Jessica Kearns

Dynamic and compassionate Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (candidate) seeking to leverage extensive clinical experience and advanced education to provide exceptional healthcare services to adult and geriatric cardiovascular populations. Dedicated to delivering evidence-based practice, fostering patient education, and promoting wellness through evidence-based practice and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Specialty Care Clinical Rotation: Elmhurst Hospital, Elmhurst, IL, 5/2023 - 8/2023

• Advanced Assessment Abilities: Conducting thorough assessments of patients with heart failure including history-taking, physical examination, and interpretation of diagnostic tests such as echocardiograms and BNP levels. Other patient populations at clinic included COPD, pneumonia, and atrial fibrillation.
• Medication Management: Optimizing pharmacological therapy for heart failure patients, including diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, ARBs, and newer agents such as ARNI therapy, while monitoring for efficacy and side effects.
• Fluid Management: Developing and implementing individualized fluid management plans, including monitoring daily weights, assessing fluid status, and adjusting diuretic therapy as needed to prevent volume overload and exacerbations.
• Dietary and Lifestyle Counseling: Providing dietary recommendations, sodium restriction guidance, and lifestyle modifications to optimize heart failure management and improve patient outcomes.
• Patient Education: Effective in educating patients and their families about heart failure, including pathophysiology, symptom recognition, medication adherence, dietary restrictions, and the importance of regular follow-up care.
• Symptom Management: Skilled in assessing and managing heart failure symptoms such as dyspnea, fatigue, edema, and exercise intolerance through a combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.
• Risk Stratification and Prognostication: Knowledgeable in risk assessment tools to identify patients at higher risk for adverse outcomes and tailor management accordingly.
• Coordination of Care: Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including cardiologists, nurses, pharmacists, and social workers, to ensure coordinated and comprehensive care for heart failure patients across the continuum of care.
• Transitional Care Planning: Developing transitional care plans for heart failure patients transitioning between care settings (e.g., hospital to home), including medication reconciliation, follow-up appointments, and patient education to prevent readmissions.
• Clinical Documentation: Meticulous in documenting all aspects of patient care, including assessments, interventions, and care plans, in compliance with regulatory standards and best practices.

Adult Gerontology Clinical Rotation: Edward Hines Jr. Veterans Administration Hospital, Maywood, IL, 8/2023 - 12/2023

• Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment: Skilled in performing thorough assessments of adult and geriatric patients, including comprehensive medical history, physical examination, cognitive screening, functional assessment, and evaluation of social support systems.
• Chronic Disease Management: Proficient in managing common chronic conditions prevalent in the adult and geriatric population, such as hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, osteoarthritis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with a focus on optimizing quality of life and minimizing complications.
• Polypharmacy Management: Experienced in conducting medication reviews, deprescribing unnecessary medications, optimizing drug regimens, and monitoring for drug interactions and adverse effects in older adults to promote medication safety and adherence.
• Fall Risk Assessment and Prevention: Knowledgeable in conducting fall risk assessments, implementing fall prevention strategies, and educating patients and caregivers on home safety modifications, balance exercises, and mobility aids to reduce the risk of falls and associated injuries.
• Cognitive Impairment Screening and Management: Proficient in administering cognitive screening tools such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) or Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), diagnosing cognitive impairment, and coordinating care for patients with dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), including medication management and referrals to specialist services.
• Health Promotion and Disease Prevention: Experienced in delivering evidence-based preventive services, health screenings, immunizations, and lifestyle counseling to promote healthy aging, prevent disease, and improve overall well-being in adult and geriatric populations.
• Geriatric Syndromes Management: Proficient in addressing geriatric syndromes such as urinary incontinence, frailty, sarcopenia, malnutrition, and geriatric depression through comprehensive assessment, interdisciplinary collaboration, and targeted interventions to optimize function and quality of life.
• Care Coordination and Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Skilled in collaborating with interdisciplinary healthcare team members, including specialists, nurses, social workers, physical therapists, and pharmacists, to ensure coordinated and holistic care for adult and geriatric patients across care settings.
• Cultural Competence and Patient Advocacy: Culturally competent in providing care that respects and responds to the diverse backgrounds, values, and preferences of adult and geriatric patients, while advocating for their autonomy, dignity, and rights within the healthcare system.

General Medicine Clinical Rotation:  Edward Hines Jr. Veterans Administration Hospital, Maywood, IL, 1/2024 - 5/2024; 5/2024 - 8/2024

• Comprehensive Patient Assessment: Conducting thorough medical histories, performing physical examinations, and interpreting diagnostic tests to formulate accurate diagnoses and develop individualized treatment plans for patients of all ages.
• Chronic Disease Management: Managing common chronic conditions prevalent in primary care settings, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with a focus on optimizing disease control and preventing complications.
• Acute Illness Management: Diagnosing and managing acute medical conditions such as upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, gastroenteritis, dermatologic conditions, and musculoskeletal injuries in outpatient settings, including appropriate prescribing and referrals when necessary.
• Preventive Care and Health Promotion: Providing evidence-based preventive services, health screenings, immunizations, and lifestyle counseling to promote wellness, prevent disease, and address modifiable risk factors such as smoking, obesity, and sedentary lifestyle.
• Medication Management and Adherence Counseling: Prescribing and managing medications for acute and chronic conditions, educating patients about medication indications, dosages, potential side effects, and strategies for improving medication adherence.
• Patient Education and Empowerment: Providing patient-centered education, counseling, and support to enhance patients' understanding of their health conditions, self-management skills, and shared decision-making regarding treatment options and healthcare goals.
• Health Maintenance and Follow-up Care: Developing individualized care plans, scheduling appropriate follow-up appointments, and coordinating ongoing medical care and monitoring for patients with chronic conditions to optimize health outcomes and prevent disease progression.
• Coordination of Care and Referrals: Collaborating with specialists, allied health professionals, and community resources to facilitate timely referrals, coordinate multidisciplinary care, and ensure continuity of care for patients with complex medical needs.
• Cultural Competence and Health Equity: Culturally sensitive in delivering care that respects patients' diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and preferences, while addressing health disparities and advocating for equitable access to healthcare services for all patients.
• Clinical Documentation and Quality Improvement: Meticulous in maintaining accurate and detailed medical records, documenting patient encounters, treatment plans, and clinical decision-making in compliance with regulatory standards, and participating in quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient care and outcomes.