Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Awards
Timeline
RegisteredNurse

Kirtina Howell

Registered Nurse
Erda,UT

Summary

Knowledgeable Nurse Manager with excellent conflict resolution and problem-solving abilities demonstrated across 9-year career history. Keeps units running at peak efficiency, quality and performance. Excellent communication and coordination skills.

Overview

21
21
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education

Work History

Nurse Manager, Float Pool

George E Wahlen VA Medical Center
Salt Lake City, UT
10.2019 - Current
  • Supervise, direct and motivate high-quality performance from nursing staff.
  • Manage 30 nurses, nursing assistants, lodging staff, and Transfer Nurse Coordinator, by providing comprehensive nursing guidance and maintaining outstanding patient satisfaction and care standards.
  • Investigate and independently resolve complaints from staff, Veterans and Hotels by leveraging clinical judgment and unit management expertise.
  • Foster improvement in staff development, personnel training and standards of patient care.
  • Promote professional development opportunities to encourage nurses to pursue continuous training.
  • Coordinate and implemented in-service educational programs focusing on safety and adherence to protocols.

Assistant Nurse Manager, Float Pool

George E Wahlen VA Medical Center
Salt Lake City, UT
02.2019 - 10.2019
  • Supervised professional and paraprofessional nursing staff and delegated tasks to maintain continuum of care.
  • Managed 10 nursing assistants-providing comprehensive nursing guidance and maintaining outstanding patient satisfaction and care standards
  • As Unit Education Coordinator, evaluated skills of nursing personnel and verified staff certifications for validity.
  • Fostered improvement in staff development, personnel training and standards of patient care.
  • Established and continuously optimized unit schedules and individual work assignments.
  • Coordinated and implemented in-service educational programs focusing on safety and adherence to protocols.

Staff Nurse, Float Pool

George E Wahlen VA Medical Center
Salt Lake City, UT
09.2013 - 10.2019
  • Gathered patient health data through interviews and observation, documenting data in electronic records.
  • Performed various nursing interventions such as wound dressing, vital sign monitoring and specimen collection.
  • Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options.
  • Administered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
  • Reported patients' status and delegated nurse assignments to achieve optimal outcomes.
  • Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches.
  • Taught patients how to improve lifestyle choices, dramatically reducing chance of symptom reoccurrence.
  • Collected blood, tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
  • Assessed physical, psychological, physiologic and cognitive status of patients.
  • Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.

Post Baccalaureate Registered Nurse

George E Wahlen VA Medical Center
Salt Lake City, UT
09.2012 - 09.2013
  • RN resident integrating post degree knowledge to develop and transition into nursing role. This position provided foundational experience for my nursing career, and carried over into my next role as a Float Pool RN.

Home Health and Hospice Aid

Caresource Home Health And Hospice
Murray , UT
10.1998 - 07.2007
  • Traveled to clients' homes to complete healthcare services and promote continuity of care.
  • Provided excellent care to patients in the home setting. Participated in a supportive role for families during the transition of life.
  • Worked with interdisciplinary staff of medical physicians, social workers, RN case managers, chaplains and therapeutic care managers.
  • Integrated the personal wishes of families and patient to provide a wholesome, supportive environment.

Private Care Giver

Self
Provo , UT
08.1996 - 10.1998
  • Provided assistance in daily living activities by dressing, grooming, bathing and toileting patients.
  • Transported individuals to events and activities, medical appointments and shopping trips.
  • Planned healthy meals, purchased ingredients and cooked meals to provide adequate nutrition for client wellbeing.
  • Administered medication as directed by physician.
  • End of life care

Education

Master of Science - Nursing-Veteran & Military Health Care

University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, CO
08.2019 - 12.2021

Bachelor of Science - Nursing

University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
08.2010 - 05.2012

Associate of Science - Nursing Pre Reg

Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City
08.2007 - 12.2009

Emergency Medical Technician

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT
08.1992 - 12.1992

Skills

    Staff leadership

undefined

Affiliations

American Nurses Association 2012-present

Phi Theta Kappa International 2020-present

Utah Nurses Association 2012-Present

Awards

Spirit of George E Wahlen nominee 2021

Secretary's Award for Excellence in Nursing SLC VA 2019


Timeline

Nurse Manager, Float Pool

George E Wahlen VA Medical Center
10.2019 - Current

Master of Science - Nursing-Veteran & Military Health Care

University of Colorado Denver
08.2019 - 12.2021

Assistant Nurse Manager, Float Pool

George E Wahlen VA Medical Center
02.2019 - 10.2019

Staff Nurse, Float Pool

George E Wahlen VA Medical Center
09.2013 - 10.2019

Post Baccalaureate Registered Nurse

George E Wahlen VA Medical Center
09.2012 - 09.2013

Bachelor of Science - Nursing

University of Utah
08.2010 - 05.2012

Associate of Science - Nursing Pre Reg

Salt Lake Community College
08.2007 - 12.2009

Home Health and Hospice Aid

Caresource Home Health And Hospice
10.1998 - 07.2007

Private Care Giver

Self
08.1996 - 10.1998

Emergency Medical Technician

Utah Valley University
08.1992 - 12.1992
Kirtina HowellRegistered Nurse