Jennifer Van Matre Wattles
Kenosha,WI
Summary
Emergency Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with extensive experience at Advocate Aurora Health, specializing in crisis intervention and collaborative care. Proven leadership in mentoring nursing staff and advocating for quality and safety in mental health services. Strong clinical supervision skills and emotional intelligence contribute to improved outcomes in high-acuity environments.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Research Assistant
University of Wisconsin–Madison, School of Nursing
08.2023 - Current
- Supported mental health equity research projects targeting emerging adults and care accessibility.
- Conducted comprehensive literature reviews for nursing research initiatives.
- Assisted faculty in developing research design and methodology frameworks.
Emergency Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Advocate Aurora Health
Milwaukee, WI
08.2022 - Current
- Provided psychiatric assessments, crisis interventions, and medication management in high-acuity ED.
- Conducted comprehensive mental health assessments for diverse patient populations.
- Developed individualized treatment plans tailored to patient needs and best practices.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for emergency stabilization and referrals.
- Managed medication administration while effectively monitoring patient responses.
- Educated patients and families on mental health conditions and available treatment options.
- Advocated for community resources to enhance patient access to care services.
- Maintained accurate electronic health records documentation for all patient interactions.
Interim Director of Nursing
Mental Health Emergency Center (MHEC)
Milwaukee, WI
03.2025 - 05.2025
- Delivered executive nursing leadership for psychiatric emergency department serving diverse, high-acuity populations.
- Directed nursing operations and performance improvement during interim coverage period.
- Coordinated interdisciplinary teams to enhance operational efficiency and patient care.
- Supported strategic initiatives prioritizing trauma-informed care and staff development.
Teaching Assistant
University of Wisconsin–Madison, School of Nursing
08.2023 - 05.2024
- Facilitated student learning in graduate-level nursing courses through engaging discussions.
- Assisted nursing faculty with course preparation and organization of materials.
- Supported classroom learning by fostering collaborative student interactions.
Behavioral Health Nurse Practitioner – Outpatient Services
Advocate Aurora Health
Waukesha, WI
05.2022 - 12.2022
- Managed multifaceted mental health conditions by creating personalized care plans tailored to individual needs.
- Conducted thorough psychiatric evaluations for a wide range of patient populations.
- Developed individualized treatment plans that addressed specific patient assessments and requirements.
- Collaborated with healthcare teams to prescribe and manage psychotropic medications effectively.
- Delivered psychotherapy using evidence-based practices to improve overall mental health outcomes.
- Instructed patients and families on understanding mental health conditions and treatment pathways.
- Executed comprehensive psychiatric evaluations to support effective outpatient care delivery.
Intake RN – Psychiatric Hospital
Aurora Psychiatric Hospital
Wauwatosa, WI
11.2020 - 03.2022
- Executed triage and admission assessments; facilitated clinical decision-making during crisis
- Ensured compliance with safety protocols and hospital policies consistently.
- Managed multiple tasks simultaneously while providing quality nursing care in a timely manner.
Adjunct Clinical/Didactic Nursing Faculty
UWM, Alverno, Marquette, and Carthage Colleges
04.2013 - 01.2022
- Facilitated instruction on psychiatric and medical surgical nursing, clinical judgment, and evidence-based care in academic and clinical environments.
Emergency Department RN
Aurora Sinai Medical Center
Milwaukee, WI
08.2013 - 03.2021
- Assessed patient conditions and prioritized care in a fast-paced environment.
- Administered medications and treatments following established protocols and guidelines.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive patient care plans.
- Educated patients and families on health management and discharge instructions.
- Monitored vital signs and reported changes to physicians promptly.
- Utilized critical thinking skills while prioritizing multiple tasks in a fast paced environment.
Hospital Nursing Supervisor
Aurora Sinai Medical Center
Milwaukee, WI
04.2013 - 11.2020
- Coordinated patient admissions and discharges for efficient hospital operations.
- Supervised nursing staff to ensure adherence to patient care standards.
- Managed daily staffing schedules to optimize resource allocation.
- Monitored compliance with regulatory requirements in nursing operations.
- Resolved conflicts among staff and addressed patient concerns promptly.
- Facilitated communication between physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers regarding patient care issues.
- Investigated complaints from patients regarding their care experience.
- Completed daily rounds of nursing department to verify nursing service personnel performance alignment acceptable nursing standards.
ICU RN Shared Governance Chair and Preceptor
Aurora Medical Center
Kenosha, WI
01.2009 - 04.2013
- Provided direct nursing care to critically ill patients, including administering medications, wound care, and IV therapy.
- Responded quickly to life-threatening situations by providing appropriate interventions.
- Educated patients and families on health maintenance, disease prevention, and treatment options.
- Provided emotional support to families facing difficult decisions about a loved one's care.
- Led professional governance as the unit chair.
- Acted as a preceptor to train new ICU nurses.
- Attended continuing education courses to stay up-to-date on current trends in nursing practice.
Nursing Manager
Aurora Medical Center
Kenosha, WI
01.2011 - 04.2013
- Led multidisciplinary team across inpatient units, managing staffing, performance improvement, and budgets.
- Ensured high-quality patient care standards through effective leadership of nursing teams.
- Optimized workflow and coverage by coordinating staff schedules efficiently.
- Developed comprehensive training programs for new nursing staff and ongoing education.
- Implemented policies to enhance safety and compliance in clinical practices.
- Facilitated communication between departments to improve patient outcomes.
- Monitored quality assurance programs to ensure adherence to established standards.
- Advocated for patient needs during interdisciplinary team meetings.
Graduate Nurse → Pediatric ICU RN
Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
05.2008 - 01.2009
- Delivered compassionate care to critically ill pediatric patients in acute settings.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to formulate effective patient care plans.
Education
PhD Student - Nursing
University of Wisconsin–Madison, School of Nursing
Madison, WI12-2028
Post-Master’s Certification - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Alverno College
Milwaukee, WI12.2021
Master of Science in Nursing - Executive Nursing Leadership
Chamberlain College of Nursing
Chicago, IL05.2013
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
Alverno College
Milwaukee, WI05.2008
Skills
- Psychiatric assessment
- Crisis intervention
- Evidence-based practice
- Patient education
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Regulatory compliance
- Research methodology
- Patient advocacy
- Project management
- Therapeutic communication
- Clinical supervision
- Multidisciplinary collaboration
- Unit management and leadership
- Mental health care
- Clinical quality improvement
- Forensic mental health
- Patient-centered care
- Time management
- Interpersonal communication
- Problem-solving skills
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Emotional intelligence
- Nursing leadership
Certification
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC), ANCC
Affiliations
- American Nurses Association (ANA)
- American Association for Emergency Psychiatry (AAEP)
- American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA)
Timeline
Interim Director of Nursing
Mental Health Emergency Center (MHEC)
03.2025 - 05.2025
Research Assistant
University of Wisconsin–Madison, School of Nursing
08.2023 - Current
Teaching Assistant
University of Wisconsin–Madison, School of Nursing
08.2023 - 05.2024
Emergency Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Advocate Aurora Health
08.2022 - Current
Behavioral Health Nurse Practitioner – Outpatient Services
Advocate Aurora Health
05.2022 - 12.2022
Intake RN – Psychiatric Hospital
Aurora Psychiatric Hospital
11.2020 - 03.2022
Emergency Department RN
Aurora Sinai Medical Center
08.2013 - 03.2021
Adjunct Clinical/Didactic Nursing Faculty
UWM, Alverno, Marquette, and Carthage Colleges
04.2013 - 01.2022
Hospital Nursing Supervisor
Aurora Sinai Medical Center
04.2013 - 11.2020
Nursing Manager
Aurora Medical Center
01.2011 - 04.2013
ICU RN Shared Governance Chair and Preceptor
Aurora Medical Center
01.2009 - 04.2013
Graduate Nurse → Pediatric ICU RN
Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
05.2008 - 01.2009
PhD Student - Nursing
University of Wisconsin–Madison, School of Nursing
Post-Master’s Certification - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Alverno College
Master of Science in Nursing - Executive Nursing Leadership
Chamberlain College of Nursing
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
Alverno College
Similar Profiles
Danielle BullockDanielle Bullock
Instructor on Record at University of Wisconsin-Madison, Mead Witter School of MusicInstructor on Record at University of Wisconsin-Madison, Mead Witter School of Music
Brian BossardBrian Bossard
Circulation Desk Assistant at University of Wisconsin Madison: Law SchoolCirculation Desk Assistant at University of Wisconsin Madison: Law School
Melissa SnyderMelissa Snyder
Registered Nurse Care Coordinator at University of Wisconsin-MadisonRegistered Nurse Care Coordinator at University of Wisconsin-Madison
Chantel WareChantel Ware
Service Advisor at Crash Champions Collision Repair TeamService Advisor at Crash Champions Collision Repair Team
Bradley GudmundsonBradley Gudmundson
Production Line Operator at Thyssenkrupp Materials NA, Ken-Mac MetalsProduction Line Operator at Thyssenkrupp Materials NA, Ken-Mac Metals