Debra Kniffen

* ****** **. 860-***-**** acrsd1@r.postjobfree.com or 860-***-****

OBJECTIVE

Organized, good communicator, respectable team player seeking a new position in which it will allow me to expand my nursing knowledge. Very excited to learn and listen to new ideas.

WORK EXPERIENCE

ECHN Woodlake at Tolland 1994-2013

Charge Nurse-Rehab

Admission of all new patients for rehab. Working with other nurses to secure reports of transfer patients from the hospital.

Creating new admission packets through computerized systems as well as ordering

Working closely with doctors and patients to insure correct medications and labs will continue during rehab. Assessing the patient’s condition upon arrival.

Completed thorough assessments of patient needs through the use of oxygen, monitoring 02 stats, nebulizer treatments, lung sounds, blood sugars, blood pressure, temps, skin conditions and treatments that maybe required, foley cathered, as well as bladder scanning for patients having difficulty with voiding. If required need of attention with urologist setting up appointment for follow through. Weights, daily as well weekly, working with dietician perhaps needing supplement. May need to work with doctor to increase appetite. if require psyche evaluation as well as ensuring proper medication or if there is a need to change medications.

Assessment of wounds may require wound vac or working with a doctor if an incision is not healing and needs attention. Communicating with other doctors from other campuses to address if attention is needed for infection, labs, or monitor of PT/INR ensuring the correct dose of Coumadin.

Working with patients to take accurate Pain Assessments as well as doctor consultations.

Educating patients on proper care once they are released to ensure a faster recovery as well as s updating staff daily on safety and needs of the patient.

Experienced in colostomy care, Trach care, several different types insulin g-tubes, Ng tube, g-tube, TPN, heart monitors, ordering of Doppler studies, EKG, x-ray as well scheduling cat scan or MRI’s, explaining procedure to patient to help ease stress, as well as educated in the field of medications including keeping up with recent innovations.

Updating care plans and care cards to provide safety and care of patient.

Working as a team with all departments, Social Services, Kitchen, Dietary, Therapy OT and PT, APRN, DOCTOR, Pych, MD, Nurse Manager and CNA’S

Planning of discharge as well as filling out paper work for the patient to return home, as well as teaching of newly developed condition requiring education to further there knowledge on treatment some examples include the use of Coumadin, blood sugar levels, monitoring heart and blood pressure as well as multiple others.

Helping patients understand that knowing their medication is very important as well as follow ups and lab work as needed.

Educated in Hospice care as well as constant interaction with visiting nurses

VNHCS 1998-2009

Homecare Nurse LPN

Traveling to patients home using a lap top computer making all assessments required during visit.

Teaching homecare of independence and importance of how to stay home and be healthy to family assisting patient as well as patient. May require teaching of life line.

Working with therapy may need to set up more assistance of care in the home or require more therapy.

While assessing patient may require call to doctor for such things noted change in condition, increase weight, edema, shortness of breath, poor lung sounds, fever, nausea, vomiting, symptoms of infection to wound or incision, poor intake, bowel sounds not present, or weak or active, weakness, change in blood pressure or heart rate, blood sugar, showing side effects from new medications, just a few reason to call Md. May require follow up with doctor or may need home draw labs. Have called lab for home draw as well.

Communication with the team nurse is very important as frequently you may visit someone and then not see them for weeks.

Scheduling appointments with clients.

Flexible.

Attended continue education on computer as well as education of care of wounds and yearly requirements CPR .

Listening to clients needs is very important some may just need your support. Most clients have requested my return.

Interim Healthcare 2004- present

Homecare Nurse LPN

Assessment of clients, variety of behavioral visits as well as other clients needs as stated above. Paper assessment were done.

Behavior requires assessment of how the client is doing at home as well as using a lock box give them their medications.

Plan and assure next visit as well as provide education for any needs they may have.

Continue education as required.

Group homes, wound care, colostomy care, trach

Feeding tubes as well as drips, checking proper placement.

Reviewing medications and labs required and affect they have on clients.

Safety of home. Clients frequently have requested me to return. They feel very comfortable with my care and my professionalism.

DEBRA KNIFFEN

4 Phelps Rd. East Windsor Ct. 860-***-**** acrsd1@r.postjobfree.com or 860-***-****

Technical Skills

Admissions discharge planning homecare.

Skin assessment, wounds care.

Weight may require supplement, TPN, g-tube.

Medications and side affects.

Reading Labs updating MD.

reporting x-ray or Doppler or heart monitor results.

Trach care.

Teaching aides how care for patients and clients.

CPR.

Computer Meditech labs, ordering meds, admission, discharge, transfers.

DNR/CPR with patient review living will.

Care plan updating.

Team work with therapy .

Policy and procedure updating.

Teaching of new employees such as nurses as well as cna’s.

Knowledgeable in most nursing skills required to be a nurse at home or in a facility.

EDUCATION

09-01-72 - 06-24-75 Homer High School, Homer, New York

High school diploma

10-01-92 - 11-24-75 Enrico Fermi High School, Enfield, Connecticut

Certified Nursing Assistant program

09-93 - 05-95 Asnuntuck Community College, Enfield,Ct

Licensed Practical Nurse

1-01-10 – 7-12-12 Goodwin College, East Hartford, Conneticut

Associates RN

10-15-12 – Current Escelsior College Networks,Indianapolis, Indiana

Associates RN

2013 College Network Finishing RN program

Hobbies

Committee for Vision Award at ECHN

Committee for Procedure and Policy

Cooking, gardening

Travel

Canoeing

Bowling, walking, exercise

Music following my son performances as well as known artist.

Church

VFW Women’s Axillary club

References

Lynn Gonzalus Secretary Phone number 860-***-****

Dr. Harold Sandals Phone number 860-***-****

Elaine Fedo Ward Clerk Phone number 860-***-****

Contact this candidate