Karen Kruger
Haddam,CT
Summary
Accomplished RN Supervisor with a proven track record at New Britain General Hospital, demonstrating exceptional clinical leadership and nursing documentation skills. Cultivated a cohesive work environment, significantly enhancing patient care quality. Skilled in HIPAA compliance and quality improvement, adept at fostering open communication and ensuring high standards of healthcare delivery.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
RN Supervisor
Covenant Living of Cromwell
07.2021 - 10.2024
- Managed critical situations calmly and efficiently, providing guidance to the nursing team during emergencies.
- Reviewed staffing patterns, quantities and nursing units' census to meet resident needs and budgetary controls.
- Communicated with patients, ensuring that medical information was kept private.
RN Supervisor
Apple Rehab
06.2020 - 06.2021
- Cultivated an atmosphere of teamwork and open communication among staff members, resulting in a more cohesive work environment and greater job satisfaction for the nursing team.
- Established strong relationships with interdisciplinary teams for seamless coordination of patient care services.
- Managed critical situations calmly and efficiently, providing guidance to the nursing team during emergencies.
- Ensured accurate documentation of patient information in electronic medical records system for optimal data integrity and accessibility across healthcare providers.
- Inventoried medications, supplies and equipment and distributed stock to patients.
- Developed and distributed nursing assignments for unit employees that outlined individual and group tasks.
- Established and maintained effective communication with staff, physicians and community organizations to promote high quality patient care.
- Communicated with patients, ensuring that medical information was kept private.
RN Supervisor
Cobalt Healthcare
04.2018 - 04.2019
- Cultivated an atmosphere of teamwork and open communication among staff members, resulting in a more cohesive work environment and greater job satisfaction for the nursing team.
- Successfully managed resources within budget constraints while maintaining high-quality care standards for all patients served in the unit.
- Managed critical situations calmly and efficiently, providing guidance to the nursing team during emergencies.
- Ensured accurate documentation of patient information in electronic medical records system for optimal data integrity and accessibility across healthcare providers.
- Inventoried medications, supplies and equipment and distributed stock to patients.
- Developed and distributed nursing assignments for unit employees that outlined individual and group tasks.
- Established and maintained effective communication with staff, physicians and community organizations to promote high quality patient care.
- Conducted routine facility inspections, identifying areas needing improvement and eliminating hazards posed to staff and residents for continued compliance with associated regulations.
Clinical Instructor
Career Training Specialists
01.2014 - 02.2018
- Fostered a culture of safety within the learning environment by emphasizing proper use of equipment, infection control measures, and patient privacy guidelines.
- Provided immediate and constructive feedback to students individually and as group.
- Evaluated students' competencies through written assignments and examinations.
- Implemented new educational techniques to boost student comprehension while reducing learning time.
- Evaluated student progress through written exams, skill demonstrations, and clinical rotations, ensuring they met program requirements.
- Incorporated instructional aids and motivational strategies to eradicate learning gaps.
- Supervised students when administering medications to maintain patient safety.
- Updated course materials regularly to reflect current best practices within nursing education and healthcare delivery systems.
- Enhanced patient care by providing clinical instruction for nursing students in various healthcare settings.
- Assigned students to patients based on students' learning objectives and patient needs.
- Improved student performance with regular assessments and feedback on their clinical skills and knowledge.
- Provided nursing skill demonstrations for medication administration, dressing changes and clinical logs.
- Participated in faculty meetings, committees, and continuing education events to stay current on nursing education trends and best practices.
- Instructed students on how to perform head-to-toe assessments on patients and how to intervene in medical emergencies.
- Supervised students during clinical rotations, providing immediate feedback on their performance and suggesting areas for improvement when necessary.
- Collaborated with fellow instructors to ensure consistency in teaching methods and curriculum content.
Staff Nurse
New Britain General Hospital
07.1988 - 12.2013
- Assessed physical, psychological, physiologic, and cognitive status of patients.
- Monitored patients' conditions and reported changes in physical presentation, appearance, and behavior to discuss treatment with physicians.
- Precepted student nurses and oriented new hires, providing guidance and mentorship when teaching on hospital policies, emergency procedures, and nursing best practices.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Participated in regular staff meetings to share best practices, address challenges, and foster collaboration among team members.
- Promoted a culture of safety by strictly adhering to infection control measures and reporting any potential hazards or concerns.
- Mentored new nursing staff, supporting their professional growth and development.
- Assisted physicians with diagnostic procedures, ensuring accurate results for optimal treatment planning.
- Evaluated the effectiveness of care plans regularly, making adjustments as needed based on individual patient needs and progress toward goals.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion, and airway management.
- Directed patient care by initiating and following through with plan of care, continuing care, and discharge instructions.
- Participated in hospital committees to recommend quality improvement initiatives.
- Demonstrated excellent time management skills while juggling multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Led initiatives for continuous improvement in quality measures, resulting in better patient outcomes.
- Developed and implemented individualized patient care plans for optimal outcomes.
- Developed strong rapport with patients and families, fostering trust and open communication during challenging times.
- Provided exceptional pre-and post-operative care, reducing recovery times and complications for surgical patients.
- Exhibited strong critical thinking skills when assessing complex medical situations and determining appropriate interventions.
- Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
- Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
- Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing Science
University of Hartford
West Hartford, CT05-2004
Associate of Science - Nursing
Greater Hartford Community College
Hartford, CT05-1988
Licensed Practical Nurse - Nursing
United States Army
Fort Bragg, NC03-1978
Skills
- Nursing Documentation
- Clinical assessment
- Clinical Leadership
- Quality Improvement
- HIPAA Compliance
Languages
Spanish
Limited Working
Timeline
RN Supervisor
Covenant Living of Cromwell
07.2021 - 10.2024
RN Supervisor
Apple Rehab
06.2020 - 06.2021
RN Supervisor
Cobalt Healthcare
04.2018 - 04.2019
Clinical Instructor
Career Training Specialists
01.2014 - 02.2018
Staff Nurse
New Britain General Hospital
07.1988 - 12.2013
Bachelor of Science - Nursing Science
University of Hartford
Associate of Science - Nursing
Greater Hartford Community College
Licensed Practical Nurse - Nursing
United States Army
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