Heather Kits
Orland Park,USA
Summary
Dedicated nursing professional with a strong work ethic, providing compassionate and high-quality care to patients and their families. Committed to going the extra mile to help individuals achieve their healthcare goals and develop new ones when needed. A natural leader who enjoys supporting colleagues to ensure they experience the same fulfillment in their work as I do in mine.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
RN
Northwestern Medicine
Palos Heights, IL
02.2021 - Current
- Administered medications accurately and safely, reducing medication errors and adverse reactions.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction through effective communication, empathy, and timely response to their needs.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for comprehensive patient care plans, resulting in better health outcomes.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Developed strong relationships with patients'' families, providing emotional support while addressing concerns or questions about care plans.
- Improved patient outcomes by providing high-quality nursing care and implementing evidence-based practices.
- Educated patients on disease management and self-care techniques, promoting lifestyle changes for improved health.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Served as a liaison between physicians and patients'' families to facilitate clear communication regarding treatment options and progress updates.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Assessed patient conditions promptly upon admission to determine appropriate interventions and prioritize care needs.
- Provided emotional support to patients during challenging times, fostering a sense of trust and rapport that contributed to better overall wellbeing.
- Managed patient caseloads effectively, ensuring timely interventions and thorough follow-ups to mitigate potential complications.
- Participated in professional development opportunities regularly to stay current on best practices in the field of nursing.
RN Case Manager
VITAS Healthcare Corporation
Tinley Park, IL
10.2019 - 04.2021
- Manage between 20-30 EOL patients in individual home settings and/or facility settings (IL, AL, SNF); as well as the occasional contract bed in a hospital setting (often with a goal of being discharged to their home). Care is provided by an interdisciplinary team (IDT); (MD, SW, chaplain, nursing, CNA, respiratory therapy, music therapy, massage therapy, pet therapy, etc) who work together to individualize care plans to meet the need of each patient and family, adjusting them as often as changes occur. 2 week IDT care plan meetings occur to discuss all patients in greater detail. Health maintenance and EOL education is ongoing as the patient's disease progresses. Medication, supplies, and equipment are also a part of the plan of care with most patients wanting to remain in their home and not be hospitalized throughout the remainder of their life.
RN Case Manager
Journey Care Hospice
Mokena, IL
12.2016 - 10.2019
- Manage between 20-35 patients at any given time during end-of-life. Patients can be in an individual home setting or a facility setting (IL, AL, SNF), wherever they call home. Care is provided to patients and their loved ones by an interdisciplinary team consisting of nurses, nurse's aides, physicians, physician's assistants, social workers, chaplains, music therapists, massage therapists, etc. Care is individualized to try and meet the goals of each patient where they are and where they want to be. Much education is given during disease progression on how to manage symptoms that occur often at EOL, all while trying to maintain dignity of
RN Case Manager
VITAS Healthcare Corporation
Tinley Park, IL
02.2015 - 11.2016
- Managed between 15-25 terminally ill patients in their home setting with the assistance of an interdisciplinary team consisting of a doctor, RN, LPN, nurse's aides, social workers, chaplains, music therapists, massage therapists, respiratory therapist, etc. Patients were at differing stages along the EOL journey and most preferred to be at home with their loved ones rather than in a hospital setting, so education was given on signs and symptoms to be expected at EOL and how to manage those in the home to avoid transfers elsewhere. Medication, supply, and symptom management were an integral part of the EOL care plan, all individualized to the patient and their family.
RN
State Of Illinois
Crest Hill, IL
12.2012 - 02.2015
- Worked as a RN in a community health/maximum security prison setting; dealing with numerous long-term and acute physical and psychological issues in a corrections environment. Encountered many emergent health situations in this community and oftentimes had to use critical thinking to provide personalized care in a less than ideal environment. Worked primarily with one including physical therapy, social work, surgeons, and primary care physicians to ensure care throughout disease progression and/or healing. Skilled at providing holistic nursing care to the whole person as well as to their family and loved ones. Maintain strong clinical and people skills, with a knack for getting the job done to patient's, family's, and even management's utmost satisfaction.
RN
Palos Community Hospital
Palos Heights, IL
05.2007 - 12.2012
- Worked as a RN on a medical/surgical /oncology/hospice floor of a local community hospital, caring for patients in various stages of illness and healing. Worked with post-op patients, acute care patients, and hospice patients all in one setting. Worked alongside many different disciplines, RN, BSN 2007 CHPN 2018
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, ILSkills
- Geriatric nursing
- Acute care nursing
- Medication administration
- EMR / EHR
- Wound assessment and care
- Strong clinical judgment
- Chronic disease management
- Patient and family advocacy
- Culturally competent care
- Strong medical, ethical care
Certification
- RN, BSN 2007
- CHPN 2018-2022 (working on recertification at this time)
Hobbies and Interests
I love being with my family in my free time. I have 6 grown children and 1 granddaughter. My kids are at various stages at this time (jobs, careers, college). We love to just be together, hiking, sightseeing, going to movies, having a meal together, going to concerts. I love to just be with them. I go to the gym most mornings before work as I find that my day goes better overall when this happens. I love to spend time with my husband 1 on 1 as he is my best friend. We are very active in our church, volunteering at least once per month for a weekend for communion preparation and prayer team, more when we can. My parents and grandparents live in Tennessee, so we often go to southern Illinois, at least once every 4-6 weeks or so and meet them for a meal. I love to be with people.
Affiliations
CMSA Chicago June 2019- present
Additional Information
I believe I can be a valuable asset to this company if given a chance. I look forward to meeting and discussing opportunities further. Thank you!
Timeline
RN
Northwestern Medicine
02.2021 - Current
RN Case Manager
VITAS Healthcare Corporation
10.2019 - 04.2021
RN Case Manager
Journey Care Hospice
12.2016 - 10.2019
RN Case Manager
VITAS Healthcare Corporation
02.2015 - 11.2016
RN
State Of Illinois
12.2012 - 02.2015
RN
Palos Community Hospital
05.2007 - 12.2012
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Olivet Nazarene University