Laura Nelson
Moorhead,MN
Summary
Experienced healthcare professional with over 10 years in critical care nursing and hospital administration. Skilled in managing complex patients, policy development, quality improvement, and process improvement. Proficient in CMS protocols, data analysis, and risk reduction strategies. Passionate about driving innovation to simplify healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse – Rapid Response Team
Sanford Medical Center
05.2021 - 11.2024
- Respond to emergency situations to stabilize critically ill patients, conduct rapid assessments, and identify stroke and STEMI
- Effectively communicate and perform under pressure to deliver appropriate interventions for patients in cardiac arrest, major trauma, and acute stroke
- Assist in open thoracotomy, cricothyrotomy, and intubation
- Perform advanced patient evaluations through ICU Nurse Consults and MEWS, identifying and addressing early signs of clinical deterioration
- Lead daily code team huddles to coordinate care, identify patients requiring a higher level of care, and address both staff and patient needs for a 600+ bed hospital system spread across three local campuses
Registered Nurse – Cardiac ICU
Sanford Medical Center
11.2019 - 11.2024
- Managed patients with severe cardiac conditions, cardiogenic shock, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and arrhythmias
- Performed interventions based on interpretation of advanced hemodynamic monitoring devices (Swan-Ganz, LiDCO, Flotrac)
- Advanced ECG interpretation
- Familiar with Impella, IABP, CRRT, ECMO, and TandemHeart
- Managed immediate post-op patients from coronary artery bypass grafting, valve replacement, and pericardial window
- Assist in emergent bedside resternotomy
Registered Nurse – Neuro ICU
Sanford Medical Center
06.2018 - 11.2024
- Delivered care to patients with complex neurological conditions, ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal injuries
- Managed intracranial pressure monitoring devices, external ventricular drains, and continuous EEG
- Conducted neurological assessments using NIH Stroke Scale
- Participated in quality initiatives to receive and maintain stroke center certifications in compliance with JCAHO and AHA standards
Registered Nurse – Medical ICU/Surgical ICU
Sanford Medical Center
06.2018 - 11.2024
- Delivered care to critically ill patients with a wide range of conditions, including sepsis, respiratory failure, ARDS, multi-organ dysfunction, liver failure, and acute renal failure
- Managed complex trauma and surgical patients, including bowel perforation, open abdomens, spleen rupture, and internal hemorrhage
- Long-term ventilator management and weaning protocols
- Provided patient care and family support throughout the organ donation process
Administrative Specialist
Sanford Medical Center
04.2014 - 05.2018
- Answered phones, emails, and other inquiries promptly and professionally
- Maintained and updated health information databases
- Acted as a liaison between specialties
- Streamlined transitions of care by ensuring clear communication with patients, family, caregivers, and healthcare team
- Managed home health provider reimbursement
- Coordinated administrative operations for the Hospitalist Department during the addition of a 350+ bed new facility
- Successfully increased provider coverage demands and complex scheduling across multiple campuses
Skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Digital platform utilization
- Policy and procedure development
- Process improvement initiatives
- Collect and analyze quality improvement data
- Knowledge of CMS protocols and regulatory requirements
- Manage complex, high-acuity patients
- Perform in high-pressure environments
- Gather and analyze patient data to assess health, anticipate risks, and plan effective health promotion strategies
- Communicate and collaborate with multiple specialties to develop and implement individualized treatment plans
- Coordinate plan of care with multidisciplinary teams
- Support patients and families through transitions of care
- Educate patients and families
- Create and deliver educational content
Certification
- Registered Nurse License (RN) - ND Board of Nursing
- Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) - American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.
- Trauma Certified Registered Nurse Certification (TCRN) - Board of Certification for Emergency Nurses
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification (ACLS)
- Pediatric Advance Life Support (PALS)
- Basic Life Support Certification (BLS)
Timeline
Registered Nurse – Rapid Response Team
Sanford Medical Center
05.2021 - 11.2024
Registered Nurse – Cardiac ICU
Sanford Medical Center
11.2019 - 11.2024
Registered Nurse – Neuro ICU
Sanford Medical Center
06.2018 - 11.2024
Registered Nurse – Medical ICU/Surgical ICU
Sanford Medical Center
06.2018 - 11.2024
Administrative Specialist
Sanford Medical Center
04.2014 - 05.2018
- Registered Nurse License (RN) - ND Board of Nursing
- Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) - American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.
- Trauma Certified Registered Nurse Certification (TCRN) - Board of Certification for Emergency Nurses
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification (ACLS)
- Pediatric Advance Life Support (PALS)
- Basic Life Support Certification (BLS)
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