Ricky Higgins
Peoria
Summary
Dynamic nursing professional with extensive leadership experience at Liberty Village of Peoria. Proven track record in quality improvement and patient care, enhancing satisfaction through effective communication and strong clinical judgment. Skilled in medication administration and fostering professional development among staff, ensuring compliance with health regulations and optimal patient outcomes.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Shift Manager
McDonald's Restaurant
Bartonville, IL
05.2024 - Current
- Supervised staff to ensure efficient operations and high-quality customer service.
- Managed daily inventory, reducing waste through effective stock control practices.
- Trained new employees in operational procedures and safety standards.
- Facilitated communication between kitchen and front-of-house teams to enhance workflow.
- Ensured correct monetary count with safe and drawers after business hours
- Implemented promotional campaigns, increasing customer engagement during peak hours.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly, improving overall satisfaction ratings.
- Ensured compliance with health and safety regulations, maintaining a clean work environment.
- Achieved consistent customer satisfaction by addressing concerns promptly and professionally.
Charge Nurse
Apostolic Christian LifePoints
Morton, IL
07.2021 - 01.2024
- Supervised nursing staff to ensure adherence to patient care protocols and facility policies.
- Coordinated patient care plans in collaboration with interdisciplinary teams for optimal health outcomes.
- Implemented safety procedures, enhancing compliance with health regulations and standards.
- Conducted training sessions for new staff, promoting best practices in patient care and emergency response.
- Monitored patient progress, adjusting care strategies based on clinical assessments and feedback.
- Coordinated nursing care on unit through staff assignments, assisting and rounding with physicians, monitoring patient orders, and communicating with ancillary departments.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient information, enabling informed decision-making among the healthcare team members.
- Adapting nursing care for clients with developmental disabilities
Registered Nurse
Saint Francis Medical Center
Peoria, IL
07.2021 - 03.2022
- Provided care for patients with Covid-19 infections and other general medical issues
- 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.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- Mentored junior nursing staff, fostering professional development and enhancing team performance.
- Implemented quality improvement initiatives, enhancing patient safety and satisfaction within the facility.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments, ensuring accurate documentation of patient histories and conditions.
Director of Nursing
Liberty Village of Peoria
Peoria, IL
08.2020 - 07.2021
- Served as Interim Director of Nursing
- 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.
- Streamlined communication processes between departments to enhance operational efficiency.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations, providing constructive feedback to improve team effectiveness.
- Established strategic initiatives for patient safety and quality improvement programs.
- Advocated for resource allocation to support nursing staff in delivering optimal patient care services.
Registered Nurse
Pekin Manor
Pekin, IL
08.2016 - 08.2020
- Administered medications and treatments following established protocols and standards of care.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement individualized patient care plans.
- Monitored patient vital signs, documenting changes and communicating findings to healthcare providers promptly.
- Educated patients and families on health management, promoting adherence to treatment plans for better outcomes.
- Served as Interim Director of Nursing from June 2020 to August 2020.
Registered Nurse
Kindred Hospital, LTAC
Peoria, IL
06.2017 - 01.2019
- Worked on med-surg unit as well as ICU.
- Cared for patients with large, slow healing wounds, long term antibiotic therapy, and patients on ventilators
- Mentored junior nursing staff, fostering professional development and enhancing team performance.
- Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing interventions and individualized care plans.
Registered Nurse
Saint Francis Medical Center
Peoria, IL
12.2011 - 08.2016
- Provided care for patients with neurological conditions such as stroke, epilepsy, guillain-barre syndrome, brain cancer, spinal surgery, and many others.
- Administered medications according to protocol and monitoring for adverse reactions and documenting events.
- Mentored junior nursing staff, fostering professional development and enhancing team performance.
- Served as a preceptor for nursing students during their clinical rotations, providing valuable real-world experience and guidance to foster professional growth.
- Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
- Streamlined workflow processes, improving efficiency in daily operations of nursing unit activities.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Methodist College of Nursing
Peoria, IL05-2011
Skills
- Leadership and guidance
- Quality improvement
- Strong work ethic
- Professional development
- Policies compliance enforcement
- Direct patient care
- Medication and IV administration
- Patient assessments
- Documentation and charting
- Strong clinical judgment
- Wound care
- Professional bedside manner
Timeline
Shift Manager
McDonald's Restaurant
05.2024 - Current
Charge Nurse
Apostolic Christian LifePoints
07.2021 - 01.2024
Registered Nurse
Saint Francis Medical Center
07.2021 - 03.2022
Director of Nursing
Liberty Village of Peoria
08.2020 - 07.2021
Registered Nurse
Kindred Hospital, LTAC
06.2017 - 01.2019
Registered Nurse
Pekin Manor
08.2016 - 08.2020
Registered Nurse
Saint Francis Medical Center
12.2011 - 08.2016
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Methodist College of Nursing
Daisy Award
Received several Daisy Awards for providing personalized, compassionate care above and beyond patient and family expectations