My Curriculum Vitae
Objectives, Education, and Psychiatric-Mental Health Interests
Objectives
I am a highly motivated doctorally prepared advanced practice provider with a certification in the treatment of substance use disorders (CARN-AP). I am currently practicing in the behavioral health/substance use disorder field. I use my skills, talents, and experience in behavioral health to improve health outcomes for clients, and further the mission of the organization. I plan to advocate for positive change in the behavioral healthcare industry, and advance legislation that positively impacts those with whom I work.
Education
Graduate:
Rutgers University, Newark, NJ
Doctor of Nursing in Psychiatric – Mental Health
Date of graduation: May, 2018
Doctoral project: “Barriers to and facilitators of initiation and retention in behavioral health services in Cape May County, New Jersey”
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Barbara Caldwell
Mentor: Dr. Robyn Begley
Member of Sigma Theta Tau - Alpha Tau Chapter
GPA: 3.78
Undergraduate:
Rutgers University, Camden, NJ
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Date of graduation: May 2014
GPA: 3.5
Atlantic Cape Community College, Mays Landing, NJ
Associates in Applied Science in Nursing
Date of Graduation: May 2008
Member of Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society
Student Nurses Association, Vice-President
Graduate project: Lower Township Community Health Fair
GPA: 3.7
Psychiatric-Mental Health Interests
The role of psychosocial and biological characteristics in the engagement and retention in behavioral health care
The implementation of effective interventions to combat addiction and co-occurring disorders
The role of community support services in preventing all-cause hospital readmission for persons diagnosed with a behavioral health disorder
The effectiveness of current practices on clients with behavioral health disorders
Most effective strategies for integrated primary care practices
Advocating for policy change that will positively impact the state of the American behavioral health system
Experience
Program assistant and policy and procedure author
Reviewed all local, state, and federal policies and guidelines and authored a complete policy and procedure manual
Worked with state officials to ensure compliance with regulations
Initiated professional relationships with pharmacies, laboratories, medical supply companies, and organizational leadership to meet the needs of the clients served
Reallocated existing office space to accommodate program needs
Authored job descriptions for available staff positions
Reviewed applicants and participated in the hiring process of new staff
Psychiatric home care nurse
Engaged leadership to discuss the gap in services for psychiatric home care clients
Advocated for a psychiatric home care nursing position within the home care setting
Reviewed federal Medicare guidelines related to psychiatric nursing services
Provided staff orientation related to the unique role of the psychiatric nurse on the home care team
Authored a psychiatric nursing intake assessment to be completed on all clients eligible for psychiatric home care services
Initiated therapeutic relationships with home care clients
Assessed home care clients for psychiatric needs and formulated psychiatric home care treatment plans with the clients to meet identified needs
Regularly engaged clients in the home care setting for psychiatric nursing interventions including disease process education, medication education, enhancing coping skills, minimizing body image disturbances, acceptance of active disease processes, fostering positive self-esteem, end of life education, moving through the stages of change (as described by Prochaska and DiClemente) through the use of motivational interviewing
Initiated professional relationships with providers
Advocated for clients with providers to consider prescribing or changing existing medication regimens
Community psychiatric nurse
Engaged leadership to discuss needs for psychiatric nursing services in the community setting
Shaped the role of the psychiatric nurse within the multidisciplinary team for two distinct programs [Residential Intensive Support Team (RIST) and Supportive Housing – Conditional Extension Pending Placement (SH-CEPP)]
Provided staff orientation related to the role of the community psychiatric nurse
Authored a psychiatric nursing intake assessment to be completed on all clients participating in program services
Initiated therapeutic relationships with clients in their homes
Assessed clients for psychiatric needs and worked with clients to formulate treatment plans to meet identified needs
Accompanied clients to psychiatric, medical, and specialty appointments
Advocated for client’s medical and psychiatric needs
Supported clients through medical procedures and treatments for various diseases including cancer, Hepatitis, and HIV
Served as a birthing coach for a client
Assisted with removing psychosocial barriers to engaging and remaining in psychiatric and medical treatment
Assisted clients with connecting to available community resources to assist in enhancing self-esteem, fostering independence, and increasing self-sufficiency
Supervised two Bachelor’s level community health nurses from Stockton University over the span of 3 semesters
Substance use disorder nurse
Performed initial head to toe assessments of clients being admitted to the facility (including obtaining CLIA waived drug screenings, breathalyzer administration, and drawing relevant lab work)
Safely administered medications per established detoxification protocols for alcohol, opiates, and benzodiazepines
Made decisions regarding treatment plans relating to direct care of patients under my supervision
Completed Clinical Institute for Withdrawal from Alcohol (CIWA) and Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) assessment scales in order to measure effectiveness of treatment interventions
Participated in treatment plan meetings in order to coordinate care with other departments involved in client’s care
Utilized therapeutic communication to establish a rapport with the client
Advocated for clients under my care to ensure that their medical and biopsychosocial needs were being met while receiving treatment in the facility
Other Experience - Nurse Practitioner Internship
Served in the capacity of nurse practitioner intern for a partial care program that provided group and individual psychotherapy services in addition to psychiatric provider services for 135 clients
Completed psychiatric intake assessments and medication management appointments for clients
Initiated individual and group psychotherapy sessions for clients with multiple levels of functioning
Organized a lab fair at which clients could receive labwork to foster wellness and to assess for metabolic syndrome or abnormalities related to their medication regimen
Publications
Austin, C. (2017, November). Advice for Surviving the DNP Program – The Humoristic Perspective. Outcomes, 3(11). Retrieved from http://dnpconferenceaudio.s3.amazonaws.com/OUTCOMES_V03N11_Nov2017.pdf
Professional Presentations
"Addiction: Understanding and Treating the Beast"
Geisinger Advanced Practice Nursing Conference
Danville, PA
Presented October 25, 2019
"Assessment of and Interventions for Suicidal Patients in the Ambulatory Setting"
AtlantiCare Advanced Practice Provider Nursing Conference
Pomona, NJ
Presented November 25, 2019
"Assessment and Management of the Suicidal Patient in the Outpatient Setting"
Rutgers University School of Social Work Interprofessional Day of Learning - Mays Landing, NJ
Mays Landing, NJ
Presented March 6, 2020
"Assessment of and Interventions for Suicidal Patients in the Ambulatory Setting"
Forum of Nurses in Advanced Practice (FNAP) of the New Jersey State Nurses Association (NJSNA) Education Day
Virtual Conference
Presented November 12, 2020
Community Service
Walk co-chair
Work with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to organize a community walk that raised over $125,000 in 2021 for suicide prevention and awareness
Shelter nurse
Volunteered as an emergency shelter nurse for the Lower Township Rescue Squad on four occasions – two hurricanes and two emergency snow storms
Volunteer Coordinator
Assist the Lower Township Rescue Squad in securing volunteers for the collection and distribution of food and holiday food baskets for their community food pantry
Additional Education, Certifications, and Skills
Additional education and certifications
Board certified in advanced practice substance use disorder treatment - October 2020 - present
Board certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - July 2018 - current
Certification in Pediatric Nursing – November 2010 – current
Completion of ASAM’s “Addressing Addiction Issues Among Veterans” webinar
Completion of “Ambulatory Withdrawal Management for Medical Personnel” webinar
AANP Buprenorphine Waiver Training (24 hours) – completed 5/9/17
*successful completion of this waiver course permits the licensed nurse practitioner to sit for the Buprenorphine waiver exam
American Heart Association – BLS for Healthcare Providers
Annual Non-Violent Crisis Prevention Intervention training
Chronic Disease Symptom Management Program (CDSMP) certified
Completion of “Sugar Shack” Diabetes management training
Computer skills
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Powerpoint
Avatar and Powerchart electronic medical records
Honors, Awards, and Professional Organization Affiliation
Honors and awards
Commendation from the mayor for volunteer work at an emergency shelter during a blizzard in 2010
Mayoral recognition for volunteer work at an emergency shelter during Hurricane Sandy – December, 2012
Customer Service Award for January – June 2014 – AtlantiCare Behavioral Health
Stanley S. Bergen Medal of Excellence recipient - May 2018 - Rutgers University
Customer Service Award for 2018 - AtlantiCare Behavioral Health
Lori S. Herndon Award 2020 (AtlantiCare Nurses Week iCARE Excellence Award)
Professional organization affiliation
American Psychiatric Nurses Association – current member
American Nurses Association – current member
New Jersey State Nurses Association – current member
Forum of Nurses in Advanced Practice of the New Jersey State Nurses Association - current member
International Nurses Society on Addiction - current member
Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing - Alpha Tau Chapter - current member
American Society of Addiction Medicine - current member
American Association for the Advancement of Science - current member