KAREN BRANAM
Terre Haute,IN
Summary
Highly qualified RN with broad experience in acute care, patient education, and administrative team leadership. Specialized skills include acute patient care, health assessments, and medical documentation. Notable strengths: superior communication abilities, strong clinical judgment, and a commitment to fostering collaborative relationships within healthcare teams. Past work highlights include implementing quality improvement initiatives that enhanced patient satisfaction and reduced patient length of stay. Instrumental in the beginning phase of the Total Joint Replacement program.
Team leader for Union Hospital's Capital Campaign in 2010. Have participated in numerous site visits for HFAP, IDSDOH, and Magnet.
My experiences of working at the bedside, in administration, and the office setting has provided me with great insight of how it all ties together to provide exceptional care to patients, staff, physicians and members of our community.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
RN/Urology Nurse
Union Medical Group
Terre Haute, IN
12.2018 - Current
- Provided direct patient care including wound dressing changes, administering injections, collecting specimens for laboratory tests, and performing sterile techniques.
- Assisted physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of urology-related conditions.
- Ordered diagnostic tests such as ultrasounds or CT scans when necessary to assess a patient's condition further.
- Educated patients and families about various treatments options available for urological disorders.
- Provided emotional support to patients and families dealing with difficult diagnoses or prognoses.
- Performed catheterization procedures, bladder scans, and other specialized medical treatments.
- Instructed patients on proper self-care techniques for managing their urological problems at home.
- Facilitated referrals between primary care providers and specialists when needed.
MSN, RN, DIRECTOR OF MED/Surgical Nursing
Union Hospital
Terre Haute, IN
05.2012 - 05.2017
- Attended meetings with senior management personnel to provide updates on progress of projects and initiatives being undertaken by the nursing team.
- Facilitated communication between departments within the hospital setting to improve efficiency.
- Analyzed trends in patient care activities such as medication errors or falls within the facility.
- Developed and implemented nursing policies and procedures to ensure quality patient care.
- Oversaw the daily operations of the nursing department including staffing, scheduling, budgeting, and resource allocation.
- Provided clinical guidance and direction to nursing staff to ensure quality care was provided in a timely manner.
- Advised physicians on best practices related to prescribing medications or treatments for patients under their care.
- Implemented strategies for improving patient satisfaction scores in the nursing department on an ongoing basis.
BSN, RN, Nursing Care Manager Ortho/ Neurosurgery
Union Hospital
TERRE HAUTE, IN
09.2001 - 05.2012
- Participated in the recruitment, interviewing, selection, orientation of new employees.
- Provided guidance to staff on patient care, clinical practice, and professional development.
- Coordinated interdisciplinary team meetings to review patient progress and plan care strategies.
- Maintained accurate records of employee attendance, sick leave requests, vacation time.
- Resolved conflicts between staff members in an efficient manner.
- Evaluated performance of individual nurses against established standards.
- Implemented strategies that improved operational efficiency and effectiveness.
- Assisted with budgeting process by forecasting staffing needs and supplies.
- Managed the scheduling of personnel assignments based on patient acuity levels.
- Facilitated communication between physicians, nurses, support services personnel.
RN
Union Hospital
Terre Haute, IN
09.1989 - 09.2001
- Provided direct nursing care to patients, including administering medications, wound care, and IV therapy.
- Provided emotional support to families facing difficult decisions about a loved one's care.
- Attended continuing education courses to stay up-to-date on current trends in nursing practice.
- Assisted doctors during medical procedures.
- Assessed patient health and developed individualized care plans accordingly.
- Managed complex cases involving multiple diagnoses or treatments.
Education
Master of Science - Nursing Administration
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN08-2016
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion, IN05-2004
Associate of Science - NURSINIG
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN08-1990
Skills
- Masters prepared RN with 34 years of both clinical and administrative experience
- Basic life support
- Nursing staff leadership
- Precepting
- Team coordination
- Quality improvement
Publication
- Co-author of The Effects of Preceptor Training on New Graduate Registered Nurse Transition Experiences and Organizational Outcomes, published in the Journal of Continuing Education , May 2018
Timeline
RN/Urology Nurse
Union Medical Group
12.2018 - Current
MSN, RN, DIRECTOR OF MED/Surgical Nursing
Union Hospital
05.2012 - 05.2017
BSN, RN, Nursing Care Manager Ortho/ Neurosurgery
Union Hospital
09.2001 - 05.2012
RN
Union Hospital
09.1989 - 09.2001
Master of Science - Nursing Administration
Indiana State University
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Indiana Wesleyan University
Associate of Science - NURSINIG
Indiana State University