Samantha Knighten
Lufkin
Summary
Registered nurse offering compassion, reliability and dedication with experience in med surg, respiratory therapy, Assistant Director of Nursing, long term care, critical care, IV infusion therapy, infection control, home health and hospice to obtain full time position. Works well with diverse patient populations and fosters trusting relationships to improve outcomes. Efficiently coordinates with healthcare professionals to advance patient care.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse
Doctor's Choice Home Care And Hospice
03.2023 - Current
- Improved patient comfort by providing compassionate end-of-life care and addressing individual needs.
- Enhanced family support by offering guidance, resources, and emotional assistance during difficult times.
- Provided education on disease processes, medication administration, and self-care techniques for both patients and families.
- Promoted interdisciplinary collaboration to develop comprehensive care plans tailored to each patient''s unique circumstances.
Travel Registered Nurse
Aya Healthcare
06.2021 - 03.2023
- Delivered outstanding care to patients with various diagnoses and managed care from treatment initiation through to completion.
- Administered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Reviewed post-operative orders and continuously monitored patients' post-operative vitals, set up PCA and fluids and oriented patients to unit.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols.
- Worked with interdisciplinary healthcare team to develop, implement and manage care plans, ensuring inclusion of patients' individual needs.
- Documented patient interactions and interventions in EPIC EMR.
- Documented all elements of care and updated patient charts and confidential files to reflect changes in care plans, interventions applied and observations.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Provided exceptional care to high-acute patients needing complex care such as ventilator management, extensive wound care and rehabilitation.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Adhered to strict safety measures by carefully determining proper dosages before administering medications.
Admissions Registered Nurse
Harbor Hospice
03.2022 - 08.2022
- Provided physicians and other medical personnel with patient assessment details and answered patient care-related questions.
- Recorded incoming patients' vital signs and current medication details in electronic charts.
- Assessed new patients' care plans and administered prescribed medications and treatments.
- Interacted professionally with families and provided empathetic support and professional guidance.
- Directed patient admission and discharge tasks while managing patients and coordinating care.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints and current symptoms.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
RN Case Manager
Harbor Hospice
11.2020 - 06.2021
- Effectively communicated with physicians regarding patient needs, performance, medications and changes.
- Completed initial assessments of patients and family to determine and address individual home care needs. ·
- Responded promptly and professionally to patient questions and concerns.
- Created individualized care plans based on nursing diagnosis and incorporated appropriate nursing methods to achieve positive outcomes.
- Conducted regular re-evaluations to address changes in needs and conditions, introducing revisions to care plans.
- Performed evaluations on consistent basis to address changes in patient needs, conditions and medications, altering care plans when required.
- Actively engaged in on-call rotations to deliver continuous quality care to patients.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Worked with suppliers and vendors on provision of medical equipment, items and services.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols.
- Used BrightTree software to maintain database of relevant information for practitioners to access and coordinate patient care.
Assistant Director of Nursing
Castle Pines
12.2019 - 06.2020
- Evaluate work performance of nursing personnel and implement discipline when necessary
- Perform rounds to observe care of residents
- Establish new policies and update existing policies to improve standard of care for residents.
- Establish and monitor infection control programs to provide safe, sanitary environment to prevent transmission of disease and infection.
- Collaborate with staff, management and external groups to coordinate patient care.
- Develop positive employee relations, incentives and recognition programs to promote teamwork and mutual respect.
- Prepare and review infection control surveillance reports to identify trends and develop effective actions to control and prevent infections.
- Generate and review incident reports, including employee write-ups, actualizing appropriate corrective action plans to mitigate ongoing and potential situations.
- Administer immunizations to staff and residents
- Assist with staffing and on-call duties weekly
- Continue to gain knowledge and understanding of the regulations set by the State of Texas
- Assist the Director of Nursing to maintain continuity of resident care
Registered Nurse
CHI
08.2017 - 12.2019
- Addressed disruptions in patient care, including delays in discharge, postponed procedures and discharge equipment unavailability.
- Managed quality care for patients with varied conditions, including heart failure, end-stage renal disease and coronary artery disease.
- Contributed substantially to successful department JCAHO accreditation by consistently operating to highest standards of care.
- Cared for patients in PCU, ICU, Rehab, Med Surg units delivering outstanding treatment to patients.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare personnel to meet patients' personal, physical, psychological and cognitive needs.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols to optimize performance and safety.
- Partnered with physicians, social workers, activity therapists, nutritionists and case managers to develop and implement individualized care plans and documented all patient interactions and interventions in electronic charting systems.
Respiratory Therapist
CHI
07.2006 - 08.2017
- Managed and operated mechanical ventilators and delivered airway management.
- Delivered treatment for patients experiencing chronic and acute respiratory illnesses by conducting assessments and providing diagnoses.
- Aided physicians with various procedures, including bronchoscopies, ventilator management and intubations.
- Provided bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory medications using hand-held nebulizers, metered-dose inhalers and positive pressure equipment.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Angelina College
Lufkin, TX05.2017
Associate of Applied Science - Respiratory Therapy
Angelina College
Lufkin, TX05.2007
Skills
- Professional Development
- Quality Improvement
- Regulatory Compliance
- Multidisciplinary team collaboration
- Clinical Judgment
- Healthcare Ethics
- Intravenous Therapy
- Medication Administration
- Wound Care
- Case Management
- Certified in CPR/AED
- Patient Education
Certification
- First Aid/CPR Certified
- Nursing Home Infection Preventionist
References
Sheryl Hamilton
936-404-7004
Kristi Arceneaux
903-922-7200
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Doctor's Choice Home Care And Hospice
03.2023 - Current
Admissions Registered Nurse
Harbor Hospice
03.2022 - 08.2022
Travel Registered Nurse
Aya Healthcare
06.2021 - 03.2023
RN Case Manager
Harbor Hospice
11.2020 - 06.2021
Assistant Director of Nursing
Castle Pines
12.2019 - 06.2020
Registered Nurse
CHI
08.2017 - 12.2019
Respiratory Therapist
CHI
07.2006 - 08.2017
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Angelina College
Associate of Applied Science - Respiratory Therapy
Angelina College
- First Aid/CPR Certified
- Nursing Home Infection Preventionist
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