Laura Whitten Farrell
Wadsworth
Summary
Dynamic individual with hands-on experience in nursing and talent for navigating challenges. Brings strong problem-solving skills and proactive approach to new tasks. Known for adaptability, creativity, and results-oriented mindset. Committed to making meaningful contributions and advancing organizational goals.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Butterflies and Blooms Assistant Facilitator
Chicago Botanic Garden
05.2025 - 09.2025
- Greeted visitors approximately 500 visitors per weekly shift
- Provided education to staff and visitors, including children, on butterfly life cycle and habits
- Collaborated with staff to handle crowd control to maintain order and prevent overcrowding.
Registered nurse
The Cradle
06.2010 - 03.2025
- Provided direct patient care to newborns with varying levels of medical needs
- Provided education to prospective adoptive parents regarding newborn care.
- Provided support and education to birth parents considering adoption
- Provided safe transport for infants from hospital to Cradle as well as transport to various appointments.
- Provided temporary guardianship during patient transports.
School Nurse
Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church
07.2001 - 05.2014
- Completed forms, reports, logs, and records to quickly handle all documentation for human resources.
- Volunteered to help with special projects of varying degrees of complexity.
- Managed filing system, entered data and completed other clerical tasks.
- Created and maintained detailed administrative processes and procedures to drive efficiency and accuracy.
Adult Oncology RN
Rush Presbyterian St. Lukes Medical Center
07.1990 - 09.1998
- Assessed patients during course of treatment to identify concerning reactions.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
Registered Nurse
Center on Deafness
10.1991 - 10.1992
- Conveyed treatment options, diagnosis information and home care techniques to patients and caregivers to continue care consistency.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Recorded details regarding therapies to keep patient charts updated.
- Implemented care plans for patient treatment after assessing physician medical regimens.
Adult Oncology RN
St Francis Hospital
05.1988 - 06.1990
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
Home Health RN
St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center
05.1989 - 06.1990
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients, and determined next course of action.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Monitored patient reactions to drugs and carefully documented findings.
- Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians.
Education
No Degree - Sign Language courses
Harper College
PalatineBachelor of Science - Nursing
North Park College
Chicago, IL05-1988
Associate of Science - Nursing
College of Lake County
Grayslake12-1985
Skills
- Microsoft Word, Excel, and Publisher
- Google drive
- Therapeutic communication
- Clinical judgment
- Compassion and empathy
- Culturally-sensitive care
- Precepting new CNAs and RNs
- Extensive experience with direct infant, toddler, and child care
Accomplishments
- Dolores H. Johnson Senior RN Award- North Park College
- Summa Cum Laude - North Park College
- Sigma Theta Tau Kappa Nu Chapter- North Park College
- High Academic Achievement Award- North Park College
- Clara Olsen Memorial Scholarship for Academic Achievement - North Park College
- Dean's List '86-'88- North Park College
- Phi Theta Kappa - College of Lake County
- Senior Community Health Project - Parish Nurse Program -
Swedish Covenant Hospital
Certification
- Illinois Registered Nurse License # 041.235980 exp 2026-05-31
- Wisconsin Registered Nurse License # 1119295-30 exp 2026-02-28
- CPR/Basic Life Support training 2024-06
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Elementary
ASL
Limited Working
Timeline
Butterflies and Blooms Assistant Facilitator
Chicago Botanic Garden
05.2025 - 09.2025
Registered nurse
The Cradle
06.2010 - 03.2025
School Nurse
Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church
07.2001 - 05.2014
Registered Nurse
Center on Deafness
10.1991 - 10.1992
Adult Oncology RN
Rush Presbyterian St. Lukes Medical Center
07.1990 - 09.1998
Home Health RN
St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center
05.1989 - 06.1990
Adult Oncology RN
St Francis Hospital
05.1988 - 06.1990
No Degree - Sign Language courses
Harper College
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
North Park College
Associate of Science - Nursing
College of Lake County
Similar Profiles
Juan OlveraJuan Olvera
Sales Associate at Chicago Botanic GardenSales Associate at Chicago Botanic Garden
Tim PollakTim Pollak
Assistant Manager, and Outdoor Floriculturist at Chicago Botanic GardenAssistant Manager, and Outdoor Floriculturist at Chicago Botanic Garden
Marci FigueroaMarci Figueroa
Human Resources Coordinator at Chicago Botanic GardenHuman Resources Coordinator at Chicago Botanic Garden
Lainey BeaversLainey Beavers
Dental Assistant at Mcilvaine Burton DentistryDental Assistant at Mcilvaine Burton Dentistry
Eric CenteaEric Centea
Area Manager at The Wellsville GroupArea Manager at The Wellsville Group