Jacalyn Ekner
Elk Grove Village,IL
Summary
Experienced Registered Nurse with 44 years of experience in the healthcare field. I have several years of experience as Charge Nurse overseeing up to 20 staff. In this position you are
professional skilled in patient care, critical thinking, and communication. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving optimal patient outcomes. Reliable and adaptable, ensuring efficient and compassionate care in dynamic environments. Equipped with expertise in medical procedures, patient assessments, and care coordination.
Patient-oriented Nurse with 44 years of diverse experience in direct patient care, staff supervision and department operations. Skilled at multitasking and prioritizing patient needs and daily assignments. Offering expertise with 24 specialty.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse
Ascension Alexian Brothers Medical Center
Elk Grove Village, IL
01.2002 - 05.2026
- Administered medications and treatments according to established protocols and patient care plans.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement individualized patient care strategies.
- Monitored patient conditions, documenting changes accurately in electronic health records for continuity of care.
- Educated patients and families on health management strategies, enhancing understanding of treatment options.
- Led quality improvement initiatives that enhanced patient safety and reduced hospital readmission rates.
- Streamlined workflows by integrating new healthcare technologies, improving efficiency in patient service delivery.
- Mentored junior nursing staff, fostering professional development and adherence to clinical best practices.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments to identify patient needs, ensuring timely interventions and resource allocation.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
- Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
- Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
- Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in nursing care and emerging trends in healthcare delivery.
- Promoted a culture of safety within the healthcare facility by participating in quality improvement initiatives, identifying potential hazards, and advocating for best practices in nursing care delivery.
- Streamlined medication administration processes for increased safety and accuracy during busy shifts.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans for complex cases.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Recorded details regarding therapies to keep patient charts updated.
- Conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.
- Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities.
- Conveyed treatment options, diagnosis information and home care techniques to patients and caregivers to continue care consistency.
- Led teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing standard of care and best practices.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
- Performed frequent checks on life support equipment and made necessary adjustments to preserve optimal patient conditions.
- Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
Elementary School Nurse (Substitute)
School District 59
Elk Grove Village, IL
09.2000 - 06.2006
- Administered first aid and medications to students, ensuring health and safety compliance.
- Monitored student health records and maintained accurate documentation of medical treatments.
- Collaborated with teachers to create individualized health plans for students with chronic conditions.
- Educated students on personal hygiene and nutrition to promote overall wellness in the school community.
- Coordinated screenings and immunizations, facilitating timely interventions for student health issues.
- Mentored staff on health protocols, fostering a culture of safety and awareness among faculty members.
- Implemented health education programs, driving student engagement in healthy lifestyle choices.
- Improved school-wide wellness by implementing health education programs and promoting healthy habits among students.
- Educated faculty on recognizing symptoms of common childhood illnesses, enabling early intervention and minimizing classroom disruptions due to illness.
- Tailored interventions for at-risk students to promote emotional well-being and mental health support when needed.
- Mentored student peer mediators in conflict resolution techniques, fostering a positive school climate that supported the emotional well-being of all students.
- Organized school-wide events such as health fairs and vaccination clinics, providing valuable resources to both students and their families.
- Supported overall student success by managing health conditions that could interfere with academic progress.
- Developed customized care plans for students with chronic illnesses, optimizing their ability to participate in school activities fully.
- Championed preventative measures like proper handwashing techniques within the school community, decreasing the spread of communicable diseases among students and staff members alike.
- Dedicated time to professional development by attending conferences and workshops, staying current on best practices in school nursing and enhancing my skills to better serve the school community.
- Strengthened partnerships between families and the school by participating in parent-teacher conferences as a resource for health information.
- Advocated for the inclusion of children with special healthcare needs in regular classroom settings while maintaining a safe environment for all students.
- Conducted routine screenings for vision, hearing, and dental health, promptly identifying any issues requiring further attention.
- Assisted in developing school policies related to student health and safety, contributing valuable insights from a nursing perspective.
- Provided emergency care to injured students, effectively assessing situations and administering appropriate treatments.
- Maintained accurate records of student immunizations, ensuring compliance with state requirements and school policies.
- Coordinated with local healthcare professionals to ensure access to necessary services for students in need of specialized care.
- Enhanced student health by providing comprehensive medical care and addressing various health issues.
- Collaborated with teachers to create a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students, taking into account individual health needs.
- Established strong relationships with parents, ensuring timely communication regarding their child''s health status or needs.
- Administered medication to students as prescribed by physicians to provide necessary treatment and manage health conditions.
- Assessed student health and identified potential health concerns to provide appropriate care.
- Served as liaison between families, school personnel, and other healthcare providers on behalf of students.
- Screened for infectious diseases to help prevent spreading within school community.
- Provided support to students with special needs and disabilities to deliver appropriate care and meet educational needs.
- Worked with multidisciplinary team to carry out successful treatment plans for diverse acute and chronic conditions.
- Implemented care plans for patient treatment after assessing physician medical regimens.
- Performed triage on incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Sustained quality standards by performing routine medication audits and upholding internal and industry best practices.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
Registered Nurse
Resurrection Medical Center
Chicago, IL
06.1996 - 05.2006
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing interventions and individualized care plans.
- Provided support for patients'' families during difficult medical decisions or end-of-life care, serving as a liaison between the healthcare team and loved ones.
- Implemented evidence-based fall prevention strategies, resulting in a significant decrease in patient falls within the unit.
- Sustained quality standards by performing routine medication audits and upholding internal and industry best practices.
- Administered medications and treatments according to established protocols and patient care plans.
- Educated patients and families on health management strategies, enhancing understanding of treatment options.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement individualized patient care strategies.
- Led quality improvement initiatives that enhanced patient safety and reduced hospital readmission rates.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
- Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
- Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
- Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
- Streamlined medication administration processes for increased safety and accuracy during busy shifts.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans for complex cases.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Recorded details regarding therapies to keep patient charts updated.
- Conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.
- Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities.
- Conveyed treatment options, diagnosis information and home care techniques to patients and caregivers to continue care consistency.
- Led teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing standard of care and best practices.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
- Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Chamberlin
Addison, IL05-1996
Skills
- Medication and IV administration
- Medication administration
- Direct patient care
- Patient assessments
- Documentation and charting
- Patient assessment
- Strong clinical judgment
- Infection control measures
- Patient care
- Intravenous therapy
- Patient management
- Patient evaluation
- Taking vitals
- Family education
- Licensed RN
- Nursing staff leadership
- Collecting vitals
- Patient discharge
- Lab result interpretation
- Team coordination
- Performing ekgs
- Proper catheter insertion/removal
- Maintaining privacy
- Relationship building
- Vaccine administration
- Diabetes management
- Chart updating
- Insulin medication assistance
- Procedure preparations
- Chronic disease management
- ADL assistance
- Patient counseling
- Staff supervision
- Personal care needs
- Patient relations
- Diabetes and nutrition education
- Treatment Planning
- Emotional awareness
- HIPAA education
- Administering immunizations
- Emotional intelligence
- Health screening
- Acute care expertise
- Managing deadlines
- Preventive health
- Family advocacy
- Feeding assistance
- At-risk patient care
- Medical evaluation
- Seizure management
- Home health care
- Supply restocking
- Evaluations
- Home care
- Call triaging
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Ascension Alexian Brothers Medical Center
01.2002 - 05.2026
Elementary School Nurse (Substitute)
School District 59
09.2000 - 06.2006
Registered Nurse
Resurrection Medical Center
06.1996 - 05.2006
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Chamberlin