Jennifer Smisek
Montgomery,MN
Summary
Compassionate healthcare professional with a strong background in health assessments and education. Known for promoting student & patient health through individualized care plans and effective communication with families and interdisciplinary teams.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
District School Nurse
Minnesota New Country School
Henderson, MN
08.2021 - Current
- Administer student health assessments and maintained accurate health records.
- Develop and implement individual health care plans for students with chronic conditions.
- Collaborate with educators to promote health education initiatives within the school community.
- Provide first aid and emergency care during school events, ensuring student safety.
- Educate students on hygiene practices and nutrition to foster a healthy environment.
- Coordinate with parents and healthcare providers to address student health concerns effectively.
- Train staff on recognizing and responding to student health emergencies, enhancing school readiness.
- Administer medication to students as prescribed by physicians to provide necessary treatment and manage health conditions.
- Lead wellness workshops, promoting mental and physical well-being among students and staff.
- Monitor ongoing medical conditions such as asthma or diabetes, adjusting care plans accordingly to maintain optimal student wellness levels.
- Support students with special needs by coordinating individualized healthcare plans and working closely with the interdisciplinary team.
- Manage immunization compliance within the school population to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.
- Serve as liaison between families, school personnel, and other healthcare providers on behalf of students.
- Assess students'' physical and emotional well-being during daily clinic visits, providing appropriate care or referrals as needed.
- Assesse student health and identified potential health concerns to provide appropriate care.
- Implement emergency protocols in medical emergencies to promote safety for students and staff.
- Serve as a resource for faculty and staff by providing training on first aid, CPR, and other health-related topics.
- Educate students on various health topics to promote overall health and wellbeing.
- Participate in development of school safety plans to address areas of concern.
- Contribute to a positive school culture by serving as an advocate for student health and wellness, empowering them to make informed decisions about their wellbeing.
- Maintain upkeep on AEDs, blood pressure monitors and first aid kits to keep resources in working condition for emergencies.
- Facilitate early detection of health issues by conducting routine screenings for vision, hearing, scoliosis, among others.
- Implement evidence-based practices in healthcare delivery to continuously improve the quality of nursing services provided in the school setting.
- Improve overall student health by implementing comprehensive health education programs and preventive measures.
RN Charge Nurse
Ridgeview Nursing & Rehab Center
Le Sueur, MN
05.2016 - 08.2021
- Administered medication and monitored patient vitals to ensure optimal health outcomes.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans for residents.
- Trained and mentored junior nursing staff on best practices and safety protocols.
- Implemented infection control measures that enhanced patient safety and compliance standards.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments, documenting changes in patient conditions accurately.
- Streamlined care processes, improving efficiency in daily nursing operations and resident satisfaction.
- Led quality improvement initiatives that enhanced overall service delivery in the facility.
- Advocated for patients' needs within the care team, promoting effective communication and support services.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
- Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
- 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.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities.
- Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing interventions and individualized care plans.
RN Charge Nurse
Central Health Care, INC
Le Center, MN
04.2005 - 05.2016
- With this role, I started as a CNA in 2005, then went on to receive my TMA (trained medication aid) certificate in 2007. This enabled me to serve in both of those roles while completing my college to obtain my RN license.
- 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.
- 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.
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
- Facilitated patient transitions between different levels of care, ensuring continuity of services and minimizing disruptions in treatment plans.
- Implemented evidence-based fall prevention strategies, resulting in a significant decrease in patient falls within the unit.
- Demonstrated expertise in wound management techniques resulting in accelerated healing times for patients with complex wounds or pressure injuries.
- 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.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Rasmussen College
Online12-2020
Associate of Science - Nursing
South Central College
Faribault, MN05-2012
High School Diploma -
St Peter High School
Saint Peter, MN06-2003
Skills
- Immunization record review
- Health screening
- Individualized healthcare plans
- Acute illness recognition
- Health education promotion
- Medication administration
- Privacy and confidentiality
- Injury treatment
- Student health assessment
- Family education
- Allergy management
- Healthcare coordination
- Decision-making
- Infection control measures
- Electronic records management
Accomplishments
- Clinical Skills - Monitored patients' respiration activity, blood pressure and blood glucose levels in response to medical administration.
- Patient Transfer - Safely lifted over 80 pounds and pushed over 300 pounds on wheels.
- Quality Assurance - Ensured and enforced medical office compliance with HIPAA, OSHA and CLIA regulations for maximum quality and control.
- Human Resources - Assisted in new hire process by calling and scheduling appointments with candidates, filling out required paperwork and preparing new hire manuals.
- Documentation - Ensured charting accuracy through precise documentation.
- Vitals Testing - Measured an average of 30 patients' weight, height, body temperature, pulse rate and blood pressure daily.
Certification
- Certified Red Cross Instructor, First Aid/AED/CPR- Nov 2021-present
- Active member of the personnel and hiring committee- July 2024-present
Timeline
District School Nurse
Minnesota New Country School
08.2021 - Current
RN Charge Nurse
Ridgeview Nursing & Rehab Center
05.2016 - 08.2021
RN Charge Nurse
Central Health Care, INC
04.2005 - 05.2016
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Rasmussen College
Associate of Science - Nursing
South Central College
High School Diploma -
St Peter High School