Seasoned nursing professional offering proven clinical knowledge, natural interpersonal strengths and technical abilities. Knowledgeable about EMR charting, medication administration and interdisciplinary collaboration focused on optimizing patient care and support. Quality-focused and efficiency-driven leader.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Triage Nurse for Family Practice Primary Care
University of Texas Southwestern Frisco Primary Care
03.2023 - Current
Triage nurse to 3 Primary Care Physicians and 1 Family Practice Nurse Practitioner with a total patient population of an estimated 2600 patients.
March 2024, was noted as the #2 RN out of all ambulatory care RNS (234 in the UTSW system) to process and answer encounters from patients in a timely manner per the metrics set by the healthcare system.
Performed triage on incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses.
Assisted with training new medical assistants with procedures, contributing to the overall growth of the team's competencies.
Counseled patients via telephone according to established guidelines and protocols, advising on provider-established plans of care.
Maintained accurate patient records, ensuring thorough documentation of triage assessments and treatment plans via the EPIC computer system.
Developed strong rapport with patients through active listening skills, empathetic communication, and genuine concern for their wellbeing.
Educated patients on self-care strategies and preventative measures to minimize future health complications.
Adjunct Professor
Collin County Community College
08.2022 - 03.2023
Delivered and developed an exemplary education module for to prepare entry level medical assistance in cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains.
Collaborate with department chair, faculty, and peers to evaluate, revise, and develop curriculum to cultivate the mastery of course content.
Appropriately document student progress and maintain accurate records such as attendance, grading and achievement of student learning outcomes.
Taught hands on skills lab for clinical duties and administrative tasks, as well as diagnostic tests and screenings which they will be responsible for in the office setting.
Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
School Nurse Substitute
Prestonwood Christian Academy
01.2022 - 08.2022
Substitute nurse for the entire school from PreK 3-12th grade which includes acute assessment, interventions, and administration of medications as needed
Administered medication to students as prescribed by physicians to provide necessary treatment and manage health conditions.
Monitored ongoing medical conditions such as asthma or diabetes, adjusting care plans accordingly to maintain optimal student wellness levels.
Screened for infectious diseases to help prevent spreading within school community.
Oncology Survivorship Nurse Navigator
Medical City Healthcare
11.2014 - 01.2018
Coordinated appropriate and efficient delivery of healthcare services to promote optimal outcomes by assessing and matching unmet needs with referrals and support services.
Served as the only Survivorship Nurse Navigator for patients after they have completed their Cancer Treatment for nine Medical City hospitals in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.
Collaborate with multiple community resources and multidisciplinary teams throughout the metroplex to meet the needs of the patient, caregiver, and family members.
Created multiple support group programs for patients in active cancer treatment and serve as the team lead for compassion fatigue intervention for 19 nurse navigators in the North Texas HCA area
Public speaker on cancer prevention in the community and hospitals for staff education.
Built partnerships with local agencies and groups to assist with patient care, support or educational needs.
Infection Prevention Manager
Baylor Healthcare System
08.2011 - 01.2015
Serve as the authority for ensuring rigorous infection prevention standards are met according to The Joint Commission, OSHA, Centers for Medicaid/Medicare Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other nationally organized agencies recommendations and requirements
Responsible for conducting on-going surveillance, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of all HAIs using, Center for Disease Control (CDC) infection criteria
The chief investigator for HAIs through review of admission diagnoses, microbiology culture results, isolation orders, electronic health records, consultation reports, post-discharge surveillance, and re-admissions
Plan, organize, develop and implement educational programs for all hospital employees including administrative and ancillary services, which convey specialized knowledge and skills to increase employee awareness of the existence of HAIs and techniques for avoidance and preventive measures to provide a safe environment for both hospital employees and patient safety.
Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving disputes promptly, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
Controlled costs to keep business operating within budget and increase profits.
Infection Prevention Nurse
Baylor Healthcare System
08.2009 - 08.2011
Conducted educational training sessions to all employees to ensure constant implementation of infection prevention practices were in place and followed guidelines from The Joint Commission, OSHA, Centers for Medicaid/Medicare Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Responsible for housewide infection prevention surveillance, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of all HAIs using the Center for Disease Control (CDC) infection criteria
Served as the only educator for the hospital with the main focus on infection prevention in addition to other nursing practices as well.
Coordinated and facilitated the didactic portion annually for 300 interns participating in the systemwide nursing internships for the Critical Care/Telemetry, Emergency Department, and Medical/Surgical departments
Worked directly with the educators and managers from the participating 13 THR facilities to make sure their objectives are being met for their interns.
Clinical Educator
Texas Health Resources
11.2002 - 08.2005
Diabetes educator for outpatient services; primary focus on disease management as well as chronic disease prevention
Provided one on one consults in addition to teaching diabetes self-management education classes sixteen hours a month
Provided educational resources during community health fairs, corporate screenings, and hospital wide community projects
Educated Cardiac Rehabilitation participants post coronary surgery and cardiac intervention on disease management and prevention.
Nurse Team Leader/Triage Nurse
Medical Clinics of North Texas
03.2002 - 10.2002
Team nursing leader for a family practice/internal medicine clinic
Supervised nursing staff and performed general medical office duties
On-call nurse for emergencies throughout the building of the JCPenney corporate headquarters building where the clinic was housed.
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
McKesson/Odyssey Pharmaceuticals
09.2001 - 03.2002
Outside pharmaceutical sales representative promoting four various medications.
Focus on rapport and relationship building with the physicians and their office staff, along with educating physicians and staff on products.
Expanded market share by identifying potential clients and successfully converting them to long-term customers.
Gained customer loyalty by providing exceptional follow-up support and addressing inquiries promptly.
Communicated with customers by employing effective selling, listening and negotiation skills while using proper terminology, approved messaging and branded materials.
Educated physicians and pharmacists on drug use, benefits, dosage and risks.
Registered Nurse (ICU/CVICU)
Texas Health Resources
01.2000 - 09.2001
A 34-bed intensive care unit responsible for acute adult critically ill patients
Coordinate total patient care and initiate problem-solving strategies with co-workers to facilitate quality patient outcomes and patient safety to the critically ill.
Registered Nurse (Medical/Surgical Unit)
Westwood Medical Center
08.1999 - 12.1999
Performed total patient care for both the medical and surgical units on a PRN basis.
Education
Masters of Science in Health Studies (Community Health) -
Texas Woman’s University
08.2005
Bachelors of Science in Nursing -
University of Texas at Arlington
08.2001
Diploma Registered Nurse -
Methodist Hospital School of Nursing
05.1999
Associate Degree of Science -
Midland College
05.1997
Skills
Clinical judgment
Compassionate Care
Quality Improvement
Treatment Planning
Attention to Detail
Preventive Healthcare
Critical Thinking
Patient and family advocacy
Clear Patient Communication
Certification
Registered Nurse (Texas)
Basic Life Support (BLS) certified
Speaking Engagements
Speaker for the April 2006 Texas Health Resources Systemwide Leadership conference
Regional Speaker for Lungevity Cancer Conference 2016 & 2017
National Speaker for the Association of Nurse Navigator and Patient Navigation (AONN) 2016
Oncology Support Group facilitator 2016-2017
Affiliations
Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) DFW Member 2009-2015
APIC DFW Education Coordinator 2009-2010
APIC DFW Social Committee Chairman 2012
AONN President Elect- North Texas Chapter 2015-2016
AONN President- North Texas Chapter 2016-2017
AONN National Speaker 2016 Survivorship Program
ADA American Diabetes Association 2021-current
ADCES Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists 2021-current
Author Editor
Author and Editor for National Pearl Point Oncology Education Survivorship Handbook
Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute BLOG author for: Fear of Recurrence, Palliative Care, Coping with Fatigue
Medical City Healthcare Survivorship Rehabilitation Handbook edit committee
Personal Community Involvement
Frisco ISD room mom and volunteer 2009-2016
Prosper ISD room mom 2017-2018
Prosper ISD volunteer 2017-current
Prestonwood Christian Academy Parent Volunteer 2021-current
Prosper Ladies Association Member 2018-2019
Assistant Basketball Coach (4th grade Boys) Current (2022-2023)
Hope Fellowship Prosper- multiple areas of service
Honors And Accomplishments
Deans Honor Roll, University of Texas at Arlington & Texas Woman’s University
Eta Sigma Gamma (Alpha Phi) Honors Society
Summa Cum Laude (Texas Woman’s University; 4.0 GPA)
THR Leadership Mentee 2006-2007
ABC Baylor Graduate 2010 (Quality Process)
Winner of the Bill Aston Quality Award 2014 (CLABSI reduction in the ICU)
Timeline
Triage Nurse for Family Practice Primary Care
University of Texas Southwestern Frisco Primary Care
Executive Health Clinic Staff Coordinator at University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterExecutive Health Clinic Staff Coordinator at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center