Whitney Rucker
Clinical Manager
La Crosse,WI
Summary
Clinical Manager with knowledge of health care administration and clinical philosophy. Talented at maintaining and developing effective relationships with staff and patients. Excellent supervisory skills and performance working under pressure. I am passionate about Gundersen Health System and strive to maintain values both professionally and personally. I am eager to transition to a position with a focus on projects and process improvement while staying connected to the mission of improving our community.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Clinical Manger, Neuroscience Unit
Gundersen Health
10.2020 - Current
- While manager of the Neuroscience Unit, turnover has decreased from 28% to 11%. Have expanded new RN check-ins by developing a process that encompasses the first full year of employment, aimed at reducing turnover by engaging staff throughout the year to foster a sense of belonging, called WE-CARE.
- Improved coverage for staffing to cover the Stroke Response Nurse so that there is never a gap in care during an SRT.
- Broadened the level of care that neuro is able to provide by introducing a policy for hypertonic saline infusions, aimed at preventing transfer to ICU, and implemented a PACU bypass pathway so that patients receiving a neuro-intervention can be immediately admitted to the neuro unit post-procedure.
- Current team member for Avasure and the falls QAPI
- Navigated the Neuroscience Unit through two successful visits for re-accreditation through the Joint Commission.
Clinical Manager, Emergency Services
Gundersen Health
01.2020 - 10.2020
- Successfully navigated the department through the eruption of the COVID pandemic
- Built many guidelines for PPE, established a new workflow for patients through the department, transformed the ambulance garage into an 8 bed treatment area for potential COVID patients and provided 24 hour leadership resources for staff. During this time, patient satisfaction scores increased, and wait times remained very low
- Established a partner unit with IV therapy to help provide a pool of trained staff that can pick up shifts in that department to help reduce staffing shortages
- Implemented a plan for ES staff to float to inpatient units to help cover Continuous Observation care rather than leaving with NPA
- Wrote a grant through the State of Wisconsin that was accepted with an award value of $498,000, which will help enhance a program that is geared toward decreasing visit volumes of high frequency patients
Clinical Manager, Onalaska Urgent Care
Gundersen Health
04.2019 - 12.2019
- Expanded hours, which necessitated a schedule redesign and transition to Kronos
- Using Action OI data, eliminated many unnecessary shifts and established a nurse: patient ratio, which also led to a redeveloped model of nursing care that is much more efficient, increased patient satisfaction and decreased the cost of care, as it eliminated over-staffing and decreased length of stay
- Implemented a triage x-ray process, established a unit-based educator, and developed a new policy and process for the Onalaska Campus Code Blue/CRT process and implemented a new stroke alert process for a smooth transition to a higher level of care
- Aligned Onalaska's nursing practices with the La Crosse Campus and built an operational plan for the Winona Urgent care, as well as implementing training for their staff prior to their opening.
Registered Nurse, Emergency Services
04.2012 - 07.2018
- Performed skilled nursing assessments and interventions on patients of all ages with a variety of conditions and disease processes, including acute care, end of life care, emergency care, triage, mass casualty, wound care, cardiovascular, pulmonary, pediatrics, mental health and vulnerable populations
- Served on the stroke committee and helped to develop the Epic tool that all staff used for each stroke patient entering the department
- Co-director of the ENPC course
- UPEQ co-chair, preceptor, and charge nurse
Registered Nurse, Medical Oncology Unit
09.2005 - 04.2012
- I began my career at Gundersen as an LPN on the Medical Oncology Unit, then moved into the role as an RN
- Performed skilled nursing assessments and direct patient care to adult patients with numerous medical conditions with a focus on Oncology and Hospice/End of Life
- Chemotherapy certified and served as the bereavement representative for the department
- Served as charge nurse, preceptor and UPEQ chair.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
University of Phoenix
01.2011 - 05.2012
RN Associate Degree -
Minnesota State College Southeast Technical Winona Campus
08.2007 - 05.2008
Practical Nursing Program -
Western Wisconsin Technical College
08.2003 - 05.2004
Skills
Regulatory Compliance
Team Meetings
Operations Oversight
Staff Scheduling
Staff Supervision
Resource Management
Effective Communication
Unit-based shared governance
Onboarding and coaching
Continuous Improvement
Strategic Planning
Staff Guidance
Recruitment and retention
Accreditations Certifications
- Licensed by Sate of WI Board of Nursing, 02/23/09, 166896
- Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician, 02/18/15, 3179285
References
- Kim Hensley, Clinical Manager, Gundersen Health, 608-397-4116, kmhensely@gundersenhealth.org
- Jill Britain, HOM, Gundersen Health, 507-429-7966, jmbritai@gundersenhealth.org
- Traci Segar, Clinical Nurse Leader, Gundersen Health, 608-780-8897, tlsegar@gundersenhealth.org
Timeline
Clinical Manger, Neuroscience Unit
Gundersen Health
10.2020 - Current
Clinical Manager, Emergency Services
Gundersen Health
01.2020 - 10.2020
Clinical Manager, Onalaska Urgent Care
Gundersen Health
04.2019 - 12.2019
Registered Nurse, Emergency Services
04.2012 - 07.2018
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
University of Phoenix
01.2011 - 05.2012
RN Associate Degree -
Minnesota State College Southeast Technical Winona Campus
08.2007 - 05.2008
Registered Nurse, Medical Oncology Unit
09.2005 - 04.2012
Practical Nursing Program -
Western Wisconsin Technical College
08.2003 - 05.2004