Andrea Lee Cruse
Marietta,GA
Summary
Seasoned nursing professional offering proven clinical knowledge, natural interpersonal strengths and technical abilities. Knowledgeable about EMR charting, medication administration and interdisciplinary collaboration focused on optimizing patient care and support. Quality-focused and efficiency-driven leader.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
RN Case Manager
Inspire Hospice And Palliative Care
05.2023 - 10.2023
- Effectively communicated with physicians regarding patient needs, performance, medications and changes.
- Responded promptly and professionally to patient questions and concerns.
- Participated in patient and family planning process, as well as provided instructions and addressed question and concerns.
- Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment, and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal providers and care.
- Completed initial assessments of patients and family to determine and address individual home care needs. ·
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners, verifying interventions met treatment goals and identifying insurance coverage limitations.
- Created individualized care plans based on nursing diagnosis and incorporated appropriate nursing methods to achieve positive outcomes.
- Examined patients and documented history of current and previous conditions, illnesses, injuries and current medications.
- Prepared clinical notes and updates for review by primary physician.
ADON
Aberdeen Place Hospice
05.2021 - 05.2023
- Monitored and evaluated nursing staff performance, providing feedback and guidance to support standards of care.
- Participated in management team meetings to discuss resident status, census changes, and resident complaints or concerns.
- Worked closely administration to develop and implement best practices to improve patient outcomes.
- Built and maintained positive working relationships with physicians and staff to support seamless healthcare operations.
- Collaborated with staff, management, and external groups to coordinate patient care.
- Discussed medical histories with patients in effort to provide most effective medical advice.
- Ordered all pharmacy supplies and kept check on inventory levels.
RN Supervisor
Angel Care Living Assistance Services
01.2020 - 04.2021
- Trained CNA staff in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment, and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal providers and care.
- Recruited, hired and trained all staff, providing direct supervision, ongoing staff development and continuing education to employees.
FIELD ADMISSIONS NURSE
HOSPICE
03.2017 - 06.2019
- Coordinated care plan development and oversight of care transition into hospice among various healthcare providers including hospital systems and community referral sources
- Educated patients and families on the philosophy of palliative care and the relevant disease processes of the patient
- Entered the required clinical and legal documentation in the electronic medical record Medicare Conditions of Participating and Joint Commission standards
- Communicated actual and potential problematic home care situations which could affect the success of the established plan of care
- Assisted with the orientation and training of new field staff members
INPATIENT UNIT STAFF NURSE
HOSPICE
03.2016 - 03.2017
- Performed direct care for 6 patients receiving comprehensive care or respite care
- Demonstrated regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors and staff to ensure a professional and courteous environment for end of life care
- Maintained documentation in the electronic medical record to ensure the integration of the information for members of the interdisciplinary team
INPATIENT HOSPICE NURSE MANAGER
11.2012 - 03.2016
- Provided leadership to a diverse staff of 35 employees including nurses, certified nursing assistants, and dietary
- Demonstrated knowledge, judgment, expertise and managerial skills to ensure smooth functioning of 18 bed unit on a 24 hour basis
- Served as liaison, resource and educator for other hospital system departments
- Hired, oriented and evaluated the performance of assigned employees and provided mentoring and feedback
- Motivated team members to complete higher education programs to improve care to patients and advance career development
- Implemented and monitored ongoing alignment of the organization’s mission, vision, and values among staff
- Assured appropriate clinical practice knowledge of assigned staff members and the utilization of evidence-based practice
- Participated in development and implementation of performance improvement action plans in accordance with the agency’s improvement protocols
- Participated in the design and implementation of system-wide electronic medical record
- Utilized data to develop and maintain a cost-effective annual budget and to effectively manage productivity and expenses within the agency
- Created and executed plans to empower team to meet core measure metrics
NURSE
HOSPICE INPATIENT UNIT ADMISSIONS
09.2010 - 11.2012
- Coordinated reports on patient from referral source prior to admission to the unit
- Met with patient and families to review unit guidelines and the proposed plan of care while providing emotional support
- Facilitated communication link among all disciplines involved in the implementation of the plan of care
- Performed comprehensive assessment and ensured appropriate documentation
- Promoted teamwork by providing direct patient care during the shift as needed
- Assisted with the orientation and training of new in patient unit staff
FIELD NURSE CASE MANAGER
HOSPICE
05.2009 - 09.2010
- Evaluated the services provided by the Hospice Aide every two weeks
- Took part in professional development to maintain qualifications for role
- Promoted teamwork and shared responsibility as a member of the interdisciplinary team
- Documented clinical findings in the patient electronic medical record according to practice standards
- Exceeded productivity standards
- Actively participated in meeting patient and family satisfaction goals
CASE MANAGER / DISCHARGE PLANNER
05.2007 - 05.2009
- Managed patients from admission to discharge to ensure current treatment was within Medicare guidelines and time frames
- Provide patient and family education on plan of care and discharge plan
- Arranged any follow up care and appointments following discharge
- Maintained extensive knowledge of community resources to ensure patient’s needs were met after discharge.
WELLSTAR WINDY HILL HOSPITAL / LTAC
01.2004 - 01.2009
RESOURCE NURSE / HOUSE SUPERVISOR
07.2005 - 05.2007
- Managed 12-15 nursing staff of Long Term Acute Care Unit which provided care to patients on ventilators requiring weaning, IV antibiotic therapies and wound care
- Worked closely with interdisciplinary team, including weekly Plan of Care meetings to ensure excellent patient outcomes within Medicare and Joint Commission guidelines
- Provided support to other units including the therapy department, outpatient cardiac rehabilitation, outpatient surgery and sleep study center as needed
STAFF NURSE
11.2004 - 07.2005
- Collaborated with physicians and multidisciplinary team members; provided physical and psychological support to patients requiring long term care for ventilator weaning, IV therapies, and wound care; friends, and families; and supervised assigned team members
- Promoted patient’s independence by establishing patient care goals; teaching patient, friends, and family to understand the condition, medications, and self-care skills; and answering questions
- Assured quality of care by adhering to therapeutic standards; measuring health outcomes against patient care goals and standards
- Resolved patient problems and needs by utilizing multidisciplinary team strategies
- Maintained safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations; and calling for assistance from health care support personnel
- Documented patient care services by charting in patient and department records
- Ensured operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer’s instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs; maintaining equipment inventories; and evaluating new equipment and techniques
- Maintained professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops and participating in professional societies
- Maintained a cooperative relationship among health care teams by communicating information and participating in team problem-solving methods.
STAFF NURSE
DECATUR HOSPITAL LTAC
06.2003 - 05.2004
DEKALB HEALTH SYSTEM
01.2003 - 01.2004
STAFF NURSE
KENNESTONE HOSPITAL GI LAB
04.2000 - 05.2003
- Trained in conscious sedation
- Assisted with colonoscopies, endoscopies, ERCPs, PEG placements, and liver biopsies
- Performed duties of Charge Nurse 3 days per week
WELLSTAR HEALTH SYSTEM
01.1996 - 01.2003
FIELD NURSE CASE MANAGER
HOSPICE, HILLHAVEN REHABILITATION CENTER
09.1996 - 04.2000
STAFF NURSE
SUBACUTE REHAB
09.1994 - 09.1996
- Provided direct patient care to 12 patients including administering medications and educating patients and families on plan of care
- MDS coordinator for 6 months
- Participated in Medicare billing and coding training
STAFF NURSE
HAVEN HOUSE HOSPICE J UNE
01.1994 - 09.1994
- Provided holistic care to AIDS patients in an 8 bed inpatient unit with duties including medication administration, IV therapies, emotional and bereavement support
Education
RN BSN -
Georgia State University
1994
Skills
- Effective in educating staff, patients and families
- Self-directed with the ability to work independently
- Demonstrated leadership skills
- Excellent documentation skills utilizing an electronic medical record
- Able to create predictability for patient outcomes by following best practices
- Successful in identifying quality, safety, ethical, legal, and compliance issues and initiating appropriate intervention and action plans
- Outstanding interpersonal skills
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Highly organized with attention to detail
- Staff Supervision
- Direct Patient Care
Additional Information
- AWARDS , 2005 and 2006 - recipient of Windy Hill Hospital Best of the Best Award for excellence in nursing care 2007 - recipient of Windy Hill Hospital Daisy Award for recognition by patients and families of superior patient care and compassion in nursing 2010 - recipient of WellStar Community Hospice Shining Star Award for consistent excellence in nursing and team commitment
Timeline
RN Case Manager
Inspire Hospice And Palliative Care
05.2023 - 10.2023
ADON
Aberdeen Place Hospice
05.2021 - 05.2023
RN Supervisor
Angel Care Living Assistance Services
01.2020 - 04.2021
FIELD ADMISSIONS NURSE
HOSPICE
03.2017 - 06.2019
INPATIENT UNIT STAFF NURSE
HOSPICE
03.2016 - 03.2017
INPATIENT HOSPICE NURSE MANAGER
11.2012 - 03.2016
NURSE
HOSPICE INPATIENT UNIT ADMISSIONS
09.2010 - 11.2012
FIELD NURSE CASE MANAGER
HOSPICE
05.2009 - 09.2010
CASE MANAGER / DISCHARGE PLANNER
05.2007 - 05.2009
RESOURCE NURSE / HOUSE SUPERVISOR
07.2005 - 05.2007
STAFF NURSE
11.2004 - 07.2005
WELLSTAR WINDY HILL HOSPITAL / LTAC
01.2004 - 01.2009
STAFF NURSE
DECATUR HOSPITAL LTAC
06.2003 - 05.2004
DEKALB HEALTH SYSTEM
01.2003 - 01.2004
STAFF NURSE
KENNESTONE HOSPITAL GI LAB
04.2000 - 05.2003
FIELD NURSE CASE MANAGER
HOSPICE, HILLHAVEN REHABILITATION CENTER
09.1996 - 04.2000
WELLSTAR HEALTH SYSTEM
01.1996 - 01.2003
STAFF NURSE
SUBACUTE REHAB
09.1994 - 09.1996
STAFF NURSE
HAVEN HOUSE HOSPICE J UNE
01.1994 - 09.1994
RN BSN -
Georgia State University
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