Gretchen Rhodenizer
Chester
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurse (BSN) with 34 years of progressive nursing experience spanning Labor & Delivery, Mental Health, Behavioral Health and Nursing Leadership. Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, improve clinical operations, develop policies and procedures, and ensure regulatory compliance while maintaining exceptional patient care standards. Experienced Nurse Manager and Director of Nursing with strengths in staff development, process improvement, scheduling, quality assurance, immunization programs, and operational leadership.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Nursing
Hallmark Youthcare - Richmond
Richmond, VA
10.2018 - Current
- Implemented quality improvement initiatives, enhancing patient care protocols and outcomes.
- Directed nursing operations to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Mentored nursing staff, fostering professional development and improving team performance.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans for youth patients.
- Led recruitment efforts, attracting top nursing talent and reducing staff turnover rates.
- Analyzed patient data to identify trends, informing evidence-based practice adjustments.
- Participated in management team meetings to discuss resident status, census changes, and resident complaints or concerns.
- Oversaw and approved recruitment, hiring and orientation of new nursing staff.
- Ensured regulatory compliance by staying current on industry standards and updating policies accordingly.
- Monitored and evaluated nursing staff performance, providing feedback and guidance to support standards of care.
- Built and maintained positive working relationships with physicians and staff to support seamless healthcare operations.
- Streamlined nursing operations by optimizing staffing schedules, resource allocation, and workflow processes.
- Collaborated with staff, management, and external groups to coordinate patient care.
- Established and monitored infection control programs to provide a safe, a safe, sanitary environment to prevent transmission of disease and infection.
- Identified department issues to recommend corrective actions.
- Promoted a culture of safety by enforcing compliance with infection control policies and procedures.
- Established new policies and updated existing policies to improve standard of care for patients.
- Prepared and reviewed infection control surveillance reports to identify trends and develop effective actions to control and prevent infections.
- Conducted regular risk assessments within the department to identify areas of potential vulnerability and implement corrective actions where necessary.
- Evaluated work performance of 30 nursing personnel to determine wage increases and implement discipline.
- Conducted routine facility inspections, identifying areas needing improvement and eliminating hazards posed to staff and residents for continued compliance with associated regulations.
- Ordered all pharmacy supplies and kept check on inventory levels.
Nurse Manager
Poplar Springs Hospital
Petersburg, VA
07.2017 - 10.2018
- Led nursing staff in delivering high-quality patient care and ensuring adherence to hospital policies.
- Developed and implemented training programs to enhance team performance and improve patient outcomes.
- Established protocols for effective communication between departments, promoting collaboration and efficiency.
- Conducted performance evaluations, providing constructive feedback to support professional growth of nursing staff.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to integrate best practices into daily nursing operations and care plans.
- Conducted performance evaluations and provided constructive feedback to support professional growth of nursing staff members.
- Served as a key point of contact between nursing staff, physicians, administration, and other healthcare professionals.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to the unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
Registered Nurse
Poplar Springs Hospital
Petersburg, VA
06.2016 - 07.2017
- Developed and implemented individualized care plans based on patient assessments and needs.
- Administered patient medications and monitored vital signs to ensure optimal recovery outcomes.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to enhance patient care quality and safety protocols.
- Trained and mentored junior nursing staff on best practices and hospital policies.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
- Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
- Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
- Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
Registered Nurse - Labor and Delivery
Chippenham Medical Center
Richmond, VA
01.2013 - 06.2013
- Assisted in the delivery of over 300 newborns, maintaining high standards of safety and patient care.
- Monitored fetal heart rates and maternal vital signs, ensuring immediate response to any deviations.
- Provided comprehensive prenatal education to expectant mothers, fostering informed decision-making during labor.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement individualized care plans for patients.
Adjunct Nursing Clinical Instructor
South University
Richmond, VA
09.2012 - 12.2012
- Developed and implemented engaging clinical curricula for nursing students.
- Facilitated hands-on learning experiences in the newborn nursery settings.
- Assessed student performance through comprehensive evaluations and feedback.
- Collaborated with faculty to enhance program quality and student outcomes.
Registered Nurse - Labor and Delivery
Southside Regional Medical Center
Petersburg, VA
06.1992 - 12.2012
- Implemented evidence-based practices that improved patient outcomes and reduced complications during childbirth.
- Led initiatives for continuous quality improvement, enhancing operational efficiency within the labor and delivery unit.
- Mentored new nursing staff on best practices in labor and delivery protocols, promoting team cohesion.
- Educated families on postpartum care, enhancing recovery and support systems at home.
- Responded to emergency situations such as pre-eclampsia, early labor, and fetal distress.
- Supported physicians in both planned and emergency Cesarean section procedures.
- Managed epidural analgesia infusions and monitored vital signs during labor and delivery.
- Coordinated care of low and high-risk laboring women of childbearing age and immediate stabilization of newborn following delivery.
- Assisted physicians in performing complex medical procedures, including cesarean sections and forceps deliveries.
- Provided emotional support to patients experiencing difficult births or pregnancy complications.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VAAssociate of Science - Nursing
Richard Bland College of The College of William And Mary
Petersburg, VADiploma in Professional Nursing - Nursing
Southside Regional Medical Center School of Prof. Nursing
Petersburg, VASkills
- Clinical education
- Nurse education and training
- Quality improvement
- Process optimization
- Policy enforcement
- Staff recruitment
- Risk management
- Emergency response
- EMR software
- Leadership and guidance
- Team collaboration
- Patient care management
- Staff scheduling
- Decision-making
- Critical thinking
- Policies compliance enforcement
- Strong work ethic
- Behavioral health
Timeline
Director of Nursing
Hallmark Youthcare - Richmond
10.2018 - Current
Nurse Manager
Poplar Springs Hospital
07.2017 - 10.2018
Registered Nurse
Poplar Springs Hospital
06.2016 - 07.2017
Registered Nurse - Labor and Delivery
Chippenham Medical Center
01.2013 - 06.2013
Adjunct Nursing Clinical Instructor
South University
09.2012 - 12.2012
Registered Nurse - Labor and Delivery
Southside Regional Medical Center
06.1992 - 12.2012
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Virginia Commonwealth University
Associate of Science - Nursing
Richard Bland College of The College of William And Mary
Diploma in Professional Nursing - Nursing
Southside Regional Medical Center School of Prof. Nursing