Dynamic Registered Nurse with extensive experience at Prime Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care, excelling in medication administration and patient assessments. Proven ability to enhance patient satisfaction through compassionate care and strong clinical judgment, while effectively managing complex cases and fostering professional growth among nursing staff. Committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based care.
Healthcare professional with strong background in patient care and medical support. Known for collaborative work with medical teams to deliver high-quality care and adapt to evolving patient needs. Expertise in patient assessment and medication administration, along with compassionate care and reliability.
Overview
44
44
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse
Prime Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care
04.2010 - Current
Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities.
Served as a preceptor for nursing students during their clinical rotations, providing valuable real-world experience and guidance to foster professional growth.
Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing interventions and individualized care plans.
Provided support for patients'' families during difficult medical decisions or end-of-life care, serving as a liaison between the healthcare team and loved ones.
Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
Contributed to interdisciplinary team meetings by presenting relevant clinical data about patients'' progress toward reaching established goals of care.
Facilitated patient transitions between different levels of care, ensuring continuity of services and minimizing disruptions in treatment plans.
Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans for complex cases.
Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
Director of Nursing
Misericordia Home
06.1997 - 03.2010
Participated in management team meetings to discuss resident status, census changes, and resident complaints or concerns.
Oversaw and approved recruitment, hiring and orientation of new nursing staff.
Ensured regulatory compliance by staying current on industry standards and updating policies accordingly.
Monitored and evaluated nursing staff performance, providing feedback and guidance to support standards of care.
Built and maintained positive working relationships with physicians and staff to support seamless healthcare operations.
Performed rounds to observe care and interview staff, residents, and families.
Streamlined nursing operations by optimizing staffing schedules, resource allocation, and workflow processes.
Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans for patients with complex needs.
Collaborated with staff, management, and external groups to coordinate patient care.
Established and monitored infection control programs to provide safe, sanitary environment to prevent transmission of disease and infection.
Facilitated continuing education and training programs to drive staff competency and professional development.
Promoted a culture of safety by enforcing compliance with infection control policies and procedures.
Managed budgets effectively, identifying cost-saving measures while maintaining high-quality patient care standards.
Planned and assigned workload to 15-person nursing staff to direct patient care.
Established new policies and updated existing policies to improve standard of care for patients.
Conducted regular risk assessments within the department to identify areas of potential vulnerability and implement corrective actions where necessary.
Evaluated work performance of 15 nursing personnel to determine wage increases and implement discipline.
Engaged with local educational institutions to support the recruitment and retention of highly skilled nurses, contributing to a robust pipeline of qualified professionals entering the workforce.
Contributed to organizational strategic planning efforts by providing insights on nursing best practices, workforce development issues, and healthcare trends affecting service delivery models.
Recruited, hired and trained all staff, providing direct supervision, ongoing staff development and continuing education to employees.
Developed and updated policies and procedures, maintaining compliance with guidelines relating to HIPAA, benefits administration and general liability.
Ordered all pharmacy supplies and kept check on inventory levels.
Created customized care plans, working with hospital staff and families to assess and meet individual needs.
Registered Nurse - Emergency Room
Holy Cross Hospital
03.1989 - 03.1997
Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in nursing care and emerging trends in healthcare delivery.
Promoted a culture of safety within the healthcare facility by participating in quality improvement initiatives, identifying potential hazards, and advocating for best practices in nursing care delivery.
Implemented evidence-based fall prevention strategies, resulting in a significant decrease in patient falls within the unit.
Demonstrated expertise in wound management techniques resulting in accelerated healing times for patients with complex wounds or pressure injuries.
Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
Conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.
Performed triage on incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses.
Conveyed treatment options, diagnosis information and home care techniques to patients and caregivers to continue care consistency.
Performed frequent checks on life support equipment and made necessary adjustments to preserve optimal patient conditions.
Investigated and resolved issues affecting hospital operations and patient care.
Reported findings to quality departments after conducting routine restraint audits and worked with team to devise corrective actions for deficiencies.
Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
Served as a preceptor for nursing students during their clinical rotations, providing valuable real-world experience and guidance to foster professional growth.
Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
Provided support for patients'' families during difficult medical decisions or end-of-life care, serving as a liaison between the healthcare team and loved ones.
Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
Registered Nurse - Medical Surgical/Registered Nurse, Medical Intensive Care Unit
Central Community Hospital
09.1981 - 02.1989
Streamlined medication administration processes for increased safety and accuracy during busy shifts.
Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
Managed caseload of 3-4 patients simultaneously by providing bedside care, treatments, IV therapy, and wound care.
Assessed patient conditions accurately by conducting comprehensive physical assessments, interpreting diagnostic tests, and utilizing critical thinking skills.
Administered blood products and monitored vital signs to address immediate concerns.
Provided emotional support for patients facing serious diagnoses or end-of-life decisions, fostering trusting relationships with both patients and their families.
Monitored patients before, during and after surgical operations to evaluate patient care.
Monitored and managed pain levels of post-surgical patients to reduce unnecessary opiate usage.
Administered IV medications, monitoring and documenting patient responses to address complications.
Education
Master of Science - Nursing
Concordia University
River Forest, IL
01-2011
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
St. Xavier University
Chicago, IL
01-1990
Skills
Documentation and charting
Patient assessments
Strong clinical judgment
Patient education and counseling
Infection control measures
Wound care
Compassion and empathy
Professional bedside manner
Languages
Polish
Professional Working
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Prime Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care
04.2010 - Current
Director of Nursing
Misericordia Home
06.1997 - 03.2010
Registered Nurse - Emergency Room
Holy Cross Hospital
03.1989 - 03.1997
Registered Nurse - Medical Surgical/Registered Nurse, Medical Intensive Care Unit