IV Therapy Nurse PRN
KATIE STELLHORN
LIVE Hydration
The Woodlands,TX
1
Certification
12
years of professional experience
Compassionate Registered Nurse, BSN, Certified Registered Nurse Infusion (CRNI) with 13 years of diverse experience in acute and outpatient settings. Skilled in Hematology/Oncology and Medical-Surgical nursing, with expertise in chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and pre/post-operative care. Seeking to transition into functional health and wellness and aesthetic injection roles, leveraging a strong foundation to provide exceptional patient care and support healthcare teams.
Work History
Infusion Registered Nurse
3 Years 1 Month- Administer chemotherapy in adherence to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines for oncology patients. Provide expert care for an average of 10-15 adult oncology patients daily in the 24-bay infusion suite, focusing on patient safety, comfort, and psychosocial well-being. Became an RN 3 after one year of service to the organization, serving as a resource to the unit. Experience with various intravenous therapies, including administration and maintenance of IVs, PICC lines, and central venous catheters. Unit resource and highly skilled with ultrasound guided IVs. Act as a resource for colleagues, offering support and sharing expertise in infusion therapy and chemotherapy administration. Serve as an active member of the Unit Council and the Research and Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Council, contributing to process improvement and clinical research initiatives. Lead an EBP project focused on psychosocial distress in oncology patients to improve and standardize care protocols. Provide above-and-beyond care, consistently going the extra mile to meet patients' emotional, psychological, and physical needs. Hold CRNI certification and actively preparing to sit for the OCN certification, aiming to be dually certified in infusion therapy and chemotherapy. Foster collaboration and maintain a strong team dynamic in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. Uphold the hospital's ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) in all aspects of patient care and teamwork.
Infusion Registered Nurse, PRN
4 Months- Leverage knowledge of medications, procedures, infection control and safety precaution to initiate appropriate intervention in crisis situations. Work autonomously in clinic with an advanced practitioner to perform appropriate lab draws, mix and administer various biologic, antibiotic, enzyme, and immunotherapies per protocol. Perform patient education and develop patient-centered care plans. Counseled patients and caregivers and provided compassionate emotional support. Maintain safe and therapeutic medical environment and guide and direct members of the health care team to encourage quality patient care. Expert in peripheral venous accessing as well as maintaining and access various central lines. Prompt and clear communication with the health care team as well as the Medix support staff to ensure timely, appropriate, safe and efficient patient care. Explain course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms. Collaborate with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
IV Therapy Nurse PRN
3 Years 7 Months- Advocates for and strives to protect health, safety and rights of patient/client. Accurately documents treatment, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions and follow-up care. Administers different therapies and medications in line with physician orders and treatment plan. Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions. Customizes care plans for wellness and functional health goals to meet individual client needs. Work autonomously to meet the needs of clients. Ensures proper and safe delegation with healthcare and ancillary staff. Independently cares for 10-15 clients/patients a day.
- Educates patients on hydration therapy, aftercare, and expected treatment outcomes.
Infusion Registered Nurse
2 Years 5 Months- Administer IV fluids, antibiotics, antiviral and antifungal infusions, immune therapy, chemotherapy, IVIG, enzyme replacements, and blood products through peripherally inserted and central venous catheters to care for acute and chronic illness. Perform Therapeutic Phlebotomy. Leverage knowledge of medications, procedures, infection control and safety precaution to initiate appropriate intervention in crisis situations. Communicated professionally with various off-site Medical Providers and respective clinic staff to communicate patient concerns, relay nursing assessments, obtain order clarifications, authorizations, recent history and physicals, and coordinated patient care/ scheduling within their individualized care plans. Trained in Therapeutic Plasmapheresis after three months of hire. Obtained specialized training for the operation of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange and White Blood Cell Reduction procedures, averaging 3 exchanges/month both inpatient and outpatient. Cared for an average of 8-12 patients per shift. Trained as Charge Nurse after four months of hire. Contributed to patient safety by volunteering to be the Hand Hygiene Champion, to collect data on handwashing on the unit and develop ways to better handwashing practices in my home unit, and contribute ideas for hospital-wide Practice Improvement projects. Maintained a safe and therapeutic medical environment and guided and directed members of health care team to encourage quality patient care. Monitored patients for hypersensitivity reactions after administering medications and IV therapies. Volunteered for pilot program to introduce use and train peers on ultrasound use for PIV access. Obtained my national Certified Registered Nurse Infusion (CRNI) certification through INCC. Worked with Medical Director and nursing management to review and update Standards of Practice. Frequently recognized on patient safety and satisfaction surveys as an avid patient educator and advocate.
Infusion Registered Nurse
1 Year 3 Months- Functioned as lead nurse for the Tripler Army Medical Center (T.A.M.C) Infusion Clinic. Successfully trained contracted nurse with minimal background in Infusion nursing. Delivered outstanding care to patients with various diagnoses and manage care from treatment initiation through to completion. Maintained highest levels of patient satisfaction, generating referrals to maintain productivity levels for the infusion outpatient clinic as evidenced by positive patient surveys. Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, relayed concerns for safety promptly to OIC/manager, and implemented and enhanced treatment strategies to improve safety. Advocated for the clinic need of a physician medical director. Worked with management and leadership to initiate and act on this need. Worked closely with new medical director to develop Standards of Practice to improve patient safety standards and satisfaction. Acted as sole Infusion Nurse for the entire Infusion population at T.A.M.C for continued care during COVID19, and merged with Chemotherapy clinic to ensure patients continued to receive care during THe COVID19 pandemic. Provided appropriate vaccinations/ referrals and monitoring vaccination status and blood titers for immunocompromised patients on biotherapy. Educated patients and answered questions about health condition, within the scope of Nursing practice. Provided teaching and supplies for home injection therapy. Monitored patients' reactions after administering medications and IV therapies. Assisted in floating to the oncology unit when available, or other units to start peripheral IVs. Performed triage on all incoming patients and determined appropriateness and safety for administration of immunocompromising agents. Maintained optimal supply levels in treatment rooms, triage and other areas to meet typical patient loads(6-10 patients daily in four chairs), responsible for monitoring supply levels, bulk ordering, and monitoring expiration dates. Explained course of care and medications, including side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms. Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions. Performed ongoing assessments to evaluate mental health needs, working with multidisciplinary team to develop, initiate, manage and modify individualized plans of care for chronic conditions. Audited charts and reviewed clinical documents to verify accuracy; created a streamline filing system. Administered and performed extensive endocrine testing/ lab draws and collaborated with physicians to create focused treatment plans, adjust treatment and initiate hormone replacement therapy as ordered. Maintained ONS provider card for Chemotherapy and Biologic administration.
Orthopedic and Neurovascular Med-Surg RN
11 Months- Worked with various military and civilian counterparts to resolve medical care plan problems, improve operations and provide exceptional customer service. Partnered with cross-functional teams to conduct thorough discovery and due diligence on existing processes. Administered IV, IM, SQ, and PO medications in a timely manner. Cared for up to five patients as primary nurse and worked in a team as lead nurse for up to ten patients. Successfully and properly initiated three code sepsis events based on excellent nursing assessment skills. Primarily cared for pre and post-operative patients from orthopedic and neurovascular surgeries. Provided excellent nursing care for patients with chest tubes, various oxygen therapy, JP drains, hemovac, various traction devices, and other personal care equipment. Monitored patients with PCA pumps and completed thorough pain assessments. Administered heparin drips and other hazardous drugs and monitored patients for complications. Expert in delegation and worked as a preceptor to three new nurses within one year on the unit. Engaged in morning huddles and in monthly meetings and provided safety trainings on handling of hazardous drugs to my unit. Provided timely and accurate documentation in CHCS, AHLTA, and Essentris EMR
Oncology- Infusion Nurse
1 Year 3 Months- Completed chemotherapy administration as dictated by the physician's instructions on each patient's chart. Followed safety protocols and adhered to NCCN guidelines. Assessed and monitored for infusion-related reactions and toxicities. Frequently infused blood products, Chemotherapy infusions and subcutaneous and intramuscular injections. Administered appropriate supportive pre-medications, biotherapy, monoclonal antibody treatments, performed therapeutic phlebotomy, administered vaccinations, gave antibiotic infusions, and monitored for treatment-related reactions/complications. Assisted provider with bone marrow biopsy and aspiration procedures. Counseled patients and provided a listening ear for when they needed emotional support. Managed an average caseload of 10-15 clients in a 12 hour shift, providing education, treatments, IV therapy, venipuncture, laboratory specimen collection and necessary dressing changes. Implemented new staffing assignments based on evaluation of safety requirements, often working autonomously when possible. Identified process improvements in the day-to-day functioning of the department and actively participated in staff meetings. Provided compassionate end-of-life care and assisted patients and their families with transition into hospice and home-health care. Participated in a team to help build and propose unit-specific EMR system upgrades for the Meditech EMR system update.
Medical Surgical Nurse
2 Years 3 Months- Achieved three years of full-time experience providing care to the acutely ill in a 49-bed inpatient unit. Maintained cross-training and C-1 Medical-Surgical status experience throughout employment until 2018. Provided a high level of individualized care to adult patients across multiple medical specialties. Utilized the nursing process to develop effective plans of care. Coordinated nursing care to be carried out according to facility guidelines and regulations. Educated patients and their families on their illnesses, medications and treatment plans so that they were aware and informed. Collaborated with all members of a patient's healthcare team to ensure the proper and appropriate level of care. Implemented new floor assignments based on evaluation of staffing requirements as primary assignment nurse. Monitored, interpreted, and responded accordingly to various cardiac rhythms for Telemetry patients. Performed tracheostomy care, inserted and monitored urinary catheters, assessed chest tube equipment, provided tube feedings through gastro-jejunal tubes, as well as care for various wound care drains and wound vac equipment. Delegated appropriately to LPN and CNA staff. Participated in unit-based Quality Assurance Program adhering to the Core Measures. Trained new staff on quality control procedures, and acted as a preceptor to new hire nurses. Became a C-1 (lead nurse) within one year of hire. Performed basic physical assessments of newborns and infants, started a float position in the Labor and Delivery unit to broaden scope. Frequently provided behavioral/emotional support and supervision for those with dementia and Alzheimer's. Accurately documented all elements of nursing assessment, treatments, medications, discharge instructions, and follow-up care. Certified in PALS and often selected by supervisors to care for the pediatric population. Supervised students when administering medications to ensure patient safety. Strong leader for nursing personnel assigned to the unit/shift.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
- Member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
- Graduated Magna Cum Laude
- Awarded Nursing Scholarship Junior and Senior Year
- GPA: 3.8 GPA
Skills
Immunotherapy drug administration
Chemotherapeutic drug administration
with active ONS provider card
National Certification of Infusion Therapy: CRNI
In-depth knowledge of intravenous biologic therapy
Management of infusion related reactions and expert in evaluation
management and communication with providers regarding patient tolerance
Proficiency in therapeutic phlebotomy and blood product administration
Venipuncture/blood draw expert
Ultrasound guided IV insertion
Excel with peripheral and central access devices
able to use ultrasound and AccuVein VeinFinder for peripheral vascular access
PIV and PICC access
Specially trained to perform Therapeutic Plasma Exchange
Thorough patient assessments and treatment
Oncology care coordination
Proficiency in EPIC
Meditech Charting System and Intellidose TxM Medication to continually growing and learning in Infusion Nursing
health and wellness
Autonomous clinical procedures
Open communication
Patient-centered care
Certification
- Registered Nurse Texas, multi-state RN, License number 1094066, exp. 12/31/2027, Active status.
- Registered Nurse California, License number RN 95037777, exp. 01/31/28, Active status
- BLS - Basic Life Support: current, exp. 10/2028
- CRNI - Certified Registered Nurse Infusion: current, exp. 10/1/2027
- ONS -Chemotherapy Administration Certified, current, exp. 06/2027
Timeline
Infusion Registered Nurse
Houston Methodist the Woodlands Infusion Center
10.2023 - CurrentRead More
Infusion Registered Nurse, PRN
Medix Infusion
05.2023 - 09.2023Read More
IV Therapy Nurse PRN
LIVE Hydration
04.2023 - CurrentRead More
Infusion Registered Nurse
The Queen's Medical Center
09.2020 - 02.2023Read More
Infusion Registered Nurse
Tripler Army Medical Center
06.2019 - 09.2020Read More
Orthopedic and Neurovascular Med-Surg RN
Tripler Army Medical Center
07.2018 - 06.2019Read More
Oncology- Infusion Nurse
War Memorial Hospital
01.2017 - 04.2018Read More
Medical Surgical Nurse
War Memorial Hospital
10.2014 - 01.2017Read More
Point Loma Nazarene University
Bachelor of Science from Nursing
Read More