Laura Waggoner
Lagrange
Summary
Committed NICU Nurse with over 20 years of experience in delivering high-quality patient care. Known for streamlining clinical documentation processes and fostering interdisciplinary teamwork to enhance service coordination. Ready to leverage expertise in patient management to drive impactful healthcare solutions.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
NICU Nurse Care Manager Team Lead
Humana
11.2012 - Current
- Led initiatives to streamline documentation processes, improving accuracy and compliance with regulatory standards.
- Engaged in ongoing professional development to remain current with latest neonatal care practices and technologies.
- Provided emotional support to families during difficult times, offering guidance and resources as needed.
- Supported breastfeeding mothers with resources and guidance, enhancing neonatal nutrition.
- Facilitated smooth transitions between hospitalization levels by coordinating discharge planning with social workers, case managers, and other team members involved in post-NICU patient care.
- Trained and mentored new staff on best practices in patient management and documentation.
- Conducted assessments to identify gaps in care and implement effective solutions.
- Educated clients and families on community resources, treatment options and health care services to better manage conditions.
- Developed strong rapport with patients and families through empathetic listening and compassionate communication techniques.
- Established and maintained relationships with clients, families and community partners to coordinate services to meet client's needs.
- Managed complex caseloads, ensuring timely assessment, intervention, and documentation for optimal outcomes.
- Communicated with healthcare providers to facilitate continuity of care.
- Coordinated referrals to specialists, hospitalizations, ER visits, ancillary testing, and other enabling services for patients.
- Served as a liaison between patients, families, physicians, insurance providers, and other healthcare professionals for seamless care coordination efforts.
- Reduced hospital readmission rates by providing comprehensive discharge planning and follow-up support.
- Maintained network of community resources to provide most comprehensive support services possible to clients.
- Streamlined care coordination processes, resulting in timely referrals and access to appropriate resources.
NICU RN
Norton Healthcare
09.2004 - 11.2012
- Provided specialized nursing care for critically ill neonates in NICU, ensuring optimal patient outcomes.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement individualized care plans for newborns.
- Educated families on neonatal care practices, promoting understanding of treatment protocols and procedures.
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives to enhance clinical practices and improve patient care delivery.
- Assisted with complex medical procedures such as intubation, lumbar punctures, and umbilical line placements under physician supervision.
- Promoted family-centered care by providing education, support, and resources to parents of NICU patients.
- Increased patient satisfaction by consistently delivering high-quality nursing care while ensuring all NICU standards were met or exceeded.
- Contributed to staff development through mentorship of new nurses, conducting training sessions on specialized topics related to neonatal intensive care nursing.
Dialysis Registered Nurse
Fresenius Medical Services
07.2003 - 08.2004
- Administered dialysis treatments, ensuring patient safety and comfort during procedures.
- Monitored vital signs and laboratory results to adjust treatment plans effectively.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to enhance patient care strategies.
- Educated patients on dialysis processes, fostering understanding and compliance.
- Coordinated care with other healthcare providers, such as dietitians and social workers, to ensure comprehensive support for patients during their dialysis journey.
Postpartum Registered Nurse
Norton Healthcare
06.2001 - 07.2003
- Provided comprehensive postpartum care and education to new mothers and families.
- Administered medications and monitored vital signs for postpartum patients.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans.
- Guided breastfeeding techniques, promoting infant nutrition and maternal well-being.
- Conducted discharge planning sessions, ensuring seamless transitions to home care.
- Educated families on newborn care techniques such as feeding, bathing, diapering, and comforting strategies.
- Performed comprehensive assessments on both mother and newborn during each shift, identifying any potential problems early for prompt intervention.
- Provided emotional support to patients experiencing postpartum depression or anxiety, connecting them with appropriate mental health resources when necessary.
- Prepared patients for discharge by providing thorough education on self-care, infant care, and follow-up appointments.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Alabama Birmingham
Birmingham, AL05-2001
Skills
- Referral management
- Discharge planning
- Patient & family support
- Patient education and counseling
- Multidisciplinary team collaboration
- Clinical documentation
- Service coordination
- Case assessments
Timeline
NICU Nurse Care Manager Team Lead
Humana
11.2012 - Current
NICU RN
Norton Healthcare
09.2004 - 11.2012
Dialysis Registered Nurse
Fresenius Medical Services
07.2003 - 08.2004
Postpartum Registered Nurse
Norton Healthcare
06.2001 - 07.2003
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Alabama Birmingham