KRISTIN GATES-JOHNSON
Sauk Centre
Summary
Compassionate healthcare professional specializing in patient-centered care and complex case management. Builds strong relationships with patients, families, and healthcare teams to create coordinated care plans. Leverages medical expertise to advocate for patients, enhancing satisfaction and outcomes. Collaborative and resourceful, committed to optimizing healthcare delivery and driving organizational goals.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse, Radiation Oncology
CentraCare Health System
Alexandria
08.2025 - Current
- Educated patients and families about treatment procedures and side effects.
- Collaborated with oncologists and radiologists on patient care strategies.
- Implemented strategies to promote physical comfort during radiotherapy sessions such as positioning techniques or administration of analgesics and sedatives when appropriate.
- Participated in team meetings to discuss patient care improvements and protocols.
- Provided emotional support to patients coping with cancer diagnoses.
- Documented patient responses and treatment progress in electronic health records.
- Provided patient education on the risks, benefits, expectations, and side effects associated with radiation therapy.
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
CentraCare Health System
Melrose
09.2025 - 03.2026
- Provided direct nursing care to medical-surgical patients including assessments, treatments, medications and documentation of care.
- Provided patient care in fast-paced medical-surgical unit.
- Administered medications and monitored patient responses effectively.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team to develop care plans.
- Educated patients and families on health management strategies.
- Adhered to hospital policies and procedures while providing quality patient centered care.
- Demonstrated excellent interpersonal communication skills when interacting with patients, family members, physicians or other healthcare professionals.
- Interpreted and evaluated diagnostic tests to identify and assess patients' condition.
Oncology Nurse Navigator
Alomere Health
Alexandria
12.2024 - 08.2025
- Review all new breast or prostate referrals for patients who have abnormal imaging, positive biopsy testing, elevated PSAs and ensure appropriate workup/labs/scans to be completed prior to consult.
- Educated patients and families on disease process, treatments, side effects, coping strategies, and available resources to enhance understanding and support.
- Monitored patient progress to ensure timely completion of treatment plan objectives, facilitating optimal outcomes.
- Facilitated communication between patients, family members, and healthcare providers to ensure optimal care coordination.
- Developed relationships with external organizations to provide additional support services for oncology patients and their families.
- Identified gaps in care delivery processes through data analysis, leading to quality improvement initiatives that enhanced patient care.
- Utilized critical thinking skills when problem solving challenging situations involving oncology patients or their families.
- Provided emotional support during difficult times while advocating for patient rights throughout the continuum of care.
- Coordinated care transitions across multiple settings including home health agencies or hospice programs.
RN/Case Manager
Aveanna Home Healthcare
Waite Park
01.2024 - 12.2024
- The Registered Nurse is responsible for providing and documenting skilled nursing care in accordance with the developed care plan and physicians' orders for each individual patient while adhering to confidentiality standards and professional boundaries at all times.
- Develop a plan of care through physician orders, client input, and nursing assessment to include medical interventions and measurable goals and outcomes.
- Educate clients and their family members based on client's specific needs.
- Properly orient and train primary caregivers to ensure the most optimal functioning level for each client.
- Coordinate the continuum of hands on client care through documentation and timely communication with the client's physician and other caregivers.
- Provide care in patients home using a variety of skills such as phone triage, patient education, observation/assessment, wound care, infusions, catheter care, PICC line dressing changes etc.
RN/Account Executive
Aveanna Home Healthcare
Waite Park
09.2022 - 12.2023
- The Home Health Account Executive is responsible for successfully marketing to doctors' offices, hospitals, nursing facilities, ALF's (Assisted Living Facilities) and various communities and organizations to achieve the Company's financial and market share goals.
- Educated potential customers and referral sources on healthcare services to drive awareness and engagement.
- Established trusted relationships with referral sources and in-house staff to enhance collaboration and referrals.
- Prospected new accounts and maintained current accounts while ensuring compliance with all sales policies and procedures.
RN, Director of Health Services
Highland Senior Living
Little Falls
09.2021 - 08.2022
- Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of nursing care and services provided to residents and is responsible for daily clinical operations.
- Training and orientation of new staff, skills fair and continuing education and training for current staff.
- Kept accurate records and charts related to medications and treatments according to policies, procedures, and physician orders.
- Reported symptoms, condition changes and vital signs to primary care doctors, patients, and families.
- Performed ongoing patient assessments, notifying supervising clinician of abnormal findings.
- Maintained confidentiality in patient matters to comply with HIPAA guidelines and measures.
- Conducted patient assessment, prioritizing data collection based on patient condition or needs.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to make sound clinical judgments in complex situations.
- Educated patients on preventative healthcare measures.
- Demonstrated excellent communication skills when interacting with colleagues, supervisors, and patients.
- Developed individualized care plans for each patient based on assessment results, physician orders, and patient goals and needs.
- Protected patients' rights and dignity by delivering care without judgment or discrimination.
- Educated patient and family members on symptom management and supportive treatments to improve continuity of care.
RN, Director of Health Services
Fairway Pines Senior Living
Sauk Centre
09.2020 - 09.2021
- Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of nursing care and services provided to residents and is responsible for daily clinical operations.
- Training and orientation of new staff, skills fair and continuing education and training for current staff.
- Kept accurate records and charts related to medications and treatments according to policies, procedures, and physician orders.
- Reported symptoms, condition changes and vital signs to primary care doctors, patients, and families.
- Performed ongoing patient assessments, notifying supervising clinician of abnormal findings.
- Maintained confidentiality in patient matters to comply with HIPAA guidelines and measures.
- Conducted patient assessment, prioritizing data collection based on patient condition or needs.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to make sound clinical judgments in complex situations.
- Educated patients on preventative healthcare measures.
- Demonstrated excellent communication skills when interacting with colleagues, supervisors, and patients.
- Developed individualized care plans for each patient based on assessment results, physician orders, and patient goals and needs.
- Protected patients' rights and dignity by delivering care without judgment or discrimination.
- Educated patient and family members on symptom management and supportive treatments to improve continuity of care.
LPN
Fairway Pines Senior Living
Sauk Centre
09.2019 - 07.2020
- Assisted tenants with medication dispensing, assessed vital signs and lung sounds, documented changes in condition, obtained blood glucose readings, administered insulin, and oversaw home health aides to ensure comprehensive care.
- Supervised medication distribution and monitored patients for progress and side effects, ensuring adherence to treatment plans.
- Collaborated with physicians and healthcare professionals to coordinate and enhance patient care.
- Took and recorded vital signs in patients to determine fitness and identify immediate health issues.
- Followed medication management procedures to comply with state and company guidelines.
- Maintained patient charts and medical records in EMR software.
- Complied with HIPAA guidelines to protect privacy of patients.
- Trained new nurses on departmental protocols as well as general nursing procedures.
LPN
Lake Region Healthcare Inc.
Fergus Falls
06.2016 - 08.2019
- Delivered direct patient care by taking vital signs, managing medication updates in medical charts, and conducting EKGs and spirometry.
- Administered vaccines and medications by oral, IM, SQ or ID routes.
- Monitored patient health conditions and scheduled appointments to provide further care.
- Assisted provider with procedures, scheduled appointments, made referrals, and communicated results to patients.
- Collaborated with physicians and other healthcare professionals to deliver quality care.
- Developed strong relationships with patients, families, and medical staff through effective communication and interpersonal skills.
- Recorded essential information about patient issues and communicated to doctor during appointments.
- Assisted with collection, labeling, and timely processing of specimens.
- Complied with HIPAA guidelines to protect privacy of patients.
- Contributed positively to a team environment through open communication, respect for diversity, flexibility, reliability, and professionalism.
- Trained new nurses on departmental protocols and nursing procedures to ensure consistency in care.
- Working directly with a provider in the internal medicine department of the clinic.
- Submitted health-related information into online database to maintain records.
Education
Associate in Science (A.S.) - Nursing
Alexandria Technical and Community College
Alexandria, MN05-2020
Nursing (LPN) diploma - Nursing
Alexandria Technical and Community College
Alexandria, MN05-2016
Skills
- Clinical assessment
- Radiation safety
- Patient-Centered Care
- Patient Education
- Case Management
- Time Management
- Analytical Thinker
- Critical Thinking
- Organizational skills
- Team Leadership
- Communication skills
- Family advocacy
Certification
- Registered Nurse, 06/01/20
- Licensed Practical Nurse, 05/01/16
- American Heart Association BLS, 01/01/26
- ACLS Certified, expires 11/2027
Timeline
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
CentraCare Health System
09.2025 - 03.2026
Registered Nurse, Radiation Oncology
CentraCare Health System
08.2025 - Current
Oncology Nurse Navigator
Alomere Health
12.2024 - 08.2025
RN/Case Manager
Aveanna Home Healthcare
01.2024 - 12.2024
RN/Account Executive
Aveanna Home Healthcare
09.2022 - 12.2023
RN, Director of Health Services
Highland Senior Living
09.2021 - 08.2022
RN, Director of Health Services
Fairway Pines Senior Living
09.2020 - 09.2021
LPN
Fairway Pines Senior Living
09.2019 - 07.2020
LPN
Lake Region Healthcare Inc.
06.2016 - 08.2019
Associate in Science (A.S.) - Nursing
Alexandria Technical and Community College
Nursing (LPN) diploma - Nursing
Alexandria Technical and Community College