Rahkiah T Couch
Somerset,NJ
Summary
Dedicated, client-focused professional nurse with 16 years of progressive experience in overseeing and managing patient safety and well-being. Expertise in surgical and endoscopy care interventions, combined with strong communication and leadership skills, fosters effective collaboration within multidisciplinary teams. Proven ability to utilize critical thinking and medical knowledge to support patient recovery and manage complex conditions while adhering to healthcare protocols. Committed to delivering compassionate care that enhances patient outcomes and promotes overall wellness.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse – Endoscopy/Gastrointestinal
RWJ Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
10.2023 - Current
- Assist the surgical team during endoscopic procedures; providing patient care before, during, and after the procedure; and educating patients about treatments. Specialized knowledge acquired related to gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases and the skills used to maintain endoscopic equipment, administer medication, and manage emergencies and complications.
Staff Nurse, Part time
UCHC – Rutgers, The State University of NJ
08.2019 - 09.2023
- Provides direct and indirect nursing care to meet physiological, psychosocial, and emotional needs of the resident-patient including adolescents (13-17 years), adults (18 to 27 years).
- Performs assessments of resident-patient in a variety of settings such as initial intake area, health care unit for sick call, emergency situations in housing, chronic care clinics and infirmary.
- Identifies inmate-centered goals and nursing objectives and implements prescribed interventions and solutions for the identified problems. Makes appropriate, timely referrals and initiates appropriate nursing care based on institutional policies and procedures.
- As team leader or charge nurse, delegates duties to other health care team members based on their skill, knowledge and experience and guides the provision of care by others.
- Vaccine for Children site coordinator, overseeing vaccine administration of clients including data logging, ordering vaccines from VFC, and implementing regulations and guidelines of the CDC and Vaccine for Children
Registered Nurse - Same Day Surgery, PD
Saint Barnabas Medical Center
04.2021 - 09.2023
- Direct nursing care in accordance with established policies, procedures, and protocols of the healthcare organization.
- Organize and administer individualized age specific professional care to all patients within an assigned unit: Pre-Op, Post-Op, and Extended Post-op care, of the hospital in support of medical and behavioral health care.
- Preparing patients for surgery, maintaining quality of health after surgery, and preparing patients for discharge teaching and discharge planning.
- Participates in unit Quality Improvement evaluation activities. Calling patients after surgery for further teaching and progress of health after surgery.
Registered Nurse – Endoscopy/Gastrointestinal
RWJ Hamilton Endoscopy & Surgical Center
11.2022 - 03.2023
- Assist the surgical team during endoscopic procedures; providing patient care before, during, and after the procedure; and educating patients about treatments. Specialized knowledge acquired related to gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases and the skills used to maintain endoscopic equipment, administer medication, and manage emergencies and complications.
Surgical Care Nurse
Princeton Medical Penn Medicine, UPenn
08.2019 - 11.2020
- Providing nursing care to patients preparing for surgery and those who are returning from surgery who may or may not have medical or surgical complications.
- Administered patient assessments and developed individualized care plans to enhance health outcomes.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to coordinate comprehensive care for diverse patient populations.
- Admitting new patients; Planning and coordinating discharges; Epic documentation and charting
- Educating patients and families on individual needs, medications side effects/rationale, and plan of care
- Areas of Care: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); Sepsis; Urinary tract infection (UTI); Cellulitis; Renal failure; Falls; Open reduction internal fixation (ORIF); Total hip replacement (THR); Total knee replacement (TKR); Bariatric Surgery; Spinal surgery; Small Bowel Obstruction, Appendectomy, Skin Graft, Cholecystectomy, Colectomy
Licensed Practical Nurse
UCHC – Rutgers, The State University of NJ
01.2011 - 08.2019
- Provide technical nursing care within the scope of practice ensuring implementation of the plan of care to assigned patients (population age: 13-27) while performing treatments and procedures within established guidelines and providing a safe and therapeutic environment.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Chamberlain University of Nursing
North Brunswick, NJ12.2018
License Practical Nursing - undefined
Lincoln Technical Institute
Edison, NJ06.2010
Skills
- Surgical Care/ Pre/Post-op Care
- Behavioral Health Care
- Forensic/Correctional
- Elementary to High School Nursing
- Same Day Surgery
- Vaccine Site Coordinator
- Acute Rehabilitation Care
- Eating Disorder Unit
- Pediatrics/ Adolescent
- Substance Abuse Care
- Endoscopy/GI
Accomplishments
- Research - Nursing Unit Practice Council Co-Chair Leader: Completed group study focused on patient comfort, costs and test results, which resulted in increased patient satisfaction.
- Training - Trained team of staff nurses in patient surgery preparation, intra procedures, and postoperative recovery care to ensure consistent quality of care.
- Advance Endoscopic Procedures - Assisting physicians in procedures including Endoscopic Ultrasound, Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography, POEM, and Endoscopic Resection.
- Member of the Society of Gastroenterology Nurse Association
Certification
- Basic Life Support/ CPR; AHA
- ECARD code: 225414772375 Exp. 10/2026
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support; AHA
- ECARD code: 255405331625 Exp. 11/2026
- Registered Professional Nurse, State of NJ BON
- Compact License
- License #: 26NR20781900 Exp. 05/2026
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support; AHA
- ECARD code: 245426799440 Exp. 03/2026
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Registered Nurse – Endoscopy/Gastrointestinal
RWJ Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
10.2023 - Current
Registered Nurse – Endoscopy/Gastrointestinal
RWJ Hamilton Endoscopy & Surgical Center
11.2022 - 03.2023
Registered Nurse - Same Day Surgery, PD
Saint Barnabas Medical Center
04.2021 - 09.2023
Staff Nurse, Part time
UCHC – Rutgers, The State University of NJ
08.2019 - 09.2023
Surgical Care Nurse
Princeton Medical Penn Medicine, UPenn
08.2019 - 11.2020
Licensed Practical Nurse
UCHC – Rutgers, The State University of NJ
01.2011 - 08.2019
License Practical Nursing - undefined
Lincoln Technical Institute
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Chamberlain University of Nursing