Dawnal Lawson
Little Rock
Summary
Highly qualified Clinical Director with expertise in managing health regulations, providing exceptional patient care, and motivating talented staff. Results-oriented professional consistently achieving positive patient outcomes and excelling in finding creative solutions to administrative issues. Skilled Clinical Supervisor with a 15-year background in growing departments and developing robust nurse education programs to elevate competencies and enhance patient care. Analytical and data-driven, successfully leveraging evidence-based data to improve nurse education, patient outcomes, and audit results. Experienced in building strong integrated nursing teams through the development of comprehensive training and education programs. Committed to creating innovative educational programs that enhance patient care and outcomes, while serving as a positive role model for nurse leaders and healthcare staff. Adept in case management, clinical oversight, and staff training, with proficiency in conducting data analysis to identify gaps and drive improvements in outcomes.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Clinical Director/Director of Nursing
Fox Ridge Luxury Senior Living
10.2020 - 08.2024
- Job duties and responsibilities of Clinical Director 4 Communities and DON of 1 facility simultaneously
- Clinical staffing of RN, LPN and CNA, infection control, competency of all staff per company and state regulations, staff hours to meet budget requirements, Quality and Assurance audits monthly, budgeting, call rotation, assist clinical staff when staffing is short, contracts for ancillary services, medical director, lab, imaging
- Care plans, review POC, Assessment Nurse, COC assessments, internal investigations and reporting, reporting to State Agency, planning and implementation of EBP nursing services, policy/procedures writing, implementation and ensuring continuation of Policy and Procedures, patient assessment, working closely with CEO, CFO, Projects Manager, investors, Administrator, DONs, and ADONs in facilities to plan and strategize increase in sales productivity and prospects
- State rules and reg criteria met in all facilities, Care Plan meetings with family and patients, Ensure best practice in giving care to patients, maintaining staff retention, training and hiring of new staff, crisis management with employees and facilities.
- Coached and trained newly hired employees so that each understood job responsibilities and requirements of positions.
- Mentored staff members through professional development opportunities, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.
- Cultivated a positive organizational culture that supported employee engagement, teamwork, open communication, ethical behavior, accountability.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations for clinical staff, identifying areas for improvement and providing constructive feedback for growth.
Registered Nurse (RN)
Ouachita County Medical Center
09.2022 - 04.2024
- Administered medications, performed procedures, and provided treatments according to established protocols and standards of practice
- Monitored vital signs, assessed changes in patient condition, and communicated updates to healthcare team members
- Responded quickly to emergent situations, initiating appropriate interventions to stabilize patients' conditions
- Provided direct patient care in a fast-paced emergency room setting, assessing and treating patients with acute illnesses and injuries
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare team to develop and implement individualized care plans for patients.
- 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.
- 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.
ADON/Unit Manager
Atrium
09.2018 - 10.2020
- Job duties and responsibilities of Assistant Director of Nursing, staffing of RN, LPN and CNA, infection control, competency annually, upon hire, quarterly, in service meetings monthly, tracking staff hours, PAR meetings, Q and A monthly meeting, interview of possible new hire CNA and Nurse, training of all new hire, act as DON when they are out of facility, Call rotation, assist CNA and Nurses when staffing is short, daily start up meeting.
- Established strong partnerships with community resources including hospice providers, home health agencies, and outpatient rehabilitation centers to enhance patient care transitions and discharge planning.
- Managed staffing needs effectively, ensuring appropriate nurse-to-patient ratios during all shifts.
- Mentored new nursing staff, fostering professional growth and development while maintaining high standards of patient care.
- Reduced medication errors by conducting thorough medication administration audits and providing feedback to nursing staff.
RN/Charge/ED and Cardiac, Renal and Med-Surge Unit
National Park Medical Center
02.2012 - 03.2017
- Developed patient care plans, including assessments, evaluations and nursing diagnoses
- Specialized in the nursing care of patients with chemical dependency
- Assessed need for, ordered, obtained and interpreted appropriate lab tests
- Self-directed with astute judgment skills
- High level of personal accountability
- Monitored patient reactions to drugs and carefully documented progress of individuals
- Documented patient information obtained from interviews
- Assisted patients with daily functions.
- Administered medications accurately and safely, reducing medication errors and adverse reactions.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction through effective communication, empathy, and timely response to their needs.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for comprehensive patient care plans, resulting in better health outcomes.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University Arkansas Little Rock
Little Rock, AR09.2025
Assisted Living And Residential Care Administrator -
Arkansas Health Care Association
Little Rock, AR03.2024
Associate of Science - Nursing
National Park College
Hot Springs, AR05.2012
Skills
- Clinical Quality Improvement
- Customer Relations
- Budget Oversight
- Employee Performance Evaluations
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Complex Problem Solving
- Operations Management
- Resource Coordination
- Staff Nurse
- Emergency Room
- EMR Systems
- Alzheimer's Care
- Infection Control Training
- Case Management
- Critical Thinking
- Insurance Verification
- Data Analysis
- Office Administration
- Recordkeeping and File Management
- Attention to Detail
- Time Management
- Administrative Support
- Database entry
- Human Resources Information Systems
- HR policies development
- Prior Authorization Process
- ICD-10 Coding Familiarity
- Medical Appeals Handling
- Medical Terminology
- Staff Training and Development
Certification
- Assisted Living and Residential Care Administrator
- Registered Nurse (RN), 06/30/25
- BLS, 10/31/25
- ACLS, 12/31/25
- AED Certification
- CPR Certification
- NHIS Certification
- PALS Certification
Personal Information
- Willing To Relocate
- Authorized To Work
Timeline
Registered Nurse (RN)
Ouachita County Medical Center
09.2022 - 04.2024
Clinical Director/Director of Nursing
Fox Ridge Luxury Senior Living
10.2020 - 08.2024
ADON/Unit Manager
Atrium
09.2018 - 10.2020
RN/Charge/ED and Cardiac, Renal and Med-Surge Unit
National Park Medical Center
02.2012 - 03.2017
- Assisted Living and Residential Care Administrator
- Registered Nurse (RN), 06/30/25
- BLS, 10/31/25
- ACLS, 12/31/25
- AED Certification
- CPR Certification
- NHIS Certification
- PALS Certification
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University Arkansas Little Rock
Assisted Living And Residential Care Administrator -
Arkansas Health Care Association
Associate of Science - Nursing
National Park College
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