RACHEL O’LEARY
Coatesville,PA
Summary
Compassionate and dedicated Registered Nurse with 16 years of experience specializing in behavioral and mental health care across inpatient and outpatient settings. Proven ability to assess, plan, and implement individualized care plans for patients with a wide range of psychiatric conditions, including mood disorders, anxiety, substance use disorders, and schizophrenia. Skilled in therapeutic communication, de-escalation techniques, and interdisciplinary collaboration to support holistic patient care. Adept at crisis management, medication administration, and patient advocacy, with a strong commitment to promoting mental wellness, safety, and dignity in every interaction.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
PCMH RN Collaborative Care Manager & PCMH Training Lead
Veteran Affairs Medical Center
Wilmington, DE
03.2023 - Current
- Responsible for monitoring patients, providing education and support, and collaboratively making appropriate care decisions.
- Functions as a treatment advocate, consultant, counselor, and educator while providing integrated health care to outpatients in Primary Care and Behavioral Health.
- Care management services include providing referrals for outpatient behavioral health, homeless outreach, and PACT Social Work.
- Clinical work includes facilitating nursing assessments, providing interventions with veterans and/or their families, monitoring for treatment side effects, completing referrals, and assisting with walk-in services/same day access.
- Also serves as the VISN 4 training lead and provides orientation for new employees. Successfully oriented 2 new LCSWs at Wilmington to their collocated collaborative care positions. Participated as training lead in the June 2024 VISN 4 Competency Phase II Training, a 17.5 hour live training that included hands-on role plays and skill demonstrations with participants throughout VISN 4. Successfully trained 19 participants and formally rated 4 participants during this time period.
Staff Development Specialist/Clinical Nurse Educator
Veteran Affairs Medical Center
Lebanon, PA
05.2022 - 03.2023
- Collaborated with nursing management and staff across service lines and departments. Responsible for assessing, planning, developing, implementing, facilitating, evaluating, and revising educational programs/activities based on the assessed learning needs of clinical and non-clinical staff as indicated or requested. Responsible for supporting clinical and classroom instruction across the Medical Center. Served as a key resource in the orientation and continuing education of medical center personnel.
Staff Nurse, Inpatient Psychiatric Unit
Main Line Health: Bryn Mawr Hospital
Bryn Mawr, PA
04.2019 - 10.2022
- Charge duties of coordinating proper staffing for unit, bed management, leading team meetings with interdisciplinary staff members (psychiatry, medical, social work, nursing, and therapists) reviewing clinical for new admissions and presenting to admitting psychiatrist for approval, presenting concerns to management when they arise.
- Staff nurse duties of medication administration and education, admission assessments, discharge assessments, treatment team/treatment planning, and responding promptly to medical and psychiatric emergencies.
Adjunct Professor, Psychiatric Clinical
Widener University
Chester, PA
01.2020 - 01.2022
- This position supported the growth of the accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program by teaching at a clinical site with 8 students with an emphasis on the care of a patient within the psychiatric patient population. I instructed students onsite, as well as online during the pandemic. I supervised students in all aspects of care of patients and reviewed and provided feedback for all written clinical assignments. I completed midterm/final clinical evaluations and planned instructional activities for pre/post conferences.
Charge Nurse, Eating Disorder Unit
Brandywine Hospital
Coatesville, PA
05.2013 - 01.2022
- Medical monitoring of patient’s suffering from anorexia nervosa, bulimia, nervosa, binge eating disorders, diabulimia, and eating disorders not otherwise specified.
- Medication administration and education, mealtime supervision, feeding tube management, behavioral interventions, and treatment planning.
- Supervision of staff and unit coordination on day shift.
Staff Nurse, Detoxification and Inpatient Rehabilitation
Main Line Health: Mirmont Treatment Center
Lima, PA
06.2012 - 12.2016
- Medication administration and education, wound care, diabetic teaching, triaging patients for sick call, admission assessments, discharge assessments, detoxification assessments, treatment team/treatment planning, providing patient education through nursing lectures, and responding promptly to medical and psychiatric emergencies.
Charge Nurse
Veteran Affairs Medical Center
Coatesville, PA
11.2009 - 09.2012
- Responsible for the women’s POWER Program, Homeless DOMs, and PTSD Units
- Fulfilled the role as charge nurse on evening shift, with responsibility to supervise 3 LPNs and 3 Health technicians.
- Facilitated group education for female patients related to medical and mental health issues.
Education
Master of Science - Nursing Leadership: Nurse Educator
Wilmington University
Wilmington, Delaware01.2022
Undergraduate Certificate - Nursing Informatics
The Pennsylvania State University, World Campus Online
05.2017
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Widener University
Chester, Pennsylvania05.2009
Skills
- BLS/ACLS
- PMDB
- PCMHI VISN4 Trainer
- Motivational Interviewing
Affiliations
- American Psychiatric Nurses Association Member. 2022- Present A member-driven community promoting education, supporting nurses, and advancing the care and treatment of mental health disorders.
- Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing Member. 2021-2023 Sigma is a professional organization whose mission is to develop nurse leaders to improve healthcare. This organization keeps me informed on healthcare improvements and is an excellent resource for collaboration and communicating with nursing leaders around the nation.
Certification
- Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing -Licensed Registered Nurse, RN610308
- American Nurses Credentialing Center -Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing PMH-BC, 2022056332 October 10, 2022
Timeline
PCMH RN Collaborative Care Manager & PCMH Training Lead
Veteran Affairs Medical Center
03.2023 - Current
Staff Development Specialist/Clinical Nurse Educator
Veteran Affairs Medical Center
05.2022 - 03.2023
Adjunct Professor, Psychiatric Clinical
Widener University
01.2020 - 01.2022
Staff Nurse, Inpatient Psychiatric Unit
Main Line Health: Bryn Mawr Hospital
04.2019 - 10.2022
Charge Nurse, Eating Disorder Unit
Brandywine Hospital
05.2013 - 01.2022
Staff Nurse, Detoxification and Inpatient Rehabilitation
Main Line Health: Mirmont Treatment Center
06.2012 - 12.2016
Charge Nurse
Veteran Affairs Medical Center
11.2009 - 09.2012
Undergraduate Certificate - Nursing Informatics
The Pennsylvania State University, World Campus Online
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Widener University
Master of Science - Nursing Leadership: Nurse Educator
Wilmington University