Kate Rahe
Dyersville
Summary
Patient-oriented Nurse with 20 years of diverse experience in direct patient care, staff supervision and department operations. Skilled at multitasking, prioritizing patient needs and daily assignments, and Quality Improvement. Offering expertise with Long term care, Assisted Living, Healthcare Management, and Same day surgery.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Nurse Consultant
Healthcare of Iowa
2021 - Current
- Interacted effectively with department managers to promptly correct problems and improve services.
- Provided clinical coverage in the absence of Director of Nursing, Restorative, and Assisted Living nurses.
- Performed head-to-toe physical assessments for Assisted Living facilities.
- Sought opportunities to improve patient care, outcomes and nursing staff performance by performing clinical audits.
- Reviewed charts as needed to complete quality control checks.
- Assisted with regulatory compliance audits during annual state surveys by preparing clinical documentation, supporting surveyor review processes, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to ensure adherence to long‑term care standards.
Surgical Nurse
Great River Oral And Maxillofacial Surgery
2013 - 2021
- Assisted families by answering questions and supplying general information during consultation appointment.
- Maintained surgical environment and secured confidential data to protect patients' health and privacy.
- Created warm, supportive atmosphere to keep patients feeling safe and comfortable immediately before and after surgery.
- Monitored patient respiratory and cardiac status after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Performed triage on incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Obtained dental X‑rays to support the surgeon’s diagnostic process and ensure accurate treatment planning.
- Prepared surgical rooms and equipment for procedures.
- Assisted in patient preparation to ensure safety, efficiency, and readiness for upcoming surgeries.
- Coordinated surgical scheduling for patients requiring operative intervention in a hospital setting, ensuring timely communication and proper preparation.
LPN/RN/Director or Nursing
Monticello Nursing And Rehabilitation Center
2005 - 2013
- Comforted and counseled patients and families throughout care process and end of life care.
- Offered immediate assistance in emergency and routine paging situations to evaluate needs and deliver care.
- Performed routine evaluations of each patient's status, needs, and preferences.
- Assisted with admissions, appointments, transfers, and discharges.
- Administered medication and controlled narcotics, performed catheterizations, injections, wound care, feeding tubes, intravenous therapy.
- Responded to patient requests with appropriate clinical and personal assistance.
- Worked with multidisciplinary team to carry out successful treatment plans for diverse acute and chronic conditions.
- Monitored patient health conditions to report changes to assigned physician.
- Sustained quality standards by performing routine medication audits and upholding internal and industry best practices.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees.
- Evaluated employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills.
- Established performance goals for employees and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones.
- Cultivated positive rapport with fellow employees to boost company morale and promote employee retention.
- Collaborated with physicians during rounds by providing patient updates, reviewing care plans, and facilitating coordinated treatment decisions.
Education
Associate Degree in Nursing - RN
Northeast Iowa Community College
Peosta, IA01-2009
Diploma - LPN
Northeast Iowa Community College
Peosta, IA01-2005
Diploma - Dental Assisting
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA01-1996
Skills
- Clinical leadership and expertise
- Quality improvement
- Intravenous therapy
- Compassionate care
- Pre and Postoperative care
- Surgical preparation
- Multidisciplinary team collaboration
- Direct patient care and staff supervision
- Performance evaluations
- Nurse education and training
- Effective multitasking and strong work ethic
Timeline
Nurse Consultant
Healthcare of Iowa
2021 - Current
Surgical Nurse
Great River Oral And Maxillofacial Surgery
2013 - 2021
LPN/RN/Director or Nursing
Monticello Nursing And Rehabilitation Center
2005 - 2013
Associate Degree in Nursing - RN
Northeast Iowa Community College
Diploma - LPN
Northeast Iowa Community College
Diploma - Dental Assisting
Kirkwood Community College