Nicole LaPapa
Lockport,IL
Summary
Accomplished Registered Nurse and Clinical Nurse Coordinator with a proven track record at Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, showcasing expertise in clinical leadership and patient education. Spearheaded interdisciplinary care plans, enhanced staff training programs, and led hospital-wide wound care initiatives, significantly improving patient outcomes and nurse retention. Demonstrates exceptional care coordination and a commitment to nursing excellence.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Clinical Nurse Coordinator
Shirley Ryan Ability Lab
Chicago, IL
01.2025 - Current
- Serves as the charge nurse on the Traumatic Brain Injury Unit and is a clinical expert and resource for the floor.
- Attends team conferences with the interdisciplinary team to coordinate a plan of care for the medically complex patient.
- Attends daily staffing meetings and gives each nurse and PCT their patient assignments, and coordinates the staffing for upcoming shifts.
- Completes medical supply orders, medication lists, and discharge instructions for patients who are being discharged.
- Leads medical emergencies and holds debriefs after the event.
- Communicates all essential information and the plan of care for patients to the appropriate staff members and the next nursing shift.
- Acts as a leader on the unit and deals with difficult families and patients.
- Coordinates new admissions with bed management, and orders all necessary medical equipment.
Wound Champion Co-Chair
Shirley Ryan Ability Lab
Chicago, IL
05.2024 - Current
- Acting Co-Chair for the Wound Champion Committee.
- Leads meetings, starts discussions, and takes minutes during the monthly meetings.
- Distributes minutes to the members of the committee.
- Organizes hospital-wide events focused on wound education.
- Provides education and training on wound care and new products.
Recruitment and Retention Committee Member
Shirley Ryan Ability Lab
Chicago, IL
03.2023 - Current
- Serves on the Recruitment and Retention Committee to assist with hospital-wide initiatives to support the recruitment of nursing excellence, increase nurse retention, and facilitate an environment that supports and elevates its nurses.
- Attends career fairs at universities to showcase and highlight the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, represent the core values of the institution, and recruit talented, compassionate, and qualified nurses.
- Plans and executes Nurses' Week for the Traumatic Brain Injury unit.
- Develops and maintains professional relationships with prospective hires.
Wound Champion
Shirley Ryan Ability Lab
Chicago, IL
10.2022 - Current
- Performs weekly wound audits of the patients.
- Identifies appropriate dressing orders and implements skin prevention interventions.
- Communicates with the medical team assessment findings and suggestions to promote skin integrity.
- Views electronic health system records to evaluate patient wound care history, as well as other relevant medical information, such as dressing orders and prescription medications.
Conducts wound assessments for patients, and documents information. - Minimizes patient skin breakdown by devising and carrying out a wound prevention plan.
- Educates patients, family members and caregivers on wound management.
Nurse Preceptor
Shirley Ryan Ability Lab
Chicago, IL
02.2022 - Current
- Performs as a preceptor for both new-hire registered nurses and student nurses in an acute rehabilitation hospital on the traumatic brain injury unit.
- Passionately committed to the development of student and new-hire registered nurses through hands-on training focused on evidence-based practice.
- Designs personal clinical assignments and opportunities consistent with the preceptee's knowledge base, competency, and learning needs.
- Provides constructive feedback and positive reinforcement to keep preceptee motivated while contributing subject matter expertise toward improving overall training program and skills displayed by preceptee.
Registered Nurse
Shirley Ryan Ability Lab
Chicago, IL
05.2021 - Current
- Serves as a patient advocate and implements total patient care through the team nursing process on the traumatic brain injury unit.
- Provides quality care for a highly specialized patient population with acute medical and behavioral/psychiatric needs.
- Evaluates patients, recognizes and addresses complications, and coordinates treatment with the interdisciplinary team.
Administers medications and treatments, monitoring patients for reactions and side effects. - Assesses patient needs, prioritizes treatment, maintains patient flows, and therapy schedules for at least a five-patient case load.
- Advocates for patients by supporting and respecting basic rights, values, and beliefs.
- Provides patient and family education focusing on medical management, safety, and patient-specific interventions
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL05-2021
Master of Science - Psychiatric And Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Herzing University
Madison, WI12-2026
Skills
- Nursing and clinical leadership
- Clinical documentation and assessment
- Quality improvement
- Continuing education
- Medication administration
- Patient education
- Care coordination, planning, and management
- Discharge planning
- Staff education
- Recruiting and training
- Nursing assignment
- Compliance monitoring
Certification
- Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN)
Accomplishments
- Nancye B. Holt Legacy of Nursing Award Nominee
- DAISY Award For Extraordinary Nurse Educators Nominee
- Four-time DAISY Award Nominee
Affiliations
- 2022 Magnet Conference of Nursing Excellence Attendee
- 2023 Magnet Conference of Nursing Excellence Representative
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Clinical Nurse Coordinator
Shirley Ryan Ability Lab
01.2025 - Current
Wound Champion Co-Chair
Shirley Ryan Ability Lab
05.2024 - Current
Recruitment and Retention Committee Member
Shirley Ryan Ability Lab
03.2023 - Current
Wound Champion
Shirley Ryan Ability Lab
10.2022 - Current
Nurse Preceptor
Shirley Ryan Ability Lab
02.2022 - Current
Registered Nurse
Shirley Ryan Ability Lab
05.2021 - Current
- Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN)
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Illinois Wesleyan University
Master of Science - Psychiatric And Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Herzing University
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