BESSIE L.

STAPLEFOOTE
247 Lilac Drive
Monroeville, PA 15146
(412) 373-2717
(909)-254-3672

CAREER OBJECTIVE
To obtain a position that is growth oriented within a progressive organization,
emphasizing quality care, in which diverse prior experience, in depth formal tra
ining, strong communication/organization/analytical
skills, ambition and commitment to excellence will be utilized.

PROFESSIONAL
EXPERIENCE
Forbes Regional Hospital
West Penn Allegheny Health System
Monroeville, PA 15146
Professional staff Nurse
May 5, 2008 to present
Providing nurse care to individuals of different ages with challenging health ca
re
Needs on a medical and telemetry unit. Using the nursing process, evaluated
Measurable outcomes using evidenced based data. And collaborating with other he
alth care members in providing continued quality care after discharge.
Allegheny Correctional Health Services In
Pittsburgh, PA
Professional staff nurse
April 16, 2007 to April, 2008

Provide a wide spectrum of health care to 2500 inmates with chronic health probl
ems such as mental illness, oncology, diabetes,, renal, HIV/AIDS, substance abus
e, terminal cancer and respiratory diseases.
HealthSouth of Pittsburgh
Monroeville, PA
Casual professional staff nurse
April 30, 2007 to present

Provided care to patients who required long term acute care in rehabilitation fr
om chronic illness and meeting their medical, vocational, educational, environm
ental and spiritual needs.

UPMC Magee Women Hospital

Pittsburgh, PA
Professional staff nurse
August 8th, 2006 to April 14, 2007
Provided nursing care to women of all ages with gynecologic problems and concern
s. Worked with other health care professionals in providing quality comprehensi
ve care beyond discharge from the hospital .
UPMC Montefiore
Pittsburgh
Casual staff nurse
March 21, 2005 to August 8th, 2006

Delivered effective care to a wid

e range of patients on a medicine and telemetry unit. Collaborating with peers
and other health care team members in continuity of care after discharge.

VA Pittsburgh Healthcare system

Pittsburgh, PA
Staff Registered Nurse
October 4, 2004 to June 30, 2006

Used the nursing process to deliver and improve patient care to medicine, surgic
al and telemetry patients through collaboration with other health team members b
y providing a full range of nursing care to patients with complex care needs. P
rovided leadership in utilizing the standards of practice, policy and procedures
to develop plans of care. Completed initial assessments and reassessments of p
atients condition and response to treatment. Promoted discharge planning and co
ntinuity of care by developing care plans in collaboration with the patient and
health care team.

Loma Linda University Medical Center

Loma Linda, CA
Casual Staff registered nurse
August 2003 to September 2004
Collaborated with physicians and other members of the multidisciplinary team to
provide quality care that would facilitate optimum level of wellness according t
o their level of functioning as it is related to their physical ,psychological a
nd spiritual well being and to give bereavement support. Evaluated patients re
sponse to care based on identified goals and measured outcomes and updated the p
lan of care. Identified needs of patient and family using community resources.
Instructed patients and families on medication administration, treatments and d
isease process and participated in discharge planning for home environment. Rec
ognized unsafe and ineffective practices using the chain of command for resolut
ion of clinical practice issues. Supervised and delegated responsibilities to ot
her staff
Jerry Pettis Memorial VA Medical Center
Loma Linda, CA
Staff registered nurse
September 26, 1998 to May 2004
 Documented ini
tial and ongoing patient assessment on the telemetry unit. Used the nursing proc
ess to formulate safe and effective care based on each individuals need. Supervi
sed and direct both professional and non-professional personnel. Prioritized ca
re based on patient and their/family needs. Effectively communicated with pat
ients and families in crisis situations. Collaborated with other health profess
ionals involved in the health care delivery system to facilitated optimum care f
or patients going home. Protected and respected patients rights and confidentia
lity. Participated in development of nursing goals and measured outcomes, stand
ards, protocols and procedures.

Kaiser-Permante Medical Center

Fontana, CA
Staff registered nurse
June 23, 1998 to September 20, 1998
Specialized in patients with complicated respiratory problems when mechanical ve
ntilation and tracheostomy were required. Assessed, planned, implemented, docum
ented and evaluated patient care according to their identified needs and measure
d outcomes. Interacted with families, co-workers and other health care team mem
bers to provide quality care.
Visiting Nurse Health Care System
Atlanta, GA
Staff Registered Nurse
February 1996 to May 1998

Educated clients, their families and surrounding community, of various ages, fr

om diverse background regarding pathophysiology of their disease process, medica
tion regimen and demonstrated treatments using aseptic technique and personal hy
giene. Implemented interventions within the nursing care plan to promote optima
l health and evaluate the results and modified the care plan as necessary to ach
ieve the desired measured outcome. Collaborated with other health personnel in
providing care and supervised home health aides. Documented care that met requi
red guidelines of Medicare, Medicaid and other insurance companies using the Atl
as Pensation Infolio system
Central Home Health Agency
Decatur, GA
Baylor Staff registered nurse
November, 1994 to November, 1995
Performed thorough, holistic assessments on initial admission of clients and th
eir family and/or caregivers from immediate surrounding community in developing
the nursing care plan. Evaluated clients needs during each visit and communicat
e findings to other members of the health care team. Compared home care plans a
nd actual care given and modified the care to comply with Medicare and Medicaid
guidelines. Educated and counseled on nutrition treatments, medication and pers
onal hygiene to promote optimal health, collaborated with other health care prof
essional in promoting continuity of care through discharge planning.

Grady Health Care System

Atlanta, GA
Assistant Clinical Manager/Care Manager
November, 1993 to November, 1994
Assisted in the development and implementation of the Care Manager Program at G
rady Hospital. Performed admission/discharge assessments on patients, reviewed
medical records for quality and completeness, initiated consults, maintained un
it tracking board, captured variances related to prolongation and inappropriate
hospital stays using the variance analysis tool. Assisted in writing of standar
ds, planned and developed a system on the unit that promoted discharge planning
activities on admission.. Assisted staff nurses in care of patients and comp
letion of discharge activities. Acted as a patient advocate by collaborating wi
th the multidisciplinary team, family and surrounding affected community to prov
ide the best course of action. Identified patients health care teaching needs
and developed, evaluated and assisted staff in providing individualized teaching
plans. Made referrals to appropriate resources within the community regarding
patient educational needs and problems. Work closely with social services and a
ssisted in preparing a comprehensive discharge plan for patients who met the hig
h risk discharge planning criteria, listing community referral sources and follo
w-up appointments. Consulted with the social worker in planning for discharge r
egarding what services were covered and what supplies and equipment were reimbur
sable for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. Identified the top 5 diagnostic
related (DRGS) along with their average length of stay (LOS) and related varianc
es.
Georgia Regional Hospital
Decatur, GA
Baylor Staff Nurse
June, 1990 to June, 1991
Specialized in patient care involving both pharmacological and behavioral modif
ication methods of treatment, as well as for drug and alcohol abuse, coronary
heart disease, respiratory and metabolic disorders, and other severe medical and
/or psychological condition.
Grady Memorial Hospital Emergency Care Department
Atlanta, Georgia
Resource Staff nurse
December, 1991, to October, 1994

Expanded nursing skills in a Trauma Level I Center hospital. Became skilled in

performing fast and efficient assessments. Became proficient in caring for acu
te critically ill patients while waiting for admission to the hospital. Also be
came proficient in stabilizing patients in life threatening situations and calcu
lating and administering critical drugs. Became proficient in management of an
d teaching acute and chronic asthmatic patients and caring for detainees and pri
soners with acute emergencies.
Dekalb Medical Center
Decatur, GA
Staff registered nurse
July, 1989 to July, 1990
Resource staff registered nurse
July, 1990 to May, 1998
Provided nursing care on a renal and medicine unit for one year, then worked on
other units such as surgical, diabetes, telemetry, oncology, gynecology and psy
chiatric. Used the nursing process to evaluate measurable goals on
discharge.
Los Angeles Nephrology Clinic
Los Angeles, CA
Clinical Dietitian
January, 1982 to August, 1983
Provided nutritional services for critically, renal, diabetic and obese patients
. Assessed patients nutritionalneeds, developed and implement nutrition program
s, evaluated and reported the results. Conferred with physicians and other heal
th care professionals about each patient. Assisted clients in coordinating thei
r nutritional intake with prescribed medications and treatments. Established lo
ng term nutritional care programs and a close monitoring systems with diabetic a
nd renal patients
San Antonio Health Center
Huntington Park, CA
Public Health Dietitian
June, 1981 to January, 1982

Conducted on-site group and individual counseling on normal and modified diets.
Participated in home sessions with the public health nurse and conducted nutri
tion classes for staff and community. Developed educational tools to meet the n
eeds of the identified target patient population. Developed nutritional care
plans to improve the nutritional status of both client, family and surrounding c
ommunity. Evaluated the response to these interventions regarding their diet,
health and made modifications as needed to achieved the desired outcome.

EDUCATION

Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing Emory University

Atlanta, GA
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
1993

Georgia Baptist School of Nursing

Atlanta, GA
Diploma: Registered Nurse
1989
California State University-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
MA in Home Economics with emphasis in Foods and Nutrition
1981
Oakwood College
Huntsville, AL
Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics
1977
PROFESSIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS
American Nursing Association
American Dietetic Association

REFERENCES
Available on request