LAURA HENDERSON
Strafford,MO
Summary
Compassionate Registered Nurse with 14+ years of experience providing high-quality care whether in a fast-paced hospital or underserved community setting. Consistently ensures high standards of patient safety and comfort while working seamlessly with medical and community teams to deliver optimal results. Renowned for reliability, adaptability, and cultivating supportive team environment.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Endoscopy Nurse
Mercy Hospital
Springfield, MO
07.2019 - Current
- Coordinated patient care during endoscopic procedures (EGD, colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, Bravo, capsules, endo Flip, Transoral Incisionless Fundopliation (TIF), ERCP and EUS, ensuring safety and comfort.
- Prepare, operate, and troubleshoot endoscopy tools and equipment with precision.
- Administered conscious sedation and monitor patient's vital signs and responses throughout procedures, reporting any changes to physicians.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams for optimal patient outcomes during complex endoscopy procedures.
- Educated patients and families on pre- and post-procedure care protocols for enhanced recovery.
- Ensured accurate documentation, maintaining detailed records of patient medical histories, assessments, interventions, and outcomes in electronic medical systems.
- Minimized risk of infection by adhering to strict infection control protocols for cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing endoscopic instruments and equipment.
- Initiated and managed peripheral IV access, maintaining a high first-stick success rate
- Precept new nurses, fostering a supportive environment for professional development
Surgical Nurse
Mattax Neu Prater
Springfield, MO
11.2018 - 02.2019
- Provided preoperative and postoperative education to patients and their families.
- Obtained patient’s vital signs and consent for procedures.
- Provided pre-operative calls gathering medical history, reviewing medications, providing instructions and education
- Performed IV insertions and removals.
Community Health Nurse
Springfield-Greene County Health Department
Springfield, MO
08.2012 - 11.2018
- Counsel and educate patients about reproductive health issues and wellness. Expertise in STIs, HIV and Hepatitis.
- Collect blood, vaginal and other laboratory specimens and prepared them for lab testing.
- Manage lab findings in accordance to standing orders and the latest CDC STI Treatment Guidelines.
- Annually update policies and procedures to improve client services.
- Process monthly clinic activity reports for administration.
- Preceptor for nurses, nursing students and residents.
- Developed and instructed reproductive health and healthy relationship programs for at risk youth, drug rehabilitation centers, and domestic violence shelters.
- Ensure proper care and referral services for victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault who presented to clinic.
- Document using electronic medical record.
- Developed electronic medical record training manual and new employee training protocols.
- Assess need for, order, obtain and interpret appropriate lab tests.
- Assist state with disease investigations.
- Administer vaccination.
Personal Care Assistant
Oxford Healthcare
Springfield, MO
11.2006 - 08.2010
- Provided compassionate and patient-focused care to cultivate well-being.
- Monitored clients' overall health and well-being and noted any significant changes.
- Transported clients to and from medical appointments with safety and efficiency.
- Built and maintained rapport with clients and family members to facilitate a trusting caregiver relationship.
- Cleaned residences and care areas to ensure comfort and safety of each client.
- Maintained accurate records of patient care, condition, progress and concerns.
- Monitored vital signs, such as blood pressure and pulse.
- Tested and recorded blood glucose levels.
- Assisted patients with bathing, oral hygiene, grooming, feeding and elimination.
- Helped patients move in and out of beds, baths, wheel-chairs and automobiles.
- Cooked appetizing and satisfying meals and snacks.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Missouri State University
Springfield, MO05-2012
Skills
- Strong clinical judgement
- Problem resolution capability
- Conscious sedation administration
- Pre-and Post-procedure care
- Educator
- Team building
- Affective communication
- IV insertion and management
Accomplishments
- Recipient of the Health Resources & Services Administration Nursing Scholarship
- Published medical alert for syphilis in the Greene County Medical Journal
- Expert speaker on Mycoplasma genitalium at the APIC (Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology) Conference.
- Bi-annual expert speaker on Sexual Transmitted Infections for SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) Training in Missouri
- Lead our Health Department to be the first in the nation to provide Mycoplasma genitalium testing and treatment.
- Co-authored Mycoplasma genitalium research poster presentation.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
- 2014 and 2016 CDC STD Prevention Conference
- 2014 and 2016 Stop the Violence Conference
- Management conference
- How to Write Clear and Concise Policies and Procedures
- Laboratory Services Workshop for LPHA Disease Investigators
- Human Trafficking Medical Training
- Human Trafficking Rescue Project Training
- Human Trafficking Conference
- Understanding Personality Disorders
- Brain2Brain: Using Neuroscience to Facilitate Meaningful Change
- Adverse Childhood Events: Lifelong Consequences and How to Overcome Them
- APIC (Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology)
- Conference Teaching the Adolescent About Avoiding Risky Behaviors Conference
- Center of Disease Control motivational interviewing training
Certification
- Registered Nurse License- Oregon 10060449
- Registered Nurse License - Missouri 2012022075
- Advance Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Missouri Rapid HIV testing certification
- Missouri Rapid Hepatitis C testing certification
- Mental Health First Aid
Timeline
Endoscopy Nurse
Mercy Hospital
07.2019 - Current
Surgical Nurse
Mattax Neu Prater
11.2018 - 02.2019
Community Health Nurse
Springfield-Greene County Health Department
08.2012 - 11.2018
Personal Care Assistant
Oxford Healthcare
11.2006 - 08.2010
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Missouri State University