KRISTEN RAGAS
BELLE CHASSE,LA
Summary
Patient-oriented Registered Nurse with 19 years of diverse experience in direct patient care, staff supervision and department operations. Skilled at multitasking and prioritizing patient needs and daily assignments. Offering expertise with Mother/Baby, Post-op GYN surgeries, Level 1 NICU and Medical/Surgical specialties.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Staff RN
Ochsner Medical Center
03.2019 - Current
- Mother/Baby Unit
- Observe and record patient behavior
- Perform physical assessments
- Collect patient health history
- Counsel and educate patients and their families on treatment plans
- Administer medication, change wound dressings and other ordered treatments
- Read and interpret patient information, orders and making nursing treatment decisions when appropriate
- Consult with supervisors and doctors to decide on the best treatment plan for patients
- Direct and supervise nurses and nurse assistants
- Research ways to improve healthcare processes and improve patient outcomes
- Monitored patients' conditions and reported changes in physical presentation, appearance, and behavior to discuss treatment with physicians.
- Assessed physical, psychological, physiologic, and cognitive status of patients.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Collaborated with physicians, pharmacists and therapists to deliver quality, evidence-based care.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, and catheter insertion.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Directed patient care by initiating and following through with plan of care, continuing care, and discharge instructions.
- Precepted student nurses and oriented new hires, providing guidance and mentorship when teaching on hospital policies, emergency procedures, and nursing best practices.
- Collected blood, tissue, and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
- Coordinated patient discharge planning to provide post-discharge patient care, promoting healing and recovery.
- 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.
RN Auditor
Ochsner Medical Center
02.2014 - 05.2023
- Conducted audits for all departments at the Ochsner Westbank facility, reviewing charges and opportunities for departmental education
- This was completed by reviewing patient accounts, including procedure notes, progress notes, orders, medication administration reports and images
- In 2020, the Nurse Audit team became service line based rather than facility based. Covered Women’s Services and Radiology service lines
- Resolved HUB Tickets for Radiology for the entire Ochsner system
- As a Nurse Auditor, monitored account, claim review and claim edit WQs, including CCA edits
- Also as a Nurse Auditor, worked closely with Registration, Coding and Billing, reviewing and verifying coding, billing and that charges were appropriately reported.
Travel RN
Mercy Southwest Hospital
11.2010 - 12.2013
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- 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.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
Staff RN
Ochsner Hospital
11.2005 - 10.2010
- Medical Surgical Unit (Charge RN), Mother/Baby Unit
- Please see description above
Paralegal
Plaquemines Parish Government
01.1998 - 05.2005
- Paralegal for the Plaquemines Parish Attorney and 5 Assistant Parish Attorneys
- Managed scheduling of court calendars and deadlines to maintain smooth flow of firm operations.
- Edited and proofread legal documents to verify accuracy.
- Maintained and updated organized client contact information to keep in touch with clients and provide updates on cases.
- Conducted detailed client intakes and entered information into company database.
- Communicated with clients, opposing counsel and court personnel to keep all parties informed on case updates.
- Assisted counsel in preparing answers, providing documentation, and information for discovery request.
- Prepared legal briefs, motions, and pleadings.
- Liaised with other paralegals and legal staff to complete common tasks on schedule.
- Helped attorneys prepare for trial by organizing exhibits and calling on witnesses to testify at hearings.
- Summarized depositions, medical records, legal documents and other material to provide attorney with relevant material for cases.
- Contacted clients to schedule appointments and discuss progress of cases.
- Revised and finalized letters, briefs, and memos.
- Produced legal documents such as briefs, pleadings and appeals.
- Researched statutes, decisions, legal articles, and codes.
- Reviewed, edited and proofread litigation for proper grammar, spelling and punctuation.
- Attended court hearings and depositions to take notes and document proceedings.
- Prepared various exhibits for attorneys for public meetings, zoning commission meetings, and legal resolutions.
- Wrote and filed pleadings with The 25th Judicial District Court of Plaquemines Parish on schedule to maximize case success.
Education
No Degree - SANE
Louisiana State University
New Orleans Campus01.2020
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
William Carey University
New Orleans, Louisiana08.2005
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - Paralegal Studies
Tulane University
New Orleans, Louisiana01.2001
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Nicholls State University
Thibodaux, Louisiana05.1999
Skills
- LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS/ COMPUTER SYSTEMS
- Current RN Licenses: Louisiana Compact License
- EPIC, Meditech, McKesson
- Microsoft Word, Excel, OneNote, PowerPoint
- Medication Administration
- Diabetes Management
- Specimen Collection
- Vaccine Administration
- Student Precepting
- Surgical Assistance (Circumcisions)
Accomplishments
- Certifications: BLS, NRP
Timeline
Staff RN
Ochsner Medical Center
03.2019 - Current
RN Auditor
Ochsner Medical Center
02.2014 - 05.2023
Travel RN
Mercy Southwest Hospital
11.2010 - 12.2013
Staff RN
Ochsner Hospital
11.2005 - 10.2010
Paralegal
Plaquemines Parish Government
01.1998 - 05.2005
No Degree - SANE
Louisiana State University
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
William Carey University
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - Paralegal Studies
Tulane University
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Nicholls State University
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