Gena Costello
Summary
Extensive range of progressive leadership experience as a Registered Nurse of thirty-six years. Superior organizational and problem-solving skills. Strong ethical leadership with a commitment to deliver high quality, patient and family centered healthcare. Established adult teaching skills. Leader and mentor: rooted in Studer Principles and a belief in succession planning and development of others. Possess special sensitivity to meeting diverse needs in varied situations. Dedicated to promoting quality patient care and satisfaction and offering experience in nursing and healthcare administration. Possesses proven track record of developing and implementing comprehensive nursing policies, providing excellent leadership and mentoring, and maintaining compliance with regulatory standards.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Head Nurse, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital
10.2022 - 10.2023
- Responsible for managing and leading a 12 bed PICU
- Service Line creation of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Program
- Championed and developed first ever child-friendly environment of care including use of medical play and pain free techniques
- Only unit with 100% re-sign of all staffing contracts
- Staff satisfaction 95% - up by 30 points from previous year
- Fostered improvement in staff development, personnel training, and standards of patient care.
- Managed staff scheduling and time off to adequately staff nursing floors and allow nurses earned time off.
- Led teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing standard of care and best practices.
- Identified unit areas of inadequacy and adjusted procedures to close gaps and improve policies.
- Led staff meetings to keep team informed of departmental changes and provide opportunities for nurses to share ideas and concerns.
- Increased patient satisfaction by providing compassionate care and addressing individual needs.
- Mentored and coached staff, fostering professional growth and development within the team.
- Investigated and independently resolved complaints from staff, physicians, and patients by leveraging clinical judgment and unit management expertise.
- Developed and implemented quality improvement initiatives to provide best possible patient care and identify and address areas of concern.
- Successfully managed high-stress situations during emergency cases providing critical leadership and decision-making skills.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Promoted a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging staff participation in quality improvement projects.
- Collaborated with physicians to develop personalized care plans for patients with complex conditions.
- Promoted professional development opportunities to encourage nurses to pursue continuous training.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities.
- Strengthened unit care standards and policies with focus on patient safety and dignity.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Evaluated staff performance regularly, identifying areas for growth and providing constructive feedback when necessary.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated creativity and resourcefulness through the development of innovative solutions.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
- Demonstrated leadership skills in managing projects from concept to completion.
Nurse Manager, Pediatric Emergency Department
Baystate Medical Center
10.2018 - 01.2022
- Responsible for managing and leading 17-bed Pediatric ED/Trauma Center, which is the referral center for pediatric patients for Western Massachusetts
- One hundred twenty-five direct reports including a Nurse Educator and two Assistant Nurse Managers
- Managed day to day operations of ED (daily census average 84-150 patients) including staffing/ scheduling, budget, performance improvement goals, regulatory requirements and more
- Collaborated with physician leaders to ensure optimal day to day functioning of the ED and the delivery of quality patient care
- Developed and implemented new RN and PCT orientation program by expanding Clinical Coordinator role into Pediatric Nurse Education
- Staff led onboarding for succession
- Clinical expert/resource for staff
- Transitioned primary care of pediatric trauma patient from the adult ED to the pediatric ED
- Implemented a new Pediatric Behavioral Care Unit
- Implemented a new Pediatric fall program
- Press Ganey improvement of 20 points in Nurse Courtesy
- Decrease in Workplace violence and use of restraints by 50%.
- · Successful budget management. Responded to growth with flexible staffing. Able to recruit stable workforce which eliminated need for contract labor.
- · Successfully provided staff support and mentorship for 4th Magnet re-verification.
- · Successfully provided staff support and mentorship for ACS re-verification of Pediatric Trauma Center status.
- Championed continuous learning among staff members, organizing regular educational workshops and seminars. Staff Certification 77%, highest in institution.
- Resolved problems, improved operations and provided exceptional service.
- Developed strategy to target nursing and patient satisfaction issues, improve response, and patient care quality and suggest actionable improvements to promote hospital-wide quality and safety initiatives.
Clinical Education Specialist-Learning & Development
Connecticut Children's Medical Center
04.2018 - 09.2018
- Responsible for delivering pediatric specific education for onboarding new nursing staff and patient care assistance technicians
- Responsibilities included but not limited to Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), preceptor class/workshop, basic and critical care courses, mock codes, IV insert and more
- Designed assessment tools to measure learner progress, ensuring consistent evaluation of knowledge acquisition and skills development.
- Spearheaded initiatives aimed at increasing cultural competence among healthcare providers through tailored educational content.
- Delivered engaging presentations at conferences and workshops, promoting best practices in clinical education.
- Provided ongoing support for clinicians transitioning into new roles or working with new populations by offering targeted training sessions.
- Implemented innovative teaching methods such as simulations, role-playing exercises, and case studies to enhance critical thinking skills in learners.
- Updated instructional materials, ordered equipment and supplies and utilized various learning modalities to enhance instruction.
- Delivered individualized instruction on observation, assessment, decision-making and patient health teaching.
- Provided educational lectures and facilitated discussions on weekly basis.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to design comprehensive curriculum for various clinical specialties.
- Conducted clinical simulations and provided feedback for each individual student.
- Reviewed current literature regularly to maintain up-to-date knowledge of best practices in clinical education methodology.
- Evaluated students' competencies through written assignments and examinations.
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging open dialogue and incorporating feedback from colleagues and learners.
- Conducted regular evaluations of course materials to ensure alignment with evidence-based practice guidelines.
- Assisted in the accreditation process for continuing medical education programs, ensuring compliance with industry standards.
- Demonstrated creativity and resourcefulness through the development of innovative solutions.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Acted as a team leader in group projects, delegating tasks and providing feedback.
- Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
Clinical Nurse Educator
Sidra Medical & Research Center
08.2014 - 07.2016
- Ensure that educational initiatives & processes support the national health standards of the State of Qatar in a Greenfield build
- Collaborated with colleagues to plan, implement & evaluate educational needs of Emergency Department staff & their families, grounding strategies in adult education theory and evidence-based practice
- Responsible for the development of educational content for orientation of new staff
- Developed Emergency Department skills checklists and competency tools
- Created triage course and exam
- In collaboration with SIM team, developed scenarios for use during systems testing and more
- Played a key role in the establishment of a new American Heart Center and provided instruction in PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) and BLS (Basic Life Support).
- Successfully negotiated and coordinated the first ever course offering of Emergency Nursing Pediatric Certification (ENPC) in the Middle East
- Course director Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC), first ever in Qatar.
- Developed comprehensive competency assessments, effectively measuring nursing staff knowledge and skill levels.
-
Clinical Nurse Educator
Connecticut Children's Medical Center
04.2007 - 05.2014
- Course coordinator for PALS; developed and taught nursing orientation (basic & critical care), trauma education, IV insert, mock codes, preceptor class, Trauma Nurse Core (TNCC) & Emergency Nursing Pediatric Certification (ENPC)
- Responsible for cross coverage of educational needs of all ambulatory clinics and critical care areas
- Developed and facilitated disaster related symposiums.
- Contributed to hospital accreditation efforts by ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices in nursing education.
- Utilized adult learning principles to adapt teaching methods according to individual learner needs, maximizing comprehension and retention of material presented.
- Supported departmental goals by aligning educational programs with organizational objectives.
- Enhanced patient outcomes by developing and implementing evidence-based educational programs for clinical staff.
- Led the development of annual training plans based on identified gaps in knowledge or skills among clinical staff members.
- Coordinated continuing education events, connecting nurses with relevant resources to advance their expertise within their respective fields.
- Streamlined onboarding processes for new hires, resulting in decreased time to full productivity.
- Increased staff retention by providing ongoing professional development opportunities and support.
- Kept current with emerging trends in healthcare education, incorporating new strategies into existing curricula for continuous program improvement.
- Demonstrated a high level of initiative and creativity while tackling difficult tasks.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Exercised leadership capabilities by successfully motivating and inspiring others.
Pediatric Trauma Program Manager/Trauma Nurse Specialist
Maimonides Medical Center
04.2005 - 09.2007
- Collaborated with the Trauma Medical Director and team to develop, implement and evaluate a new pediatric trauma program in Brooklyn, NY
- Responsible for the organization of services and systems necessary for a multidisciplinary approach to providing care to the injured trauma patient and meet American College of Surgeons Standards
- Developed and delivered trauma/disaster related specific education for adult and pediatric patient populations
- Responsible for the creation of trauma related competencies, policies and practice development guidelines
- Responsible for overseeing performance improvement activities related to pediatric trauma
- Produced and managed trauma budget.
Assistant Head Nurse/Staff Nurse Emergency Department
Hartford Hospital
01.2001 - 01.2007
- Supervised nursing staff including patient care associates
- Had 150 direct reports; responsible for both staff performance/development and fiscal management
- Managed day to day operations of ED (daily census average 350 patients) including staffing & scheduling
- Facilitated monthly staff meetings as needed
- Developed and implemented peer review tool & was Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Liaison, educator and active EMT-P
- Was clinical expert/resource for staff and provided direct care for a range of emergency department patients from the newborn to the elderly
- Collaborated with physician leaders to ensure optimal day to day functioning of the ED and the delivery of quality patient care.
Nursing Supervisor
Charlotte Hungerford Hospital
01.1990 - 01.2001
- Responsible for managing off shift staffing levels, employee/family relations, codes and rapid responses
- Was education resource/expert for staff in a non-teaching hospital
- Resolved patient needs by utilizing multidisciplinary team strategy
- Assured quality of care by helping enforce adherence to state board of nursing and state nurse practice act requirements.
Education
Master's in Emergency Management & Disaster Preparedness -
University of Philadelphia
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
University of Hartford
Diploma in Nursing -
Saint Francis School of Nursing
Skills
- Multidisciplinary and Interdepartmental Collaboration
- Team Supervision, Staff evaluations, Coaching/Mentoring with Succession Planning
- Procedure and Policy Development using Evidenced Based Practice Guidelines
- Utilization Management
- Patient and Family Relations
- Quality and Patient Safety, Risk Management
- Organizational Goal Development including Magnet Verification
- Clinical Operations Management
- Budget Development and Oversight
- Supply monitoring
- Process Improvements
- Quality Assurance
- Project Oversight
- Patient and Family Support/Education
- Operational Records Maintenance: Regulatory Compliance
- Schedule Preparation
- Staff recruitment and retention
Nims Course Completions
- 001.a Emergency Manager: An Orientation to the Position
- 100.HCb Introduction to Incident Command System for Healthcare/Hospitals
- 200.HCa Applying ICS to Healthcare Organizations
- 201 Forms Used for the Development of the Incident Action Plan
- 230.d Fundamentals of Emergency Management
- 235.c Emergency Planning
- 247a Integrated Public Alert and Warning Systems (IPAWS)
- 250a Emergency Support Function 15 External Affairs: A New Approach to Emergency Communication and Information Distribution
- 366.a Planning for the Needs of Children in Disasters
- 700 National Incident Management System (NIMS) An Introduction
- 800b National Response Framework
- 909 Community Preparedness/Implementing Simple Activities for Everyone
- 300 Intermediate for Expanding Incidents
Professional Licensure And Certification
- RN-State of Connecticut, E51147
- RN-State of Massachusetts RN2328821
- RN- Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- RN-State of New York (expired)
- RN-Qatar (expired)
Certification
- CPEN - Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse
Additional Information
Featured Speaker
New England Emergency Nursing Association- "Pediatric Disaster Considerations & Blast Injuries"
St. Francis Hospital Trauma Symposium-"The Pediatric Trauma Patient"
Building Brighter Futures Conference-"Pediatric Considerations and Blast Injuries"
CT State Trauma Symposium- "Pediatric Disaster Preparedness: Ensuring Optimal Care for Young Patients"
Connecticut Children's Medical Center - "Have Passport Will Travel: International Nursing"
Awards
Connecticut Nurse Educator of the Year
Daisy Award Nominee
Affiliations
- American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) Society of Pediatric Nurses Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
Leadership Development and Certifications
Team STEPPS Master Trainer
Facility: Simulation Based Learning
Crucial Conversations Training
Quint Studer Leadership Academy/Training
Dale Carnegie Training: Manager Certification
Emotional Intelligence: Training
Timeline
Head Nurse, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital
10.2022 - 10.2023
Nurse Manager, Pediatric Emergency Department
Baystate Medical Center
10.2018 - 01.2022
Clinical Education Specialist-Learning & Development
Connecticut Children's Medical Center
04.2018 - 09.2018
Clinical Nurse Educator
Sidra Medical & Research Center
08.2014 - 07.2016
Clinical Nurse Educator
Connecticut Children's Medical Center
04.2007 - 05.2014
Pediatric Trauma Program Manager/Trauma Nurse Specialist
Maimonides Medical Center
04.2005 - 09.2007
Assistant Head Nurse/Staff Nurse Emergency Department
Hartford Hospital
01.2001 - 01.2007
Nursing Supervisor
Charlotte Hungerford Hospital
01.1990 - 01.2001
Master's in Emergency Management & Disaster Preparedness -
University of Philadelphia
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
University of Hartford
Diploma in Nursing -
Saint Francis School of Nursing
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