Erica Shackelford
Lovettsville
Summary
Compassionate and innovative Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner adept in Health Promotion and Interprofessional Collaboration. Skilled in patient education and preventive care, with significant experience in leading and training diverse healthcare teams.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Nurse
Department of State
09.2021 - 06.2024
- Performed duties as a nurse at the U.S. Embassy Nairobi Health Unit, providing primary and urgent care to U.S. Diplomats, their family members and local Kenyan staff.
- Assumed on-call responsibilities every six weeks, providing immediate consultation for urgent needs as well as rapidly coordinating specialized emergency care utilizing host country resources.
- Spearheaded the design, development, and rollout of a new pediatric exam room focused on a safe child-friendly environment.
- Coordinated with Health Unit staff and departments across Embassy Nairobi to design and stand up a Casualty Response Team (CRT).
- Led the effort to recruit over 25 CRT members throughout the Embassy, as well as planned, organized and assisted in training these members in mass casualty response.
- Maintained Health Unit operations including triage and delivery of primary care, briefing new patients, accurate documentation of patient care, and use of appropriate nursing interventions.
- Mentored and trained new nurses to ensure smooth transition to Health Unit operations.
- Collaborated with the Community Liaison Office championing several healthcare initiatives, particularly running large scale vaccine clinics.
Family Nurse Practitioner
Vita Family Medicine and Med Spa
12.2018 - 01.2021
- Practiced full-spectrum holistic care in family practice setting serving patients infants through elderly, presenting for wellness exams (well woman, pediatric and adult, follow up, sick visits and varied procedures.
- Performed procedures to include insertion of intrauterine devices (IUDs), incision and drainage, excision and biopsy of suspicious lesions, wound care, and medical Botox injections.
- Handled complex cases involving multiple comorbidities effectively by employing critical thinking skills and seeking expert consultation with the attending clinic physician or appropriate specialists when necessary.
- Ordered and interpreted diagnostic tests to develop and implement treatment plans focused on personalized wellness.
- Served as a preceptor for a Family Nurse Practitioner student, fostering her clinical skills development in the primary care settings.
- Utilized telehealth technology effectively, increasing convenience for patients while maintaining high-quality care standards.
Clinical Director
Womack Army Medical Center
08.2011 - 12.2012
- Served as the Director of the BG(R) Anna May Hays Clinical Nurse Transition Program (CNTP) for new graduate Army Nurses required to complete a six-month intensive nurse residency serving 20 to 35 nurses per cohort, with up to two cohorts overlapping.
- Revamped the program structure in collaboration with each in-patient manager to ensure each nurse had intensive training in each are in order to prepare these nurses to competently practice in diverse clinical settings.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations for each CNTP Nurse, identifying areas for improvement and providing constructive feedback for growth.
- Ensured standardization in preceptorships by developing a CNTP preceptor handbook, organized and instructed preceptor certification training, and conducted individual interviews with each preceptor.
- Collaborated with hospital nursing chief, department chiefs, and head nurses to ensure smooth program operations, as well as develop a system of recognition and reward to incentivize preceptors.
Critical Care Registered Nurse
Cape Fear Valley Medical Center
11.2009 - 06.2011
- Worked part-time as a critical care float nurse quickly adapting to Medical, Cardiac, Surgical or Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit environments.
- Provided critical care in a fast-paced medical center administering life-saving medications and therapies under strict protocols, guiding patients towards recovery from acute illnesses or injuries.
- Monitored hemodynamic parameters and analyzed complex data sets, making appropriate adjustments to treatment plans based on patient response.
- Served as a preceptor for new nurses entering the critical care field, sharing knowledge and expertise to facilitate successful integration into the team.
Critical Care ICU Registered Nurse Lead
U.S. Army Reserves, 3274th Reserve
03.2010 - 01.2012
- Served as Platoon Leader, and led over 70 Army Reserve soldiers, ensuring mission readiness through effective communication and collaboratively planning training that focused on maintaining both Army and clinical skills.
- Coordinated bi-weekly with the chain of command and assigned soldiers, in preparation for up-coming drills and on-going operations.
- As Executive Office, reorganized and maintained the organization roster for over 250 soldiers, guaranteeing accurate accountability and timely communication.
Critical Care Head Nurse, Army Captain
U.S. Army 28th Combat Support Hospital
12.2007 - 06.2009
- Trained and managed Combat Medics, Army Nurses (RNs and LPNs), in austere critical care environments requiring clinical and tactical expertise.
- Revised unit specific standard operating procedures to improve quality of care in the field hospital environment.
- Evaluated soldiers' performance regularly, identifying areas for growth and providing constructive feedback when necessary.
- Optimized inventory management processes to prevent stockouts while maintaining cost effectiveness.
- Concurrently served as a Critical Care Nurse at Womack Army Medical Center maintaining clinical skill proficiency.
- Managed ICU nursing schedule and served as instructor for Advanced Cardiac Life Support (adult and pediatric).
Critical Care Transport Nurse
U.S. Army 28th Combat Support Hospital
11.2006 - 11.2007
- Provided acute care in the ICU and ER for adult and pediatric trauma patients injured during war or suffering medical emergencies during the peak of combat operations in Iraq.
- Operated as the sole medical attendant for critical care patients on numerous high-risk rotary wing evacuation missions, which required split-second decision making following stringent guidelines.
- Coordinated effectively with receiving healthcare professionals involved in patient care during the transfer process, ensuring proper patient handoff.
- Assisted with the development of new policies and procedures within the critical care transport team, resulting in improved safety protocols and overall effectiveness of operations.
- Revamped the entire ward stock medication storage and ordering system for the entire combat hospital, greatly improving patient safety.
- Mentored Iraqi nurses, doctors and medics as part of the Iraqi Trauma Training Program.
- As charge nurse, supervised two to three RN's and one to three LPN's.
Surgical Registered Nurse
U.S. Army
04.2004 - 11.2005
- Provided comprehensive care on a 29-bed surgical ward working with patients and families to enhanced patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing practices and adhering to surgical protocols.
- Collaboratively developed and implemented an orientation program for new Army Medics to improve their delivery of safe and efficient care.
- Worked as a Charge Nurse supervising RN's, LPN's, CNA's and Army Medics while coordinating patient care with a multidiciniplary team.
Education
Master of Science - Nursing
Simmons University
Boston, MA07.2018
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI09.2003
Commissioned Army Nurse Corp Officer -
U.S. Army
Skills
- Health Promotion
- Interprofessional Collaboration
- Patient Education
- Healthcare Leadership
Accomplishments
- Stanford Healthcare Leadership, Eight Week Course: Completed January 2024
Timeline
Nurse
Department of State
09.2021 - 06.2024
Family Nurse Practitioner
Vita Family Medicine and Med Spa
12.2018 - 01.2021
Clinical Director
Womack Army Medical Center
08.2011 - 12.2012
Critical Care ICU Registered Nurse Lead
U.S. Army Reserves, 3274th Reserve
03.2010 - 01.2012
Critical Care Registered Nurse
Cape Fear Valley Medical Center
11.2009 - 06.2011
Critical Care Head Nurse, Army Captain
U.S. Army 28th Combat Support Hospital
12.2007 - 06.2009
Critical Care Transport Nurse
U.S. Army 28th Combat Support Hospital
11.2006 - 11.2007
Surgical Registered Nurse
U.S. Army
04.2004 - 11.2005
Master of Science - Nursing
Simmons University
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Marquette University
Commissioned Army Nurse Corp Officer -
U.S. Army
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