Denise Schmitt
Canton
Summary
Dynamic BSN Faculty with a proven track record at Herzing University, excelling in curriculum development and fostering collaboration across interdisciplinary teams. A change agent and authentic leader, I enhanced RN retention and patient satisfaction while implementing innovative care management strategies. Proficient in electronic medical records and skilled in effective communication.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
BSN Faculty
Herzing University
Sandy Springs
03.2025 - Current
- NSG 123 and 233 Medical Surgical Nursing I and III
BSN Faculty
Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw
09.2024 - Current
- NURS 3209 Holistic Nursing
CEO
Doctor Leary Nurse Advocate
Canton
04.2020 - Current
- Nurse leader fulfilling roles of advocate/coach/change agent/educator
- Nurse Consultant for cultivating, developing and sustain healthy work environments: improved RN retention, patient satisfaction, and patient safety
Case Manager
ACE Care Management
Atlanta
01.2020 - 10.2024
- MDS-HC assessments
- Coordinated care plans for clients with diverse needs and situations.
- Assessed client eligibility for services and benefits within healthcare systems.
- Facilitated communication between clients, families, and service providers.
- Developed and maintained comprehensive case files in compliance with regulations.
- Monitored client progress and adjusted care plans as necessary.
- Provided training to junior staff on case management protocols and procedures.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to improve service delivery effectiveness.
- Advocated for clients' rights and access to necessary resources and support services.
- Provided case management services including intake, assessment, crisis intervention, advocacy, referral and monitoring of families.
- Monitored client progress through regular follow-up contacts.
- Maintained accurate case records and documentation according to agency guidelines.
- Counseled clients on available resources within the community that could help meet their needs.
- Facilitated communication between clients, families, caregivers, social services and other agencies to ensure client needs were met.
- Developed trusting relationships with social services, health care providers and governmental agencies.
- Developed individualized care plans with input from clients and their families.
- Participated in regular team meetings and in-house training sessions to boost group effectiveness.
- Provided referrals to appropriate health care providers or other community resources.
- Adhered to ethical principles and standards to protect clients' confidential information.
Organizational Development Specialist
Wellstar Health System
Atlanta
04.2013 - 09.2018
- Supported new graduate nurse training through mentorship in the nurse residency program.
- Curriculum development in each of the following programs: Emergency, critical care, and acute care nursing residency
- Developed and taught New Graduate Residency Program didactic and simulation for critical care, emergency, and acute care.
- Developed and taught new charge nurse education, and preceptor development.
- Provided New Leader development and orientation: Taught EI, Crucial Conversations, AACN's Healthy Work Environments.
- All course work was recognized by professional associations with applicable contact hours.
- Developed a 2-credit elective: Intro to Emergency Nursing, Developed a 2-credit elective Introduction to Perioperative Nursing: Both courses grounded in concept-based pedagogical approaches.
CN III
Anne Arundel Medical Center
Annapolis
04.2002 - 04.2013
- Clinical Nurse III Unit-Based Educator (2005-2013) supervision, education, orientation, and training of professional and ancillary personnel and staff of the Pre-Admission testing area, Presurgical Call center, pre-operative, Phase II post-operative, and Pain clinic.
- Recognized for exceptional interdepartmental communication as recipient of "Good Catch Club" award.
- Reduced medication errors by 75% through implementation of medication room quiet zones/SALA/Double checks.
- Clinical documentation improvement-improved SCIP core measure from 88% to 99%.
- Quality improvement-met JCAHO accreditation standards with 2 RFI.
- Rewrote administrative policies: Blood administration, access of dialysis catheters, IV-Therapy, consents, and time-out procedures for the preoperative population to comply with WHO Guidelines.
- JCAHC Preparedness coordination, SCIP Core Measures and implementation of evidence-based procedures and technology to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.
- CN II educator (2002-2005), charge nurse, and preceptor 48-bed emergency center with an annual census average of >225,00 adults and > 18,000 pediatric clients.
- Served on multiple committees such as Magnet Journey, Growth and expansion planning, LEAN Six-Sigma, medical record audits for compliance and share governance committees.
- Patient Education literature updated and published.
- Discharge planning and community liaison for patient and their families and area schools of nursing.
Education
DNP - Healthcare Systems Leadership
Chamberlain University
Grover Downs, IL08.2017
MS - Nursing Leadership in Healthcare Systems
Regis University
Denver, CO05.2007
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
University of Delaware
Newark, DE05.2002
Nursing
Capella
Skills
- LMS-Canva
- Sherpath
- Shadow Health
- Elsevier
- HESI
- Skilled communication
- Collaboration across interdisciplinary teams
- Authentic leadership
- Change Agent
- Curriculum Development
- Care Planning
- Home Health Assessments
- Care Management
- Transition Navigator
- Hospice Liaison
- Educator
- Preceptor
- Active continuous adult learner
- Excel
- Word
- Power Point
- OneNote
- Electronic Medical Records
- Cerner
- EPIC
- Meditech
- Oasis
- MDS-HC
- Data Abstraction
- Epic reports
- PNDS Data
- Survey Monkey
- AACN Healthy Work Environment Assessment Tool
Affiliations
- American Nurses Association
- Association of Nurses in Professional Development
- Emergency Nurses Association
- Sigma Theta Tau International
- National Society of Leadership and Success
Certification
- Registered Nurse (RN), Georgia State Board of Nursing, RN/229497
- Basic Life Support (BLS), American Heart Association, 11/01/26
Degrees
- DNP
- MS
- BSN
- RN
Awards
- Finalist Nursing Spectrum Excellence in Nursing Education
- Nomination for Excellence in an Educator Role, Anne Arundel Medical Center
Publications And Committees
- Editor and Feature Writer of AAMC Nurse, Advance for Nurses, Nursing Spectrum: A New Use for a Lifesaving Maneuver
- Local radio program and article sharing information about the new courses: Introduction to Perioperative and Introduction to Emergency Nursing
- American Nurses Association Advisory Panel on Lateral Violence and Workplace Bullying 2015 and 2017
Presentations
- 2024, 7th International Conference on Nursing Research and Health Care, Paris, France
- 2019, Podium Presentation STTI Creating Healthy Work Environments, New Orleans
- 2018, AORN Atlanta Chapter, Atlanta, GA
- 2017, Nursing Grand Rounds, Marietta, GA/AWOHHN National Conference
- 2016, Georgia State AWOHHN Conference, Atlanta, GA
Timeline
BSN Faculty
Herzing University
03.2025 - Current
BSN Faculty
Kennesaw State University
09.2024 - Current
CEO
Doctor Leary Nurse Advocate
04.2020 - Current
Case Manager
ACE Care Management
01.2020 - 10.2024
Organizational Development Specialist
Wellstar Health System
04.2013 - 09.2018
CN III
Anne Arundel Medical Center
04.2002 - 04.2013
DNP - Healthcare Systems Leadership
Chamberlain University
MS - Nursing Leadership in Healthcare Systems
Regis University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
University of Delaware
Nursing
Capella