Samantha Klekovic, BSN, RN

• Appropriately assessing patients
• Patient advocacy, making sure the patient's wants and needs are communicated
• head to toe assessments
• managing the operating room
• medical record keeping/data entry
• following patients through their post op journey and recognizing emergent/urgent situations
• remaining calm during emergency situations
• working well with the whole team
• providing education and communication in order to give the patient the best experience

Provided nursing support in the operating room as a circulating nurse and as a scrub nurse. As a circulator, I organized and managed care of patients undergoing various procedures throughout the entire perioperative experience. I have learned how to perform a thorough pre-operative interview, gain a patient's trust, and answer a patient's questions and address their concerns prior to going into surgery. While in the operating room I have experience in collecting blood, tissue, and other laboratory specimens and preparing them for lab testing. I have skills in inserting ivs, maintaining sterility while inserting foley catheters, providing airway support, positioning patients, and setting up the room according to the surgeon's preference. I also have experience in working with CareConnection for accurate intra-operative documentation.

As a scrub nurse, maintaining sterile technique is of the utmost importance and I am proficient in maintaining it. I have knowledge in different types of surgical instruments and understand the importance of sharps safety along with keeping track of accessories to make sure all counts are correct. I also understand the importance of setting up a procedure according to a surgeon's preference and setting up procedures in a timely manner.

Staff RN

• Provided nursing support on Orthopedic and Neurology unit. Transcribed and initiated physician orders. Performed head-to-toe assessments and administered medications for a diverse patient population. Educated and communicated with patients, family members, and caregivers on disease processes, medications, procedures, medical/nursing interventions, and post operative instructions.
• Developed, implemented, and evaluated plans of care which included nursing diagnoses, interventions, and long and short term goals.
• Communicates with patients, families, pharmacists, case managers, physical therapists, physicians and others involved in the plan of care to ensure patient safety and continuity of care.
• Preceptor to new nurses.
• Educator for Advocate Sherman Hospital's Total Joint Class
• Proficient in Cerner, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel
• Involved with Magnet site preparation which resulted being invited to attend ANCC National Conference in October 2018.

Nursing Fellow

• Conducted nursing research which included being knowledgeable in using computer databases.
• Copied, logged and scanned supporting documentation.
• Enhanced knowledge in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel
• Verified data integrity and accuracy.
• Constructed, implemented, and evaluated a nursing research project which increased patient safety by decreasing alarm fatigue
• Obtained CITI Program training to ensure responsible conduct of research and knowledge in confidentiality practices
• Communicated with multiple hospital and technology departments
• Poster presenter at the National Evidence-Based Practice Conference at the University of Iowa in April 2018