Throughout my career - which began in 1998, I have had many "Significant Learning Experiences" - below are only a few that I will highlight. 

  

I have had the opportunity to work with amazing people.  Many served as great influences in my life.  Each of these individuals has provided me with increased knowledge.  This knowledge has assisted me in achieving much success.  Thus, I would like to begin with a "THANK YOU" - you know who you are :) 

​

2004:  Director of Nursing of a long-term care facility

Achievement:  Deficiency-free survey

Significant Learning:  This success was achieved as a result of great team.  I had the privilege of working with a group of caring professionals that provided care to older adults.  When surveyed - it was determined there were no deficiencies in care provided.  This was quite an accomplishment as at the time, state officials were determined that facilities should not have zero deficiencies; thus this recognition was one rarely awarded.  My grandparents were role models and provided me a foundation.  It was a goal of mine to ensure quality care to older adults.  This recognition provided reassurance.  

​

2007:  Director of Acute Rehabilitation Unit - acute care facility 

Achievement:  Yellow belt in Lean Six Sigma

Significant Learning:  Being a part of an innovative leadership team has its perks.  As a director, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to be trained in Lean Six Sigma.  I received training from experts in the field.  We were tasked with identifying the problem, finding solutions, implementing solutions and evaluating outcomes.  Through this process I was able to identify an issue with nurses reporting medication errors.  The process was difficult and took too much time.  We reviewed the current process, tested a more streamlined process and received great feedback.  Not only were nurses pleased with the new reporting process, we were able to measure effectiveness by receiving reports on medication errors.  This new process was successful and thus led to solutions to the errors thus improving quality and safety.  This opportunity has guided how I approach problems/issues/concerns.  It is first important to identify/define the problem, find solutions that are effective and evidence-based, test the solution/intervention on a small scale to ensure effective... if not, small tweaks can be made.  If successful, then the solution/intervention can go into effect on a larger scale.  This learning has provided me with the tools I need to educate nursing students.  

​

Adams Outcomes: 

AREA II:  Intellectual

Creative Writing:  This experience allowed me display my creativity in writing... I was able to demonstrate pictures and graphs... 

​

​

2013:  Director of Clinical Excellence (Quality and Safety) of acute care facility

Achievement:  Poster Presentation in New Orleans - Quality and Safety Congress

Significant Learning: I was fortunate to participate in a Quality and Safety Fellowship with multiple healthcare professionals across the United States.  Our facility focused our efforts on surgical patients.  It was our goal to ensure patient safety and quality of care from the moment our patients entered into the system all the way through the procedure and discharge.  This process included multiple steps and individuals.  We gathered a team of surgeons, laboratory professionals, admissions, nurses, financial specialists, volunteers, pharmacists, and therapists.  Together we mapped the process, identified barriers to seamless movement through the process.  We worked together to eliminate these barriers.  Processes were eliminated and/or developed to improve the process.  Quality and safety was always the center of focus.  At the end, our team developed a poster presentation.  We were invited to New Orleans to present our work.  

During this process, I learned a lot about teamwork, recognizing everyone has a role in caring for patients.  We are all responsible for safety and quality.  There was a sense of 'being heard' from the team and a mutual respect was obtained.  This work set a foundation for ongoing quality and safety work.  It's great to know I was a part of this shift in culture.  This opportunity has assisted in ongoing teamwork projects across different careers and a new appreciation for the roles others play in the work we do.  

​

​

​

​

​

Becoming a mother at the age of 17 was probably the best thing that ever happened to me.  I had a drive to complete high school, go to college and choose a profession that has served me well.  Not all paths are point A to point B... sometimes we take detours - that's the beauty of living.  We can choose our path and make it unique - as we are all unique beings.

My inspiration comes from my children - they are the reason I am who I am today.  In a career filled with such variety and excitement - I am humbled and grounded by being a mother and Grandma/MeMe :). 

​

​