Laura Smith
Northfield,New Jersey
Summary
Currently serving as the Maternal Child Health Professional Practice and Development Specialist and Interim Associate Nurse Manager of Pediatrics. Certified Pediatric Nurse with a Master of Science in Clinical Nurse Leadership, and expertise in clinical practice, leadership, and education. Dedicated to advancing nursing standards and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the healthcare team. Twenty years of service at AtlantiCare and nineteen years of experience at the bedside in pediatric care, conducting comprehensive patient assessments, implementing evidence-based nursing interventions, and delivering educational support to patients and families. Passionate about enhancing patient outcomes, mentoring and professional development, and supporting the growth of nursing professionals.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Interim Pediatrics Clinical Nurse Manager
AtlantiCare
11.2024 - Current
- Improving patient care by managing nursing staff and coordinating interdisciplinary team collaboration
- Relate to and resolve patient concerns
- Promote culture of safety within the department by addressing concerns promptly and implementing corrective actions when necessary
- Advocate for patients'' needs by collaborating with physicians, case managers, social workers, therapists, dietitians, pharmacists on individualized treatment plans
- Implement evidence-based practices within the department, leading to improved clinical outcomes for patients
- Manage day-to-day operations and workflows for nursing department
- Establish a positive work environment that fosters open communication, collaboration and respect among nursing staff and interdisciplinary team members
Professional Practice and Development Specialist
AtlantiCare
05.2024 - Current
- Utilization of knowledge and skills in education theory and application
- Support and promote nursing professional development and lifelong learning
- Change leader at the unit and organizational level
- Performance and quality improvement efforts through PDCA
- Integration of technology to support clinical practice and deliver quality patient care for best outcomes
- Identification of training needs to develop educational content
- Implementation of unit-based simulations
- Policy updating
RN, Pediatrics Per Diem
Inspira Medical Center
06.2016 - Current
- Assess, evaluate, and manage care of infant and pediatric patients
- Liaison between patients/families and physicians to ensure comprehension of treatment and discharge plans
- Develop and implement nursing care plans
- Educate patients and parents
- Float to NICU Step-Down and Mother/Baby Unit
RN, Pediatrics / Interim Educator PPD Support
AtlantiCare
08.2005 - 05.2024
- Professional Practice and Development Support (3 years)
- Assessed learning needs, competencies, and strengths of Pediatric staff and identified opportunities for improvement
- Served as rotating Team Leader
- Established and updated policies and procedures using evidence-based practice
- Conducted skills fairs and completed yearly competencies with staff
- Served as resource and preceptor for RNs and PCAs on unit
- Educated nurses and PCAs on organizational policy and procedural changes
- Assessed, evaluated, and managed care of infant and pediatric patients
- Developed and implemented nursing care plans
- Liaison between patients/families and physicians to ensure comprehension of treatment and discharge plans
- Managed care for pre and post-operative patients
- Treated patients with acute and chronic health problems
- Cared for psychiatric, suicidal, and behavioral patients
- Cared for trauma patients
- Assisted doctors with lumbar punctures and other procedures
- Assisted nursing mothers with lactation support and education
- Cared for Eat-Sleep-Console patients
RN, Assistant Director of Nursing Per Diem
Pediatric Day Health Center, RN
11.2006 - 09.2011
- One day weekly
- Performed daily assessments of patients
- Managed care of chronically ill patients and continued their daily regimens
- Assessed patients for worsening conditions of health problems intervening as needed
- Initiated PT/OT for patients who required timed sessions in special equipment or braces
Education
Doctor of Nursing Practice - Systems Leadership
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Camden05-2026
No Degree - Nursing
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Camden, NJ07.2023
Master of Science Clinical - Nurse Leadership
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Newark, NJ2019
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ2005
Bachelor of Arts Psychology - undefined
Villanova University
Villanova, PA2002
Skills
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification
- ANCC Pediatric Nursing Certification
- Pathways to Leadership Program
- The Ohio State Evidence-Based Practice Immersion
- Implementation of Evidence-Based Practices
- Pediatric US Guided IV trained/Strong IV insertion skills
- Healthstream Administrator
Timeline
Interim Pediatrics Clinical Nurse Manager
AtlantiCare
11.2024 - Current
Professional Practice and Development Specialist
AtlantiCare
05.2024 - Current
RN, Pediatrics Per Diem
Inspira Medical Center
06.2016 - Current
RN, Assistant Director of Nursing Per Diem
Pediatric Day Health Center, RN
11.2006 - 09.2011
RN, Pediatrics / Interim Educator PPD Support
AtlantiCare
08.2005 - 05.2024
Master of Science Clinical - Nurse Leadership
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Seton Hall University
Bachelor of Arts Psychology - undefined
Villanova University
Doctor of Nursing Practice - Systems Leadership
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
No Degree - Nursing
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
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