Jennifer Rucker-Danford
Ridge Farm
Summary
Dynamic Oncology Nurse with extensive experience at Carle Foundation Hospital, excelling in chemotherapy administration and patient advocacy. Adept at managing complex pain issues while providing compassionate emotional support, I effectively collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to enhance patient care and ensure safety compliance, significantly improving patient outcomes in high-pressure environments.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Oncology Nurse
Carle Foundation Hospital
Urbana
07.1999 - Current
- Performed nursing assessments and developed interventions based on the assessment findings.
- Conducted specified laboratory tests to help detect conditions and determine diagnosis.
- Emotionally supported patients receiving treatment by carefully listening and offering comfort.
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support and life-saving interventions.
- Provided emotional support to patients and their families during difficult times.
- Managed complex pain management issues utilizing appropriate pharmacological interventions when necessary.
- Observed strict safety measures, including checking medication dosages before administration to patients.
- Coordinated discharge planning to ensure continuity of care post-hospitalization.
- Administered chemotherapy to patients as indicated by chart instructions given by each physician.
- Monitored vital signs of cancer patients during treatments, adjusting medications accordingly.
- Promoted kind, compassionate environment, utilizing active listening and effective communication skills for cancer patients receiving treatment.
- Provided emotional support for patients receiving physically taxing treatments.
- Administered oral, IV and intra-muscular medications and monitored patient reactions.
- Communicated effectively with interdisciplinary team members about plan of care updates and changes.
- Interpreted and evaluated diagnostic tests to identify and assess patient's condition.
- Educated patients on their diagnosis and treatment plans, providing emotional support when needed.
- Monitored diet, physical activity, behaviors and other patient factors to assess conditions and adjust treatment plans.
Triage RN
Christie Clinic, Internal Medicine
Champaign
04.1995 - 07.1999
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support and life-saving interventions.
- Assessed patient needs, prioritized treatment, maintained patient flows and assisted physicians with non-invasive procedures.
- Delivered information regarding care and medications to patients and caregivers in comprehendible terminology.
- Educated patients on health maintenance, disease prevention, and treatment options.
- Acted as patient advocate and implemented total patient care through team nursing process.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient records in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
- Conducted intake assessments with patients and relatives to gather case history.
- Utilized computerized Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS) and Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
- Monitored and managed various treatment and care interventions.
- Assessed patient health and developed individualized care plans accordingly.
Oncology Nurse
Covenant Hospital
Urbana
06.1993 - 07.1995
- Performed nursing assessments and developed interventions based on the assessment findings.
- Conducted specified laboratory tests to help detect conditions and determine diagnosis.
- Emotionally supported patients receiving treatment by carefully listening and offering comfort.
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support and life-saving interventions.
- Provided emotional support to patients and their families during difficult times.
- Helped patients and families feel comfortable during challenging and stressful situations, promoting recovery and reducing compliance issues.
- Observed strict safety measures, including checking medication dosages before administration to patients.
- Administered chemotherapy to patients as indicated by chart instructions given by each physician.
- Delivered information regarding care and medications to patients and caregivers in comprehendible terminology.
- Monitored vital signs of cancer patients during treatments, adjusting medications accordingly.
- Promoted kind, compassionate environment, utilizing active listening and effective communication skills for cancer patients receiving treatment.
- Provided emotional support for patients receiving physically taxing treatments.
- Administered oral, IV and intra-muscular medications and monitored patient reactions.
- Collaborated with health groups to plan or implement programs designed to improve overall health of communities.
Oncology Nurse
Lourdes Hospital
Paducah
06.1989 - 06.1993
- Performed nursing assessments and developed interventions based on the assessment findings.
- Conducted specified laboratory tests to help detect conditions and determine diagnosis.
- Emotionally supported patients receiving treatment by carefully listening and offering comfort.
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support and life-saving interventions.
- Provided emotional support to patients and their families during difficult times.
- Managed complex pain management issues utilizing appropriate pharmacological interventions when necessary.
- Observed strict safety measures, including checking medication dosages before administration to patients.
- Coordinated discharge planning to ensure continuity of care post-hospitalization.
- Administered chemotherapy to patients as indicated by chart instructions given by each physician.
- Monitored vital signs of cancer patients during treatments, adjusting medications accordingly.
- Promoted kind, compassionate environment, utilizing active listening and effective communication skills for cancer patients receiving treatment.
- Provided emotional support for patients receiving physically taxing treatments.
- Coordinated with healthcare team to establish, enact and evaluate patient care plans.
- Administered oral, IV and intra-muscular medications and monitored patient reactions.
- Provided guidance to family members regarding end-of-life decisions related to advanced stages of cancer.
- Interpreted and evaluated diagnostic tests to identify and assess patient's condition.
- Educated patients on their diagnosis and treatment plans, providing emotional support when needed.
- Supported patients receiving treatment by carefully listening and offering comfort.
- Monitored diet, physical activity, behaviors and other patient factors to assess conditions and adjust treatment plans.
- Utilized computerized Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS) and Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Murray State University
Murray, KY05-1989
Skills
- Chemotherapy administration
- Patient assessment
- Pain management
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Emergency response
- Patient education
- Medication administration
- EHR utilization
- Discharge planning
- Safety compliance
- Emotional support
- Diagnostic interpretation
- Health advocacy
- Care coordination
- Critical thinking
- Side effects management
- Advanced cardiac life support
- Drug administration
- Oncology treatment planning
- Medical procedure assistance
- Monitoring vital signs
- Intravenous therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Electronic health records
- Strong clinical judgment
- Direct patient care
- Healthcare personnel supervision
- Test interpretations
- Health education
- Allergic reaction management
- Collecting vitals
- Care planning
- Administer medication
- Oncological emergencies
- Medication and IV administration
- Wound dressing
- Nursing performance assessment
- Monitor vital signs
- Unit oversight
- Palliative care
- Documentation
- Biotherapy administration
- Pain control
Affiliations
- I enjoy being outdoors and hiking with my dogs
Accomplishments
- Nurse exemplar 2003 and 2004
- Worked with unit nurse educator to develop an anaphylaxis protocol for our inpatient oncology unit
- Member of the wound care team
- Attended question writing workshop for ONCC in 2023 and will attend question writing workshop for CMSRN in 2025
Certification
- OCN
- CMSRN
- chemo/biotherapy certificate
- ACLS
- BLS
Timeline
Oncology Nurse
Carle Foundation Hospital
07.1999 - Current
Triage RN
Christie Clinic, Internal Medicine
04.1995 - 07.1999
Oncology Nurse
Covenant Hospital
06.1993 - 07.1995
Oncology Nurse
Lourdes Hospital
06.1989 - 06.1993
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Murray State University
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