Karen Schirrmacher
Arnot Ogden Medical Center
Elmira,NY
27
years of professional experience
1
Certification
Dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurse (RN) with progressive career history in direct patient care, triage and care coordination in fast-paced environment. Proven to remain calm under pressure and skillfully handle difficult patients and high-stress situations. Consistently developing strong relationships with patients and families through empathetic communication, respectful attitude and excellent customer service.
Work History
RN
21 Years 2 Months- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients and determined next course of action.
- Administered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Monitored patient condition by interpreting and tracking EKG readings, identifying irregular telemetry readings and updating team members on changes in stability or acuity.
- Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal providers and care.
- Led successful team comprised of RNs, LPNs and ancillary staff.
- Strengthened training and nursing knowledge by taking part in continuing education programs and crisis intervention workshops.
- Conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.
- Assessed and evaluated mental health needs, working with multidisciplinary team to initiate, manage and modify individualized care plans.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Accurately documented treatment, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions and follow-up care.
Mental Health RN
4 Years 2 Months- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients and determined next course of action.
- Evaluated, ordered and interpreted psychological evaluations and basic lab tests to assess and identify patients' conditions.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints and current symptoms.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Advocated for and strived to protect health, safety and rights of patient.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities.
RN
11 Months- Conducted Coronavirus nasopharyngeal swab tests
- Administered Coronavirus vaccine
- Counseled and educated patients and their families regarding epidemic, preventative measures, and ongoing considerations related to self care.
RN Staff Nurse
10 Months- Worked within interdisciplinary health care team to develop, implement and make adjustments to patient care plans, individualizing strategies and methods to improve health and meet recovery goals.
- Vaccinated patients to protect individuals from measles, pneumonia, influenza and other illnesses of concern.
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches.
- Administered medications via oral and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Gathered patient health data through interviews and observation, documenting data in electronic records.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Bachelor of Science - Business
Skills
Patient Condition Monitoring
Patient Care Assessment
Judgment and Decision-Making
Psychiatric Evaluation
Patient and Family Advocacy
Critical Thinking
Active Listening
Mental and Physical Assessments
Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Software
Pharmacologic Intervention
Certification
- RN License New York State # 487791-1, Current
- Medical Surgical Nursing Certification AANC, Current
- BLS & CPR/AED/First Aid, Current
- ACLS - Expired
Timeline
RN
New York State Department Of Health
04.2020 - 03.2021Read More
Mental Health RN
Cayuga Medical Center
08.2017 - 10.2021Read More
RN Staff Nurse
New York State Department Of Correctional Services
05.2010 - 03.2011Read More
RN
Arnot Ogden Medical Center
01.2001 - 03.2022Read More
Chamberlain University
Bachelor of Science from Nursing
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SUNY Excelsior College
Bachelor of Science from Business
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