Linda Stickels
Germantown
Summary
Compassionate Registered Nurse skilled in direct patient care, triage, and care coordination within high-pressure settings. Expertise in managing challenging situations and fostering rapport with patients and families through effective communication. Currently enhances quality care at Accent Care Hospice, mentoring new staff and addressing staffing needs.
Overview
48
48
years of professional experience
Work History
Inpatient Hospice RN
Accent Care Hospice
Wauwatosa
01.2023 - 06.2026
- Delivered patient care in diverse clinical settings with compassion and efficiency.
- Administered medications and monitored patient responses to treatment plans.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans.
- Educated patients and families on health management and disease prevention strategies.
- Conducted assessments to identify patient needs and adjust care accordingly.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to assess clinical situations quickly and accurately.
- Collaborated with physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers and other healthcare professionals to develop individualized treatment plans for each patient.
- Assessed, planned, implemented and evaluated nursing care for assigned patients.
- Trained and mentored new RNs on best practices, hospital policies and standards of care.
Registered Nurse Diabetic Education
Milwaukee VA Medical Center
Milwaukee
09.2013 - 01.2015
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis, prognosis, treatment options, disease management, and lifestyle modifications to enhance understanding and improve adherence.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients, and determined next steps in treatment to ensure timely interventions and continuity of care.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Administered oral, IV, and intramuscular medications while monitoring patient responses to ensure safety and efficacy.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Monitored patient reactions to drugs and carefully documented findings.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols.
Manager of Pre and Post Op Center
VA Medical Center
Milwaukee
09.2010 - 09.2013
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Recruited, hired and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization.
- Boosted team member productivity by enhancing performance monitoring and instituting motivational approaches.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of [Type] workspace, working closely with employees to systemize tasks.
- Delegated [Type] daily tasks to employees, streamlining daily progress and efficiency.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
Unit Coordinator of the ICU
VA Medical Center
Milwaukee
08.2000 - 09.2010
- Identified and facilitated resolution of unit operational problems independently, collaborating with manager to resolve complex problems.
- Coordinated non-clinical and ancillary services of assigned patient care units.
- Employed effective communication with patients and families, physicians and other healthcare team members related to patient condition.
- Coordinated and maintained referral sources related to admissions, discharges and follow up services to sustain daily census requirements.
Intensive Care Registered Nurse
VA Medical Center
Milwaukee
01.1990 - 01.2000
- Delivered age-appropriate medical care for adult, and geriatric ICU patients.
- Monitored patients' respiratory status and ventilator operation and made adjustments to promote stabilization.
- Assessed and managed various patient treatments for numerous patient diagnoses from sepsis to acute respiratory distress.
- Developed and implemented patient care plans based on physicians' instructions and generally accepted nursing practices.
- Observed patients' vital signs and administered physician-prescribed medications and treatments.
- Documented patients' medical status and treatment details in electronic charts to ensure accurate medical records.
- Coordinated post-discharge treatment plans with physicians and nurses to ensure seamless continuity of care.
- Supervised new employees and student nurses to promote adherence to established patient care standards and practices.
- Explained health care issues and ramifications to patients and families to promote informed medical care choices.
Float Pool Staff Nurse
VA Medical Center
Milwaukee
01.1981 - 01.1990
- Submitted accurate documentation and in-depth nursing observations to enhance continuity of total patient care.
- Collaborated with departments and medical staff to ensure delivery of high-quality total patient care.
- Administered and maintained comfort, treatment, medication, intravenous infusion and health care to support patient needs.
- Facilitated patient and family education to promote understanding of care requirements.
- Proficient in all aspects of in-patient care including emergency room and rehabilitation services.
Staff Registered Nurse
VA Medical Center
Milwaukee
06.1978 - 01.1981
- Administered oral, IV, and intramuscular medications while monitoring patient responses to ensure effective treatment.
- Effectively prioritized assignments, executing care based on each patient's relative condition and delegating tasks to available personnel deliver safe and efficient care.
- Worked within interdisciplinary health care team to develop, implement and make adjustments to patient care plans, individualizing strategies and methods to improve health and meet recovery goals.
- Updated patient charts with medication data to maintain accurate records and facilitate informed treatment decisions.
Education
Master of Science - Nursing
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZ12-2005
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
UWMilwaukee
Milwaukee, WI05-1990
Associate of Science - Nursing
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Milwaukee, WI05-1978
Skills
- Patient assessment
- Medication administration
- Pain management
- Symptom management
- Symptom relief strategies
- Chronic illness management
- Care coordination
- End-of-life support
- Family support
- Family education
- Team collaboration
- Interdisciplinary teamwork
- Effective communication
- Staff training
- Critical thinking
- Complex problem-solving
- Compassionate care
Affiliations
Member of the End-of-Life Task Force to advance and improve end of life care for patients
Additional Information
Throughout my lengthy career I have fostered an interest in ethics and end of life care. I was involved in hospice care in the inpatient environment as an ICU nurse and manager.
Timeline
Inpatient Hospice RN
Accent Care Hospice
01.2023 - 06.2026
Registered Nurse Diabetic Education
Milwaukee VA Medical Center
09.2013 - 01.2015
Manager of Pre and Post Op Center
VA Medical Center
09.2010 - 09.2013
Unit Coordinator of the ICU
VA Medical Center
08.2000 - 09.2010
Intensive Care Registered Nurse
VA Medical Center
01.1990 - 01.2000
Float Pool Staff Nurse
VA Medical Center
01.1981 - 01.1990
Staff Registered Nurse
VA Medical Center
06.1978 - 01.1981
Master of Science - Nursing
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
UWMilwaukee
Associate of Science - Nursing
Milwaukee Area Technical College