Heather Kohler
Fort Smith,AR
Summary
Efficient and compassionate RN with 26 years of diverse nursing experience in a major hospital. Versatile health care professional with broad knowledge of various nursing disciplines. Engaged communicator with patients, offering rare combination of empathy and firm professionalism. Experienced nursing professional bringing demonstrated clinical expertise, leadership skills and technical knowledge. Proficient in updating charts, monitoring medications and working with multidisciplinary teams to optimize patient care. Quality-driven and efficient with strong interpersonal abilities.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
RN
Saint Francis Hospital
Tulsa, Oklahoma
01.2024 - Current
- Rotating between areas of admit, procedure, recovery, and discharge.
- Review patients health history, obtain IV access, accessing ports when necessary
- managing patient care and documentation during procedure
- recovery from monitored anesthesia care
- discharge instructions and information
RN Charge Nurse - Inpatient Hospice
Mercy Hospital Fort Smith
Fort Smith, AR
08.2018 - 12.2025
- Assessed appropriateness of patient status for inpatient unit
- Determined level of care for admission to adhere to Medicare guidelines, including daily assessment to determine if change of LOC was necessary.
- Attended weekly IDG meeting to collaborate care with hospice team
- Communicated with Outpatient Hospice to advise of discharge plans/needs
- Communicated with LTC facilities regarding discharges to their facilities
- Monitored staffing needs
- Responsible for training new staff, as well as providing updates to staff regarding changes in policies and procedures
- Assessed patient needs, prioritized treatment, maintained patient flows
- Administered medications and treatments, monitoring patients for reactions and side effects.
- Acted as patient advocate and implemented total patient care through team nursing process.
- Advocated for patients by supporting and respecting basic rights, values and beliefs.
- Trained and mentored new RNs on best practices, hospital policies and standards of care.
- Oversaw patient admission and discharge processes to coordinate related paperwork.
- Created, implemented and evaluated patient care plans with medical team.
- Conducted intake assessments with patients and relatives to gather case history.
- Counseled patients and caregivers, providing emotional, psychological and spiritual support.
RN - Outpatient Surgery Pre-Op
Mercy Hospital Fort Smith
Fort Smith, AR
08.2010 - 08.2018
- Obtained medical history prior to surgical procedure
- Reviewed all current medications
- Collected preop labs
- Established IV access
- Assessed patients using comprehensive evaluation techniques and sound clinical judgment.
- Administered treatments, therapies and medication according to prescribed methods and protocols.
- Demonstrated high degree of confidentiality, positive interpersonal skills and adaptability in fast-paced and unpredictable medical environment
- Supported successful administration of care plans by communicating with cross-functional teams.
- Recorded actions or behaviors of clinical significance in EMR system charts and kept physicians informed.
- Assessed patient conditions, monitored behaviors and updated supervising physicians with observations and concerns.
RN - NICU
Mercy Hospital Fort Smith
Fort Smith, AR
04.2005 - 08.2010
- Managed day-to-day routines for newborn babies by administering medication and fluids and checking vital signs regularly.
- Utilized valuable communication skills to deliver information to family members regarding patient treatment, care and medical options.
- Delivered exceptional care neonatal ICU patients in level 3 setting.
- Supervised cardiac monitors, mechanical ventilators and alarms and oxygen delivery devices.
- Observed strict safety measures, including checking medication dosages before administration to patients.
- Detected emerging problems by monitoring patients' behavior, vital signs and fluid intake and output.
- Evaluated patient vital signs and laboratory data to assess needs and provide emergency interventions.
- Identified abnormal and critical respiratory patterns through direct pulmonary assessments.
- Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals.
RN - Main OR Pre-op
Mercy Hospital Fort Smith
Fort Smith, AR
03.2001 - 04.2005
- Obtained medical history
- Reviewed medications
- Established IV access
- Communicated with surgeons/anesthesiologist regarding patient needs/concerns
- Administered medications and treatments, monitoring patients for reactions and side effects.
- Evaluated patients, recognized and addressed complications and coordinated treatment with other members of critical care team.
- Recorded patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress and medication side effects.
- Maintained thorough, accurate and confidential documentation in electronic medical records.
- Administered medications, tracked dosages and documented patient conditions.
RN - Labor and Delivery
Mercy Hospital Fort Smith
Fort Smith, AR
02.1999 - 03.2001
- Reviewed and tracked progress of mothers in labor, interpreted fetal heart monitor and informed delivering physician of status.
- Monitored fetal heartbeat and length and strength of contractions to guide labor.
- Explained and demonstrated after-birth care to parents of newborns, answered questions, addressed concerns.
- Cared for pregnant women expecting imminent birth and for babies immediately after birth in hospitals
- Oversaw labor by coaching women, assisting with complications and administering medications during birth.
- Monitored condition of newborns and directed postpartum care
Education
Associate of Science - RN
Westark Community College
Fort Smith, AR12.1999
Skills
- Hospice Care
- Family Support
- Safety Management
- Care Planning
- Evidence-Based Care
- Interpersonal and Written Communication
- Patient Evaluation
- Pain Control
- Physician Communication
- Palliative Care
- IV and Venipuncture
- EMR Updating
- Patient Needs Assessment
- Group and Individual Instruction
- Strong Clinical Judgment
- Needs Assessment
- Intake and Discharge
- Decision-Making
- Attention to Detail
- Healthcare Program Planning
Timeline
RN
Saint Francis Hospital
01.2024 - Current
RN Charge Nurse - Inpatient Hospice
Mercy Hospital Fort Smith
08.2018 - 12.2025
RN - Outpatient Surgery Pre-Op
Mercy Hospital Fort Smith
08.2010 - 08.2018
RN - NICU
Mercy Hospital Fort Smith
04.2005 - 08.2010
RN - Main OR Pre-op
Mercy Hospital Fort Smith
03.2001 - 04.2005
RN - Labor and Delivery
Mercy Hospital Fort Smith
02.1999 - 03.2001
Associate of Science - RN
Westark Community College
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