Kathryn Whitney
DeLand,FL
Summary
Experienced neurology nurse with 9+ years in critical and high-patient volume settings. Energetic and motivational leader dedicated to delivering top-quality patient care and ensuring satisfaction. Focus on providing comprehensive support to enhance well-being and overall experience. Assistant Nurse Manager with proven skills in delivering exemplary healthcare service. Adept at coordinating admission and discharge processes, planning and implementing strategies for improved healthcare management. Reputation as a problem solver and excellent communicator. Recognized for developing staff and leading high-performing teams.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Neuro Critical Care Unit, Assistant Nurse Manager
AdventHealth
03.2017 - Current
- Identifying issues or emergencies and responding in a calm and efficient manner
- Supervising nursing staff and monitoring their needs
- Coordinating daily administrative duties, including running the service line, nursing assignments, and patient care
- Overseeing patient admissions, transfers, and discharges
- Mentoring and training new staff and providing support and guidance to all staff members
- Monitoring medical charts and providing compassionate care and assistance to patients and families
- Liaising with doctors and administrators and communicating any protocol changes to staff
- Ensuring compliance with all health and safety regulations
- Actively participate in quality assurance program
- Disciplined, energetic employee who quickly establishes rapport with patients and colleagues
- Perform all tasks with a patient-centered focus
- Assist and support patients with healing and recovery after surgery
- Provide accurate and thorough patient diagnosis under strict time constraints
- Emphasis on neurological disease and surgery including aneurysms, hemorrhage, trauma, spinal cord injury and endovascular treatments
- Ability to assess and interpret lab results, invasive monitoring data, and interdisciplinary team notes
- Demonstrates competency in assisting physicians in patient preparation, medication management, and monitoring for emergent procedures to include but not limited to EVD drain placement, rapid intubation, and lumbar drain placement
- Demonstrate ability to closely monitor neurological status of patient population to intervene in a timely manner.
- Performed real-time chart audits for patients ensuring accuracy and completeness of information while capitalizing on opportunities for process improvement.
- Resolved conflicts among staff members by employing effective communication techniques and seeking mutually beneficial solutions when issues arose.
- Evaluated staff performance regularly, providing constructive feedback and support for professional development opportunities.
- Managed scheduling to ensure optimal coverage while maintaining a healthy work-life balance for staff members.
- Assisted in budget management, optimizing resource allocation to maximize patient care quality without compromising fiscal responsibility.
- Developed departmental goals and objectives to improve satisfactory rating with patients.
- Collaborated with other departments to streamline processes and enhance interdisciplinary teamwork, ultimately improving continuity of care for patients.
- Participated in hospital-wide initiatives aimed at improving overall patient experience and satisfaction levels.
- Maintained open lines of communication with patients'' families to ensure their needs were met and concerns addressed promptly.
- Ensured timely documentation of all nursing activities within electronic medical records system, contributing to accurate record keeping and informed decision-making processes.
- Served as a liaison between nursing staff and administration, advocating for the needs of both parties to promote overall organizational success.
- Maintained compliance with regulatory standards by staying up-to-date on industry best practices and incorporating them into daily operations as necessary.
- Improved patient safety through close monitoring of infection control practices within the department.
- Promoted a positive work environment by fostering open communication, teamwork, and professional growth opportunities for nursing staff.
- Verified facility remained up-to-date and compliant with laws and regulations.
- Developed and implemented quality improvement initiatives to provide best possible patient care and identify and address areas of concern.
- Evaluated skills of nursing personnel and verified staff certifications for validity.
- Investigated and independently resolved complaints from staff, physicians, and patients by leveraging clinical judgment and unit management expertise.
- Defined testing protocols, quality assurance initiatives and clinic policies and procedures.
Neuro Medical Progressive Care Unit, Staff Nurse, Preceptor
AdventHealth
04.2015 - 03.2017
- Emphasis on care of patients with various neurological presentations such as post-stroke treatment and monitoring, patients involved in neuroscience programs to include Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus and Adult Epilepsy Monitoring
- Possessed ability to assess and interpret diagnostic data relative to patient age and condition, lab results, non-invasive monitoring data and interdisciplinary team notes
- Nursing practice reflected the application of knowledge and skills pertaining to all diagnoses, procedures, medications, complications, and equipment associated with unit patient population
- Leadership responsibilities included facilitation of the team dynamics of patient care, patient experience and patient flow including managing staff assignments
- Additional responsibilities included effective conflict resolution, patient/staff rounding and communication, resource utilization, comprehensive hand off communication and completion of unit specific audits/checklists as required or assigned
- Assessed patients in active withdrawal and provided interventions to manage physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms
- Coordinated with doctors and registered nurses to develop care / treatment plans for patients
- Coordinated with nursing team to ensure optimal levels of patient care and safety
- Evaluated patient care needs, prioritized treatment and maintained patient flow
- Provided behavioral/emotional support and supervision for patients with dementia and Alzheimer's
- Treated patients with strokes, head trauma, comas and intracranial hematomas
- Directed orientation process for new nursing staff
- Trained 10 student nurses to provide top-quality patient care
- Implemented new floor assignments based on evaluation of staffing requirements.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Performed various nursing interventions such as wound dressing, vital sign monitoring, and specimen collection.
- 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.
- Developed strong rapport with patients and families, fostering trust and open communication during challenging times.
- Collaborated with physicians, pharmacists and therapists to deliver quality, evidence-based care.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Demonstrated excellent time management skills while juggling multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Educated patients on self-care management, empowering them to take an active role in their overall health and wellbeing.
- Acted as a patient advocate, ensuring their needs were met and their rights protected throughout their healthcare journey.
- Directed patient care by initiating and following through with plan of care, continuing care, and discharge instructions.
- 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.
- Exhibited strong critical thinking skills when assessing complex medical situations and determining appropriate interventions.
- Evaluated the effectiveness of care plans regularly, making adjustments as needed based on individual patient needs and progress toward goals.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members for comprehensive patient assessments and treatment plans.
- Coordinated patient discharge planning to provide post-discharge patient care, promoting healing and recovery.
- Coordinated discharge planning with case managers to ensure seamless transitions of care from the hospital to home or other facilities.
- Streamlined workflow processes to increase efficiency in a high-volume clinical setting.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Conveyed treatment options, diagnosis information and home care techniques to patients and caregivers to continue care consistency.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
- Incorporated diverse teaching methods to accommodate various learning styles, ensuring all students had equal opportunities for success.
- Facilitated problem-solving exercises that challenged students to think critically about course content.
Education
Master of Science - Nursing Leadership and Management
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL05.2024
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL01.2016
Associate of Science - Nursing
Keiser University
Orlando, FL01.2015
Associate of Arts Degree -
Seminole State College
Sanford, FL01.2013
Skills
- Conflict resolution
- Leadership
- Communication
- Patience
- Organized
- Self-motivated
- Quality Improvement
- Staff Development
- Electronic Health Records
- Health Information Technology
- Utilization Management
- Care Coordination
Certification
- 04/15, Present, State Board of Nursing Florida Licensure: RN 9406491
- 12/14, Present, BLS
- 12/14, Present, ACLS
Affiliations
- American Association of Neuroscience Nurses
- American Association of Critical Care Nurses
Personal Information
Title: MSN, RN
References
Available upon request
Timeline
Neuro Critical Care Unit, Assistant Nurse Manager
AdventHealth
03.2017 - Current
Neuro Medical Progressive Care Unit, Staff Nurse, Preceptor
AdventHealth
04.2015 - 03.2017
Master of Science - Nursing Leadership and Management
University of Central Florida
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Central Florida
Associate of Science - Nursing
Keiser University
Associate of Arts Degree -
Seminole State College
- 04/15, Present, State Board of Nursing Florida Licensure: RN 9406491
- 12/14, Present, BLS
- 12/14, Present, ACLS
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