Howard Ashford
Minneaplis
Summary
Dynamic Surgical Unit Nurse Educator at Minneapolis VA Medical Center, adept in clinical judgment and health promotion. Spearheaded evidence-based practice projects, enhancing patient satisfaction and safety. Leveraged compassion and empathy to improve nursing morale and retention, driving quality improvement initiatives that fostered a collaborative environment for optimal patient outcomes.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Surgical Unit Nurse Educator
Minneapolis VA Medical Center
06.2023 - Current
- Created lessons and online testing materials to facilitate self-directed learning.
- Communicated frequently with nurses, managers, and other team members to provide feedback and discuss unit needs and opportunities for improvement.
- Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities.
- Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
- Led teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing standard of care and best practices.
Float Pool Nurse
Minneapolis VA Medical Center
04.2014 - 06.2023
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
- Reported findings to quality departments after noting inconsistency in pre-surgical bath process and worked with team to devise corrective actions.
Education
Master of Arts - Public Health
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Winona, MN12-2026
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Bemidji State University
Bemidji, MN05-2015
Associate of Arts - Registered Nurse
Minneapolis Community And Technical College
Minneapolis, MN12-2010
Skills
- Clinical judgment
- Health promotion
- Compassion and empathy
- Quality improvement
Certification
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification (ACLS)
- Registered Nurse License (RN) - State Board of Nursing.
Timeline
Surgical Unit Nurse Educator
Minneapolis VA Medical Center
06.2023 - Current
Float Pool Nurse
Minneapolis VA Medical Center
04.2014 - 06.2023
Master of Arts - Public Health
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Bemidji State University
Associate of Arts - Registered Nurse
Minneapolis Community And Technical College
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