LaQuanda Kern
Milwaukee,WI
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurse (RN) with progressive career history in direct patient care, triage and care coordination in fast-paced environment. Proven to remain calm under pressure and skillfully handle difficult patients and high-stress situations. Consistently developing strong relationships with patients and families through empathetic communication, respectful attitude and excellent customer service. Committed to delivering advanced level patient care through appropriate education and counseling. Nursing has opened opportunities to explore different areas and aspects of nursing by way of contract, agency, PRN, and per diem assignments.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
RN
Milwaukee Rehab Hospital
Greenfield, Wisconsin
04.2022 - Current
- 13 week Travel Position3/2022 - 7/2022; PRN after 13 weeks
- Agency PRN position at local rehab hospital providing care to patients who are receiving therapy and either transitioning home or to hospice care.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients and determined next course of action.
- Administered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- PICC line infusions/care/lab draw
- Wound Care/Vac
- Surgical Drain Maintenance
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion and airway management.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Collected blood, tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use and disease management.
- Reviewed post-operative orders and continuously monitored patients' post-operative vitals, set up PCA and fluids and oriented patients to unit.
- Teamed on trauma and emergency interventions involving serious head injuries, gunshot wounds, etc..
Surgical Nurse/ Same Day Surgery Nurse
Ascension St. Joseph's Hospital
Milwaukee, WI
02.2022 - Current
- Agency PRN position in 3 areas of Same Day Surgery Dept.
- Maintained sterile surgical environment and secured confidential data to protect patients' health and privacy.
- Assisted families by answering questions, supplying general information and providing frequent updates on patient progress.
- Created warm, supportive atmosphere to keep patients feeling safe and comfortable immediately before, during, and after surgery.
- Communicated medical information and discharge instructions to patients and families to reduce return visits.
- Connected with patients and families from variety of cultural and economic backgrounds to establish and maintain open communication for improved patient outcomes.
- Evaluated patients by assessing to detect contraindications before anesthesia or scheduled surgery.
- Supported Surgeon with up to 4 surgeries per day, including but not limited to ortho, gastric, D&C, OB, & port placement
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints and current symptoms.
- Accurately documented treatment, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions and follow-up care.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- PACU: monitored patients as they recovered and woke up from MAC and/or General Anesthesia
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Implemented care plans for patient treatment after assessing physician medical regimens.
- Documented procedure plans, surgery notes and progress updates to facilitate communication among healthcare providers.
RN
Froedtert Menomonee Falls
Menomonee Falls, WI
08.2021 - Current
- 13 week Contract09/2021 - 01/2022; Per-diem PRN
- Working on Med-Surg/Telemetry unit caring for patients, including assessments, administering medications, monitoring vital signs, completing admissions, discharges, transfers, and end of life care
- Working in Same-Day Surgery Clinic floating from pre-op to post-op (PACU), administering appropriate medications, and taking routine vital signs to ensure patient recovering without complications
- A wide range of patients cared for, including pre/post-op, seizure precautions, neuro, wound care, substance abuse, cardiac, diabetic, and orthopedic.
- Collaborated with physicians to assess patients quickly and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Educated patients, families, and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients, and determined the following action.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion, and airway management.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Collected blood, tissue, and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
- PICC line care
- Wound Vac Care
- Wound Care
- Surgical Drain management and care
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Monitored patient condition by interpreting and tracking EKG readings, identifying irregular telemetry readings, and updating team members on changes in stability or acuity.
- Organized and managed care of patients undergoing various therapies and procedures.
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners, verifying interventions met treatment goals, and identifying insurance coverage limitations.
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
- Taught patients how to improve lifestyle choices, dramatically reducing the chance of symptom reoccurrence.
- Secured controlled narcotics and distributed medication on schedule to meet patient needs and minimize misuse opportunities.
- Maintained quality care and comfort for patients with heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and other conditions.
- Managed quality care for heart failure, end-stage renal disease, and coronary artery disease patients.
- Oversaw delivery of care for patients on the medical-surgical unit, providing direct care, delegating nursing assignments, and the supervising team comprised nurses, LPNs, technicians, and unit clerks.
- Performed arterial cut-downs, inserted central lines, and inserted endotracheal tubes as part of thetrauma team.
RN Vaccinator
AMI - Vaccinator
Racine, WI
03.2021 - Current
- Working in community vaccination clinic giving COVID vaccinations
- Draw up and distribute vaccinations to RNs vaccinated and monitor patients post-vaccination for any adverse reactions.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Monitored patient reactions to drugs and carefully documented findings.
- Draw vaccines and correctly record time opened, temperature settings
- Led mobile teams on events where we set up to vaccinate community members
- Educate patients on adverse reactions and things to watch for after being vaccinated
RN Floor Nurse
Ascension Columbia St. Mary
Milwaukee, WI
11.2019 - 11.2021
- Working on a MedSurg/Telemetry unit caring for patients including assessments, administering medications, monitoring vital signs, completing admissions, discharges, transfers and end of life care.
Nurse Intern
Ascension St. Joseph’s
09.2018 - 08.2019
- Working alongside a RN in Day Surgery preparing patients for surgery, taking vital signs, starting IV and going over consent forms
- Upon the patient’s return after surgery, take vital signs a few times, preparing discharge papers and making sure prescriptions are ready to go home with the patient.
Customer Care Consultant
WeEnergies
12.2010 - 09.2017
- Inbound call center for monopoly energy company
- Our duties are to maintain stats and quality assurance scores to ensure our customers receive the highest quality of care while also knowing what options and services are available.
- Work with customers moving from one location to another and need to transfer their gas and/or electricity to their new residence or business.
- Explain billing and establish pay agreements when necessary.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Herzing University
Brookfield, WI08.2019
High School Diploma -
John Marshall High School
Milwaukee, WI06.1999
Skills
- Specialized Healthcare Referrals
- Medical Supply Management
- Monitoring Vital Signs
- Equipment and Instrument Sterilization
- Clear Patient Communication
- Patient Care Assessment
- Immunizations and Vaccinations
- Compassionate and Caring
- Patient Examination
- Accurate Documentation
- Diet and Nutrition
- Patient Condition Monitoring
- Blood Draw and Sample Collection
- Medical Procedure Preparation
- Medication Side Effect Knowledge
- Heart Failure
- Seizure Disorders
- Pulmonary Conditions
- Interpreting EKGs
- Chest Tubes
- Gynecological Surgery
- Psychiatric Evaluation
- Atrial Fibrillation
- PICC Lines
- Cognitive Psychology
- Patient and Family Advocacy
- Needs Assessment
- Pharmacologic Intervention
- Rehabilitation Assistance
- Routine Examinations
- Diagnostic Test Evaluations
- Infection Control Procedures
- Patient Admission
- Emergency Diagnostics
- Mental and Physical Assessments
- Cerebrovascular Accidents
- Admissions and Discharge Processes
- Wound Management
- Pain Prevention
- Oral Comprehension
- Prescription Drug Recommendations
- Delegation and Motivation
- Acute and Chronic Pain
- Endotracheal Intubation
- Airway Management
- Acute Rehabilitation
- Acute Myocardial Infarction
- Central Line Placement
- Alternative Treatments
- Intramuscular Injections
- Patient Assessments
- Diabetes and nutrition education
- Emergency Procedures
- Procedure preparations
- Vaccine administration
- IV setup
- Patient evaluation
- Tracheostomy Care
- Physical assessments
- Performing EKGs
Certification
- BLS License - exp. 2/2024
- Telemetry
Timeline
RN
Milwaukee Rehab Hospital
04.2022 - Current
Surgical Nurse/ Same Day Surgery Nurse
Ascension St. Joseph's Hospital
02.2022 - Current
RN
Froedtert Menomonee Falls
08.2021 - Current
RN Vaccinator
AMI - Vaccinator
03.2021 - Current
RN Floor Nurse
Ascension Columbia St. Mary
11.2019 - 11.2021
Nurse Intern
Ascension St. Joseph’s
09.2018 - 08.2019
Customer Care Consultant
WeEnergies
12.2010 - 09.2017
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Herzing University
High School Diploma -
John Marshall High School
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