Heather Hofstra
Crown Point,Indiana
Summary
Empathetic Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner focused on providing quality care and maintaining direct lines of communication with patients and healthcare team. Calm, understanding professional bringing over 9 years of experience in diagnosing, evaluating and treating acute and chronic medical conditions through physical examinations and testing. Exceptional critical thinking and decision-making skills.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Nurse Practitioner
The Neurological Institute & Specialty Centers
01.2018 - Current
- Prescribed appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment modalities to support health and comfort of patients.
- Ordered and interpreted diagnostic tests to develop and implement treatment plans.
- Assessed patients to determine individual needs and develop care plans in coordination with multidisciplinary healthcare professionals.
- Performed comprehensive physical examinations and documented patient histories to gather information and identify health issues.
- Administered Botox for the treatment of migraine headaches.
- Administered Nerve Blocks to treat Occipital Neuralgia.
- Administered Trigger Point Injections to treat muscle spasms.
- Educated patients on treatment options, medical needs, and non-medical options for treatments and therapy.
- Provided medical services and care to patients with chronic and acute conditions.
Nurse Practitioner
Franciscan Physician Network
06.2014 - 12.2017
- Educated patients on treatment options, medical needs, and non-medical options for treatments and therapy.
- Provided medical services and care to patients with chronic conditions.
- Prescribed and managed pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments to treat underlying causes and relieve symptoms.
- Discussed care plans with patients and explained test results and proper use of medications.
- Participated in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient cases and treatment plans.
- Coordinated with physicians, specialists, and other medical staff to develop treatment plans for chronic conditions.
Registered Nurse, Palliative Care
Franciscan Alliance
04.2009 - 06.2014
- Collaborated with physicians and nursing staff to assess patient's medical and social needs while dealing with life-limiting illnesses.
- 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.
Registered Nurse, ICU
Franciscan Alliance
10.2006 - 04.2009
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients, and determined next course of action.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners, verifying interventions met treatment goals.
- Monitored patient condition by interpreting and tracking EKG readings, identifying irregular telemetry readings and updating team members on changes in stability or acuity.
- Maintained quality care and comfort for patients with heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and other conditions.
- Provided exceptional care to high-acute patients needing complex care such as ventilator management, extensive wound care and rehabilitation.
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Franciscan Alliance
07.2004 - 10.2006
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Monitored patient vital signs to perform thorough condition assessments.
- Advocated for and strived to protect health, safety, and rights of patient.
- Provided health education to patients and families regarding discharge instructions and plans of care.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Educated patients and families on medical-surgical procedures, therapeutic regimens, and pain management techniques.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Performed emergency medical procedures such as BLS, ACLS and other condition stabilizing interventions.
- Managed patients' pain by implementing pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain management interventions.
- Monitored patient condition by interpreting and tracking EKG readings, identifying irregular telemetry readings and updating team members on changes in stability or acuity.
- Managed patient pain relief and sedation by providing non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions.
Education
Master of Science - Family Practice Nurse Practitioner
University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN05.2014
Associate of Science - Nursing
Purdue University - North Central
Westville, IN05.2004
Skills
- Patient Rights
- Patient Observation
- Patient Education
- Neurology
- Developing Patient Care Plans
- Differential Diagnosis
- Acute and Chronic Pain
- Punch Biopsies
- Patient Referral
- Palliative Care
- Care Plan Development
- Direct Patient Care
- Inpatient Care
- Patient Safety
- Patient Care Coordination
- Precepting
- Medication Administration
- Radiology Diagnostics
- Diagnosis and Treatment
Certification
- Family Nurse Practitioner License - [Timeframe]
Timeline
Nurse Practitioner
The Neurological Institute & Specialty Centers
01.2018 - Current
Nurse Practitioner
Franciscan Physician Network
06.2014 - 12.2017
Registered Nurse, Palliative Care
Franciscan Alliance
04.2009 - 06.2014
Registered Nurse, ICU
Franciscan Alliance
10.2006 - 04.2009
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Franciscan Alliance
07.2004 - 10.2006
Master of Science - Family Practice Nurse Practitioner
University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne
Associate of Science - Nursing
Purdue University - North Central
- Family Nurse Practitioner License - [Timeframe]
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