Dynamic Nurse Executive with extensive experience at the Department of Veterans Affairs and the healthcare industry, excelling in patient care management and health program development. Proven track record in enhancing patient safety and regulatory compliance while fostering professional growth through coaching and mentoring. Adept at strategic leadership, driving quality improvement initiatives that elevate organizational effectiveness. Skilled in mentoring healthcare professionals and developing high-impact health programs. Committed to fostering collaboration and achieving organizational goals.
I’m currently the Associate Director Patient Care Services/ Nurse Executive for nursing in Big Spring, Texas a level 3 facility. I have the direct oversite of the deputy ADPCS and 3 chiefs of services and more than 300 FTEEs, I report directly to the director of Big Spring Veterans Affairs. As the Acting deputy ADPCS for the Durham Health Care system and I report directly to the ADPCS. During that time, I had the direct oversite of 5 Chief nurses 2000 FTEE’s in the acute care services from 09/2022 until 8/2023. As the chief of acute care service, I have oversite of 230 FTEE’s which includes 5 nurse managers, 4 assistant nurse managers and 2 clinical nurse leaders of four medical surgical units. As Chief I report to the Deputy ADPCS from 01/22-09/2022. As manager of SICU, I report directly to the chief nurse of services and had oversite for 28 registered nurses, five nurse techs, and two MSA's. During my time at the Baltimore VA, I had the pleasure of managing several units SICU, PACU, SDSU, and VAT in which I reported directly to the Chief of Surgical Services and had the responsibility and oversite for 52 registered nurses, 12 health techs, and 3 MSA. My obligations of 24-hour accountability for the Units, assuring the Veterans' care are based on Best Practice, and all staff follows the Nurse Practice Act (NPA) for safe patient care. During the time as Manager of the SICU, I was the Lead Coordinator for the implementation of the Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) a new program at Baltimore VA, which to date has saved the VA more than 2.5 million dollars in cost for care in the community. During this time, along with Dr. To lead the initiative for Virtual ICU to reduce the risk of medication diversion and patient satisfaction and this has been named best practice in patient care and was presented at critical care congress in San Juan Puerto Rico 2022 for the Society of Critical Care. During my time as manager of the PACU I was strategic with the introduction of Lidocaine Infusion Therapy for Chronic Pain Management and development of nursing protocol, policy, and competencies. As a nurse manager, I have mentored, coached, and advanced several staff RNs into leadership positions and promoted several RNs to Nurse III and several RN’s to Nurse II. When I first came to the VA, I was hired as the Nursing Officer on Duty (NOD) and worked in that role for ten months until I was appointed to nurse manager of SICU. As the NOD, I work directly with the CNSO, supervising, and mentoring staff off tours. Providing managerial guidance and acting as a clinical resource for staff utilizing my clinical expertise. Responsibilities include being the nursing liaison for all clinical departments within the organization. As the Supervisor of CMR at Care First Blue Cross Blue Shield, I assisted my team with addressing and completing clinical claims adjudications within 4.5 days, which is a quarter of the time required on all platforms for 2014. I’m experienced working in a healthcare organization leading in technology and research as the Clinical Coordinating Nursing Manager of Outpatient Wound Care Services at UMMC Midtown Campus, formally Maryland General Hospital, a member of the University of Maryland Health Systems. While working at RWJUH as nurse manager, I assisted in the hospital being awarded Magnet status for the fourth consecutive designations, 2012 designated as one of 100 Best Places to Work in NJ and assisted with two Joint Commission Surveys. In 2023 I received my Ph.D. in Education with Specialization in Nursing Education. I also mentored and coached at the doctorate level for DNP and Ph. D. students attending Walden & Capella University. Currently trained as High Reliability Organization executive at VA