Lauren Austin, RN, BSN
Ward
Summary
Compassionate Registered Nurse with diverse experience in pediatric, adolescent, obstetric, and adult care across inpatient and outpatient settings. Committed to enhancing patient outcomes through effective education and safety promotion in fast-paced environments. Leverages clinical knowledge and past experiences to support patient-centered care and advance nursing practices.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work History
Pediatric Triage Nurse
1st Call Triage
01.2025 - Current
- Managed triage calls, ensuring timely responses to patient inquiries and concerns.
- Conducted patient assessments to determine urgency and appropriate care pathways.
- Gathered case history and triage information to guide patients to appropriate care pathways.
- Provided compassionate care for patients experiencing acute symptoms, offering emotional support and comfort during stressful situations.
- Maintained a calm and professional demeanor during high-stress situations, effectively managing patient expectations and alleviating concerns.
- Documented patient interactions accurately in electronic health record systems.
- Collaborated with healthcare teams to facilitate seamless care transitions for patients.
- Counseled patients via telephone according to established guidelines and protocols, advising on provider-established plans of care.
- Provided clear and concise instructions to patients regarding home care plans, ensuring proper understanding and adherence to treatment protocols.
- Provided education on health resources and self-care strategies to callers.
- Built rapport with patients through active listening and empathetic communication, enhancing their comfort and trust during triage.
- Integrated evidence-based practices into daily tasks, ensuring consistency in delivering high-quality care across all populations served.
- Suggested appropriate disposition to acting physicians based on assessment.
- Communicated patients' needs effectively to healthcare providers and support services to ensure timely interventions.
Emergency Room Registered Nurse
United States Naval Hospital of Okinawa
08.2023 - 09.2024
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Administered medications and treatments, ensuring accurate dosage and timely delivery.
- Streamlined emergency room operations by triaging patients based on condition severity, improving response times to critical cases.
- Facilitated communication with patients, families, and colleagues, enhancing collaboration and support in a fast-paced environment.
- Deescalated tense situations with agitated patients or family members through active listening and empathy, promoting a calmer atmosphere.
- Answered codes quickly and orchestrated efficient, skilled medical care.
- Educated patients and families on post-discharge care instructions, promoting adherence to prescribed regimens for improved health outcomes at home.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Accomplishments: Primary Charge Nurse; Primary Preceptor for new hires; ENA's Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) Certified; 2024 Quarterly winner of Helping Heroes Award
Family Advocacy Nurse Case Manager
CICONIX, LLC
02.2021 - 08.2023
- As the Air Force Maternal/Newborn Public Health Home Visitor and Case Manager, RN ran the New Parent Support Program. NPSP is a nurse-run prevention program that utilizes an intensive and voluntary on and off-installation home visitation to provide education and supportive services to expecting families and families with children from birth to three years old.
- Educated families on Air Force instructions and standards.
- Provided home-based services to military families that included education, support, and anticipatory guidance in areas such as growth and development from in utero throughout childhood, nutrition, parenting, attachment/bonding, individual and family health related issues, family violence dynamics, problem solving, family communication skills, and bereavement.
- Provided supportive services and guidance in couples' communication, parenting education, parent-child interactions, bonding, etc.
- Developed family services plans, including nursing diagnoses that incorporate secondary prevention services for the New Parent Support families and maltreatment cases.
- Hosted and taught public classes such as the Newborn 101 class, Dad's Boot Camp, Postpartum Depression Class, and more.
- Accomplishments: Implemented a new 0-3 Play Group, implemented a Postpartum Depression Support Group, implemented a Dad's Support Group, and implemented a Baby Safety 123 class.
Pediatric Registered Nurse
Trinity Health
03.2017 - 10.2020
- Staff nurse on a general-surgical Pediatric unit, plus adult medical-surgical overflow
- Primary unit: Pediatrics with a 4:1 patient to nurse ratio
- Oversaw the overall health status of patients.
- Provided competent care for all diseases and conditions.
- Educated children and parents on medical conditions using age-appropriate language, promoting active participation in health management.
- Educated children and parents about their medical conditions in age-appropriate language, empowering them to take an active role in managing their health.
- Administered vaccinations and medications accurately, ensuring optimal treatment efficacy and patient safety.
- Delivered high-quality patient care consistently, adhering to unit protocols and hospital policies while maintaining a professional demeanor under pressure.
- Developed strong rapport with patients and families, fostering trust and confidence in the nursing team''s abilities.
- Served as primary charge nurse, overseeing unit operations and staff coordination.
Pediatric Travel Nurse
RNnetwork + MN Children's Hospital
11.2019 - 03.2020
- Agency travel registered nurse, hired through RNNetwork to work at Minnesota Children's Hospital at both St. Paul and Minneapolis campuses
- Completed thorough physical assessments for each child upon admission, establishing a baseline for further evaluation and treatment planning.
- Implemented evidence-based interventions to promote optimal patient outcomes in diverse clinical settings.
- Assessed and monitored vital signs in children, promptly identifying health concerns or changes in condition.
- Reduced hospital readmission rates by educating families on proper home care and follow-up procedures.
- Administered medications and vaccinations accurately, ensuring the safety and well-being of pediatric patients.
- Maintained accurate medical records, ensuring proper documentation of patient conditions, treatments, and progress.
- Enhanced patient care by providing specialized pediatric nursing services during travel assignments.
- Promoted a positive, inclusive work environment within assigned facilities by actively engaging with colleagues and participating in team-building activities.
- Accountable for professional practice including independent nursing functions and delegated medical functions performed in collaboration with other health team members
- Perform assessment, evaluation of the data collected, and the continuum of care through monitoring and evaluating changes in patient's condition, evaluation of patient responses to therapy, and the discharge process
- Delegation of selected nursing activities to other health care workers while retaining the responsibility and accountability for the overall nursing care.
- Primary unit: Float pool team; floated between two campuses including three medical/surgical units, one hematology/oncology unit, one orthopedic/neurology unit, one behavioral health unit, and two short stay/same day surgery units; 4:1 patient to nurse ratio
Licensed Practical Nurse
Mayo Clinic
12.2013 - 03.2017
- Staff LPN hired to work Primary Care and Internal Medicine
- Collecting patient data through observation and focal assessments
- Communication and collaboration with an interdisciplinary care team
- Delivery of care according to patient care plan, policies, and procedure guidelines
- Communicate provider recommendations and test results to patients
- Demonstrated excellent technical skills in wound dressing changes, catheter insertion, and other routine nursing procedures.
- Managed patient care through closely monitoring respiration, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels.
- Facilitated efficient communication between patients, families, and healthcare providers to promote continuity of care across settings.
- Managed time-sensitive tasks effectively under pressure while maintaining composure during critical situations or emergencies.
- Monitored, tracked, and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
- Daily use of technical skills such as injections, urinary catheterization, wound dressing, and more
- All cares were performed directly under RN supervision.
- Accomplishments/committee involvement: Nursing Practice and Quality Applications committee │ 2014 │Chair member. MAGNET │ 2016-2017 │LPN champion. Preceptor and Mentorship committee │2016-2017 │LPN Co-Chair that designed and implemented mentorship program for department RNs and LPNs. Bronze Quality Improvement certificate. Enterprise Orders Outpatient Super User. Controlled Substance Agreement Champion. Preceptor/Orientation partner in training newly hired LPNs.
Education
BACHELOR - Nursing (BSN)
MINOT STATE UNIVERSITY
Minot, ND 01.2018 - 05.2019
ASSOCIATE - Nursing (ADN)
ROCHESTER COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Rochester , MN 11.2015 - 12.2016
DIPLOMA - Nursing (LPN)
ROCHESTER COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Rochester, MN 01.2012 - 05.2013
Skills
- Pediatric emergency care
- Comprehensive nursing care
- Patient-centered care management
- Patient care optimization
- Advanced nursing skills
- Strongly developed critical thinking skills
- Excellent time management skills; experienced in working fast-paced and high demand nursing jobs
- Interdisciplinary communication
- Continuous professional development
- Compassionate patient care
Certification
- Basic Life Support - American Red Cross - Apr 2023
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) - American Red Cross - Dec 2023
- Advanced Life Support (ALS) - American Red Cross - Dec 2023
- Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC) Certification - Emergency Nurse Association - May 2024
Licensure
Registered Nurse - State of Arkansas (Compact State)
- License Number: RN 231572
- Issue Date: 1/8/2025
- Expiration Date: 9/30/2026
Registered Nurse - State of North Dakota
- License Number: R44336
- Issue Date: 3/29/2017
- Expiration Date: 12/31/2026
Timeline
Pediatric Triage Nurse
1st Call Triage
01.2025 - Current
Emergency Room Registered Nurse
United States Naval Hospital of Okinawa
08.2023 - 09.2024
Family Advocacy Nurse Case Manager
CICONIX, LLC
02.2021 - 08.2023
Pediatric Travel Nurse
RNnetwork + MN Children's Hospital
11.2019 - 03.2020
BACHELOR - Nursing (BSN)
MINOT STATE UNIVERSITY
01.2018 - 05.2019
Pediatric Registered Nurse
Trinity Health
03.2017 - 10.2020
ASSOCIATE - Nursing (ADN)
ROCHESTER COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE
11.2015 - 12.2016
Licensed Practical Nurse
Mayo Clinic
12.2013 - 03.2017
DIPLOMA - Nursing (LPN)
ROCHESTER COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE
01.2012 - 05.2013