, simulation management and curriculum oversight for the part-time and full-time BSN Undergraduate programs
- Reported to the Department Chair for the School of Nursing.
- Assisted in the recruitment process for new undergraduate faculty, including interviewing prospective candidates.
- Conducted annual reviews of the effectiveness of the undergraduate faculty and staff.
- Provided input on strategic planning initiatives for long-term growth opportunities.
- Ensured compliance with legal and accreditation requirements, such as FERPA and AACN.
Assistant Professor
Brenau University School of Nursing
Gainesville, GA
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Lead the BSN High Acuity Nursing course, and coordinated clinical experiences.
- Honored with the Excellence in Nursing Education 2012
- Developed and implemented innovative teaching methods that enhanced student engagement and learning outcomes.
Director of Nursing
Northeast Georgia Heart Center
Gainesville, GA
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Reported directly to the CEO.
- Implemented and directed clinical services and operations of eight Cardiology office locations to deliver competent, quality care.
- Developed and implemented office policies, procedures, and protocols to ensure patient safety.
- Provided clinical guidance and direction to nursing, scheduling and medical records staff to ensure quality care was provided in a timely manner.
- Managed daily operations including staffing, scheduling, budgeting, and resource allocation.
- Assisted with recruitment efforts by interviewing potential employees and making hiring decisions when appropriate.
- Created reports summarizing patient outcomes based on data collected from various sources, such as electronic medical records.
- Resolved conflicts among staff members in a professional manner while maintaining positive working relationships.
- Attended Administrative meetings to provide updates on progress of projects and initiatives being undertaken by the nursing team.
Performance Improvement Coordinator
Northeast Georgia Medical Center
Gainesville, GA
01.2008 - 01.2009
- Responsible for collecting, analyzing, and collaborating with committees to improve surgical outcomes data for hospital
- Member of committees responsible for quality improvement projects including mortality reviews.
Acute/Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
Habersham County Medical Center
Demorest, GA
01.2006 - 01.2008
- Responsible for concurrent monitoring of Acute Myocardial Infarctions, Heart Failure, Stroke, and Pneumonia patients in the Medical, Surgical, and Intensive Care units
- Managed Quality Improvement Department, Infection Control, and Education Department
- Research Evidence-based practice to assist in the development of policies and protocols for the organization
- Other responsibilities included physician advocacy for the Hospitalist Program
Director of Patient Safety & Quality Management
Habersham County Medical Center
Demorest, GA
01.2001 - 01.2006
- Responsible for JCAHO, CMS, GHA, Core Measures, GWTG Stroke Program, and Quality Improvement Projects.
- Directed projects for the development of a stroke support group, Medication Management Team, Patient Flow Taskforce, JCAHO Task Force, Post-Operative Care Team, and JCAHO Primary Stroke Center Certification
- Primary responsibly to ensure patient safety throughout the organization
- Facilitated Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA)
- Worked closely with Risk Manager, Clinical Mangers, Pharmacy Director, Nursing Administrators, VP of Patient Care Services, and Physicians
- Actively involved in GHA/PHA initiatives and GMCF Collaborative
- Directly reported to CEO.
Clinician & Educator
Habersham County Medical Center
Demorest, GA
01.1997 - 01.2001
- Duties included house supervision for fifty-three bed hospital
- Coordinated and instructed all medical-surgical and Intensive Care clinical orientation, Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).
- Implemented and engaged nurses in educational needs as directed by compliance updates, safety issues, and manager requests.
- Worked as staff nurse in the Intensive Care and Medical Surgical Units and needed for staffing needs..
Staff Nurse
Northeast Georgia Medical Center
Gainesville, GA
05.1990 - 01.1997
- Managed multiple tasks simultaneously for acutely ill clients on multiple drips and equipment while maintaining quality standards of care.
- Also worked in the Emergency Room as well as Cardiac Cath Lab.
- Demonstrated effective communication skills while interacting with patients, families, physicians and other healthcare staff members.
- Provided emotional support to family members during difficult times or end-of-life situations.
- Utilized an electronic medical record system to store patient information securely.
- Obtained Advance Life Support (ACLS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification as well as Critical Care Nurse (CCRN) Certification.
- Successfully obtained ACLS instructor status.
Education
AgriSafe Nurse Scholar -
01.2022
Doctor of Nursing Practice - Leadership And Management
Brenau University
Gainesville01.2019
Masters of Science in Nursing - Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
Georgia Baptist College At Mercer University
Atlanta, GA01.2006
Bachelor's of Science in Nursing -
Brenau University
Gainesville, GA05-1990
Skills
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Staff Development
- Problem-Solving
- Time Management
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Interpersonal Communication
- Self Motivation
- Critical Thinking
- Written and Verbal Communication
- Leadership and Mentoring
- Attention to Detail
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Reliability
- Curriculum Planning and Development
- Healthcare compliance
- Nursing Practice Standards
Board Memberships
Board of Directors for the Northeast Georgia Heart Center 2015-2017
Community Service
Education volunteer for Hope Ripples Care4COVID 2021
Affiliations
- American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)
- American Heart Association (AHA) - Professional membership
- Georgia Association of Nurse Educators (GANE)
- International Nurses Association for Simulation and Clinical Learning (INASCL)
- Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) – Nu Gamma Chapter- current President
- Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSIH)
- AgriSafe Nurse Certified
Accomplishments
responsible
- 1990 - Nightingale Award
- 2012 - Excellence in Nursing Education
- 2023 - Brenau University Part-time Faculty Award
Personal Information
Farming history and currently live on a family Centennial Farm
Timeline
Associate Professor
Brenau University, School of Nursing
08.2021 - Current
Simulation Educator
Northeast Georgia Medical Center
10.2020 - Current
Legal Nurse Consultant
Independent Contracting
02.2019 - Current
Assistant Professor
Brenau University, School of Nursing
08.2015 - 08.2021
Interim Undergraduate Chair
Brenau University School of Nursing
01.2013 - 08.2015
Assistant Professor
Brenau University School of Nursing
01.2011 - 01.2013
Director of Nursing
Northeast Georgia Heart Center
01.2009 - 01.2011
Performance Improvement Coordinator
Northeast Georgia Medical Center
01.2008 - 01.2009
Acute/Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
Habersham County Medical Center
01.2006 - 01.2008
Director of Patient Safety & Quality Management
Habersham County Medical Center
01.2001 - 01.2006
Clinician & Educator
Habersham County Medical Center
01.1997 - 01.2001
Staff Nurse
Northeast Georgia Medical Center
05.1990 - 01.1997
AgriSafe Nurse Scholar -
Doctor of Nursing Practice - Leadership And Management
Brenau University
Masters of Science in Nursing - Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
Georgia Baptist College At Mercer University
Bachelor's of Science in Nursing -
Brenau University
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