Tracy Sowards
Kenna,WV
Summary
Self-motivated Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse offering 12 + years' experience handling all aspects of care for premature babies. A supportive patient-focused individual known for leading quality improvements in intensive care nurseries. Advanced skill working with diverse patient populations. Demonstrated fostering relationships and coordinate with healthcare professionals to advance patient care. Transitions into operations smoothly and flexes to meet differing routines and protocols. Quality-driven and efficient with strong interpersonal abilities.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Charge Nurse
WVU Medicine Thomas Memorial Hospital
South Charleston, WV
04.2023 - Current
- Supervised nursing staff to ensure adherence to best practices and hospital protocols.
- Coordinated patient care plans, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams for optimal outcomes.
- Mentored junior nurses, facilitating skill development and enhancing team performance.
- Implemented quality improvement initiatives that enhanced patient safety and satisfaction scores.
- Managed staffing schedules effectively to maintain optimal nurse-to-patient ratios during peak hours.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory standards through regular audits and staff education sessions.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Coordinated nursing care on unit through staff assignments, assisting and rounding with physicians, monitoring patient orders, and communicating with ancillary departments.
- Optimized patient satisfaction through timely response to concerns and effective communication among staff members.
- Served as a liaison between nursing staff, physicians, and management, fostering open communication channels among all parties involved in patient care.
- Championed a positive work culture by recognizing exemplary performance from team members and addressing conflicts promptly when they arose.
- Advocated for patient needs, resulting in improved patient outcomes and satisfaction.
- Epic STORK trainer
- Level II NICU
- Beds: 8
- Nurse to Patient Ratio: 1: 2-4
Travel Registered Nurse, NICU
Adena Regional Medical Center
Chillicothe, OH
01.2023 - 03.2023
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans for neonates in critical condition.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments, ensuring accurate monitoring of vital signs and response to treatments.
- Educated families on care techniques, promoting understanding of neonatal conditions and fostering support systems.
- Offered lactation support and education to mothers with infants in the NICU, promoting successful breastfeeding practices despite challenging circumstances.
- Ensured adherence to strict infection control practices, reducing incidences of hospital-acquired infections among patients.
- Enhanced family satisfaction with empathetic communication and thorough education on infant care.
- Assisted physicians during bedside procedures such as intubation or umbilical line placement, ensuring patient safety and comfort.
- Conducted ongoing assessments of newborns'' vital signs and responses to interventions, adjusting care strategies accordingly for optimal results.
- Charting System: Epic
- Level II NICU
- Nurse to Patient Ratio - 1: 2-3
- Number of Beds: 8
Travel Registered Nurse, NICU
ProMedica Toledo Children's Hospital
Toledo, OH
09.2022 - 01.2023
- Level IIIB NICU
- Care of infants 23 weeks gestation and up
- Maintained infants with multiple forms of oxygen therapy, peripheral and central IV catheters, post surgical, and multiple genetic malformations
- Floated to Pediatrics and PICU, caring for children age newborn to 2 years old
- Charting System: Epic
- Unit Bed Count 72
- Nurse-to-patient ratio 1:3
- Utilized valuable communication skills to deliver information to family members regarding patient treatment, care and medical options.
- Managed day-to-day routines for newborn babies by administering medication and fluids and checking vital signs regularly.
Travel Registered Nurse, NICU
Women and Infants Hospital
Providence, RI
06.2022 - 08.2022
- Level IV NICU
- Care of infants 22 weeks gestation and up
- Maintained infants with multiple forms of oxygen therapy, peripheral and central IV catheters, post surgical, and multiple genetic malformations
- Managed day-to-day routines for newborn babies by administering medication and fluids and checking vital signs regularly.
- Utilized valuable communication skills to deliver information to family members regarding patient treatment, care and medical options.
- Inserted and cared for catheters, feeding tubes and access sites.
- Charting System: Cerner
- Unit Bed Count 80
- Nurse-to-patient ratio 1:3-4
Travel Registered Nurse, NICU
Corpus Christi Medical Center Bay Area
Corpus Christi, TX
03.2022 - 06.2022
- Level III NICU
- Care for neonates 23 weeks +, manage infants on ventilators, CPAP, Vapotherm, and oscillators; manage infants with UVC/UAC, PICC, and PIV access; manage infants with multiple drips; admit infants to NICU
- Utilized valuable communication skills to deliver information to family members regarding patient treatment, care and medical options.
- Evaluated patient vital signs and laboratory data to assess needs and provide emergency interventions.
- Charting System: Centricity
- Unit Bed Count 34
- Nurse to Patient ratio: 1:3-4
Travel Registered Nurse, NICU
Seton Medical Center Hays
Kyle, TX
01.2022 - 02.2022
- Level II NICU
- IV sticks, lab draws, assist NNP with procedures, care for infants requiring oxygen support, care for infants with umbilical lines
- Managed day-to-day routines for newborn babies by administering medication and fluids and checking vital signs regularly.
- Utilized valuable communication skills to deliver information to family members regarding patient treatment, care and medical options.
- Charting System: Cerner
- Unit Bed Count 4
- Nurse-to-patient ratio 1:2
Travel Registered Nurse, NICU
Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital
Nashville, TN
09.2021 - 12.2021
- Special Care Nursery
- Admit babies that need extra care, monitor vitals and assess infants with complications, obtain labs, stick IVs, assess blood sugars
- Managed day-to-day routines for newborn babies by administering medication and checking vital signs regularly.
- Utilized valuable communication skills to deliver information to family members regarding patient treatment, care and medical options.
- Charting System: Epic
- Unit Bed Count 8
- Nurse-to-patient ratio 1:4
Charge RN
Thomas Memorial Hospital
South Charleston, WV
09.2012 - 09.2021
- Level IIB NICU
- Preceptor, deliveries, computer superuser, labs, assist neonatologist with procedures, cared for infants requiring oxygen support, IV sticks, cared for infants with umbilical catheters and PICC lines, prepared infants for transport to other facilities
- Unit Bed Count 8
- Charge Nurse Experience: 8 years
- Managed day-to-day routines for newborn babies by administering medication and fluids and checking vital signs regularly.
- Utilized valuable communication skills to deliver information to family members regarding patient treatment, care and medical options.
- Evaluated patient vital signs and laboratory data to assess needs and provide emergency interventions.
- Supervised cardiac monitors, mechanical ventilators and alarms and oxygen delivery devices.
- Computer Charting System: Meditech and OB TraceView
Staff RN
CAMC General Hospital
Charleston, WV
09.2010 - 09.2012
- Med/Surg Telemetry
- Read physician orders and administered therapies, treatments and medications.
- Explained treatment procedures, medication side effects, special diets and physician instructions to patients.
- Performed comprehensive assessments to identify patient needs, devise care plans, modify care solutions and support patient rights.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary healthcare professionals to administer therapies and maintain continuum of care.
- Cared expertly for individuals with wide array of medical issues such as pulmonary, cardiology and infectious disease patients.
- Nurse to Patient Ratio 1:8
Education
ADN - Nursing
West Virginia University
05.2010
Skills
- Calm and level-headed under duress
- Staff Development and Precepting
- Newborn health evaluations
- Parental support
- Life-sustaining machines
- Active listening
- Analytical
- Microsoft Office
- Critical thinking
- Decision-making
- Problem resolution
- Communication
- Training & development
- Care coordination
- Clinical leadership
- Team leadership
- Compassionate and patient
- Mentoring and coaching
- Staff management
- Patient advocacy
- Duty delegation
- Personal integrity
- Rapport building
Accomplishments
- Recognized as Employee of the Month for outstanding performance and team contributions.
References
REFERENCES
1. Ashley Jordan, RN
WVU Thomas
ashley.jordan@wvumedicine.org
(304) 932-7033
2. Ruby Angus RN
WVU Thomas
ruby.angus@wvumedicine.org
(304) 531-5056
3. Mandy Ceci, Director of Women's and Children's Services
WVU Thomas
mandy.ceci@wvumedicine.org
(304) 766-3875
Certification
- Licensed RN - 2010
- NRP
- BLS
Timeline
Charge Nurse
WVU Medicine Thomas Memorial Hospital
04.2023 - Current
Travel Registered Nurse, NICU
Adena Regional Medical Center
01.2023 - 03.2023
Travel Registered Nurse, NICU
ProMedica Toledo Children's Hospital
09.2022 - 01.2023
Travel Registered Nurse, NICU
Women and Infants Hospital
06.2022 - 08.2022
Travel Registered Nurse, NICU
Corpus Christi Medical Center Bay Area
03.2022 - 06.2022
Travel Registered Nurse, NICU
Seton Medical Center Hays
01.2022 - 02.2022
Travel Registered Nurse, NICU
Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital
09.2021 - 12.2021
Charge RN
Thomas Memorial Hospital
09.2012 - 09.2021
Staff RN
CAMC General Hospital
09.2010 - 09.2012
ADN - Nursing
West Virginia University