Susan Easter
Watseka,IL
Summary
Dynamic Nurse Educator with a proven track record at Prairieview Lutheran Home, enhancing clinical education and patient care through innovative training programs. Expert in clinical instruction and fostering professional development, resulting in improved staff competency and patient outcomes. Committed to continuous learning and collaboration within interdisciplinary teams to drive quality improvement initiatives.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Nurse Educator
Prairieview Lutheran Home
Danforth, IL
09.2023 - Current
- Developed and delivered educational programs on nursing best practices and patient care techniques.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to enhance resident care strategies and outcomes.
- Mentored new nursing staff, fostering professional development and adherence to standards of care.
- Evaluated educational materials for accuracy, relevance, and alignment with current healthcare guidelines.
- Implemented quality improvement initiatives that streamlined training processes for nursing staff.
- Conducted assessments to identify knowledge gaps among nursing staff, tailoring education accordingly.
- Facilitated workshops focusing on evidence-based practices in geriatric care and health promotion.
- Assessed competency levels among nursing staff, identifying areas of improvement for targeted interventions.
- Promoted professional growth among nursing staff through continuous education opportunities, conferences, and workshops.
- Established a supportive learning environment by providing guidance and mentorship to nursing staff.
- Increased collaboration among nursing staff, promoting shared decision-making and improved patient outcomes through targeted educational initiatives.
Assistant Director of Nursing
Arcadia Care
Clifton, IL
09.2023 - 07.2024
- Assisted in developing and implementing nursing policies to enhance patient care standards.
- Coordinated staff schedules, ensuring optimal coverage and adherence to regulatory compliance.
- Monitored patient health outcomes, identifying trends to improve care delivery strategies.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to streamline communication and workflow efficiency.
- Mentored nursing staff on best practices, fostering professional development and skill enhancement.
- Mentored new nurses in clinical practice and procedures, fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Served as a role model for nursing staff by demonstrating exceptional clinical skills, ethical behavior, and commitment to continuous learning.
- Ensured adherence to safety guidelines for both patients and staff members during all aspects of clinical operations.
Director of Nursing
Watseka Rehabilitation and Health Care
Watseka, IL
06.2023 - 06.2023
- Led nursing staff in delivering high-quality patient care and ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations.
- Developed and implemented policies to improve operational efficiency and enhance patient outcomes.
- Mentored nursing team, fostering professional growth and improving staff retention rates.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate patient-centered care plans tailored to individual needs.
- Analyzed performance metrics to identify areas for improvement within nursing practices and workflows.
- Oversaw scheduling and staffing to optimize resource allocation while maintaining quality care standards.
- Ensured adherence to infection control protocols, resulting in reduced incidence of healthcare-associated infections.
- Conducted regular training sessions for nursing staff on best practices and regulatory updates, enhancing team competency.
- 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.
- Developed positive employee relations, incentives, and recognition programs to promote teamwork and mutual respect.
- 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.
- Worked closely administration to develop and implement best practices to improve patient outcomes.
- 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.
- Identified department issues to recommend corrective actions.
- Enhanced staff performance by conducting regular evaluations, providing constructive feedback, and offering tailored professional development opportunities.
- 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.
- Led quality improvement projects aimed at enhancing clinical outcomes through data-driven analysis and targeted interventions.
- Planned and assigned workload to Number-person nursing staff to direct patient care.
- Developed strong relationships with community partners to facilitate continuity of care for patients transitioning between healthcare settings.
- Established new policies and updated existing policies to improve standard of care for patients.
- Mentored new nurses through orientation programs, facilitating their integration into the team and fostering their professional growth.
- Served as a liaison between nursing leadership, hospital administration, medical staff, allied health professionals, patients, families, and other stakeholders to ensure effective communication and collaboration.
- Prepared and reviewed infection control surveillance reports to identify trends and develop effective actions to control and prevent infections.
- Conducted regular risk assessments within the department to identify areas of potential vulnerability and implement corrective actions where necessary.
- Evaluated work performance of Number nursing personnel to determine wage increases and implement discipline.
- Implemented interdisciplinary rounding practices to streamline communication among healthcare providers involved in patient care.
- Championed a culture of continuous learning by promoting professional development opportunities for nursing staff, including in-house training programs, conferences, workshops, and online resources.
- Championed initiatives focused on improving workplace diversity to foster an inclusive environment that respects the cultural backgrounds of staff members and patients alike.
- 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.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to create comprehensive care plans for patients.
- Conducted routine facility inspections, identifying areas needing improvement and eliminating hazards posed to staff and residents for continued compliance with associated regulations.
- Established and maintained effective communication with staff, physicians and community organizations to promote high quality patient care.
- Developed and updated policies and procedures, maintaining compliance with guidelines relating to HIPAA, benefits administration and general liability.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing Science
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL07.2014
Skills
Clinical expertise
Clinical instruction
Direct patient care
Clinical education
Certification
Infection Control
Wound Care
Timeline
Nurse Educator
Prairieview Lutheran Home
09.2023 - Current
Assistant Director of Nursing
Arcadia Care
09.2023 - 07.2024
Director of Nursing
Watseka Rehabilitation and Health Care
06.2023 - 06.2023
Bachelor of Science - Nursing Science
Olivet Nazarene University