KAREN THELEN
Oviedo,FL
Summary
Healthcare professional with 15 years of nursing experience and 10 years of nursing leadership experience. Successful leadership in an academic medical center where I demonstrated the ability to build teams and manage change while ensuring the highest standard of quality care in a Patient-First culture environment. Successful accreditation for South Seminole Hospital Chest Pain Center as well as Heart Failure accreditation.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Learning Specialist
Orlando Health South Seminole Hospital
Longwood , FL
02.2024 - Current
- Enhances clinical competence of team members by utilizing an Education Action Plan and annual Needs Assessment
- Develops and coordinates the orientation process for assigned areas, meets with orientees, preceptors and members of the nursing leadership team as needed
- Actively participates in quality and safety initiatives to ensure team members are improving practice so quality and safety standards are met
- Collaborates with Corporate Education to assess ongoing competence of clinical team members
- Assesses and provides education to maintain ongoing knowledge and compliance of organizational, regulatory policies and procedures
- Participates in unit-specific, site-specific, or corporate committees and/or educational initiatives that influence organizational outcomes
- Participates in the selection, evaluation and hiring of potential team members
Staff Nurse, Emergency Department
Advent Health, Orlando
Orlando , FL
08.2021 - 02.2022
Director of Nursing, Student Health Service
Wake Forest University
Winston Salem , NC
08.2019 - 08.2021
- Directs nursing functions including orientation, performance and duty descriptions, scheduling, payroll and professional development for outpatient clinic, observation unit, after hours unit, and allergy and immunization clinics
- Recommends nurse recruitment, hiring and discharge
- Assists with quality improvement processes including (but not limited to) accreditation, continuing education for nursing staff, and day-to-day performance of nursing staff
- Oversee the ordering and budget for clinical supplies. Work with outside vendors to coordinate and maintain clinical equipment, clinic supplies, laundry supplies, and temporary staffing needs
- Assists with planning, implementation, and maintenance of regulatory compliance standards such as Bloodborne Pathogen, Hazard Communication, and Infectious Disease
- Developed and implemented nursing policies, procedures, and protocols to ensure patient safety
- Oversees COVID Clinic, contact tracing and case investigation for University students
Staff Nurse, Emergency Department
Novant Health, Forsyth Medical Center
Winston Salem , NC
07.2017 - 08.2019
Corporate Chest Pain Coordinator
Orlando Health
Orlando , FL
01.2015 - 06.2017
- Planning, development, and implementation of program goals including Chest Pain Accreditation and Heart Failure Accreditation by the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care for 5 campuses
- Coordinates and oversees ongoing CQI process to improve care of the cardiac patient population
- Develop policies and protocols that align with national standards and accrediting entities
- Provides both clinical and program education to staff, key leaders, community members, and senior leadership
- Liaises between staff, oversight committees, corporate entities, EMS, hospital departments, administration and other organizations in pursuit of center of excellence designations
- Works closely with Emergency Department staff and Physicians to assure optimal continuity of care
- Reviews cost and efficiency outcome measures, as appropriate, to identify opportunities to reduce costs while maintaining quality and patient satisfaction
Chest Pain Coordinator
Orlando Health South Seminole Hospital
Longwood , FL
12.2013 - 06.2017
- Collaborated with Nursing Operations Manager and Administration to open Chest Pain Center/CDU as Chest Pain Center Coordinator
- Works in conjunction with management team as charge nurse to oversee flow of department as well as maintaining great customer service to our patients
- Assisted in planning, development and implementation of program goals for Chest Pain Center including Accreditation by the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care
- Assisted in planning, development and implementation of program goals for Heart Failure including Accreditation by the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care
- Coordinates and oversees the ongoing CQI process to improve care of the cardiac patient population
- Maintained relationship with EMS as liaison and lead development of case review program as well as other process improvement projects
- Partnered with Chest Pain Coordinators from the organization sites to standardize care for the cardiac patient population
Staff Nurse, Emergency Department
Orlando Health South Seminole Hospital
Longwood , FL
12.2008 - 01.2015
- As Nursing Practice Council Chair, led multiple quality and safety improvement projects through the shared governance model
- Collaborated alongside NOM, Emergency Department Medical director and Quality Medical Director to improve quality care through process improvements
- Developed relationship with EMS Management and became EMS Liaison to create protocols to better serve our patient care between pre-hospital to Emergency Department
- Worked in conjunction with management team as Charge Nurse to oversee flow of department as well as maintaining great customer service to our patients
- Managed care for adults and pediatrics with wide variety of diagnoses including critical care
- Developed patient care plans, including assessment, evaluations, and nursing diagnoses
- Instructed patients and family members on proper discharge care including medication education
Education
Associate Degree in Nursing -
Adventist University of Health Sciences
Orlando, FL01.2008
Associate of Applied Arts -
Valencia Community College, Orlando, FL
01.2000
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UTSkills
- Quality Improvement
- Staff Development
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Staff Leadership
- Critical Thinking
- Strong Clinical Judgment
- Performance Improvement
- Multitasking and Organization
Affiliations Committees
- Emergency Nurses Association
Awards Recognitions Presentations
- Exceeded Corporate Goal for patient satisfaction in CDU/CPC, 2015-2016
- Blood Culture Contamination: How Low Can You Go, Poster Presentation, Orlando Health Quality Retreat 2015, Poster Presentation, Florida Nurses Association 2015, Poster Presentation, ENA Conference 2015
- Unit Practice Counsel Chair, Emergency Department, 2014-2015
- Orlando Health Annual Cardiovascular Symposium, Speaker, Cardiac Risk Factors
Certification
- Registered Nurse, State of Florida Board of Nursing
- Certified Emergency Nurse
- Basic Life Support, American Heart Association
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support, American Heart Association
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support, American Heart Association
- Emergency Nurse Pediatric Course Certification
- Trauma Nursing Core Course Certification
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Learning Specialist
Orlando Health South Seminole Hospital
02.2024 - Current
Staff Nurse, Emergency Department
Advent Health, Orlando
08.2021 - 02.2022
Director of Nursing, Student Health Service
Wake Forest University
08.2019 - 08.2021
Staff Nurse, Emergency Department
Novant Health, Forsyth Medical Center
07.2017 - 08.2019
Corporate Chest Pain Coordinator
Orlando Health
01.2015 - 06.2017
Chest Pain Coordinator
Orlando Health South Seminole Hospital
12.2013 - 06.2017
Staff Nurse, Emergency Department
Orlando Health South Seminole Hospital
12.2008 - 01.2015
Associate Degree in Nursing -
Adventist University of Health Sciences
Associate of Applied Arts -
Valencia Community College, Orlando, FL
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Western Governors University
- Registered Nurse, State of Florida Board of Nursing
- Certified Emergency Nurse
- Basic Life Support, American Heart Association
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support, American Heart Association
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support, American Heart Association
- Emergency Nurse Pediatric Course Certification
- Trauma Nursing Core Course Certification
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