Laura Connelly
Lansing,IA
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.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Laboratory Technician
University Of Iowa Hygenic Laboratories
- Adhered to laboratory safety procedures to maintain compliance with quality control standards.
- Maintained a high level of accuracy in test results by following strict quality control procedures.
- Performed DNA amplification test of samples, to test for Ghororrhea and Chlamydia.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Prepared samples for analysis by performing complex sample preparation tasks.
Dialysis Technician
University Of Iowa Hospital And Clinics
- Ran dialysis treatments from start to finish; including, dialysis machine set up, calculating dry weights, programming dialysis machines, placing needles into fistulas, dialysis machine cleaning and maintenance, and running the dialyzer reuse program.
- Safeguarded patients through vigilant observation for any adverse reactions or complications, taking swift corrective action when necessary.
- Explained dialysis procedures to patients and answered questions and concerns prior to starting dialysis.
- Served as a reliable resource for colleagues, offering guidance on dialysis procedures while fostering a supportive work environment.
- Followed directions when mixing dialysate and priming dialyzer with saline or heparinized solutions.
- Demonstrated proficiency in various types of dialysis equipment, quickly adapting to new technologies as they were introduced.
- Started and ended reverse osmosis water systems and completed water quality monitoring tests.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Applied effective time management techniques to meet tight deadlines.
Dialysis Technician
Tristate Dialysis
- Opened the dialysis unit at 4 am to mix large vats of dialysate.
- Dialysis machine set up.
- Running quality control tests on reverse osmosis water systems.
- Assisting nurses with setting patient's up for their treatments, by documenting current weights and seating patients.
- Machine cleaning and some maintenance after treatments.
- Working on a tight schedule in a fast paced environment.
Waitress
Chicken Steak And Chocolate Cake
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by providing attentive service and anticipating guest needs.
- Maintained clean and welcoming dining environment, ensuring a positive guest experience.
- Demonstrated adaptability by quickly learning new menu items and incorporating them into knowledgeable recommendations for guests.
- Provided support during busy periods by assisting other servers in cleaning tables and resetting them quickly for incoming guests.
- Used cash registers and credit card machines to cash out customers.
- Complied with all company policies regarding uniform standards, punctuality, and professionalism.
- Followed health and safety regulations relevant to hospitality industry to minimize accidents, incidents and liability to restaurant.
Camp Counselor
Wisconsin Badger Camp
- Monitored daily actives and daily cares of up to 5 special needs campers (with physical and mental handicaps).
- Supported campers in realizing their full potential through guidance and encouragement in skill development sessions.
- Maximized camper enjoyment by adapting programs to accommodate diverse interests and abilities.
- Developed strong relationships with co-counselors that resulted in seamless teamwork during challenging situations or emergencies.
- Kept accurate records of each camper''s medical information, dietary restrictions, and emergency contacts as part of maintaining a safe environment for all participants.
- Participated in regular staff meetings to discuss strategies for improvement in areas such as programming, behavior management, and staff training.
- Assisted with maintenance and upkeep of campgrounds to promote clean environment.
- Monitored participation in recreational activities to provide assistance to participants.
- Established lasting connections with campers'' families through consistent communication regarding progress and achievements during their time at camp.
Registered Nurse
Gundersen Health System
11.2003 - Current
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches.
- Implemented evidence-based fall prevention strategies, resulting in a significant decrease in patient falls within the unit.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion, and airway management.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Facilitated patient transitions between different levels of care, ensuring continuity of services and minimizing disruptions in treatment plans.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Monitored patient condition by interpreting and tracking EKG readings, identifying irregular telemetry readings and updating team members on changes in stability or acuity.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities.
- Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing interventions and individualized care plans.
- Provided support for patients'' families during difficult medical decisions or end-of-life care, serving as a liaison between the healthcare team and loved ones.
- Reduced hospital readmissions through effective discharge planning, patient education, and follow-up care coordination.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
- Oversaw delivery of care for patients on medical-surgical unit, providing direct care, delegating nursing assignments and supervising team comprised of nurses, CNAs and Health Unit Coordinators, and Social Workers.
- Maintained quality care and comfort for patients with heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, lobectomies, post coronary bypass graft surgeries, patients with chest tubes, tracheostomies (many times on ventilators), patients requiring high flow oxygen, transvenous pacemakers, heart valve replacements, pulmonary embolisms, and other conditions.
- Demonstrated expertise in wound management techniques resulting in accelerated healing times for patients with complex wounds or pressure injuries.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Served as a preceptor for nursing students during their clinical rotations, providing valuable real-world experience and guidance to foster professional growth.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Proven ability to develop and implement creative solutions to complex problems.
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing Science
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA05.2003
Associate of Science - Medical Assistant
Western Wisconsin Technical College
La Crosse, WI05.1997
No Degree - Studied General Education Classes
University of Wisconsin Centers - Richland Center
Richland Center, WI05.1996
High School Diploma -
Bloomington High School (School No Longer Exists)
Bloomington, WI USA 05.1994
Skills
- Tracheostomy Care
- Managing Ventilator Patients
- Chest Tube Care
- Gastrostomy Tube Care
- IV Drug Therapy Management
- Hospice and Palliative Care
- Chest Pain Management
- Wound Care
- Foley Catheter Insertion and Removal
- Nasogastric Tube Placement and Removal
- Rectal Tube Placement and Removal
- Insulin Medication Assistance (Injections and Drips)
- Diltiazem Drips
- Heparin Drips
- Ketamine Drips
- Esmolol Drips
- Amiodarone Drips
- PCA Pump Infusions
- Blood Transfusions
- Family Education
- Strong Clinical Judgment
- Removing Sutures
- Admissions and Discharges
- Feeding Pumps
- Administering Immunizations
- Medication Administration
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Gundersen Health System
11.2003 - Current
Laboratory Technician
University Of Iowa Hygenic Laboratories
Dialysis Technician
University Of Iowa Hospital And Clinics
Dialysis Technician
Tristate Dialysis
Waitress
Chicken Steak And Chocolate Cake
Camp Counselor
Wisconsin Badger Camp
Associate of Science - Nursing Science
Kirkwood Community College
Associate of Science - Medical Assistant
Western Wisconsin Technical College
No Degree - Studied General Education Classes
University of Wisconsin Centers - Richland Center
High School Diploma -
Bloomington High School (School No Longer Exists)
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