Kelly Gemme
School Nurse Leader
Chicopee
Summary
Highly qualified Pediatric Nurse with expertise in evaluation and diagnosis. Offering 23 years of nursing experience and outstanding attention to detail. Skilled in coordinating faculty, parents and health care providers to provide complete and comprehensive care for pediatric patients.
Dynamic School Nurse Leader with a proven track record at Hampden Charter School of Science, adept at crisis intervention, individualized healthcare plans, and educating nursing staff and students. Enhanced student wellness through comprehensive health education, reducing absenteeism rates. Skilled in medication administration and fostering strong communication with families and staff to ensure optimal care and support for diverse student needs.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
School Nurse Leader
Hampden Charter School of Science
08.2015 - Current
- Served as a resource for faculty and staff by providing training on first aid, CPR, and other health-related topics.
- Monitored ongoing medical conditions such as asthma or diabetes, adjusting care plans accordingly to maintain optimal student wellness levels.
- Promoted a healthy school environment through regular inspections, identifying potential hazards and recommending corrective actions.
- Improved overall student health by implementing comprehensive health education programs and preventive measures.
- Screened for infectious diseases to help prevent spreading within school community.
- Documented patient vitals, behaviors, and conditions to communicate concerns to supervising nurse.
- Educated students on various health topics to promote overall health and wellbeing.
- Served as liaison between families, school personnel, and other healthcare providers on behalf of students.
- Worked with multidisciplinary team to carry out successful treatment plans for diverse acute and chronic conditions.
- Implemented emergency protocols in medical emergencies to promote safety for students and staff.
- Assessed student health and identified potential health concerns to provide appropriate care.
- Provided support to students with special needs and disabilities to deliver appropriate care and meet educational needs.
- Provided crisis intervention services during emergencies or critical incidents at school events or activities outside of normal hours when necessary.
- Collaborated with teachers to address diverse learning styles while designing inclusive classroom accommodations for students with chronic illnesses or disabilities.
- Oversaw health services for school of 916 students and faculty.
- Assessed students'' physical and emotional well-being during daily clinic visits, providing appropriate care or referrals as needed.
- Streamlined documentation processes for maintaining accurate student health records, ensuring compliance with regulations.
- Managed immunization compliance within the school population to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.
- Contributed to a positive school culture by serving as an advocate for student health and wellness, empowering them to make informed decisions about their wellbeing.
- Developed strong relationships with local healthcare providers to ensure continuity of care for students requiring specialized services.
- Maintained upkeep on defibrillators, blood pressure monitors and first aid kits to keep resources in working condition for emergencies.
- Participated in development of school safety plans to address areas of concern.
- Reduced absenteeism rates by proactively addressing student health concerns and providing timely interventions.
- Assisted in the development of school policies that promote a positive and safe learning environment for all students.
- Administered medication to students as prescribed by physicians to provide necessary treatment and manage health conditions.
- Enhanced school safety by collaborating with staff, parents, and community partners in developing emergency response plans.
- Developed care plans and made referrals as necessary for students with health concerns or injuries.
- Implemented evidence-based practices in healthcare delivery to continuously improve the quality of nursing services provided in the school setting.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Served as a preceptor for nursing students during their clinical rotations, providing valuable real-world experience and guidance to foster professional growth.
Registered Nurse, Summer School
Belchertown Public Schools
08.2005 - Current
- Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
- Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing interventions and individualized care plans.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
Registered Nurse, Float Pool
Belchertown Public Schools
08.2010 - 06.2015
- Filled in for regular school nurses in their absence performing all of their assigned duties.
- Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians.
- Conducted health screenings and assessments in the school setting
- Optimized patient flow in high-volume school nurse clinics, reducing wait times and improving access to care.
- Enhanced teamwork among nursing staff through clear communication, active listening, and constructive feedback.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, and follow-up care.
- Attended school field trips, accompanying students who required nursing care/supervision
Registered Nurse, Pediatrics
Baystate Medical Center Children's Hospital
07.2002 - 12.2008
- Assisted in the identification of early warning signs in children at risk for health complications through routine monitoring and screening evaluations.
- Improved patient comfort levels during procedures by utilizing age-appropriate distractions and techniques, such as storytelling or guided imagery.
- Managed complex pediatric cases by collaborating with specialists and coordinating care plans, resulting in a comprehensive approach to patient needs.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to provide optimal care for pediatric patients, resulting in improved overall satisfaction ratings.
- Decreased length of stay for pediatric patients by streamlining processes and working closely with physicians to determine appropriate treatments.
- Provided emotional support to families during difficult times, fostering trust and establishing a positive rapport with the healthcare team.
- Demonstrated compassion and professionalism when addressing the unique emotional needs of pediatric patients, fostering an environment that promoted healing and recovery.
- Reduced hospital readmissions for pediatric patients through thorough discharge planning and follow-up care coordination.
- Increased parent education on child development milestones by conducting informative sessions and providing relevant resources.
- Served as an advocate for the rights of pediatric patients, ensuring their needs were met throughout treatment plans consistently prioritizing their best interests.
- Promoted a healing environment within the pediatric unit by maintaining cleanliness standards and adhering to infection control protocols.
- Mentored new nursing staff members on proper protocol adherence, leading to increased competency rates within the team over time.
- Provided training to parents and caregivers on proper medication administration, leading to better adherence and improved treatment outcomes.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments of pediatric patients upon admission, identifying potential risks and making necessary interventions for a safer recovery process.
- Implemented evidence-based practices in medication administration, reducing errors and enhancing patient safety.
- Facilitated smooth transitions between shifts through clear communication with colleagues, ensuring continuity of care for all patients.
- Developed strong relationships with community organizations that serve families affected by childhood illnesses or disabilities to enhance program offerings and increase awareness of available resources.
- Enhanced patient care by developing individualized pediatric nursing plans and evaluating outcomes.
- Utilized effective communication techniques when explaining medical procedures to children, reducing anxiety levels and increasing cooperation during treatments.
- Maintained continuous growth of professional knowledge and competencies through ongoing education opportunities.
- Interacted with child welfare personnel and social workers in cases involving concerns about overall well-being.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Implemented care plans for patient treatment after assessing physician medical regimens.
- Recorded details regarding therapies to keep patient charts updated.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Performed triage on incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
Education
Master of Science - Nursing Operational Leadership
Quinnipiac University
Hamden, CT 05.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
American International College
Springfield 05.2001 -
Skills
Nutrition counseling
Medication administration
Patient assessments
Family education
Verbal and written communication
Record keeping accuracy
School health surveys
Student needs assessment
Crisis intervention
HIPAA requirements
Minor injury treatment
Allergy management
Emergency care proficiency
Individualized healthcare plans
First aid and CPR
Certification
Board Certification in Pediatric Nursing, American Nurses Credentialing Center - 2004-present
Certified CPR Instructor
2024 Obtained Certification to be a CPR instructor-American Heart Association BLS Instructor
Timeline
School Nurse Leader
Hampden Charter School of Science
08.2015 - Current
Registered Nurse, Float Pool
Belchertown Public Schools
08.2010 - 06.2015
Registered Nurse, Summer School
Belchertown Public Schools
08.2005 - Current
Registered Nurse, Pediatrics
Baystate Medical Center Children's Hospital
07.2002 - 12.2008
Master of Science - Nursing Operational Leadership
Quinnipiac University
05.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
American International College
05.2001 -
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