LAUREN KELLER
Legacy Medical Center
Buckeye,AZ
1
Certification
14
years of professional experience
Experienced Registered Nurse with 12 years of bedside nursing experience, including critical care, progressive care, med-surg, charge role, and home health. Skilled in patient education, interdisciplinary collaboration, clinical assessment, and communicating complex medical information with empathy and clarity. Seeking to transition into breast cancer nurse navigation to support patients throughout their cancer journey by building meaningful connections with patients and providing compassionate guidance during diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.
Work History
Travel Nurse: PCU / Med-surg / Observation unit float
1 Month- 7 week contract
- 1:6 nurse to patient ratio
- Provided bedside nursing care to patients with complex medical conditions that required continuous cardiac monitoring and frequent assessments.
- Monitored cardiac rhythms, vital signs, lab results, and clinical assessment findings to rapidly identify clinical deterioration and initiate interventions quickly.
- Collaborated with all members of the interdisciplinary team to coordinate and initiate care plans and promote optimal patient outcomes.
- Educated patients and families regarding diagnoses, treatment plans, medications, and discharge instructions.
- Built rapport with patients by building trust through active listening, delivering care with empathy, clear communication, including patient in developing plan, and remaining approachable.
Charge Nurse: Intermediate Intensive Care Unit
5 Years 9 Months- Supervised and supported nursing staff in 16-bed unit (Legacy) and 25-bed unit (Caromont) to ensure high-quality patient care.
- Provided administration support such as handling staff, patient, and family complaints in a professional manner, assigning nurses to patients, preparing discharge instructions, managing the flow of patients arriving and leaving the unit. Audit and documenting patient and staff safety risks.
- Acted as an educational resource for nurses on the unit by promoting and enforcing policies and protocols, while encouraging safe nursing judgment.
- Acted as an educational resource for nurses on the unit by promoting and enforcing policies and protocol, while encouraging safe nursing judgment.
- Responds to all code blue pages throughout the hospital and fills the role of timekeeper and documenter.
- Checked in with bedside nursing staff to promote a supportive work environment and address concerns throughout shifts.
Registered Nurse / Staff Nurse: Intermediate Intensive Care Unit
6 Years 11 Months- Delivered bedside care with 1:3 nurse-to-patient ratio, monitoring vital signs every 2 hours, telemetry, and pulse oximetry to ensure patient stability.
- Managed patients with:
- Acute respiratory/ heart/ kidney/ liver failure, ARDS, pre/post angiogram/cardiac catheter, COPD, COVID-19, Flu, DKA, GI bleed, drug overdose, ETOH withdrawal, end-of-life, Guillain-Barre, ALS, stroke, inpatient dialysis, pancreatitis, pulmonary embolism, sepsis, myocardial infarction, cardiogenic/ septic/ hypovolemic shock.
- Competency managing:
- CPAP, BiPAP, High-flow nasal cannula, ETCO2 monitoring, telemetry monitoring, arrhythmia interpretation, blood gas interpretation, trach care, long-term ventilators, phlebotomy and central line blood draws, IVs and central lines, chemo ports, HD catheters, fistulas, ostomies, arterial lines, electrolyte replacement, cardiac meds including inotropic, vasoactive, antiarrhythmic drips, PCA pumps, insulin and heparin drips, T tubes, chest tubes, PEG tubes, NG tubes for feeding and suction, Foley catheter, bladder irrigation, wound vacs, drains, restraints, and LUCAS CPR device.
Registered Nurse/ Staff Nurse: Medical Surgical Unit
2 Years 6 Months- Provided bedside care with a 1:6 nurse-to-patient ratio.
- Bedside care for patients 65+ years old: assessments, pain management, blood administration, IV maintenance and administrations, wound care, end-of-life care and PCA pumps, tracheostomy, colostomy, chest tube, drainage device management, substance withdrawal, and a variety of mental health diagnoses.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement comprehensive care plans for patients.
- Educated patients and families on disease processes, medications, infection control, and post-discharge instructions to enhance understanding and compliance.
- Mentored and trained newly hired RNs and nursing students, facilitating their integration into the unit and promoting a supportive learning environment.
- Led the nursing team as Charge Nurse for one year on this unit (1/2017- 3/2018).
Home Healthcare Pediatric Registered Nurse
5 Years- Provided care to medically-fragile pediatric patients in their homes.
- Managed in-home tracheostomy maintenance, seizure management, and total care for pediatric patients with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, g-tubes, and medication administration.
- Instructed caregivers on risks, precautions, procedures, infection control, and disease processes to enhance patient safety and care quality.
- Dedicated 2 years of full-time service and 3 years of part-time service to this company.
Home Healthcare Nursing Supervisor
1 Year- Conducted quarterly supervisory visits to evaluate patient and family needs, documenting treatment plan adjustments.
- Partnered with MDs and therapists to refine patient care plans and set achievable goals.
- Facilitated orientation and training for home nurses to ensure alignment with patient and family requirements.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Associates Degree - Nursing
Skills
Clinical judgment
Care coordination
Task prioritization
Time management
Clinical leadership/ Preceptor
Patient education
Telemetry/ EKG Monitoring
Critical thinking
Accomplishments
- Nurse Preceptor on all units worked throughout career.
- Volunteer at New Heights Church Primary Care Clinic as a Registered Nurse – 2020- 2025
- Unit Practice Council member- IMCU 2019-2025
- Healthy Work Environment Committee- IMCU 2021-2025
- Nursing Excellence Award- med-surg unit 2017
- Professional Development and Leadership- Committee member – med-surg unit 2016-2017
- Caregiver of the Month Award- med-surg unit 2016
- Dean’s List – Appalachian State -2008
Certification
- ACLS- expires 8/2028
- BLS – expires 8/2028
Interests
Enjoy hobbies that combine physical activity with outdoor exploration such as hiking
backpacking
and paddleboarding.
Volunteering
Traveling
Animal care and welfare
Creating meaningful connections and bringing people together
Timeline
Travel Nurse: PCU / Med-surg / Observation unit float
Banner Casa Grande Medical Center
12.2025 - 01.2026Read More
Charge Nurse: Intermediate Intensive Care Unit
Legacy Medical Center
01.2021 - CurrentRead More
Registered Nurse / Staff Nurse: Intermediate Intensive Care Unit
Legacy Medical Center
01.2019 - 12.2025Read More
Registered Nurse/ Staff Nurse: Medical Surgical Unit
Caromont Medical Center
09.2015 - 03.2018Read More
Home Healthcare Nursing Supervisor
Mission Medstaff Home Healthcare
01.2014 - 01.2015Read More
Home Healthcare Pediatric Registered Nurse
Mission Medstaff Home Healthcare
01.2013 - 01.2018Read More
Queens University of Charlotte
Associates Degree from Nursing
Read More
Winston Salem State Univ.
Bachelor of Science from Nursing
Read More