Gina Cook, RN, MSN, FNP-BC
RN, MSN, FNP-BC
Lake Havasu City,AZ
Summary
Compassionate Certified Nurse Practitioner with over 14 years of comprehensive experience providing acute care, urgent care, and primary care. Comprehensive experience in wellness exams including behavioral health, and chronic disease management for diverse and challenging populations. Skilled at analyzing patient histories and preliminary test results to build diagnosis. Contributes to revenue generation and increase in business through excellent care and support. Works well under pressure and has a team oriented personality.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Family Nurse Practitioner
Regional Center For Boarder Health
Parker , AZ
02.2021 - Current
- Provided primary care for patients of all ages in underserved areas.
- Performed history and physical examinations for Behavioral Health members and made referrals to therapists and psychiatrists. Discussed care plans with members and team and explain test results and proper use of medications.
- Performed examinations and prescribed medications for patients who have mental health disorders or substance abuse problems.
- Performed telehealth visits.
- Examined wounds and treated lacerations with bandaging, suturing, and topical medications.
- Ordered and interpreted diagnostic tests to develop and implement treatment plans.
- Educated patients on treatment options, medical needs, and non-medical options for treatments and therapy.
- Teamed with physicians to provide comprehensive patient care, referrals, and high-risk management strategies.
- Educated and guided patients on disease prevention and healthy lifestyle habits to prevent Type-2 diabetes and other complications.
- Worked in women's health services providing counseling on reproductive issues and assisting with family planning needs.
- Coordinated with physicians, specialists, and other medical staff to develop treatment plans for chronic conditions.
- Performed patient physicals and compared and contrasted results with established medical records to provide proper diagnosis and facilitate appropriate treatment.
- Prescribed appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment modalities to support the health and comfort of patients.
- Coordinated referrals for specialty services and additional care.
- Helped patients manage acute and chronic pain.
- Provided preventive care such as well-child checks, adult physicals, and gynecological examinations.
- Assessed and treated STDs in both males and females.
- Educated patients about reproductive health issues and dispensed contraceptives.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Conducted mandated health screenings and physicals.
- Assisted in the coordination of health events for immunizations and sports physicals.
- Assisted in the coordination of events for COVID testing and vaccinations.
- Assisted in the coordination of events for health screenings and referrals for homeless patients, nomad patients, and veterans. Assisted in the homelessness coalition for La Paz county.
- Explained medications and side effects to patients, family members, and caregivers, and thoroughly reviewed physician-ordered tests.
- Discussed care plans with patients and explained test results and proper use of medications.
- Applied and removed splints, sutured soft tissue injuries, and changed dressings.
- Recorded patient medical history, applicable test results, and vitals into EMR and coded appropriately for visits.
- Utilized customized patient teaching tools to support patients.
Nurse Practitioner
Dollar Clinic
1002 1st Ave North , Moorhead, MN
09.2019 - 12.2020
- Work as an independent contractor flex time; twelve hour shifts.
- Order, perform, and interpret the results of diagnostic tests.
- Analyze and interpret patient's histories, symptoms, physical findings or diagnostic information to develop appropriate diagnosis.
- Develop treatment plans based on scientific rationale, standards of care and professional practice guidelines.
- Makes decisions concerning medical Care needs of patients, which may involve various treatment modalities, prescribed medications, consults and referrals.
- Diagnose or treat acute health care problems such as illnesses, infections, and injuries.
- Prescribe medications based on efficacy, safety, dosage and frequencies.
- Counsel patients about drug regimen and possible side effects or interactions with other substances such as food supplements, over-the-counter(OTC) medications and herbal remedies.
- Recommend interventions to modify behavior associated with health risks.
- Educate patients about self- management of acute or chronic illnesses, tailoring instructions to patients' individual circumstances.
- Responsible for managing common acute and chronic illnesses and injuries for patients of all age ranges in a walk-in setting.
- Responsible for preventative care and exams.
- Responsible for promotion and maintenance of health across the life span.
- Works independently at clinic so responsible for patient registration, collection of payments for services, obtaining vital signs and comprehensive medical histories and physical exams. Perform telephone consults. Quickly identifies high risk situations and takes appropriate actions for referrals of complex patients. Consults with physician owner on high priority cases.
Nurse Practitioner
Altru Health System Urgent Care
Grand Forks, ND
12.2009 - 04.2020
- Worked full- time twelve hour shifts in a busy urgent care adjacent to the ER. Decrease in patient volumes led to staffing to volume and eventual dissolution of the urgent care department related to COVID.
- Obtained comprehensive medical histories and performed physical examinations and assessments; ordered appropriate diagnostic tests; analyzed data results of pt examinations and diagnostic tests to correctly diagnose and manage patients in a busy fast paced urgent care setting. Identified high risk situations and changes in pt's status and took appropriate actions. Collaborated with physicians and other members of the health care team as necessary. Patients cared for included infants, children, adolescents, adults, and geriatrics.
- Provided medical management and/or other interventions for acute and chronic health problems.
- Skillfully performed various procedures including splinting, suturing, pelvic exams, simple I&Ds, nail trephination, and wound care. Ordered and read lab tests and X-rays.
- Accurately noted patient's medical history, applicable test results and vitals into EMR utilizing Epic. Conducted e-visits and televisits utilizing Epic. Completed all charting and documentation and assured fees/billing codes were used for professional services.
- Authorized drug refills and provided detailed prescription information to pharmacies.
- Counseled patients in health maintenance and disease management. Provided patients and families with appropriate education.
- Provided appropriate follow up care and/or referrals to other health care resources ensuring continuity of care in a timely manner.
- Supervised Nursing, NP, and PA students.
- Served as a liaison and resource for health care team members
- Ordered and interpreted diagnostic tests to develop and implement treatment plans
- Examined wounds and treated lacerations with bandaging, suturing and topical medications
- Prescribed medications for patients in conjunction with other treatments according to specific personal medical conditions.
- Worked in direct collaboration with other physicians and referred patients accordingly to best support health care needs.
- Teamed with physicians to provide comprehensive patient care, referrals and high-risk management strategies.
Nurse Practitioner
Rapid Care Walk In Clinic
Fargo, ND
06.2007 - 10.2009
- Responsible for managing common acute and chronic illnesses and injuries for patients in a walk-in setting.
- Rapid Care was owned by the same physician who currently owns Dollar Clinic.
- Duties at Rapid Care are similar to those at Dollar Clinic. In 2009 the Rapid Care Clinics were sold and I re-located to Grand Forks and began working at Altru Urgent Care.
Registered Nurse
Prairie St Johns
Fargo, ND
03.2005 - 08.2006
- Participated in treatment team evaluations of clients; collaborated with psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurses, and therapists.
- Responsible for assessing, planning, implementing, evaluating, and supervising the nursing care of pediatric and adult clients within an inpatient psychiatric hospital setting.
- Specialized in the nursing care of patients with chemical dependency, mental illness, and dual diagnosis.
- Organized and led educational support groups for clients and their families in subjects related to physical and emotional health.
- Provided leadership in complex clinical situations such as crisis interventions. Made assignments appropriate to client needs and staff skill level when in charge role.
- Administered and documented medication per hospital policy and assessed for therapeutic and adverse effects. Monitored and assessed clients for changes in condition.
- Managed care from admission to discharge
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners, verifying interventions met treatment goals and identifying insurance coverage limitations
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper medication management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use and disease management
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while observing for and managing rapidly changing conditions
- Contributed substantially to successful department JCAHO accreditation by consistently operating to highest standards of care
Registered Nurse
Altru Health System
Grand Forks, ND
12.1999 - 03.2005
- Worked as a RN in various roles including cardiology and float pool. Prior to obtaining RN, worked as a CNA and LPN primarily in geriatrics.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients and determined next course of action
- Managed care from admission to discharge
- Administered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections and monitored responses
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches
- Maintained quality care and comfort for patients with heart failure, pulmonary hypertension and other conditions
- Monitored patient condition by interpreting and tracking EKG readings, identifying irregular telemetry readings and updating team members on changes in stability or acuity
- Secured controlled narcotics and distributed medication on schedule to meet patient needs and minimize misuse opportunities
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners, verifying interventions met treatment goals and identifying insurance coverage limitations
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use and disease management
- Reviewed post-operative orders and continuously monitored patients' post-operative vitals, set up PCA and fluids and oriented patients to unit
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions
- Contributed substantially to successful department JCAHO accreditation by consistently operating to highest standards of care
- Participated in nursing simulation activities, evidence-based practice project implementation and competency development to further nursing education
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols
- Minimized hospital stays with recovery-centered approaches, reducing average in-patient stay length
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion and airway management
- Audited charts and reviewed clinical documents to verify accuracy
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments
- Managed quality care for patients with heart failure, end-stage renal disease and coronary artery disease
- Organized and managed care of patients undergoing various therapies and procedures
- Taught patients how to improve lifestyle choices, dramatically reducing chance of symptom reoccurrence
- Monitored patient reactions to drugs and carefully documented findings
- Collected blood, tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing
Registered Nurse Supervisor
Valley Elder Care
Grand Forks, ND
- Supervised team of LPNs and CNAs on night shift.
- Completed performance reviews for LPNs and CNAs.
- Administered medications via oral and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients when needed and determined next course of action.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Implemented care plans for patient treatment after assessing physician medical regimens.
- Created customized care plans, working with staff and families to assess and meet individual needs.
- Managed infection control and critical incidents and made procedural changes and improvements.
Education
Master of Science - Family Nurse Practitioner Specialization
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND05.2007
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND12.1999
Diploma LPN - Nursing, LPN
Northwest Technical College
East Grand Forks, MN05.1994
Skills
- Acute care and primary care expertise
- Self-directed with good time management and astute judgment skills
- Extensive experience in diagnosis and treatment of illnesses across the life span
- Experience in psychiatry and mental health
- Extensive Urgent Care experience
LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION
ANCC Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, Certification #2007008001
Advanced Practice RN: NP Family, Prescriptive Authority with active DEA license
ND License #R28493
Arizona License: APRN- RNP #247215
BLS for Healthcare Providers, Expires 5/2022
DEA and NPI information available upon request
REFERENCES:
Dr. Rodney Lee, MD
Owner of Dollar Clinic and Former owner of Rapid Care
1002 1st Ave N
Moorhead, MN. 56560
rodneyleemd@hotmail.com
701-630-9536
Nicole Amsbaugh, PA-C
3810 Cherry Tree Boulevard
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86406
nlamsbaugh@gmail.com
701-201-0009
Dr. Mridu Gandhi, MD
Former colleague at Altru Urgent Care
mridugandhi@gmail.com
913-710-2216
Jennifer Landrum, FNP-C
Colleague at Regional Center for Boarder Health
3112 McCulloch Blvd N
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403
jenlandrum1@bellsouth.net
334-669-8566
Miriam Anderson, NP-C
Former colleague at Rapid Care and Altru Urgent Care
701-412-1661
miriamanderson@aol.com
Timeline
Family Nurse Practitioner
Regional Center For Boarder Health
02.2021 - Current
Nurse Practitioner
Dollar Clinic
09.2019 - 12.2020
Nurse Practitioner
Altru Health System Urgent Care
12.2009 - 04.2020
Nurse Practitioner
Rapid Care Walk In Clinic
06.2007 - 10.2009
Registered Nurse
Prairie St Johns
03.2005 - 08.2006
Registered Nurse
Altru Health System
12.1999 - 03.2005
Registered Nurse Supervisor
Valley Elder Care
Master of Science - Family Nurse Practitioner Specialization
University of North Dakota
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of North Dakota
Diploma LPN - Nursing, LPN
Northwest Technical College