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
Dementia and Alzheimer's knowledge
EMR / EHR
Staff assignments
Utilization review
Case management
Efficient and reliable team player
Indirect Patient Care
Adaptable
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