Valerie Klaassen

Work with a small team to provide wound care throughout the Medical Center with patients ranging from newborn to elderly. Coordinate care with staff nurses, physicians and team members. Assist with pressure injury prevention measures for at risk patients. Manage the care of ostomy patients including marking and pre-op teaching as well as post op education and follow up post discharge. Provide learning experiences for student nurses from area nursing programs and for new nurse hires.

Performed nursing interventions including IV therapy, wound care, symptom monitoring for chronic health conditions, medication management, education to promote self care and independence, ostomy care, safety assessments and specimen collections. Coordinated care with physical and occupational therapy, home care aides, social work and physicians. Maintained records and assisted with coding.

Initiated, monitored and terminated dialysis treatments. Evaluated lab results and modified medication doses according to protocols. Assessed patients before and after treatments and reported significant findings to physicians. Taught dietary information and fluid control and conveyed other pertinent information to patients. Monitored the water system. Supervised dialysis technicians. Wrote a newsletter for patients to inform them of changes in the unit and to teach about kidney failure and treatment plans. Collaborated with physicians, dietician and social worker in developing care plans.

Performed various nursing interventions including assessment, implementation and evaluation of care plans, teaching patients and coordinating care with other disciplines. I oriented and worked in several departments including intensive care, emergency room, medical unit, surgical unit and skilled unit. I participated in policy/procedure and education committees.

Gathered patient health data through interviews, assessments and observation. Wrote policies and procedures for the clinic. Conducted chart reviews for quality assurance.