Karrie Nelson RN
Spring, Texas 77382
******@*****.***
I am a Registered Nurse with over 27 years of experience providing care as a Staff Nurse, Charge Nurse, and Nurse Manager, in the following healthcare fields; Long Term Care, Med/Surg, Tele, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, Emergency Room, Pre- & Post Cath Lab, Infection Prevention, Employee Health, Clinical Compliance, Quality Assurance, and Staff Development, Continuing Education. I am seeking a job where I can be creative and utilize my broad range of experience and wide knowledge base to enhance the health and wellbeing of the community at large. By educating healthcare workers in a formal setting to deliver a service of safe and excellent patient care, I believe I can impact not only the bedside nurse, but also patients, family members and the community at large for good as well as the betterment of healthcare industry.
RECENT PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Spring Excellence Surgical Hospital Spring, Texas
Clinical Compliance Consultant
Feb 2018 to present:
Survey and monitor all aspects of the clinical process and physical plant to be in
compliance with the State of Texas Department of Health and Human Services, OSHA,
and The Joint Commission regulations. Consultant duties include readiness for
accreditation, continuing compliance which involves all areas of patient safety and
quality assurance. Submitting weekly reports to the administration on deficiencies found
and suggestions for correction.
2920 ER, LLC. (freestanding ER) Spring, Texas
CNO/ Clinical Compliance Coordinator
From 2012 - 2014-- Prn Staff Nurse in a 5 bed ER
From 2014 -2016 -- Clinical Compliance Coordinator
September 2016 to present CNO & Clinical Compliance Coordinator
DAILY PATIENT DUTIES:
Triage, assess, and treat patients in all life stages and age groups from neonate/infant to
geriatric, carry out all physicians’ orders, administer medications all routes, administer
respiratory treatments, calculate and administer ACLS IV medication drips, assist
physician with splinting sprained and broken limbs, assist physician in wound care
procedures, gynecological procedures, eye and ear treatment procedures, monitor cardiac
rhythms, initiate and monitor IV placement, draw blood, obtain cultures for rapid strep,
flu, and RSV, calculate and administer IV fluids, administer EKG tests, Monitor patient
status for response to treatment as well as adverse reaction and abrupt decline from
baseline, assist physician with conscious sedation related to procedures. Document all
treatments and interventions in the patient record. Perform Conscious Sedation under the
direct supervision and in the presence of the Physician for such procedures as
realignment of long bone fractures. Deep I&D of a wound, Synchronized
Cardioversion or complicated suturing of child. Monitor patient recovery from
conscious sedation procedure one-to one with patient until LOC and respiratory status
returned to baseline and maintained for 30 minutes post final administration of sedation
medication.
Under the Direct Supervision of the Medical Director of 2920 ER
Oversee the daily operation of the clinical nursing department in the ER
In cooperation with HR and Risk management, Interview, Hire, Terminate and enforce corrective action plans for all new hire nursing employees as well as veteran nursing employees
Coordinate and oversee the ordering of all medications and supplies for the ER
Coordinate and oversee the annual Biomedical inspection and preventative maintenance of all medical equipment in the ER / Nursing department and ensure all equipment is safe for use as per State of Texas Department of Health regulations and Joint Commission guidelines mandate.
Coordinate and oversee the monthly scheduling of all nursing staff
Conduct annual evaluations and competencies on all nursing staff
Develop and write all annual risk assessments, management plans, and Policies and Procedures for the ER following Joint Commission guidelines
Evaluate, review, and revise the management plans annually and as needed as per The Joint Commission and State of Texas regulations mandate
Implement all annual Performance Improvement Plans that the facility has prioritized and designated
Annually update facility administrative, HR, and Nursing policies, procedures and protocols
Monitor Infection control aspect of the facility with special attention to Handwashing Surveillance; Audit hand hygiene compliance, aggregate the data, implement activities and measures to address and improve noncompliance
Responsible for following up all cases of reportable diseases per state regulations and notifying the proper state agency/ health department and document appropriately
Monitor EOC, Life Safety, and OSHA compliance throughout all units of the ER and surrounding grounds monthly, submit written quarterly report of trends and findings to MEC, Safety, and Quality Assurance Committees
Gather and aggregate statistical data regarding the status of achieving established infection prevention benchmarks with, TB, Pneumonia, Flu, Sepsis, MRSA, VRE of wounds, as well as other Healthcare Acquired Infection (HAI) surveillance; report findings to the Quality Assurance and Patient Safety committee on a quarterly basis
Audit compliance, aggregate data, and document reports regarding core measure adherence, compliance with IC standards and Joint Commission Elements of performance
Submit the written quarterly report of Infection control compliance, trends, and findings to the MEC, Safety, and Quality Assurance Committees
Randomly audit patient medical records for presence of required elements of the chart with regard to Nursing and Physician documentation
Conduct periodic and timely Fire Drills and Emergency or Disaster Drills, evaluate outcomes and implement performance improvements in the process as well as maintain accurate documentation of such
Serve as a member on MEC Board, Quality Assurance & Safety committee.
Develop, write, and implement Bloodborne Pathogen and exposure prevention/ control plan, implement protocol for employee post exposure
Follow up all employee exposures and counsel each one regarding appropriate follow-up testing and post-exposure prophylaxis
Coordinate all annual staff and Physician education, annual competency fairs, and continuing education assignments on website software.
Coordinate all education of nursing staff, clinical ancillary staff, and other staff evidence-based infection control practices to prevent the spread of HAI and reinforce compliance, OSHA compliance, Fire Safety, Hazardous Communication, and Materials, Occupational Safety
Conduct a comprehensive health assessment on all new employees, administer PPD test on all new employees
administer annual PPD and TB screening, administer annual respirator fit tests, administer vaccination boosters to all veteran employees as needed
Document and maintain all current employee health records
Maintain termed employee health records according to federal OSHA regulations and Texas State Health Department regulations.
Work closely with ancillary departments to facilitate smooth transition of care throughout the ED.
Coordinate the credentialing of all ER Physicians and maintain the orderly preservation of their employee files.
Audit the nursing and physician files monthly for the presence of current credentials, certifications, licensure, training, job descriptions, and annual competencies.
Primary-source-verify all agency Physician's credentials (i.e. radiologists, locums tenens doctors)
Negotiate, coordinate with HR/ Accounting and assist in approval of contracts with the medical waste company, linen company, supply companies, EVS contract workers etc.
Ensure Joint Commission Survey readiness, Ensure regulatory compliance with the Texas Health Department, OSHA, and Company Policy
Texas Emergency Hospital
Cleveland, Texas
Registered Emergency Room Nurse
August 2017 to Present
Under the direct supervision of the Charge Nurse
DAILY PATIENT DUTIES:
Triage, assess, and treat patients in all life stages and age groups from
neonate/infant to geriatric, carry out all physicians’ orders, administer medications on all routes, administer respiratory treatments, calculate and administer ACLS IV medication drips, assist physician with splinting sprained and broken limbs, assist physician in wound care procedures, gynecological procedures, eye and ear treatment procedures, monitor cardiac rhythms, initiate and monitor IV placement, draw blood, obtain cultures for rapid strep, flu, and RSV, calculate and administer IV fluids, administer EKG tests, Monitor patient status for response to treatment as well as adverse reaction and abrupt decline from baseline, assist physician with conscious sedation related to procedures. Document all treatments and interventions in the patient record.
Perform Conscious Sedation under the direct supervision and in the presence of
the Physician for such procedures as realignment of long bone fractures. Deep
I&D of a wound, Synchronized Cardioversion, or complicated suturing of child.
Monitor patient recovery from conscious sedation procedure one-to-one with the
patient until LOC and respiratory status returned to baseline and maintained for
30 minutes post administration of final dose of sedation medication.
New Life Hospital (Formerly Red Oak Hospital)
Houston, Texas
Infection Prevention and Employee Health Manager
2014 to present
● Develop and write all annual infection control risk assessments, management
plans, evaluations & Performance Improvement Plans
● Hand washing Surveillance; Audit hand hygiene compliance, aggregate the data,
implement activities and measures to address and improve noncompliance
● Monitor EOC, Life Safety, and OSHA compliance throughout all units of the
hospital (OR, PACU, Special Procedures, Inpatient, ER, Nuc Med, Vascular
Services, Radiology, Lab, & Cath Lab) as well as surrounding outside grounds
monthly
● Gather and aggregate statistical data regarding the status of achieving established
infection prevention benchmarks with SSI, CLABSI, CAUTI, TB, Pneumonia,
Flu, MRSA, VRE, Wounds and other Healthcare Acquired Infection (HAI)
surveillance; then report to the Quality Assurance and Patient Safety committee.
● Audit compliance, aggregate data, and document reports regarding core measure
adherence, compliance with IC standards and Joint Commission Elements of
performance
● Submit the written quarterly report of Infection control compliance, trends, and
findings to the MEC, Safety, and Quality Assurance Committees
● Teach all Nursing staff, clinical ancillary staff, and other staff evidence-based
infection control practices to prevent the spread of HAI and reinforce compliance
● Serve as a member of the Infection Control / EOC committee, the Safety
committee, and the Nurse Staffing Committee
● Develop, write, and implement OSHA compliant Bloodborne Pathogen and
Exposure Prevention/ Control Program
● Document, Assess, Facilitate Physician Exam, Counsel, and Monitor all employee
exposures.
● Ensure the environment is safe for both patient care and an employee to carry out
their job duties in accordance with State Health Department Regulations, OSHA
regulations, and The Joint Commission's guidelines
● Conduct a comprehensive health assessment on all new employees, administer 2
step PPD test on all new employees, administer annual PPD and TB screening,
administer annual respirator fit tests. Administer vaccination boosters to
employees as needed
● Compile, audit, update and secure all employee protected health files.
● Report any and all communicable diseases/ infections per state, county or federal
law to the appropriate health department, CDC, or governing body.
Red Oak Hospital
Houston, Texas
Med/Surg/ Tele/ ER Staff Nurse 2013 to 2014
Provided total primary care to the general medical patients on 4-bed Unit
Solitary RN on unit providing a Comprehensive assessment of all patients admitted to the 4-bedunit
Provided pre-op and post-op care of cardiac cath patients
Monitored cardiac rhythms and interpreted EKGs
Analyzed changes in telemetry readings and promptly initiated corrective measures to return the patient’ cardiac status to baseline
Administered IV, IM, SQ and oral medications
As an Emergency Department Nurse executed the following duties:
Triage, assess, and treat patients in all life stages and age groups from
neonate/infant to geriatric, carry out all physicians’ orders, administer medications on all routes, administer respiratory treatments, calculate and administer ACLS IV medication drips, assist physician with splinting sprained and broken limbs, assist physician in wound care procedures, gynecological procedures, eye and ear treatment procedures, monitor cardiac rhythms, initiate and monitor IV placement, draw blood, obtain cultures for rapid strep, flu, and RSV, calculate and administer IV fluids, administer EKG tests, monitor patient status for response to treatment as well as adverse reaction and abrupt decline from baseline, assist physician with conscious sedation related to procedures,
document all treatments and interventions in the patient record.
Provide preop and postop care to patients undergoing special. procedures such as epidural steroid injections under Monitored Anesthesia Care or Conscious Sedation.
Perform Conscious Sedation under the direct supervision and in the presence of the Physician for such procedures as a realignment of long bone fractures. Deep I&D of a wound, or complicated suturing of a laceration on a small child or
anxious patient having difficulty with the pain and treatment procedure, epidural
steroid injections, other joint injections, or synchronized cardioversion.
Monitor patient recovery from conscious sedation procedure one-to-one with
patient until LOC and respiratory status returned to baseline and maintained for
30 minutes post administration of final dose of sedative medication.
Nexus Specialty Hospital (LTAC)
The Woodlands, Texas
Night House Supervisor (54 bed hospital)
2009 to 2012
Supervised all nurses and allied health staff on duty
Divided staff assignments each shift
Monitored patient wellbeing and baseline status for changes, initiated appropriate interventions to return patient to baseline status.
Analyzed changes in telemetry readings and promptly initiated corrective measures to return the patient’ cardiac status to baseline
Resource for the bedside nurses throughout the shift: proficient in performing comprehensive assessments, medication administration all routes, blood administration, TPN management, respiratory treatments, EKG, IV insertion, collecting blood samples and specimens, wound care, and troubleshooting wound vac challenges and changes as needed to assist Staff.
Coordinate patient transfers to a higher level of care, filling out MOT, communicating with various transfer centers as well as the accepting facility administrator and accepting nursing personnel.
Conroe Regional Medical Center
Conroe, Texas
Night Charge Nurse Pediatric / Ortho/ MedSURG/ Tele (32 bed unit)
2001- 2009
Supervised staff and shift workflow
Assigned patient room placements
Liaison between physician, nurse and patient, advocating for patient satisfaction and positive outcomes.
fostered therapeutic relationship and respect between ancillary departments and nursing staff for positive patient outcomes.
Resource for nurses assisting with Admissions, obtaining and carrying out new orders, medication administration, respiratory treatments, EKG, IV insertion, collecting blood samples and specimens, troubleshooting wound care challenges.
Monitored patient population for change or decline in status, initiated interventions and rapid response to stabilize and return to baseline
Preceptor and educator for New Grad Internship Program on the Unit
EDUCATION
LPN Diploma O. T Autry Votech
July 1991 Enid, Okla. 737301
RN, ADN Northern Oklahoma College
May 1995 Tonkawa, Ok. 73756
MSN FNP Walden University
August 2015 - October 2016 Minneapolis, Mn
(No degree)
CERTIFICATIONS
Basic Life Support - 09/2019
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support - 09/2019
Pediatric Advanced Life Support - 01/20
FEMA IS program completions: IS-100, 200, 700, 800
Conscious Sedation - 2018
Organizational Membership
Member of ANA, TNA, APIC,
(References upon request)