Wanda Zwiegelaar
Littleton,CO
Summary
Compassionate Clinical Nurse Coordinator known for high productivity and efficient task completion. Has a strong background in patient-centric care management. Possess specialized skills in patient care coordination, staff training and development, and healthcare administration. Excel in communication, leadership, and problem-solving to enhance team performance and patient outcomes. Bring focused approach to managing complex clinical environments with emphasis on quality care delivery.
Dedicated and knowledgeable offering may years of hands-on patient care experience, as well as solid record of accomplishment in management roles. Broad-based history included medical-surgical PICU as well as NICU patient care.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Clinical Nurse Coordinator
Swedish Medical Center
Englewood, CO
01.2015 - Current
- Provided patient education and support throughout the clinical care process.
- Collaborated with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
- Developed policies and procedures for clinical nursing staff.
- Assisted in creating an environment of quality improvement through participation in performance improvement projects.
- Conducted assessments to identify potential problems related to health care delivery systems.
- Monitored compliance with regulatory standards and best practices within the unit or facility.
- Facilitated communication between medical staff and nursing personnel regarding patient care plans.
- Coordinated nursing activities across multiple departments to ensure continuity of care.
- Implemented strategies to improve service delivery and patient satisfaction scores.
- Continued bedside care for PICU patients, up to November 2023.
- Continued with pediatric and young adult care of post-operative patients.
- Developed a system for scheduling staffing needs based on census fluctuations and acuity levels.
- Participated in budget planning for the departmental operations as requested by senior management.
Registered Nurse
Swedish Medical Center
Englewood, Colorado
05.2009 - Current
- Highly experienced PICU RN assigned to an 8-bed PICU unit, which cares for critically ill children.
- The unit takes a multidisciplinary approach to clinical care.
- Patients on the unit are admitted with respiratory failure and trauma, burn, as well as endocrine and other pediatric conditions.
- Float to the general pediatric unit to care for patients ranging from neonatal to adolescents with complex medical conditions, as well as to the NICU.
- Meet the standard of Practice and Care using established hospital policies and procedures.
- Creative problem solving by using critical thinking skills.
- Part of the Code Blue committee and hold statistics with RMCH-PSL for codes in the Unit.
- Attended a Code Blue course at RMCH for improving codes and code outcomes in the unit.
- Help out with formulating and updating policies and procedures for the unit.
- Responsible for ordering supplies for the unit.
- CNC in the Pediatric ICU since 2015, with management duties.
Registered Nurse - Traveler
University of New Mexico Hospital
Albuquerque, New Mexico
09.2008 - 12.2008
- Highly experienced PICU RN assigned to a 20-bed PICU unit, which cares for the critically ill child.
- The unit takes a multidisciplinary approach to clinical care.
- Patients on the unit are admitted with respiratory failure, trauma, burn, oncology, post-operative congenital heart disease, endocrine disorders, etc.
- The PICU staff at UNM are leaders and innovators in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Worked with a few patients on ECMO as a travel nurse.
- Float to the general pediatric unit, as well as the NICU, to care for patients ranging from neonates to adolescents with complex medical conditions in a critical care setting.
- Meet the standard of Practice and Care using established hospital policies and procedures.
- Creative problem solving using critical thinking skills.
Registered Nurse - Traveler
Anne Arundel Medical Center
Annapolis, Maryland
06.2008 - 08.2008
- Taking care of neonates in the Neonatal Intensive Care unit; ventilated premature infants, 25 weeks and above gestation, as well as infants with respiratory failure, infants born with congenital abnormalities, jaundice, and other neonatal issues.
- Administered medications according to physician orders and monitored for effectiveness.
- Developed and implemented individualized plans of care based on the physical, psychosocial, cultural, safety, and learning needs of the neonate.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to ensure quality patient care was provided throughout the continuum of care.
- Assist in stabilizing infants post-delivery with newborn resuscitation.
- Responsible for performing physical exams of the newborn.
- An evaluation of the following signs, APGAR (Activity, Pulse rate, Grimace, Appearance, and Respiration), is taken and assigned a point value to determine if more resuscitation measures, careful monitoring, or immediate lifesaving techniques are needed for the baby.
- Float to general pediatric unit, providing care to children ages newborn to 18 years, in caring for a wide variety of childhood illnesses.
- Educated families (and patients on the pediatric floor) about disease processes, treatment options, and self-care management strategies.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient assessments, interventions, and evaluations within the electronic medical records system according to established standards.
- Utilized evidence-based practice guidelines when providing clinical interventions for patients.
- Assisted physicians during examinations and procedures, as needed, per facility protocols.
Registered Nurse - Traveler
Swedish Medical Center
Englewood, Colorado
10.2007 - 05.2008
- Assigned to PICU, where advanced medical care is provided to patients from infancy to adolescence with life-threatening illnesses or injuries in a critical care setting.
- Patients primarily receive care for diagnoses related, but not limited to, trauma, chronic illness, multi-system organ failure, respiratory disorders, and renal disorders.
- Float to the Neonatal Intensive Care, where advanced medical care is instantly available and given to high-risk newborns.
- Floated to the Pediatric unit with a patient population from infancy to 18, with diverse diagnoses from endocrine, respiratory distress, AVM, and VM post-op treatment, trauma, as well as other multi-system disorders.
- Administered medications according to physician orders and monitored for effectiveness.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to ensure quality patient care was provided throughout the continuum of care.
- Educated patients and their families about disease processes, treatment options, and self-care management strategies.
- Developed and implemented individualized plans of care based on the physical, psychosocial, cultural, safety, and learning needs of the patient.
- Assessed patient conditions by utilizing physical assessment techniques and laboratory data.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient assessments, interventions, and evaluations within the electronic medical records system according to established standards.
- Assisted physicians during examinations and procedures, as needed, per facility protocols.
- Utilized evidence-based practice guidelines when providing clinical interventions for patients.
Registered Nurse
Flagstaff Medical Center
Flagstaff, Arizona
03.2007 - 09.2007
- Highly experienced PICU RN assigned to a 6-bed PICU unit, which cares for critically ill children in a critical care setting.
- The unit takes a multidisciplinary approach to clinical care.
- Patients on the unit are admitted with respiratory failure and trauma, as well as endocrine and other pediatric conditions.
- Float to the general pediatric unit to care for patients ranging from neonatal to adolescents with complex medical conditions, as well as to the NICU.
- Meet the standard of Practice and Care using established hospital policies and procedures.
- Creative problem solving by using critical thinking skills.
- Provided patient care and education to patients with chronic illnesses.
- Assessed, planned, implemented, and evaluated nursing care for assigned patients.
- Performed triage assessments of walk-in patients in a clinic setting.
- Administered medications and treatments according to physician orders.
- Monitored vital signs, administered injections, and provided assistance with medical procedures.
- Oversaw patient admission and discharge processes to coordinate related paperwork.
- Maintained personal and team compliance with medication administration standards and patient care best practices.
- Collected lab specimens, ordered and interpreted diagnostic tests and lab results.
- Provided patient and family health education, focusing on self-management, prevention, and wellness.
- Assessed and prepared patients for procedures, performing initial and ongoing patient assessments.
- Trained and mentored new RNs on best practices, hospital policies, and standards of care.
- Duties include continuous monitoring of heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, oxygen level, and other variables.
- Trained in utilizing child-specific and age-appropriate equipment and technology, which aids in the provision of expert treatment while providing physical, emotional, and social support to both the patient and their families.
Registered Nurse
Swedish Medical Center
Denver, Colorado
07.2006 - 01.2007
- Assigned to PICU, where advanced medical care is provided to patients from infancy to adolescence with life-threatening illnesses or injuries.
- Patients primarily receive care for diagnoses related, but not limited to, trauma, chronic illness, multi-system organ failure, respiratory disorders, and renal disorders.
- Float to the Neonatal Intensive Care where advanced medical care is instantly available and given to high-risk newborns.
- Floated to the Pediatric unit with a patient population from infancy to 18, with diverse diagnosis from endocrine, respiratory distress, AVM and VM post op treatment, trauma as well as other multi system disorders.
- Administered medications according to physician orders and monitored for effectiveness.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to ensure quality patient care was provided throughout the continuum of care.
- Educated patients and their families about disease processes, treatments options and self-care management strategies.
- Developed and implemented individualized plans of care based on the physical, psychosocial, cultural, safety and learning needs of the patient.
- Assessed patient conditions by utilizing physical assessment techniques and laboratory data.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient assessments, interventions and evaluations within electronic medical records system according to established standards.
- Assisted physicians during examinations and procedures as needed per facility protocols.
- Utilized evidence-based practice guidelines when providing clinical interventions for patients.
- Typical duties and responsibilities include caring for cardiac patients, monitoring post-operative patients, assisting in treating and monitoring accident victims, performing emergency first aid, interpreting readings from advanced health monitoring devices, administering medications, patient pain management, and liaising with the patient's relatives and friends.
Registered Nurse
Phoenix Children’s Hospital
Phoenix, Arizona
04.2006 - 07.2006
- Working in a PICU with critically ill children, ranging from neonates to 18 years of age.
- The patients are on cardiac monitors, many with ventilatory support, and multiple IV drips.
- Duties include physical assessment of neurological, cardiac, and respiratory systems; medication administration; care planning; and evaluation and nursing care.
- Patients primarily receive care for diagnoses related, but not limited to, trauma, congenital as well as non-congenital cardiac failure, chronic illnesses, multi-system organ failure, respiratory disorders, and renal disorders.
- Float to the Neonatal Intensive Care, where advanced medical care is instantly available and given to high-risk newborns.
- Floated to the Pediatric unit with a patient population from infancy to 18, with diverse diagnoses including endocrine, respiratory distress, trauma, as well as other multi-system disorders.
- Administered medications according to physician orders and monitored for effectiveness.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to ensure quality patient care was provided throughout the continuum of care.
- Educated patients and their families about disease processes, treatment options, and self-care management strategies.
- Developed and implemented individualized plans of care based on the physical, psychosocial, cultural, safety, and learning needs of the patient.
- Assessed patient conditions by utilizing physical assessment techniques and laboratory data.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient assessments, interventions, and evaluations within the electronic medical records system according to established standards.
- Assisted physicians during examinations and procedures, as needed, per facility protocols.
- Utilized evidence-based practice guidelines when providing clinical interventions for patients.
Registered Nurse
Linmed Hospital
Benoni, South Africa
10.2005 - 01.2006
- Responsible for nursing care of critically ill Neonates.
- Monitored vital signs, administered injections, and provided assistance with medical procedures.
- Documented patient progress notes accurately and efficiently in the electronic medical record system.
- Collaborated with physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers and other healthcare professionals to develop individualized treatment plans for each patient.
- Participated in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient care plans.
- Instructed patients on proper self-care techniques at home following discharge from the hospital.
- Ensured compliance with standards of professional practice as well as state and federal regulations related to health care delivery services.
- Maintained a safe environment for all patients by adhering to infection control policies and procedures.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to assess clinical situations quickly and accurately.
- Actively participated in quality improvement initiatives within the department.
- Duties include physical assessments, administration of medication, and IV therapy.
- Babies on these units require varying degrees of life support, respiratory and pulmonary airway management, and ventilator support.
- Also, provide support and education to parents, as well as bereavement and coping skills to deal with various situations.
Clinical Resource Nurse
King Abdul Aziz Medical City
Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
11.2003 - 06.2005
- Equipment used in units include Servo 900C ventilator, Servo 300 ventilator, Sechrist ventilator, Drager 8000 plus ventilator, ABL machine S20-blood gas, bubble NCPAP, infant flow NCPAP, Harvard dual syringe pump, Baster infusion pump, Ivac 770 syringe pump, cardiac monitor Hewlett Packard 665, Life pack 12 Biphasic defibrillator, Air shield infant incubator, Ohmeda 5120 oxygen analyzer, MS 16A syringe driver, air shield Vickers, infant resuscitate/radiant warmer, neonatal transport incubator T1 100 globe trotter, Nelcor Puritan Bennett 4000 – transport cardiac monitor, criticare pulse oximeter, Hewlett Packard ECG machine, Ivac temp/blood pressure apparatus, medisence glucometer, HFOV sensor medics
- Responsible for new staff orientation and education.
- Instructing in neonatal resuscitation program and pediatric advance life support courses, unit-based mock codes.
- On and off unit education of new staff to new and old procedures, assisting new and junior staff in difficult procedures.
- Assisting and training new and junior staff in daily procedures.
- Training staff on the pediatric ward on nursing ventilated pediatric patients for High Dependence Care.
- Coordinator for both PALS and NRP courses at the hospital, and senior instructor for both.
- BLS instructor.
- Formulating self-study modules for the department and assisting nursing education with standardization of these study modules.
- In-service training for new and junior staff.
- Updating orientation packages for use in the unit to assist staff with daily patient care.
- Updating IPPs and creating new IPPs for unit and hospital in assistance with Nurse Managers and CRNs from other areas.
- Assisting with standardization of crash carts, acting as a resource to staff in new and updated skills and techniques on nursing in the critical areas, training of staff on medical pediatric wards to high dependence unit (working with chronically ventilated children).
- Types of admissions in Neonatal include congenital anomalies, metabolic disorders, and endocrine anomalies; IDDM; ventilated and non-ventilated; cardiac anomalies; preterm and micro preterm; surgical; birth asphyxia; cardiac anomalies; ABO incompatibilities; septic shock; hyperbilirubinemia; ROP; and short bowel syndrome.
- Pediatric admissions include orthopedic, surgical, trauma, neurosurgical, neuroimpaired oncology, metabolic disorders, severe asthma, cardiac anomalies, ventilated and non-ventilated, congenital anomalies, and endocrine anomalies.
Clinical Resource Nurse
King Abdul Aziz Medical City
Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
11.2003 - 08.2004
- CRN in PICU unit, which cares for the most critically ill children.
- The unit takes a multidisciplinary approach to clinical care.
- Patients on the unit are admitted with respiratory failure and trauma, burn, as well as endocrine and other pediatric conditions, especially patients with congenital abnormalities.
- Meet the standard of Practice and Care using established hospital policies and procedures.
- Creative problem solving by using critical thinking skills.
- Cardiac monitoring, wound cleaning, and dressing; assessment: physical, formulation of a plan of care according to a nursing diagnosis, according to the nursing process.
- NICU admissions include congenital anomalies, metabolic disorders, and endocrine anomalies; ventilated and non-ventilated; cardiac anomalies; preterm and micro preterm; surgical; birth asphyxia; cardiac anomalies; ABO incompatibilities; septic shock; hyperbilirubinemia; ROP; and short bowel syndrome.
- PICU admissions include orthopedic, surgical, trauma, neurosurgical, neurological, oncology, metabolic disorders, respiratory distress and failure, cardiac anomalies, ventilated and non-ventilated, congenital anomalies, and endocrine anomalies.
- Equipment used in units include Servo ventilators, Sechrist ventilator, Drager ventilators, blood gases, bubble NCPAP, infant flow NCPAP, Harvard dual syringe pump, Baxter infusion pump, Ivac 770 syringe pump, cardiac monitor Hewlett Packard 665, Life pack 12 Biphasic defibrillator, Air shield infant isolette, oxygen analyzer, syringe driver, air shield Vickers, infant resuscitate/radiant warmer, neonatal transport isolette, transport cardiac monitor, ECG machine, glucometer, HFOV sensor medics.
- Responsible for new staff orientation and education.
- Unit-based mock codes for both NICU and PICU.
- Education of new staff to procedures, assisting new and junior staff during difficult procedures.
- Assisting and training new and junior staff in daily procedures.
- Training staff on the pediatric floor on nursing ventilated pediatric patients for a Step down unit.
- Coordinator for both PALS and NRP, as well as BLS courses at the hospital, and senior instructor for both.
- Formulating self-study modules for the department and assisting nursing education with standardization of these study modules.
- In-service training for new and junior staff.
- Updating orientation packages for use in the unit to assist staff with daily patient care.
- Updating IPPs and creating new IPPs for unit and hospital in assistance with Nurse Managers and CRNs from other areas.
- Assisting with standardization of crash carts, acting as a resource to staff in new and updated skills and techniques on nursing in the critical areas, training of staff on medical pediatric wards to high dependence unit (working with chronically ventilated children).
- Responsible for new staff orientation and educat
Senior Registered Nurse
King Abdul Aziz Medical City
Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
04.1998 - 11.2003
- Experienced RN in PICU unit, which cares for the most critically ill children.
- The unit takes a multidisciplinary approach to clinical care.
- Patients on the unit are admitted with respiratory failure and trauma, burn, as well as endocrine and other pediatric conditions, especially patients with congenital abnormalities.
- Float to the general pediatric unit to care for patients ranging from neonatal to adolescents with complex medical conditions, as well as to the NICU.
- Meet the standard of Practice and Care using established hospital policies and procedures.
- Creative problem solving by using critical thinking skills.
- Cardiac monitoring, wound cleaning, and dressing; assessment: physical, formulation of a plan of care according to a nursing diagnosis according to the nursing process.
- Provide emotional support and empathy, normal nursing responsibilities: working as part of the multidisciplinary team for Optimal Health of all Patients
- Specialized procedures include assisting doctors in intubations insertion of long lines, insertion of umbilical lines, CVP lines, central lines, and cut down procedures, emergency tracheotomies, doctors’ rounds, code blue interaction, any on unit procedures, able to insert: nasogastric tube, orogastric tube, catheters, changing of tracheal tubes, cleaning of tracheostomy site, IV cannulation, insertion of radial arterial lines, blood sampling: venous, arterial, and capillary, ECG recording (10 lead and 15 lead) interpretation of basic ECG anomalies, ventilator set-up and trouble shooting, trouble shooting on all equipment in the unit, cleaning equipment correctly and manipulation of necessary settings, nursing child on HFOV, cranial pressure monitoring, assisting physicians in removal of chest tubes, insertion of urine catheters (pediatric and neonatal), transportation of unstable and stable patients, care of emergency trauma patients, basic cardiac life support, pediatric advance life support and neonatal resuscitation
- In charge of unit routinely, charge responsibilities, ordering of drugs, narcotics with responsibilities of safekeeping of narcotics, organizing of staff, delegation of duties and nursing care, staffing unit according to acuity of unit, doctor’s rounds and assisting staff in all patient care, ordering of stock and checking of adequate supplies
Registered Nurse
Charisma Nursing Agency
Johannesburg, South Africa
07.1997 - 03.1998
- Worked on different units via a Nursing Locum Agency with NICU, PICU, as well as adult ICU patients.
- Nursing included ventilated patients, post-op surgery, trauma, mostly intensive care-type patients (neonates to adults), chest tubes, assisting with insertion of arterial lines, intravenous cannulation, insertion of long lines on adults, suctioning, physio and care of tracheostomy, ET tube, nasal CPAP, and any kind of oxygen provision.
- Collaborated with physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers and other healthcare professionals to develop individualized treatment plans for each patient.
- Documented patient progress notes accurately and efficiently in the electronic medical record system.
- Instructed patients on proper self-care techniques at home following discharge from the hospital.
- Participated in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient care plans.
- Ensured compliance with standards of professional practice as well as state and federal regulations related to health care delivery services.
- Demonstrated knowledge of current trends in nursing practices by attending continuing education classes or seminars.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to assess clinical situations quickly and accurately.
- Maintained a safe environment for all patients by adhering to infection control policies and procedures.
- Provided emotional support and comfort to families during difficult times.
- Specialized procedures include intravenous cannulation, arterial line insertion, assisting with exchange transfusions, insertion of UAC and UVC, insertion of chest tubes, intubation, extubation, and insertion of long lines, interpretation of blood gases and lab results, and reporting anomalies.
- Equipment used in unit includes bear cub, Newport Breeze, intravenous pumps, and cardiac monitors.
Registered Nurse
Medi Clinic Potchefstroom
Noordburg, South Africa
01.1996 - 06.1997
- Nursing care of critically ill adults, neonates (preterm and term), ventilated surgical neonates, and pediatric patients.
- Trauma patients, medical patients from the ER, acute and continued care of cardiac and non-cardiac patients, assisting doctors, manipulation of ventilators, taking blood samples, intravenous cannulation, arterial and venous blood sampling, suctioning of ET tube, and tracheostomy.
- Type of patients admitted to unit include cardiac, ventilated adult, neonates and pediatric, surgical neonates, surgical adults, all trauma, neuro and orthopedic patients – neonates – adults, post operative cardiac, metabolic as well as medical patients
- Specialized procedures include intravenous cannulation, arterial line insertion, setting up of ventilator, change of vent settings, and suctioning of ET/tracheostomy tube. Assisting doctors and nursing patients with chest drains, 12-lead ECG, and basic interpretation. Assisting with pacemaker insertion.
- Administered medications and treatments according to physician orders.
- Collaborated with physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers and other healthcare professionals to develop individualized treatment plans for each patient.
- Participated in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient care plans.
- Ensured compliance with standards of professional practice as well as state and federal regulations related to health care delivery services.
- Maintained a safe environment for all patients by adhering to infection control policies and procedures.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to assess clinical situations quickly and accurately.
- Assisted physicians during examinations or surgical procedures.
- Administered medications and treatments, monitoring patients for reactions and side effects.
- Evaluated patients, recognized and addressed complications and coordinated treatment with other members of critical care team.
Education
Degree in Nursing Science - Baccalaureus Curationis
University of Potchefstroom (Now North-West University)
01.1995
Skills
- Clinical Documentation
- Care Coordination
- Patient Health Education
- Patient Advocacy
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Resource Allocation
- Discharge Planning
- Quality Improvement
- Patient Care
- Recruiting and training
- Care Planning
- Staff Education
- Compliance Monitoring
- Clinical issues understanding
- Patient Education
- Electronic Charting
- EMR Systems
- Patient care planning
- Team Development
- Staff Development
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Clinical Leadership
- Performance Improvement
- Medication Administration
- Clinical Quality Improvement
- Unit Administration
- Diagnosis and treatment
- Resource Utilization
- Pediatric Critical Care
- Neonatal Intensive Care
Licenses
Colorado, 177428, 09/30/26
Certification
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification - American Red Cross.
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) - American Red Cross.
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support Provider Card ACLS –American Red Cross.
- CCRN Pediatric – American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.
- Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course Provider Status-ENPC-Emergency Nurses Association.
- Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) - Emergency Nurses Association.
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Certification - American Academy of Pediatrics.
Timeline
Clinical Nurse Coordinator
Swedish Medical Center
01.2015 - Current
Registered Nurse
Swedish Medical Center
05.2009 - Current
Registered Nurse - Traveler
University of New Mexico Hospital
09.2008 - 12.2008
Registered Nurse - Traveler
Anne Arundel Medical Center
06.2008 - 08.2008
Registered Nurse - Traveler
Swedish Medical Center
10.2007 - 05.2008
Registered Nurse
Flagstaff Medical Center
03.2007 - 09.2007
Registered Nurse
Swedish Medical Center
07.2006 - 01.2007
Registered Nurse
Phoenix Children’s Hospital
04.2006 - 07.2006
Registered Nurse
Linmed Hospital
10.2005 - 01.2006
Clinical Resource Nurse
King Abdul Aziz Medical City
11.2003 - 06.2005
Clinical Resource Nurse
King Abdul Aziz Medical City
11.2003 - 08.2004
Senior Registered Nurse
King Abdul Aziz Medical City
04.1998 - 11.2003
Registered Nurse
Charisma Nursing Agency
07.1997 - 03.1998
Registered Nurse
Medi Clinic Potchefstroom
01.1996 - 06.1997
Degree in Nursing Science - Baccalaureus Curationis
University of Potchefstroom (Now North-West University)