Heather Thiel

I began here as a staff RN and transitioned into the charge nurse position when it became available. I have learned immeasurable skills while working in this department, and feel confident supervising the other staff members. In addition to charge nurse duties, I have assisted my supervisors in completing staff skill competencies and evaluations, and have been a super-user for several systems used in the department. I have also been a preceptor for many new staff nurses that have transitioned to the unit over the years, and have been a resource for student nurses as well. Additionally, I am cross-trained and float to The Foot Care Institute to provide care to podiatry patients when required. I achieved Level III in the Clinical Advancement Program for nurses in 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023, and plan to maintain it annually.

Beginning as a staff nurse on both the medical and surgical floors, I soon assumed the position of charge nurse. Duties included supervising and assigning duties to all junior staff on the unit, coordinating care of all patients on the unit. I worked with all ancillary departments and other hospital units to ensure the best care for the patients on the unit. I was also nominated as a"Congresswoman" for the surgical floor on a hospital wide, quality improvement Nursing Congress, and contributed to many quality improvement initiatives. In addition, I was a nurse preceptor for the UTB nursing program for new hires in the hospital. I held a Chemotherapy administration certification from 1996 to 2008 and was one of the few Chemotherapy nurses at the facility.

Provided general surgical nursing care for patients pre and post operatively on a 40 bed unit. Worked as charge nurse when required, supervising other staff and coordinating patient care- I was offered full time position but had to relocate due to spouses work.

In this 800 bed teaching hospital, I began working on a General Surgical floor where I provided care to a large variety of complicated surgical patients, including organ transplant recipients. This is also where I first learned responsibilities as a charge nurse. During my time there, I also gained experience with many Orthopedic, Ophthalmologic, and Gynecologic patients on various units. Many of these patients needed wound care, so my wound care experience began there as well. In addition, I represented the junior staff on a unit-specific Quality Improvement Committee.

Provided nursing care in most areas of the hospital including Surgical, Pediatrics, Medical, Emergency/Outpatient, Labor and Delivery, and postpartum. I left to start a new full time job in my next position.