Jennifer Elizabeth Craig
Bedford,KY
Summary
Dedicated Registered Nurse with a focus on patient education, emotional support, and quality improvement. Committed to enhancing patient outcomes through effective care plans and team collaboration.
Overview
2
2
Languages
1
1
Certification
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse
North Central District Health Department
Bedford, KY
04.2023 - Current
- Educated patients and families on health management strategies, enhancing their ability to manage wellness effectively.
- Provided emotional support to patients and families during difficult situations.
- Monitored vital signs, administered injections, and provided assistance with medical procedures.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to assess clinical situations quickly and accurately.
- Assisted in developing and implementing nursing protocols and procedures to enhance care delivery.
- Trained and mentored new RNs on best practices, hospital policies and standards of care.
- Documented patient progress notes accurately and efficiently in the electronic medical record system.
- Adhered to infection control procedures to facilitate safe, clean a safe, clean patient environment.
- Collected lab specimens, ordered and interpreted diagnostic tests and lab results.
- Conducted specified laboratory tests to help detect conditions and determine diagnosis.
- Referred patients to specialized health resources or community agencies to furnish additional assistance.
- Demonstrated knowledge of current trends in nursing practices by attending continuing education classes or seminars.
- Instituted new processes and standards for in-patient care, contributing to departmental goal achievement.
- Collaborated with health groups to plan or implement programs designed to improve overall health of communities.
- Maintained strict patient data procedures to comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Observed strict safety measures, including checking medication dosages before administration to patients.
- Ensured compliance with standards of professional practice as well as state and federal regulations related to health care delivery services.
- Provided patient and family health education focusing on self-management, prevention and wellness.
- Created, implemented and evaluated patient care plans with medical team.
- Counseled patients on medication side effects and lifestyle changes, supporting improved health outcomes.
Registered Nurse
Baptist Health La Grange
LaGrange, KY
02.2010 - 04.2023
- Administered medications and monitored patient responses during surgical procedures.
- Assisted surgeons by providing necessary instruments and tools during operations.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate patient care pre- and post-surgery.
- Educated patients and families on surgical procedures and recovery expectations.
- Maintained sterile environments by following infection control protocols in the operating room.
- Documented patient information accurately in electronic health records systems.
- Trained and mentored junior nursing staff on surgical protocols and best practices.
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives to enhance surgical nursing practices.
- Responded quickly and calmly to emergency situations that may arise during a surgical procedure.
- Performed wound dressing changes following prescribed orders from the physician.
- Recorded patient outcomes, new post-operative prescriptions and other information in patient charts.
- Administered medications prescribed by the surgeon following established protocols.
- Built relationships with pre- and post-surgical patients with compassion and positive attitude.
- Maintained aseptic environment to prevent patient infections or other unwanted outcomes.
- Participated in training sessions related to new technologies or techniques used in surgical procedures.
- Provided emotional support to patients and their families before, during and after surgeries.
- Managed inventory of surgical supplies including counting sponges, needles and other equipment prior to use.
- Observed surgical procedures to closely monitor patient and quickly assist physician with potential complications or additional needs.
- Informed patients, family members, and caregivers of physician instructions for post-operative at-home care.
- Monitored vital signs of patients pre-operatively, intra-operatively and post-operatively.
- Monitored unexpected patient events, interactions, or outcomes and recorded incident report in certain situations.
- Responded to emergency situations by assessing patient needs and taking appropriate action.
- Reported any abnormal findings or changes in patient's condition immediately to the attending physician.
- Sterilized and arranged operating equipment and instruments to prepare room for surgery.
- Communicated with patients and recorded vitals after surgical procedures to evaluate current health status.
- Assessed patients on admission to evaluate and continually monitor.
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana
Madison, Indiana05-1997
Skills
- Medication administration
- Patient assessment
- Care plan development
- Post-operative care
- Surgical wound care
- Intravenous therapy
- Immunization administration
- Vaccination administration
- Lab result interpretation
- Electronic health records
- Infection control
- Quality improvement
- Regulatory compliance
- Patient care coordination
- Patient education
- Emotional support
- Critical thinking
- Problem solving
- Time management
- Resource allocation
- Patient response observation
- Clinical assessment tools
- Team collaboration
- Staff supervision
- Nursing staff leadership
- Mentorship training
- Effective communication
- At-risk care
- Patient evaluation
Certification
- RN KY Board of Nursing 1998
- BLS 2026
- VFC 2026
Languages
English
Professional
Spanish
Limited
Timeline
Registered Nurse
North Central District Health Department
04.2023 - Current
Registered Nurse
Baptist Health La Grange
02.2010 - 04.2023
Associate of Science - Nursing
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana