Krista Wedgeworth
Fosters,AL
Summary
Registered Nurse with over thirty years of experience in patient education and care. Proven track record of enhancing patient outcomes through effective communication and quality improvement initiatives. Expertise in evidence-based therapeutic care and training nursing staff. Recognized for leadership in collaborative environments and commitment to exceptional patient service.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse Care Coordinator
Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
01.2023 - Current
- Educates patients and families on healthcare practices and VA processes.
- Trains nursing and administrative staff on community care processes and policies.
- Collaborates with providers and vendors to develop patient treatment plans.
- Mentors new RNs and MSAs on community care practices and standards.
- Provides education to patients with chronic illnesses.
- Utilizes critical thinking skills to assess and prioritize patient needs.
- Achieves departmental goals and objectives by adhering to best practice standards.
- Organizes care for patients in the community to ensure continuity of care.
- Participates in continuing education programs to maintain professional competency.
- Educates families about available resources within the community that may assist with meeting their loved one's long-term care needs.
- Coordinates referrals for specialty services, and provides follow-up with providers as needed.
- Created instructional materials to assist in training new staff members.
Primary Care Registered Nurse
Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
05.2021 - 01.2023
- Trained new nursing staff on protocols and procedures to enhance operational efficiency.
- Educated patients, caregivers, and families on diagnoses, treatment options, and disease prevention strategies.
- Counseled patients regarding health promotion activities, including diet, exercise, and immunizations.
- Maintained accurate medical records in compliance with HIPAA regulations.
- Coordinated with healthcare providers to ensure continuity of patient care across all settings.
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing patient safety outcomes.
- Developed individualized patient care plans while monitoring progress towards established goals.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to create comprehensive discharge plans for transitioning patients.
Long-Term Care Registered Nurse
Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
11.2020 - 05.2021
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to improve patient care quality.
- Educated patients and families on effective health management practices.
- Reported abnormalities or changes in resident conditions promptly to physician and supervisor.
- Advocated for patient needs and implemented treatment plans with interdisciplinary team.
- Provided mentorship and guidance to new nursing staff in best practices.
- Responded promptly to condition changes and emergencies to ensure quality care.
- Monitored Veteran's health through regular assessments of conditions and care efficacy.
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Birmingham VA Medical Center
Birmingham, Alabama
02.2020 - 11.2020
- Assisted in complex procedures and provided support to physicians.
- Educated patients and families on treatment plans and discharge instructions.
- Trained new nursing staff on ICU policies and procedures effectively.
- Performed bedside procedures such as wound dressing changes, catheterizations, IV starts and changes, tracheostomy care.
- Responded quickly and effectively to code blue situations for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and advanced cardiac life support.
- Monitored ventilator settings and adjusted as needed according to physician orders or established protocols.
- Prioritized multiple tasks while maintaining excellent standards of care delivery.
- Evaluated the effectiveness of nursing interventions through ongoing assessment of patient responses and outcomes.
- Educated families on proper homecare techniques for post-discharge planning purposes.
- Contributed to the development and revision of ICU policies and procedures to improve patient outcomes and workflow efficiency.
- Conducted research and participated in educational opportunities to remain at the forefront of critical care nursing.
- Managed comprehensive care for critically ill patients, ensuring adherence to ICU protocols and guidelines.
- Trained new nursing staff and students, sharing knowledge and best practices in critical care nursing.
- Led initiatives to improve patient safety and quality of care, staying updated with the latest ICU practices and technologies.
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
UAB Medicine
Birmingham, Alabama
01.2016 - 02.2020
- Executed bedside procedures, including wound dressing changes, catheterizations, and IV management.
- Maintained precise documentation of patient assessments and treatments in electronic medical records.
- Collaborated with healthcare professionals to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
- Provided critical care in fast-paced environments for severely ill patients.
- Cultivated strong relationships with interdisciplinary teams across hospital departments.
- Responded promptly to code blue situations, performing advanced cardiac life support.
- Managed multiple tasks while delivering high-quality patient care standards.
- Monitored and adjusted ventilator settings according to physician orders and protocols.
Education
Nursing
University of Alabama At Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama, AL04-2019
Associate of Science - Nursing
Shelton State Community College
Tuscaloosa, AL08-1995
Skills
- Clinical expertise
- Leadership and mentoring
- Quality improvement
- Effective communication
- Teaching strategies
- Problem solving
- Critical thinking
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Registered Nurse Care Coordinator
Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center
01.2023 - Current
Primary Care Registered Nurse
Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center
05.2021 - 01.2023
Long-Term Care Registered Nurse
Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center
11.2020 - 05.2021
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Birmingham VA Medical Center
02.2020 - 11.2020
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
UAB Medicine
01.2016 - 02.2020
Nursing
University of Alabama At Birmingham
Associate of Science - Nursing
Shelton State Community College