Tara Kelsey
Farmington,IL
Summary
Dynamic nursing leader with extensive experience at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, excelling in quality improvement and interdisciplinary collaboration. Proven track record in enhancing patient outcomes through effective staff education and critical thinking. Skilled in electronic charting and fostering strong relationships, driving compliance and safety in diverse healthcare settings.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Hospice Clinical Nursing Supervisor
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center
08.2025 - Current
- Supervised nursing staff to ensure adherence to care protocols and best practices.
- Coordinated patient care activities among multidisciplinary teams for improved service delivery.
- Monitored patient outcomes, documenting changes to inform treatment adjustments.
- Trained new nursing staff on operational procedures and compliance standards.
- Evaluated staff performance, providing feedback to promote professional development.
- Conducted performance evaluations of nursing staff, providing constructive feedback and identifying opportunities for professional growth.
- Enhanced staff communication and collaboration through regular team meetings and training sessions.
- Reviewed charts weekly to complete quality control checks.
Quality Safety RN Coordinator
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center
06.2024 - 08.2025
- Developed and implemented quality improvement initiatives to elevate nursing standards.
- Utilized electronic health records (EHR) systems for accurate documentation and data management.
- Led regular staff meetings to foster open communication, collaboration, and professional development opportunities among team members.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing practices and coordinating interdisciplinary care.
- Implemented quality improvement initiatives that led to enhanced patient safety and reduced medication errors.
- Drove adherence to regulatory standards within the department by ensuring compliance with state licensure requirements and organizational policies.
- Reported findings to quality departments after conducting routine restraint audits and worked with team to devise corrective actions for deficiencies.
- Investigated and resolved issues affecting hospital operations and patient care.
- Tracking and trending safety events, MIDAS reporting.
- Assisted leaders onsite with IDPH surveys.
- Investigate safety events such as oxygen fires, wounds, and tracking hospice medication fallout.
- I met monthly with Homecare Leaders to discuss quality metrics and discuss fallout with areas of focus, improvement.
- Presented metrics/Midas events at monthly leadership meetings.
- Collaborated with Risk Management on high-profile events.
Hospice Registered Nurse Case Manager
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center
01.2022 - 08.2024
- Coordinated patient care plans with interdisciplinary teams to optimize hospice services.
- Assessed patient needs and developed individualized nursing interventions for symptom management.
- Educated families on end-of-life care and available resources to enhance quality of life.
- Monitored patient progress, documenting changes in condition and adjusting care plans accordingly.
- Provided emotional support to patients and families during challenging transitions in care.
- Provided emotional support to patients and their families during the end-of-life process, promoting dignity and comfort.
- Collaborated with physicians to optimize medication regimens for symptom control in terminally ill patients.
- Managed complex caseloads effectively, prioritizing tasks based on patient acuity levels.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient interactions, assessments, interventions, and responses to care.
- Educated patients and families about illness progression, treatment options, and available resources for additional support.
- Offered listening ear to both patients and loved ones to meet emotional and mental, as well as physical needs.
- Established hospice care services for elderly and disabled patients.
- Recognized and understood specific stages of dying process, providing comfort-based care during vulnerable times.
- Taught family members and caregivers various ways to manage patients' pain, how to check for vital signs and proper methods for dressing changes.
Dialysis Registered Nurse
Fresenius
06.2021 - 01.2022
- Administered dialysis treatment to patients, ensuring adherence to protocols and safety standards.
- Monitored patient vital signs, responding promptly to changes in condition during sessions.
- Educated patients and families on dialysis procedures, fostering understanding and compliance with care plans.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to optimize patient care and enhance treatment outcomes.
- Conducted quality assurance audits to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and internal policies.
- Provided emotional support to patients coping with chronic kidney disease, helping them navigate complex medical information while maintaining hope for improved health outcomes.
Digital Health RN-OCAC
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center
06.2019 - 06.2021
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement patient-centered care plans.
- Educated patients and families on health management and recovery strategies for improved compliance.
- Conducted thorough assessments and evaluations to identify patient needs and plan appropriate interventions.
- 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.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
Registered Nurse-Antepartum/Women's Care
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center
08.2003 - 06.2019
- Administered medications and monitored patient responses to treatments.
- Educated patients and families on health management and post-discharge care.
- Mentored junior nursing staff, enhancing their clinical skills and confidence.
- Evaluated patient outcomes, adjusting treatment plans based on progress assessments.
- 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.
- Streamlined medication administration processes for increased safety and accuracy during busy shifts.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
- Performed fetal heart rate monitoring.
- Cared for post-surgical mastectomies. Supported and educated patients on discharge instructions.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
Nursing Instructor
Bradley University
01.2018 - 05.2019
- Mentored nursing students to enhance clinical skills and professional development.
- Assessed student performance through exams, practical evaluations, and feedback sessions.
- Coordinated clinical rotations for students, ensuring they gained valuable hands-on experience in various nursing specialties.
- Provided timely feedback on assignments and exams, helping students identify strengths and areas for growth.
- Prepared and administered weekly examinations to test student skills.
- Developed and created clinical assignments to assess student skills.
- Monitored progress of each student and provided formal evaluation upon completion of clinical placements.
- Coordinated with clinicians to develop and coordinate student assignments.
Medical Surgical Registered Nurse-3700
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center
01.2003 - 08.2003
- Administered medications and monitored patient responses for optimal care outcomes.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement individualized care plans.
- Educated patients and families on post-operative care and recovery processes.
- Ensured compliance with infection control protocols to maintain patient safety standards.
- Promoted a safe environment for patients by adhering to infection control protocols, fall prevention strategies, and other safety measures.
- Prevented complications for post-operative patients through careful monitoring, early detection of issues, and prompt intervention when needed.
- Managed a caseload of 4-6 patients simultaneously by providing bedside care, treatments, IV therapy, and wound care.
- Assessed patient conditions accurately by conducting comprehensive physical assessments, interpreting diagnostic tests, and utilizing critical thinking skills.
- Assisted with wound care, dressing changes and NG tube placement to maintain stable patient conditions.
- Administered blood products and monitored vital signs to address immediate concerns.
- Effectively managed time and prioritized tasks to ensure timely administration of medications, treatments, and procedures.
- Facilitated efficient discharge planning with case managers, social workers, therapists, physicians, and other healthcare professionals involved in the treatment plan.
Education
Master of Science - Adult Gerontology Primary Care AGNP-C
OSF Saint Francis College of Nursing
Peoria IL12-2016
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
OSF Saint Francis College of Nursing
Peoria IL05-2002
Skills
- Clinical leadership
- Quality improvement
- Nurse leadership
- Electronic charting
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Staff education
- Multitasking
- Critical thinking
- Team collaboration
- Active listening
- Ethical practice
- Patient care
- Patient education
- Clinical assessment
- Patient advocacy
- Clinical quality improvement
- Relationship building
- Medical documentation
- Goal setting
- Care coordination
- Problem-solving
- Effective communication
- Decision-making
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Quality improvements
Timeline
Hospice Clinical Nursing Supervisor
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center
08.2025 - Current
Quality Safety RN Coordinator
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center
06.2024 - 08.2025
Hospice Registered Nurse Case Manager
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center
01.2022 - 08.2024
Dialysis Registered Nurse
Fresenius
06.2021 - 01.2022
Digital Health RN-OCAC
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center
06.2019 - 06.2021
Nursing Instructor
Bradley University
01.2018 - 05.2019
Registered Nurse-Antepartum/Women's Care
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center
08.2003 - 06.2019
Medical Surgical Registered Nurse-3700
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center
01.2003 - 08.2003
Master of Science - Adult Gerontology Primary Care AGNP-C
OSF Saint Francis College of Nursing
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
OSF Saint Francis College of Nursing