Beth Harpster, RN, BSN, BS

bethharpster@gmail.com

 

EDUCATION

The Ohio State University

School Nurse Professional Pupil Services Licensure Certificate (set to complete 4/2020)

 

The University of Michigan School of Nursing Magna cum Laude

Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Accelerated Second Career Program

 

The University of Dayton Magna cum Laude

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geology; Minor in Spanish

 

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION

 

State of Ohio Board of Nursing Registered Nurse 

Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice Certified Lactation Counselor (expired)

American Heart Association ACLS and BLS for the Healthcare Provider Certified

 

PATIENT CARE EXPERIENCE

 

4 Ross Cardio-Thoracic / Open-Heart Surgical Floor  (July 2009 – April 2013)

Clinical Nurse II in a 30 bed, high-acuity unit modeled around the universal patient-bed. Nursing care here specializes in the pre and postoperative care of adult patients undergoing a wide variety of often very complex cardiac and thoracic surgical procedures and ECMO. Typical patients here have extensive and complicated medical histories and illnesses. As a nurse on 4 Ross I:

• Create part of a cohesive team of surgeons, doctors, nurses and therapists who work together to ensure patients receive the best care possible
• Ensure that patient satisfaction comes first. 4 Ross has repeatedly been awarded for its outstanding customer satisfaction scores.  I am proud to say I am a part of the that success
• Communicate medical information adeptly to patients and their families

• Perform frequent patient assessments in a  high acuity environment where a patient’s status can change rapidly while managing to group cares to minimize patient stress and maximize recovery
• Manage and closely monitor patients on vasoactive drips requiring titration as well as titrating insulin and heparin drips
• Exhibit competence in performing and assisting in bedside procedures including, but not limited to, ventricular assist device (VAD) driveline care, bedside cardio versions, chest tube insertion and removal, internal pacing wire removal, central line placement and care, urinary catheter insertions and removal, peripheral IV placement, surgical wound care, surgical drain care and removal, and cardiac arrest code management

 

Pediatric Cardio-Thoracic Intensive Care Unit (PCTU), University of Michigan Congenital Heart Center (August 2004 – April 2006). 

Clinical Nurse in a 15 bed tertiary care center specializing in the medical and surgical care of neonates, infants, children, adolescents, and adults with congenital and acquired heart disease.  Patients travel here from around the world to undergo the most progressive surgical and catheterization interventions. After an extensive and thorough six month preceptor orientation, I:

• Embraced the philosophy of family-centered care to empower families to participate in the decision making and care of their child or loved one 
• Performed complex physiologic patient assessments in a high intensity environment for high acuity patients with rapidly changing status
• Recovered patients in their immediate post-operative state as they came directly to the PCTU from the operating room
• Cared for patients with extremely complex cardiac physiology
• Became familiar with technologically advanced equipment and instrumentation including ECMO, CRRT (PRISMA), VADs, invasive hemodynamic monitoring, and cerebral perfusion monitoring

Beth Harpster, R.N.               bethharpster@gmail.com   page 2

• PCTU continued:
• Accompanied patients to and assisted with cath lab and interventional radiology procedures
• Assisted with routine and emergency intubations
• Managed patients who were mechanically ventilated
• Regularly cared for patients with a tracheostomy
• Administered peritoneal dialysis on a regular basis
• Became competent in performing and assisting in sterile bedside procedures including, but not limited to, open chest dressing changes, chest closures, chest tube insertions, central line placement, dialysis line care, and urinary catheter insertions 
• Learned to group patient cares as to minimize patient stress and maximize patient rest periods
• Acquired a solid base of knowledge of all body systems 
• Gained a broad experience with other illnesses and disease processes when the PCTU managed the PICU overflow
• Became competent in the use of the Medfusion and IVAC infusion pumps
• Exhibited competency in capillary and arterial line ABGs
• Practiced in close partnership with the cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, and fellows to provide individual support and education to families and patients throughout their intensive care admission
• Am still in contact with a number of patients and their families since leaving my position at U of M

 

OTHER HEALTHCARE EXPERIENCE

 

University of Michigan, Mott Children’s Hospital (March 2002 –September 2002).  7 Mott Unit Clerk.  Responsible for maintaining organization and flow on a busy pediatric hematology, oncology, and bone marrow transplant unit.  Duties included, but were not limited to, updating and maintaining patient census on the hospital mainframe, processing admissions and discharges, entering patient care orders into computer system, organizing and filing patient charts, processing doctor and pharmacy orders, assisting nurses, scheduling patient appointments and transportation, and customer service representative.  

 

University of Michigan, Mott Children’s Hospital (August 2000 – September 2001).  Child Life Volunteer, Cardiology and Oncology units.  Worked with the Child Life Therapists to engage children in play therapy and to promote healthy activities as a means of providing a more normal environment for sick children.  I was involved in both bedside visits and playroom activity coordination.

 

Vanderbilt University Children’s Hospital (September 1996 – May 1997).  Child Life Volunteer and NICU “Cuddler”.  Both placements included close interactions with patients, their families, and the medical staff.

 

Family Care (May 2000 – December 2005).  I have been intimately involved with the care and advocacy of a pediatric cancer patient that began even before his diagnosis when I first discovered the mass in his belly.  Duties include post-operative care of wounds, dressing changes, home IV antibiotic administration, monitoring vital signs, cleaning and flushing central lines, accompanying patient to chemotherapy sessions, assisting with baths and personal care, patient and family education, fundraising, and support for the patient, his parents and three siblings.  

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

RMT, Inc. (January 2001 – August 2002).  Environmental Scientist.  Primary responsibilities included completing due diligence assessments, providing environmental compliance outsourcing to key clients, and performing soil, water, and air sampling.  Additional responsibilities included the management and analysis of project field data, report writing, proposal preparation, and communication with clients, regulators, technical staff, and contractors.  

TolTest, Inc. (August 2000 – January 2001).  Associate Geologist.  Responsibilities included coordinating project setup, communication with clients and contractors, performing environmental site assessments, baseline environmental assessments, and writing reports pertaining to these activities.  Additional duties included calibration and diagnostic maintenance of environmental instrumentation.