Kylah Gardiner, RN, MSN, CDCES, PHN, CSN
Summary
I am a Registered Nurse with a strong foundation in both clinical and school settings, complemented by leadership experience. I am seeking the position of Lead School Nurse, where I can combine my passion for health and education to positively impact students and staff. I am deeply committed to fostering a cohesive, professional, equitable, and proactive health services team—one that ensures students receive the care they need, when they need it, so they can thrive academically and beyond. I am a strong advocate for student wellness, inclusion, and equitable access to care, and I am equally passionate about supporting the professional growth and development of school nurses. I would be honored to lead CJUSD's nursing team in advancing a culture of excellence in student health.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
School Nurse
Colton Joint Unified School District
07.2019 - Current
- Identifies students with health, mental health, and other special needs and takes the appropriate action to ensure health needs are met so students can thrive in their education
- Essential member of the IEP team that helps evaluate and determine the eligibility of students for special education programs, evaluates health status of students, provides nursing services as necessary, acts as a liason between health and education, providing health trainings and education as needed, and makes referrals to other resources/agencies when appropriate
- Conducts health assessments, creates and updates individualized healthcare plans, monitors student’s health and care, and provides direct patient care to students
- Articulates school health services with those of physicians, dentists, community agencies and other resources.
- Provide health counseling and guidance when necessary
- Monitors compliance with communicable disease policies and procedures
- Demonstrates professional growth by participating in professional organizations and educational activities
- Participates and makes recommendations in the district health services program and serves as a resource person to teachers and staff
- Conduct State and District mandated screening programs
- Monitor the maintenance of accurate health records, medication records, and an accurate list of students with health conditions
- Develops training and education material for staff, students and families
- Presents health education and in-service programs as need
- Train, monitor and supervisor personnel who provide specialized physical health care per CA education code
- Maintains a program of accountability and evaluation in an effort to produce visible and measurable results
- Develops and implemented policies and protocols
Part Time Faculty for the School of Nursing
CSU Fullerton
08.2023 - Current
- Part-time faculty teaching courses in the School Nurse Credential Program
- Courses taught have included, advanced pediatric health assessment and school nurse practicum
- Facilitate learning for students that meet student’s diverse and unique learning needs in an inclusive environment
- Deliver engaging lectures to a diverse student population, that meet student's unique learning needs, on
various nursing topics including advanced health assessment and nursing in the school setting - Develop course materials such as syllabi, lesson plans, instructional material, and assignments
- Evaluate student performance and learning through formal and informal assessments and provide
constructive feedback and support - Maintain communication with students outside of class hours to address questions and concerns and provide
additional support to enhance learning - Participated in professional development activities to enhance nursing and teaching practice
RN Care Manager to Program Coordinator
San Bernardino County, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC)-Inpatient and Outpatient, Diabetes Specialty
08.2016 - 07.2019
- Program Coordinator for the Diabetes Department
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives and program development
- Lead the development of and managed the NACo award winning, Diabetes F.I.T. program
- Part of development team for the S.H.A.P.E. program, which integrated mental health services with primary healthcare
- Part of RN Care Management team which received 2016 California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems (CAPH)/California Health Care Safety Net Institute (SNI) Quality Leaders Award for Ambulatory Care Redesign for High Utilization Patient Care Outreach Program.
- Developed, implemented, and updated policies and protocols, educational material, diabetes curriculum, promotional material, and documentation templates
- Monitored program outcomes and made adjustments to improve patient care and outcomes as need
- Completed learning activities to stay up to date on best practices and incorporated best practices into current practice and health programs, to improve patient outcomes, ensure compliance, and to meet standards of care
- Represented program interests and provided expertise for patient services on interdepartmental committees and task forces
- Supervised nurse educators, registered nurses, and diabetes staff team
- Participated in leadership development
- Ensured compliance with regulatory requirements and quality standards and participated in clinical audits and program evaluations
- Collected data and statistical analysis, completed necessary data reporting to regulatory and accreditation agencies, and maintained accreditation status for health programs
- Monitored staff and provider compliance with policy, regulatory requirements, and state-of-the-art practice in area of specialty
- Completed billing and monitored compliance
- Interacted with external agencies, community groups, providers, regulatory authorities and functioned as liaison between services, providers, patients, and families
- Coordinated and led interdisciplinary team meetings
- Provided trainings and in-services to clinical and hospital nurses and staff
- Functioned as the clinical expert in diabetes, identifying physical and psychosocial issues impacting patient well-being and acted as a consultant to staff, students, and physicians regarding patient care for diabetes
- Collaborated with providers and other health care professionals to provide care to a medically complex patient population, performed medication management based upon standing orders and protocols, and served as patient advocate
- Managed a caseload of patients, providing comprehensive care coordination and advocacy
Registered Nurse II-Public Health Nurse
San Bernardino County, Department of Aging and Adult Services-In Home, Public Health
09.2014 - 08.2016
- Provided care and case management for patients with disabilities in the in-home support services program, clients ranged from birth through seniors
- Completed leadership development program and participated in professional growth and leadership trainings
- Participated in multidisciplinary team and county wide committees
- Provided education, resources and referrals to patients and families
- Educated patients and families on a variety of medical and health care topics related to patients’ health care needs
- Home Visits: Assessed patients’ needs for In Home Health Support Services and provided patient education, referrals, resources, and case management as needed
- Served with Adult Protective Services as needed on cases: case management, nursing assessment of patient’s health and needs, and participated in APS Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings
Public Health Nurse, Supervisor
Riverside-San Bernardino County Indian Health-Home Visits, Primary & Specialty Care Outpatient Clinics, Public Health
04.2014 - 09.2014
- Supervised Outreach Staff
- Managed high-risk patients ranging from birth through seniors and provided case management services
- Completed telephone visits, face to face visits in the patients’ home or at Indian Health Clinic
- Created and maintained care plans
- Oversaw and provided direct patient care
- Educated patients and families on a variety of medical and health care topics related to patients’ health care needs (treatments, medications, home management, diet, exercise, etc)
- Traveled throughout Riverside County for Home Visits to monitor patients’ status and provide further care as needed
- Set up, supervised, and ran monthly health education, awareness, and screening events.
- Set up, supervised, and ran monthly Immunization Clinics.
- Served as liaison between patients, the community and healthcare clinics and served as patient advocate
- Assisted in Health Clinic as needed and worked closely with clinic staff and clinic doctors.
Registered Nurse II, BSN
Redlands Community Hospital-Med/Surg and Pediatric Unit
01.2013 - 04.2014
- Safely cared for multiple patients in a medical surgical and pediatric unit
- Assessed, planned and evaluated the nursing care needs of patients
- Performed physical assessments on all patients
- Compiled admission profile on all new patients, including history of present and past illness(es)
- Developed and revised (as needed) patient care plans, including goals based on nursing diagnoses
- Implemented patient care plans: included patient and family in the planning process
- Educated patients on their illness(es), surgeries, and health
- Educated and counseled family members related to patient’s health care needs
- Identified discharge planning needs and worked with case managers and doctor’s to ensure patient’s discharge needs were met
- Carried out physician orders
- Communicated with physicians and updated physicians on patient status and needs
- Assisted physician during procedures
- Administered prescribed medications, applied dressings, handled wound care, and monitored vital signs and labs
- Ensured the proper handling of specimens
- Monitored, recorded and communicated patient condition as appropriate utilizing computerized documentation system- Meditech
- Completed timely and regular charting
- Provided individulized, age and culturally appropriate care
- Followed Standard Precautions using personal protective
- Supervised and provided leadership over nursing team consisting of LVN’s and CNA’s
- Supervised and mentored student nurses
Student Nurse
Redlands Community Hospital-Med/Surg and Pediatric Unit
07.2011 - 12.2012
- Under the guidance of the nurse, participated in all aspects of care including bathing, dressing, feeding, oral care, turning q 2 hours, helping patients walk, monitored intake and output, monitoring vital signs and providing patient care.
- Under the guidance of the employee health nurse, administered TB shots to the staff of Redlands Community Hospital
Adjunct Faculty for the School of Nursing
California Baptist University
12.2022 - 05.2023
- -Plans, supervises, and evaluates student learning for nursing students in bachelor degree programs
- -Provides timely feedback to students
- -Provides effective instruction and guidance to students
Nursing Preceptor
West Coast University
01.2022 - 05.2022
- -Functioned as a nursing preceptor for graduate nursing students in the school nurse/public health setting.
- -Facilitated a learning environment that promotes critical thinking on the part of the student.
- -Identified goals and learning objectives based on students’ expected outcomes and provided opportunities for student to expand their knowledge and skills.
- -Utilized appropriate teaching methods to help the student meet his or her learning objectives.
- -Assisted the student to develop and improve performance, including practicum goals.
- -Provided evaluation of students’ learning objectives.
- -Provided ongoing and final evaluations of student performance.
- Volunteer
Education
Masters of Science in Nursing - Emphasis in Nursing Education
Grand Canyon University
12.2022
School Nurse Credential Program -
California State University Fullerton
05.2021
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
California State University San Bernardino School of Nursing
12.2012
Skills
- Exceptional leadership skills and effective team management
- Excellent time management and organizational skills
- Collaborative nature with excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Team player that supports collaboration and professional growth and development
- Strong problem solving and critical thinking skills
- Skilled in program development and improvement
- Proficient in compliance, regulations and billing standards
- Advanced computer skills and literacy
- Strong policy and protocol development skills
- Extensive experience in curriculum, educational and training material development
- Strong skills in staff training and development
- Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist
Certification
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Credentialed School Nurse (CSN)
- Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES)
- Public Health Nurse Certificate (PHN)
- American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS)
Awards and Accomplishments
- 2019 NACo Award Winner for the Diabetes F.I.T. Education Program
- 2016 California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems (CAPH)/California Health Care Safety Net Institute (SNI) Quality Leaders Award for Ambulatory Care Redesign for High Utilization Patient Care Outreach Program.
- Gardiner, K., Mistretta, D., Rader, B., & Walker, K. (2012) A Mere Toothbrush or a Brilliant Lifesaver. Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing.
Timeline
Part Time Faculty for the School of Nursing
CSU Fullerton
08.2023 - Current
Adjunct Faculty for the School of Nursing
California Baptist University
12.2022 - 05.2023
Nursing Preceptor
West Coast University
01.2022 - 05.2022
School Nurse
Colton Joint Unified School District
07.2019 - Current
RN Care Manager to Program Coordinator
San Bernardino County, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC)-Inpatient and Outpatient, Diabetes Specialty
08.2016 - 07.2019
Registered Nurse II-Public Health Nurse
San Bernardino County, Department of Aging and Adult Services-In Home, Public Health
09.2014 - 08.2016
Public Health Nurse, Supervisor
Riverside-San Bernardino County Indian Health-Home Visits, Primary & Specialty Care Outpatient Clinics, Public Health
04.2014 - 09.2014
Registered Nurse II, BSN
Redlands Community Hospital-Med/Surg and Pediatric Unit
01.2013 - 04.2014
Student Nurse
Redlands Community Hospital-Med/Surg and Pediatric Unit
07.2011 - 12.2012
Masters of Science in Nursing - Emphasis in Nursing Education
Grand Canyon University
School Nurse Credential Program -
California State University Fullerton
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
California State University San Bernardino School of Nursing
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