JENNIFER CHUTZ
Brighton,MI
Summary
Experienced nurse leader with a background in professional development, risk management, and Lean process improvement. Passionate about leading nursing teams with empathy and empowerment.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Quality, Safety, & Risk Specialist
Trinity Health
Ann Arbor, Chelsea, & Livingston, MI
12.2023 - Current
- Perform clinical risk mitigation efforts across three Southeast Michigan hospitals and associated clinics:
- Collaborate with executive leadership to define safety priorities and strategy.
- Investigate sentinel and high-priority safety events; leads Root Cause Analyses (RCAs).
- Partner with interprofessional operational leaders to develop strong action plans that improve safety.
- Streamlined local RCA process through integration of new timeline presentation and 5 Whys analysis.
- Designed and delivered training on patient safety event review and Apparent Cause Analysis for operational and quality leaders.
- Executed Common Cause Analyses on fall and stroke events, leading to organization-level policy and practice changes.
Nursing Education Coordinator
UNC Medical Center
Chapel Hill, NC
05.2023 - 11.2023
- Team Leader of 23-member central nursing education team across 5 hospitals at UNC Medical Center. Oversaw policy development, competency programs, nursing residencies, and nursing clinical ladder.
- Redesigned UNC's Clinical Ladder program utilizing an evidence-based practice framework to promote professional development and retention.
- Ensured regulatory and accreditation compliance for nursing competencies, enhancing quality of education and practice.
- Provided training for the nursing professional development team on topics including the ADDIE Model, gap analyses, competency development, and individualized learning plans.
- Collaborated with leadership to align education initiatives with strategic goals and budget planning across the hospital.
Nursing Administration Supervisor (Per Diem)
Central Carolina Hospital
Sanford, NC
11.2022 - 08.2023
- Provided off-hours administrative leadership and coordination across hospital departments, ensuring safe operations and continuous readiness.
- Oversaw patient flow, facilitating timely admissions, discharges, and transfers.
- Maintained hospital-wide Joint Commission readiness and adherence to clinical standards.
- Supported critical incident response, serving as the point of escalation for clinical concerns.
Clinical Nurse Education Specialist
UNC Medical Center
Chapel Hill, NC
04.2020 - 05.2023
- Led education, policy, and practice transition initiatives for medical-surgical units, partnering with nursing leadership to ensure competency and support large-scale system changes.
- Increased nursing advancement approval rates from 62% to 98% through targeted coaching and education.
- Facilitated annual Shared Governance Leaders Orientation Conference, successfully orienting new committee leaders to their roles and responsibilities.
- Designed and implemented educational strategy for five COVID-19 unit transitions, including rapid ICU cross-training for acute care nurses in response to pandemic needs.
- Coordinated policy development and improvement initiatives in collaboration with hospital stakeholders, enhancing clinical practice and patient care.
Clinical Nurse IV, Transplant Unit
UNC Medical Center
Chapel Hill, NC
06.2016 - 04.2020
- Performed dual clinical and administrative leadership on 15-bed acute medical-surgical unit, leading initiatives that enhanced team development, improved quality of care, and achieved operational excellence.
- Managed unit budget, coordinated staff onboarding and performance evaluations, and optimized scheduling and retention strategies.
- Led Kaizen initiatives on staff resilience, falls prevention, and charge nurse role optimization.
- Developed a unit strategic plan as a member of the surgery service-line Value Stream Leadership Team.
- Earned AACN Beacon Gold-Level Award for Excellence in 2019.
Clinical Nurse II, Charge RN, Preceptor, Transplant Unit
UNC Medical Center
Chapel Hill, NC
08.2014 - 06.2016
Staff RN, Code Blue RN, Charge RN, Preceptor, ICU
Halifax Regional Medical Center
Roanoke Rapids, NC
09.2012 - 07.2014
Staff RN, Charge RN, Medical Progressive Care Unit
Oakwood Hospital & Medical Center
Dearborn, MI
09.2011 - 08.2012
Education
Master of Science - Nursing Education
Western Governors University
Durham, NC12-2020
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI05-2011
Skills
- Root cause analysis
- Lean process improvement
- Executive communication
- Team leadership
- Change management
- Training and facilitation
PUBLICATIONS & PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS
- Werlau, T., Soares-Sardinha, S., Overman, A. S., Chutz, J., Emory, J., Jones, C. M., Lee, G., & Smith-Miller, C. A. (2020). Creating microclimates of change: Transparency in disseminating nursing quality performance data. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 50(7-8), 385394. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0000000000000905
- Building Confidence & Competence: Reimagining a Clinical Transition to Practice Program
- Podium presentation | Sep 15, 2023 | North Carolina Nurses Association Annual Convention
- Poster presentation | Oct 20, 2023 | Southeastern Nurse Educator Symposium
Timeline
Quality, Safety, & Risk Specialist
Trinity Health
12.2023 - Current
Nursing Education Coordinator
UNC Medical Center
05.2023 - 11.2023
Nursing Administration Supervisor (Per Diem)
Central Carolina Hospital
11.2022 - 08.2023
Clinical Nurse Education Specialist
UNC Medical Center
04.2020 - 05.2023
Clinical Nurse IV, Transplant Unit
UNC Medical Center
06.2016 - 04.2020
Clinical Nurse II, Charge RN, Preceptor, Transplant Unit
UNC Medical Center
08.2014 - 06.2016
Staff RN, Code Blue RN, Charge RN, Preceptor, ICU
Halifax Regional Medical Center
09.2012 - 07.2014
Staff RN, Charge RN, Medical Progressive Care Unit
Oakwood Hospital & Medical Center
09.2011 - 08.2012
Master of Science - Nursing Education
Western Governors University
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Wayne State University