Kirsten Lyons
CANAAN,NH
Summary
Highly skilled and enthusiastic professional with more than 35 years of experience in hands on patient and resident care. Dedicated to promoting quality patient, resident and family satisfaction and offering experience in nursing and healthcare administration. Possesses proven track record of providing excellent leadership and mentoring, and maintaining compliance with regulatory standards.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Nursing
Coos County Nursing Hospital
02.2017 - 05.2023
- Monitored and evaluated nursing staff performance, providing feedback and guidance to support standards of care.
- Established and maintained effective communication with staff, physicians and community organizations to promote high quality patient care.
- Built and maintained positive working relationships with physicians and staff to support seamless healthcare operations.
- Oversaw and approved recruitment, hiring and orientation of new nursing staff.
- Participated in management team meetings to discuss resident status, census changes, and resident complaints or concerns.
- Worked closely administration to develop and implement best practices to improve patient outcomes.
- Facilitated continuing education and training programs to drive staff competency and professional development.
- Performed rounds to observe care and interview staff, residents, and families.
- Collaborated with staff, management, and external groups to coordinate patient care.
- Established new policies and updated existing policies to improve standard of care for patients.
- Identified department issues to recommend corrective actions.
- Developed positive employee relations, incentives, and recognition programs to promote teamwork and mutual respect.
- Conducted routine facility inspections, identifying areas needing improvement and eliminating hazards posed to staff and residents for continued compliance with associated regulations.
- Monitored and inspected staff processes to eliminate hazards posed for both residents and staff while ensuring continuous compliance with regulations.
- Evaluated work performance of over 80 nursing personnel to determine wage increases and implement discipline.
- Created customized care plans, working with hospital staff and families to assess and meet individual needs.
- Communicated with patients, ensuring that medical information was kept private.
School Health Nurse
SAU #7
09.1995 - 06.2017
- Administered medication to students as prescribed by physicians to provide necessary treatment and manage health conditions.
- Assessed student health and identified potential health concerns to provide appropriate care.
- Provided support to students with special needs and disabilities to deliver appropriate care and meet educational needs.
- Educated students on various health topics to promote overall health and wellbeing.
- Served as liaison between families, school personnel, and other healthcare providers on behalf of students.
- Screened for infectious diseases to help prevent spreading within school community.
- Oversaw health services for school of 95 students and faculty.
- Implemented emergency protocols in medical emergencies to promote safety for students and staff.
- Developed care plans and made referrals as necessary for students with health concerns or injuries.
- Worked with multidisciplinary team to carry out successful treatment plans for diverse acute and chronic conditions.
- Maintained upkeep on defibrillators, blood pressure monitors and first aid kits to keep resources in working condition for emergencies.
- Documented patient vitals, behaviors and conditions to communicate concerns to supervising nurse.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Provided medical consultations to other school personnel to promote well-coordinated school health and safety efforts.
- 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.
Ambulatory Surgical Nurse
Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital
06.1999 - 09.2007
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- 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.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
Clinical Nurse
Indian Stream Health Center
06.1999 - 06.2007
- Served as a clinical resource to staff, patients and families.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary team to evaluate patient data and determine patient care plans.
- Responded to patient emergencies to provide prompt and correct intervention .
- Administered medications and treatments to manage patient's condition.
- Utilized evidence-based practice to assess and provide care for patients.
- Educated patients and families to increase understanding of condition and best ways to manage.
- Documented patient progress and care interventions in medical records.
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives to improve patient care outcomes.
- Facilitated patient and family education and counseling.
- Maintained accurate and comprehensive patient records in line with regulatory standards.
- Demonstrated knowledge of technical procedures and proper equipment use.
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives to improve patient care.
- Maintained patient confidentiality by protecting unauthorized access to personal information.
- Identified clinical risks and took appropriate preventative actions.
- Developed, implemented and monitored clinical protocols and standards of care.
- Monitored patients, evaluated results, and recommended further courses of treatment to quickly improve patient outcomes.
- Developed and maintained collaborative relationships with healthcare providers.
- Stayed current with health system initiatives and incorporated evidence-based practice and research into care routine.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
Registered Nurse Clinical Coordinator
Wentworth Douglass Hospital
02.1992 - 05.1995
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Provided exceptional care to high-acute patients needing complex care such as ventilator management, extensive wound care and rehabilitation.
- Led teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing standard of care and best practices.
- Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
Berlin Vocational School
Berlin, NH05.1987
Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Team Meeting Management
- Long-Term Care
- Regulatory and Statutory Compliance
- Acute Care
- Hazard Elimination
- Quality Assurance
- Risk Management
- Nursing Protocols
- Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration
- Recruiting and Hiring
- Patient Care Assessment
- Performance Evaluations
- Employee Coaching
- Team Supervision
- Quality Improvement
- Effective Multitasking
- Schedule Preparation
- Mass Casualty Incident Planning
- Emergency Response
- Practice Standards
- Leadership and Guidance
- Professional Development
- Nursing Ethics
- Public Speaking
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Staff Scheduling
- Time Management
- Supply Monitoring
- Nursing Recruitment
- Shift Scheduling
- Family Support
Timeline
Director of Nursing
Coos County Nursing Hospital
02.2017 - 05.2023
Ambulatory Surgical Nurse
Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital
06.1999 - 09.2007
Clinical Nurse
Indian Stream Health Center
06.1999 - 06.2007
School Health Nurse
SAU #7
09.1995 - 06.2017
Registered Nurse Clinical Coordinator
Wentworth Douglass Hospital
02.1992 - 05.1995
Associate of Science - Nursing
Berlin Vocational School
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