Laura Wheeler
RN
Bourbonnais,IL
Summary
Registered Nurse deeply committed to providing quality, compassionate patient care. Nursing background includes Behavioral Health. Extensive knowledge and expertise in areas including: Psychotropic medications, Psychological and medical assessments, Treatment and discharge planning, Crisis intervention, Patient and family education, Excellent documentation skills, Psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, and personality disorders, Diabetic management, Fall Prevention
Behavioral health nursing professional with solid experience in delivering comprehensive mental health care and creating supportive environments for patients. Known for effective collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and adapting to changing clinical needs, ensuring high-quality patient care. Demonstrated skills in patient assessment, crisis intervention, and therapeutic communication.
Overview
1
1
Certification
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
RN Behavioral Health Unit
Ascension/Prime St Mary Hospital
Kankakee, Illinois
09.2023 - Current
- Provide comprehensive care for voluntary and involuntary adults with a wide range of mental health disorders. Deliver therapeutic interventions and safety-focused nursing care for individuals with substance use disorders, dual diagnoses, geriatric psychiatric needs, developmental delays, and autism spectrum disorders. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to support stabilization, crisis management, and individualized treatment planning.
- Immediate Supervisor: Laurie Earls 815-937-2252
RN Geriatrics and Long-Term Rehabilitation Services
Ascension Heritage Village
Kankakee, Illinois
07.2022 - 09.2023
- Delivered skilled nursing care to residents with a wide range of post-operative and post-acute conditions, including complex wound care, mobility recovery, and chronic disease management. Provided attentive, high-maintenance care for long-term residents with significant physical and cognitive needs. Oversaw and supported CNAs to ensure safe, high-quality care, regulatory compliance, and consistent adherence to individualized care plans.
- Immediate Supervisor: Rose Themer. Personal Phone: 815-545-6062
- Facility Main Phone: 815-939-4506
RN Geriatrics and Long-Term Rehabilitation Services
Arcadia Care
Clifton, Illinois
05.2021 - 06.2022
- Provided comprehensive nursing care for residents requiring complex medical management, including PO, G-tube, and IV medication administration. Participated in both admission and discharge processes to ensure safe transitions of care. Managed patients with suprapubic, Foleys, nephrostomy catheters; performed tracheostomy care; and completed routine and advanced dressing changes. Supervise LPNs and CNAs to maintain high standards of care, regulatory compliance, and effective team coordination.
- Facility Phone: 815-694-2306
RN, Geriatrics and Long-Term Rehabilitation Services
Riverside Miller Center
Kankakee, Illinois
06.2020 - 05.2021
- Staff Nurse on Medicare, Rehabilitation, Long-Term Care, and COVID-19 Quarantine Units. Provided comprehensive nursing care across diverse patient populations, including post-acute, long-term, and isolation-level care. Administered medications via PO, G-tube, and IV routes. Supervised LPNS and CNAs
- Facility Phone: 815-936-6500
RN, Behavioral Health
Valleywise Behavioral Health
Phoenix, Az.
08.2019 - 05.2020
- Staff Nurse on a 24-Bed Adult Psychiatric Unit. Provided comprehensive psychiatric nursing care for adults undergoing court-ordered evaluation and court-ordered treatment, ensuring safety, therapeutic engagement, and adherence to legal and clinical protocols. Completed thorough admission assessments, conducted daily mental-status and behavioral assessments, and contributed to interdisciplinary discharge planning to support stabilization and continuity of care.
- Immediate Supervisor: Ugochukwy Friday. Personal Phone: 623-698-3933
- Facility Phone: 815-344-5011
RN, Forensic Psychiatry
Arizona State Hospital
Phoenix, Az.
05.2018 - 07.2019
- Charge Nurse and Medication Nurse on a 20-Bed Male Forensic Psychiatric Unit. Oversaw daily clinical operations and provided direct nursing care within a secure forensic setting. Supervised and supported LPNs to ensure safe, consistent, and policy-aligned care delivery. Participated in multidisciplinary staffings with the treatment team and patients to support progress toward Psychiatric Security Review Board (PSRB) requirements and individualized treatment goals. Completed monthly clinical summaries and updated treatment plans to document progress, guide interventions, and maintain regulatory compliance.
- Immediate Supervisor: Ugochukwy Friday. Personal Phone: 623-698-3933
- Facility Phone: 602-244-1331
RN, Acute Behavioral Health
Aurora Behavioral Health
Glendale, Az.
10.2012 - 05.2018
- Staff Nurse on Adult & Adolescent Behavioral Health Units. Provided therapeutic, safety-focused care to adults and adolescents with mental health disorders, substance use disorders, and dual diagnoses. Administered medications and completed daily mental-health and medical assessments to monitor stability and guide treatment. Performed intake assessments for new admissions and collaborated in discharge planning to support safe transitions of care. Supervised behavioral health technicians to ensure consistent implementation of treatment plans, milieu management, and patient safety.
- Immediate Supervisor: Deb Goral. Personal Phone: 623-226-9429.
- Facility Phone: (623) 344-4400
RN, Acute Behavioral Health
St. Luke’s Behavioral Health
Phoenix, Az.
10.2007 - 08.2012
- Float Nurse on Adult & Adolescent Behavioral Health, Court-Ordered, and Medical Detox Units. Provided flexible, safety-focused nursing care across voluntary, involuntary, and medical detox units for both adult and adolescent populations. Completed comprehensive nursing admission assessments, evaluated medical and psychiatric presentations, and documented detailed shift-based narrative notes to support accurate clinical decision-making. Administered PO and injectable medications in accordance with unit protocols. Functioned as Charge Nurse when needed, coordinating unit operations and ensuring safe milieu management. Supervised behavioral health technicians to maintain consistent therapeutic structure and patient safety.
- Immediate Supervisor: Deb Goral. Personal Phone: 623-226-9429.
- Facility Phone: (602) 251-8535
RN, Behavioral Health
Mingus Center
Cottonwood, Az.
09.2005 - 09.2007
- Staff nurse on all units. Recruited by former colleagues to support high-acuity psychiatric and substance-use populations. Performed initial psychiatric and medical assessments on patients brought in by police or crisis teams, determining risk, level of care, and immediate safety needs. Stabilized patients through medication administration and monitoring, ensuring a safe environment for both patients and staff. Collaborated with interdisciplinary partners to coordinate follow-up placement and continuity of care. Provided medical detox services for individuals experiencing substance withdrawal. Supervised LPNs and behavioral health technicians to maintain consistent, safety-focused care delivery. (Note: Facility is no longer in operation.)
RN, Long-Term and Subacute Care
Kachina Point Rehabilitation Hospital
Sedona, Az.
08.2002 - 09.2005
- Charge Nurse, Long-Term Care & Sub-Acute Rehabilitation (Kachina Point) — Led daily nursing operations and supervised CNAs and LPNs to ensure safe, high-quality resident care. Completed comprehensive Nursing Intake Assessments and provided ongoing care for long-term care residents, including medication administration, feeding tube management, wound care, and daily skin assessments. Delivered sub-acute primary nursing care for patients recovering from recent surgeries, supporting stabilization and recovery. Completed Monthly Summaries and Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments to maintain regulatory compliance and guide individualized care planning. (Note: Facility is no longer in operation.)
RN, Private Pay Long-Term Care
Clarke Lindsey Village
Urbana, Illinois
03.2002 - 06.2002
- Staff Nurse on Geriatric & Dementia Care Unit. Administered medications to geriatric and dementia residents with close attention to safety, accuracy, and individualized care needs. Audited charts and physician orders to ensure regulatory compliance and up-to-date treatment plans. Maintained a safe environment for residents with cognitive and mobility challenges. Supervised CNAs to support consistent, high-quality daily care.
- Facility Phone: (217) 344-2144
RN, Long-Term Care
Campaign County Nursing Home
Urbana, Illinois
02.1997 - 03.2002
- Charge Nurse, Geriatric & Alzheimer’s Care — Delivered comprehensive nursing care to geriatric and Alzheimer’s residents, administering PO, injectable, PEG-tube, and NG medications and providing PEG and NG feedings. Supported residents and families through end-of-life care, ensuring comfort, dignity, and clear communication. I participated in MDS/RAP development to guide individualized care plans and maintain regulatory compliance. Supervised CNAs and LPNs to ensure safe, consistent care delivery. Began as a CNA prior to nursing licensure, demonstrating long-term commitment to resident care. (Note: Facility is no longer in operation.)
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) -
Aspen University
11-2021
Master’s degree in professional counseling (MSC) - undefined
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, Az02-2013
Bachelor of Science in Psychology(BSP) - undefined
University of Phoenix
06-2009
Associate of Science in Nursing (ADN) - undefined
Parkland College
Urbana, Illinois12-1996
Skills
- Medication administration
- Direct patient care
- Patient assessments
- Documentation and charting
- Strong clinical judgment
- Patient education and counseling
- Infection control measures
- Patient care
- Compassion and empathy
- Patient monitoring
- Patient management
- Care plan development
Certification
- Registered Nurse | Specializing in Behavioral Health
- Active Unencumbered Illinois License Number: 041306449
Timeline
RN Behavioral Health Unit
Ascension/Prime St Mary Hospital
09.2023 - Current
RN Geriatrics and Long-Term Rehabilitation Services
Ascension Heritage Village
07.2022 - 09.2023
RN Geriatrics and Long-Term Rehabilitation Services
Arcadia Care
05.2021 - 06.2022
RN, Geriatrics and Long-Term Rehabilitation Services
Riverside Miller Center
06.2020 - 05.2021
RN, Behavioral Health
Valleywise Behavioral Health
08.2019 - 05.2020
RN, Forensic Psychiatry
Arizona State Hospital
05.2018 - 07.2019
RN, Acute Behavioral Health
Aurora Behavioral Health
10.2012 - 05.2018
RN, Acute Behavioral Health
St. Luke’s Behavioral Health
10.2007 - 08.2012
RN, Behavioral Health
Mingus Center
09.2005 - 09.2007
RN, Long-Term and Subacute Care
Kachina Point Rehabilitation Hospital
08.2002 - 09.2005
RN, Private Pay Long-Term Care
Clarke Lindsey Village
03.2002 - 06.2002
RN, Long-Term Care
Campaign County Nursing Home
02.1997 - 03.2002
Associate of Science in Nursing (ADN) - undefined
Parkland College
Bachelor of Science in Psychology(BSP) - undefined
University of Phoenix
Master’s degree in professional counseling (MSC) - undefined
Grand Canyon University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) -
Aspen University