Karen Heath
Summary
Multi-talented RN consistently rewarded for success in planning and operational improvements. Experience in policy development and staff management procedures positively impacting overall morale and productivity.
Healthcare professional with extensive experience in providing high-quality patient care and ensuring compliance with clinical standards. Committed to fostering collaborative environment and achieving optimal patient outcomes. Reliable team player with strong adaptability and excellent communication skills.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Staff Nurse
Atrium Healthcare
09.2023 - Current
- Mentored new nursing staff, supporting their professional growth and development.
- Promoted a culture of safety by strictly adhering to infection control measures and reporting any potential hazards or concerns.
- Demonstrated excellent time management skills while juggling multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
- Worked in scrub position as well as circulating.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and pre
- Streamlined workflow processes to increase efficiency in a high-volume clinical setting.
- Acted as a patient advocate, ensuring their needs were met and their rights protected throughout their healthcare journey.
Staff Nurse
Aya Healthcare
08.2020 - 09.2023
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Monitored patients' conditions and reported changes in physical presentation, appearance, and behavior to discuss treatment with physicians.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Performed various nursing interventions such as wound dressing, vital sign monitoring, and specimen collection.
- Assessed physical, psychological, physiologic, and cognitive status of patients.
- Assisted physicians with diagnostic procedures, ensuring accurate results for optimal treatment planning.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Worked in both ICU/PCU
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members for comprehensive patient assessments and treatment plans.
- Evaluated the effectiveness of care plans regularly, making adjustments as needed based on individual patient needs and progress toward goals.
Clinical Nurse II
UNC Healthcare
06.2012 - 06.2020
- Worked with neurosurgery patients to understand needs and provide surgical and medical service.
- Devoted special emphasis to punctuality and worked to maintain outstanding attendance record, consistently arriving to work ready to start immediately.
- Handled multiple calls per day to address patient questions and concerns.
- Performed pre-care/pre-op assessments and assisted anesthesia with blocks prior to surgeries.
- Worked in neurosurgical ICU caring for critically ill brain/spine injured patients. (Medical equipment used included but not limited to EVD, ICD, PICCO and CVVHD.)
- Also worked Pre-Op as well as Spine Clinic.
Staff Nurse
Moses Cone Hospital
08.2008 - 11.2013
- Monitored patients' conditions and reported changes in physical ability, appearance and behavior to discuss treatment with physicians.
- Identified patient care requirements by establishing personal rapport with patients and families.
- Worked in Short Stay Center performed pre-surgical assessments, pre-anesthesia consults, infusions, injections, pre-/post- cardiac cath and/or angiograms.
- Worked in Holding area of OR.
- Collaborated with physicians, clinicians, intensivists, care managers, social workers, and nurses caring for critically ill patients.
- Served on the Stroke CPI committee to establish ways to obtain optimum outcomes for patients.
- Educated patients and families on hospitalization processes and treatments.
Staff Nurse
Novant Health
01.2004 - 08.2008
- Recorded patients' medical status and treatment details in electronic charts to accurately document medical care.
- Observed patients' vital signs and administered physician-prescribed medications and treatments.
- Delivered outstanding patient care in Neurosurgery critical care units.
- Oversaw various aspects of telemetry by administering PA catheters and arterials, vasoactive drugs, titration, thrombolytic therapy, dysrhythmia interpretation and chest tubes.
- Guided patients, caregivers and family members on plans of treatment and helpful resources available locally to support care.
- Conducted patient assessments, recorded vitals and analyzed records and charts to define care requirements.
Staff Nurse
Highpoint Regional Health System
04.2006 - 04.2008
- Ordered, interpreted and evaluated diagnostic tests to identify and assess patient condition.
- Identified patient care requirements by establishing personal rapport with patients and families.
- Monitored patients' conditions and reported changes in physical ability, appearance and behavior to discuss treatment with physicians.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols to optimize performance and safety.
- Performed various nursing interventions such as wound dressing, vital sign monitoring and specimen collection.
- Kept optimal supply levels in treatment rooms, triage and other areas to meet typical patient loads.
- Precepted student nurses and oriented new hires, providing guidance and mentorship when teaching on hospital policies, emergency procedures and nursing best practices.
- Taught patients how to improve lifestyle choices, dramatically reducing chance of symptom reoccurrence.
Assistant Nurse Manager
Wake Forest University Medical Center
03.1995 - 11.2004
- Created work schedules for multiple shifts to confirm complete floor coverage.
- Integrated evidence-based nursing into practice environment for 35 nurses.
- Communicated with members of medical staff and department heads during weekly update meetings.
- Delivered outstanding care to patients with various diagnoses and managed care from treatment initiation through to completion.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Managed 35 nurses and nursing activities in 72-bed ICU by providing comprehensive nursing guidance and maintaining outstanding patient satisfaction and care standards.
- Applied nursing expertise to meet needs of critical patients in depressed environment.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols to optimize performance and safety.
- Audited charts and reviewed clinical documents to verify accuracy.
- Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
- Monitored patient condition, including interpreting and tracking EKG readings, identifying irregular telemetry readings and updating team members on changes in stability or acuity.
- Implemented care plans for patient treatment after assessing physician medical regimens.
- Educated patients and answered questions about health condition, prognosis and treatment.
- Cared for patients in 11-bed unit, supporting fellow nurses in delivering outstanding treatment to patients.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Kept optimal supply levels in treatment rooms, triage and other areas to meet typical patient loads.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Took responsibility of triage for 72 beds of ICU in a Level I trauma hospital.
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
Truman College
Skills
- Current NC licensure with State Board of Nurse Examiners
- Direct Patient Care
- Patient Safety
- Patient Education
- Medication and IV administration
Accomplishments
Moses Cone Health System July 2009 Employee of the Month
Moses Cone Health System 2009 Employee of the Year
Timeline
Staff Nurse
Atrium Healthcare
09.2023 - Current
Staff Nurse
Aya Healthcare
08.2020 - 09.2023
Clinical Nurse II
UNC Healthcare
06.2012 - 06.2020
Staff Nurse
Moses Cone Hospital
08.2008 - 11.2013
Staff Nurse
Highpoint Regional Health System
04.2006 - 04.2008
Staff Nurse
Novant Health
01.2004 - 08.2008
Assistant Nurse Manager
Wake Forest University Medical Center
03.1995 - 11.2004
Associate of Science - Nursing
Truman College
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