Kayte Bak
Nursing Leadership
Bernardston,Massachusetts
Summary
A transformational and results driven leader who brings a humanistic approach to patients, staff and peer relationships with a dedication to patient care excellence. Leading nursing practice with evidence-based patient care initiatives and interprofessional problem-solving through shared governance. Currently enrolled at Capella University to complete my Doctorate in Nursing Practice, with a focus on the intersection between Adverse Childhood Events / Trauma and Poor Health Outcomes, to reduce stigma in healthcare.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Nursing Hospital Services
Valley Regional Hospital
03.2023 - Current
- Led quality improvement projects aimed at enhancing clinical outcomes through data-driven analysis and targeted interventions.
- Conducted Root Cause Analysis within department teams to identify areas of vulnerability and implement evidence-based corrective actions where necessary.
- Mentoring new nurse leaders to develop and implement best practices to improve patient outcomes specific to the department.
- Built and maintained positive working relationships with physicians and staff to support best practice initiatives and seamless workflow operations.
- Championed a culture of continuous learning by promoting professional development opportunities for nursing staff, including in-house training programs, conferences, workshops, and online resources.
- Performed rounds to observe care and interview staff, residents, and families.
- Implemented successful healthcare program through professionalism, quality of care, medical teaching and patient satisfaction.
Chief Nursing Officer
Brattleboro Retreat
06.2020 - 11.2023
- Led the Brattleboro Retreat’s nursing teams multiple practice changes, pandemic related staffing and census challenges with a focus on quality and safe patient care.
- Implemented Six Core Strategies as an evidence based, trauma informed framework to support workplace safety through the reduction of restraint and seclusion.
- Developed a workforce development model to up-skill the current workforce in therapeutic relationships and basic core competencies of psychiatric care delivery.
- Lead inter-professional problem-solving model for “wrap around care” delivery to programs with challenging clinical scenarios.
- Collaborate with state government partners and psychiatric service-user liaisons to address.
- Develop and support strategies which contribute to a positive and healthy work environment.
- Sets standards of practice competencies for nursing and the needs of patients throughout the system.
- Fiscal responsibility
- Established and maintained processes and protocols for achieving those standards specifically related to reducing workplace violence and preparing new hires to care for a vulnerable population of patients.
- Created the Behavioral Health Academy (BHA).
- Lead instructor for Advanced Crisis Prevention Interventions (CPI) and BHA session facilitator.
- Transformed union relations between union membership and hospital leadership through a shared governance approach to problem solving.
Associate Chief Nursing Officer
Brattleboro Retreat
09.2019 - 06.2020
- Collaborative problem solving related to patient care concerns, specifically focused on reducing workplace violence and improving patient and staff safety
- Direct oversight of nursing service budget to ensure qualified and sufficient staffing.
- Primary responsibility for projects and task force groups with a focus on excellent outcomes.
- Manage Clinical Managers and Directors specific to nursing practice
- Oversight of International Nurse Recruitment and onboarding for sustainability in the nursing workforce.
Director of Professional Development
Brattleboro Retreat
05.2018 - 11.2019
- Created clinical a onboarding program that aligns with the Nurse of the Future Core Competencies
- Collaborated with health system Mental Health professionals on Behavioral Emergency Response Team initiative
- Implemented a Nurse Residency Program
- Developed a continuing educational program; Professional Practice Workshop for nurses
- Collaborate with clinical managers in a Just Culture framework with the development of Performance Improvement Plans for staff involved in missed opportunities for safe patient care
- Established a Clinical Nurse Practice Council
- Administrative oversight of Workplace Violence initiatives
Nurse Practice Educator
Baystate Franklin Medical Center
10.2009 - 04.2018
- Collaborate with Nursing Practice and Development team at the Health System level to support a shared Nursing Practice Model and Evidence Based Practice
- Develop curriculum which supports professional nursing practice based on key patient care outcomes impacting quality, safety or performance improvement initiatives
- Lead and support and facilitates Shared Governance approach to nursing practice.
- Ensure clinical competence of staff through direct interaction and observation, ongoing evaluation of patient outcomes from the health care team
- Coordinate and provided educational activities for clinical staff based on regulations and quality improvement data
- Created unit based practice models to enhance contemporary nursing practice
- Curriculum development for Charge Nurse and Preceptor Development
- Collaborated with Chief Medical Officer to design an Interdisciplinary Grand Rounds
- Site Administrator and coordinator of Nursing Program clinical group and student intern placements
Nurse Manager
Baystate Franklin Medical Center
02.2004 - 05.2009
- Managed 12 RN FTE’s in the Intensive Care Unit
- Managed 42 RN; C.N.A and Health Unit Clerk FTE’s on the Telemetry Unit
- Ensured excellence in the clinical practice of nursing and the delivery of patient care
- Provided leadership and collaboration in setting the direction of my unit while being responsive to changing internal and external factors
- Initiated a Rapid Response Team and introduced a Family Activated Rapid Response
- Lead and facilitated the implementation of the Electronic Medical Record
- Led and facilitated two Joint Commission Accreditation Survey’s 2005 & 2008
- Created an environment where open, honest communication allows for equality, shared responsibility and trust
- Developed a strong team atmosphere
- Communicates clear and realistic expectations for individual and team performance
- Monitors and ensures financial stability of unit performance
Education
DNP - Nursing
Capella
Minneapolis, MN09.2026
Master of Science - Nursing
University of Hartford
West Hartford, CT06.2011
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Massachusetts
Amherst MA05.2007
Skills
- Leadership
- Clinical Quality Program Standards
- Nursing Operations Management
- Staff recruitment and retention
- Coaching & Mentoring
- Professional Development
- Policy Development
- Relationship Building
Timeline
Director of Nursing Hospital Services
Valley Regional Hospital
03.2023 - Current
Chief Nursing Officer
Brattleboro Retreat
06.2020 - 11.2023
Associate Chief Nursing Officer
Brattleboro Retreat
09.2019 - 06.2020
Director of Professional Development
Brattleboro Retreat
05.2018 - 11.2019
Nurse Practice Educator
Baystate Franklin Medical Center
10.2009 - 04.2018
Nurse Manager
Baystate Franklin Medical Center
02.2004 - 05.2009
DNP - Nursing
Capella
Master of Science - Nursing
University of Hartford
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Massachusetts
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