Jessica H. Futrell

Instruction & Curriculum Delivery:

• Delivered comprehensive instruction for Nurse Aide 1 and Nurse Aide 2 courses, following the Virginia Board of Nursing curriculum.
• Facilitated hands-on lab exercises, ensuring students developed practical skills required for the Nurse Aide Certification Exam.
• Led clinical rotations, monitoring and ensuring students completed required clinical hours at approved facilities.

Program Compliance & Oversight:

• Ensured strict adherence to Virginia Board of Nursing standards and requirements for nurse aide education.
• Managed program logistics, including clinical hours and course materials, ensuring compliance with regulatory expectations.

Student Support & Evaluation:

• Continuously assessed student progress through practical exams, assignments, and clinical evaluations.
• Provided personalized support to students struggling in academic or clinical settings, offering targeted interventions and resources.
• Conducted formal evaluations and communicated student performance to parents, administrators, and stakeholders.

Continuous Quality Improvement:

• Applied continuous quality improvement techniques to assess the effectiveness of instructional methods and student achievement.
• Actively participated in curriculum review and updates to enhance program quality and student outcomes.

Classroom & Clinical Environment:

• Fostered an inclusive and respectful classroom environment that embraced diversity and supported student growth.
• Ensured safety protocols were followed to protect students, patients, and instructional materials during clinical and lab exercises.

Collaboration & Teamwork:

• Collaborated with program administrators, colleagues, and staff to integrate instructional activities and enhance program outcomes.
• Participated in professional development opportunities to stay current with best practices and regulatory updates in healthcare education.

Budget & Resource Management:

• Managed the Nurse Aide program’s budget, ensuring effective use of resources for materials, clinical supplies, and student needs.

Student Health & Medical Records Management:

• Reviewed and maintained medical records for PreK-5th grade students, including immunization status, 504 accommodations, and medical diagnoses.
• Worked closely with school staff to create tailored care plans for students with specific medical needs, ensuring that all accommodations were in place to support each student's health and learning.
• Participated in 504 meetings to assist in creating appropriate medical accommodations for students with chronic health conditions.

Medication Administration & Training:

• Advised school staff on the proper administration of medications for conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and severe allergic reactions.
• Provided training to clinic and building staff on how to administer medications, use emergency equipment, and respond to medical events, including severe allergic reactions and asthma attacks.
• Ensured staff was adequately prepared to handle emergency situations involving student health.

Emergency Response & Health Preparedness:

• Led the creation of an emergency action plan for Windsor Elementary School to address sudden cardiac arrest incidents. This included organizing training and CPR certification drills for staff.
• Successfully guided Windsor Elementary to become the first school in Virginia to achieve "Heart Safe" status through Project ADAM, a program dedicated to creating life-saving protocols for sudden cardiac arrest.

Electronic Health Record Management & Staff Support:

• Served as the lead nurse for the district's electronic health record system, PSNI Snap Health Center, providing ongoing support to fellow staff members with charting issues and questions.
• Conducted periodic chart reviews and generated reports for state and district health assessments, ensuring accurate and up-to-date health records.

Immunization Compliance & Coordination:

• Acted as the primary liaison with the Virginia Department of Health Immunization Department and local health departments to ensure that all IWCS students are properly immunized according to state guidelines.
• Managed the tracking of immunization compliance and worked with families to resolve any gaps in immunization status.

Data Analysis & District Health Oversight:

• Run regular reports for the entire district to assess student health acuity and determine the number of students seen in the clinics. These reports assist in making informed staffing decisions for school health personnel.
• Completed state-required reports and chart reviews, ensuring compliance with state regulations and maintaining accurate documentation for reporting purposes.

Case Management:

• Since November 2023, I assisted with Case Management at Carrsville Elementary, helping oversee the health needs of students, providing direct care, and collaborating with the school staff to ensure that medical accommodations and health interventions are met.

Health Education & Staff Preceptorship:

• Precepted LPN students from Paul D. Camp Community College, providing hands-on training and supervision to help build the next generation of healthcare professionals in school settings.
• Managed the IWCS School Health website, ensuring that parents, students, and staff have up-to-date health-related information and resources.
• Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.

Labor and Delivery Care:

• Monitored and assessed two laboring women simultaneously, continuously evaluating their electronic fetal monitors throughout labor to ensure the safety and well-being of both the mother and the baby.
• Collaborated with attending physicians to discuss individual care plans, advocating for the patient’s wishes regarding labor preferences, pain management, and delivery options.
• Provided emotional and physical support to women during labor, including assisting with pain management techniques and addressing any concerns or complications as they arose.

Cesarean Section (C-Section) and Operating Room Experience:

• Circulated in the operating room during cesarean sections, assisting with maintaining sterile technique, preparing surgical instruments, and ensuring the operating room is ready for the procedure.
• Recovered patients in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) following cesarean deliveries, closely monitoring vital signs and providing post-operative care to prevent complications.
• Provided immediate care to newborns after delivery, including performing routine baby care (e.g., suctioning, thermal regulation, and APGAR scoring) and administering Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) if necessary.

OB Triage and Patient Assessment:

• Assessed patients in OB triage to determine whether they needed admission to the L&D unit or if they were safe to go home.
• Provided support and guidance to patients in OB triage, including answering questions, providing reassurance, and delivering patient education about what to expect during labor or after triage.

Preceptorship & Mentorship:

• Precepted new Registered Nurses (RNs) in a 12-week, intensive preceptorship program, ensuring they gained the knowledge and hands-on skills required to work independently on the unit.
• Mentored nursing students from Riverside College of Health and Tidewater Community College, providing clinical education and assisting students in developing their clinical skills, including patient assessment, fetal monitoring, and newborn care.
• Offered guidance on navigating a fast-paced L&D environment, including how to prioritize care during complex labor and delivery scenarios.

Care for High-Risk Pregnancies & Premature Infants:

• Delivered specialized care to high-risk pregnancies, including those with adolescents or patients with medical conditions that impacted labor and delivery.
• Cared for premature infants, some born as early as 24 weeks gestation, and participated in resuscitation efforts as needed.
• Coordinated with the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to ensure infants in need of specialized care received timely and appropriate attention.

Patient Advocacy & Coordination of Care:

• Worked as an advocate for patients’ wishes and preferences during labor, ensuring that their desires regarding pain management, delivery method, and other aspects of care were communicated clearly to the healthcare team.
• Collaborated with other healthcare professionals, including obstetricians, anesthesiologists, and pediatricians, to provide comprehensive care during labor and delivery.

Postpartum Care & Patient Education:

• Provided immediate postpartum care to mothers, including monitoring vital signs, uterine tone, and lochia, and managing pain.
• Educated patients about postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, and infant care, ensuring they had the information needed to feel confident and supported as new mothers.
• Ensured patients received appropriate referrals and follow-up care for both maternal and neonatal health.

Cardiac Monitoring & Patient Care:

• Managed and monitored 6 critically ill patients per shift, continuously assessing their cardiac rhythms, vital signs, and overall health status through cardiac telemetry.
• Provided direct nursing care to patients with various cardiovascular conditions, such as arrhythmias, heart failure, post-operative care following heart surgeries, and those recovering from cardiac events.
• Administered prescribed medications and treatments, responding to changes in patients' cardiac or mental status, and adjusting care plans accordingly.

Daily Physician Orders & Enhancing Client Independence:

• Carried out physician orders on a daily basis to ensure all aspects of patient care were addressed, including medication administration, diagnostic tests, and therapeutic interventions.
• Worked collaboratively with the care team to enhance patient independence by promoting mobility, self-care, and comfort, always keeping the patient’s long-term recovery and quality of life in mind.

Preceptorship & Clinical Training:

• Precepted new Registered Nurses (RNs) as part of a comprehensive 6-week preceptorship program, guiding them through the protocols and clinical skills required for the cardiovascular telemetry unit.
• Provided feedback, support, and evaluation to new nurses, ensuring they were prepared to work independently and effectively in a critical care setting.
• Trained nursing students from Riverside College of Health and Tidewater Community College in clinical settings, helping them complete required hours and gain hands-on experience in cardiovascular care.

Collaborative Care & Communication:

• Collaborated closely with physicians, cardiologists, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare professionals to develop individualized care plans for patients, ensuring comprehensive and holistic care.
• Communicated effectively with patients and their families, explaining diagnosis, treatment plans, and any changes in condition, offering emotional support during stressful times.

Patient Advocacy & Crisis Management:

• Advocated for patients’ needs, ensuring they received the appropriate treatments and that their care preferences were considered in decision-making, especially during critical moments.
• Responded promptly to emergent situations, such as arrhythmias, changes in mental status, or respiratory distress, and coordinated rapid intervention when necessary.

Documentation & Compliance:

• Maintained accurate and detailed patient records, ensuring all assessments, interventions, and outcomes were thoroughly documented in compliance with healthcare regulations and unit protocols.
• Ensured all care was compliant with institutional policies and industry standards for cardiovascular care and patient safety.

Direct Patient Care:

• Cared for 14 patients each shift, assisting them with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, feeding, and mobility support.
• Provided compassionate care to patients of various age groups, ensuring comfort, dignity, and respect in a clinical environment.

Vital Signs Monitoring & Reporting:

• Gathered vital signs for each patient (temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation) to assess their condition throughout the shift.
• Promptly notified the nurse of abnormal vitals or changes in a patient's condition, ensuring that necessary interventions were taken in a timely manner to prevent complications.

Wound Care & IV Antibiotics:

• Assisted with patients who required extensive wound care, ensuring that dressings were applied correctly and patients were as comfortable as possible during these procedures.
• Supported patients receiving IV antibiotics, ensuring proper hygiene and care around the IV site, and closely monitoring for signs of complications such as infection or phlebitis.

Ventilator Weaning Support:

• Assisted patients undergoing ventilator weaning, closely monitoring respiratory status and alerting the nursing team to any signs of distress or complications during the process.
• Provided comfort and reassurance to patients and their families, explaining the ventilator weaning process when appropriate and offering emotional support during this critical stage of recovery.

Collaboration & Communication with Nursing Team:

• Communicated regularly with the nurse to discuss each patient’s plan of care, ensuring that my interventions aligned with the overall treatment goals for the day.
• Worked closely with the nursing team to ensure all aspects of patient care, including medication administration, physical therapy, and wound care, were implemented appropriately.

Application of Knowledge in Nursing Education:

• As I gained experience, I was able to apply the knowledge I acquired from my nursing school curriculum to the real-world patient care scenarios I encountered.
• Used examples of the patients I cared for to help deepen my understanding of clinical concepts and enhance my learning throughout nursing school.

Patient Comfort & Emotional Support:

• Provided emotional and psychological support to patients and families, helping them navigate complex medical procedures and lengthy treatments.
• Worked to ensure patients were as comfortable as possible, especially during long-term care situations, and maintained a calm, supportive presence.