Professional Portfolio

Kathleen Widmer, BS, RN

3014 8th Avenue West
Palmetto, FL 34221
(570) 872-7707

[email protected]

Thank you for taking the time to view my
portfolio. Included is my educational and
professional experience, licenses and certifications,
technical skills, and samples of my academic work.

Teaching Philosophy

I believe that the measure of an educators success is by how effectively he or
she prepares students, not only for other courses, but for their future careers.

I became a nurse for the sole purpose of helping people. I believe that I would
be able affect more people by staying up-to-date on the most current medical
knowledge and transferring that knowledge to students. Nurse educators have the
opportunity to shape the next generation of nursing leaders.

Similar to other teachers, I have goals that I hope to accomplish by the end of
each course. I strive for connections being made, students comprehending the
material, and having the ability to apply their new knowledge to practice. I
encourage students to never stop learning after their schooling is over as the
medical field continues to advance.

As a nurse educator I aim to open doors to other opportunities for students. My
end goal is to help students mature into professional nurses, and see my influence
grow to reach thousands of patients.

Education

 Master of Science in Nursing - Education and Faculty Role

 Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
 October 2014-present
 GPA-3.8
 Anticipated graduation: June 2019

 Bachelor of Science in Nursing

 Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA
 Graduation: May 2013

Professional Experience

 Blake Medical Center: ICU Stepdown Unit

 Registered Nurse
 March 2018-present

 Amedisys Homecare

 Case Manager, Registered Nurse
 Feb 2017-present

 Yale-New Haven Hospital: Neuroscience Unit

 Registered Nurse
 Jan 2016-Nov 2016

 Geisinger Wyoming Valley: Telemetry/Medical Surgical Unit

 Registered Nurse
 June 2013-Dec 2015

Licenses and Certifications

Florida Nursing License

ACLS and BLS Certifications

Simulation in Education Residency

January 14-16, 2019

Technical Skils

Technical Skills  Educational Technology

 Virtual Learning Environments  AnyFlip
 Adobe Spark
 Blackboard  Padlet
 CourseSites  Prezi
 Screencast-o-matic
 Online Discussion Tools
 Microsoft Office
 ApprenNet
 FlipGrid  Excel
 VoiceThread  Outlook
 Zoom  Powerpoint
 Word

Professional Work

Are Nurse Preceptors Ready for the Challenge?

Lisa Karlsen, ADN, RN, Sheila McGowan BSN, RN & Kathleen Widmer, BSN, RN
Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA

([Preceptor], (n.d.)

Background Purpose Recommendations Conclusion

• The preceptor is the key educator and • Experienced staff nurses may provide expert • Nurse educators need to develop, • The preceptor role is imperative for
link to the new nurse’s success in patient care; however, there is a need for implement and/or evaluate preceptor assisting new nursing students in
clinical practice. formal preparation to provide effective programs to a standard which the being successful in clinical practice.
clinical instruction .(Bott, Mohide, & Lawlor, 2011) program will benefit new nurses.
• Many current preceptor programs do • Some hospitals do not utilize
not focus on how to help preceptors • A preceptor development program will • The program should use a preceptor development programs at
guide new nurses to develop skills of provide the tools necessary to successfully comprehensive approach to all. Preceptors who do not receive
reflective practice and critical thinking. guide novice nurses in their professional standardize and increase the quality of proper training will not be as effective
practice. preceptor development, in order to of an educator (Chi et. al, 2014).
• Many programs cover roles and provide the appropriate experience
responsibilities of the preceptor, • Preceptor training lessens stress and builds for new graduates (Watkins, Hart & Mareno, 2016) • An effective nurse preceptor improves
identify various adult learning styles confidence in the many roles of the preceptor new nurses’ job satisfaction and
and review communication skills only. which include: socializer, professional role • Before precepting, the nurse should retention rates.
model, educator, and evaluator (Condrey, 2015). have at least three years of hospital
• Prepared preceptors lead to improved clinical experience, attended the 8 • The learning approaches for successful
nurse satisfaction and improved Learning Strategies hour preceptor training courses, and preceptor development include
retention rates (Cotter & Dienemann, 2016). will attend annual preceptor classes incorporating preceptor competencies,
• The nurse educators will provide training offered by the hospital. feedback and evaluation tools (Watkins, Hart &
([Labcoat], (n.d.) modules to include both online and
classroom workshops. • After implementation of a preceptor Mareno, 2015).
Problem & Evidence training program long-term outcomes
• Continuing education contact hours will should be measured at different • Effective communication between the
• Patient safety can be affected when new intervals; for example, new nurse preceptor and the orientee is essential
nurses are transitioned into practice be given with each completed module. retention (Condrey, 2015). and aids new graduate nurses in
without strong preceptor roles (Clipper & Cherry, • Each module is 4 hours in length. developing clinical autonomy and
• Periodic interviews with the nurse ([Challenge], (n.d.) critical thinking skills (Watkins, Hart & Mareno, 2015).
2015).
educator and preceptor will be conducted ([Pen], (n.d.)
• First year turnover rate of new nurses is to offer support and to assess the need
30% and increases to 57% in the second for additional education. References
year. Effective preceptors increase new • The online program is to be completed
nurses retention rates from 15-37%. [Challenge]. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2016, from
prior to classroom hours, including pre- https://www.marshfieldclinic.org/imagecatalog/Careers/CCNR-Landing-Page-
• Strong preceptors are related to higher tests and post-tests. Image.jpg
levels of job satisfaction, better quality of • The classroom workshops will
care, better patient outcomes. [Education]. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2016, from
incorporate learning through open http://images.clipartpanda.com/education-clipart-9c4y5zycE.jpeg
• Shown to increase professional discussion, case studies, and role play.
autonomy amongst nurses (Watkins et al., 2015). [Labcoat]. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2016, from http://www.themost10.com/wp-
Online Topics Classroom Topics content/uploads/2014/03/Female-Doctor.jpg
• Cost of replacing one nurse is at least Role of preceptor Communication skills
$44,000, up to $67,1000 (Windey et. al, 2015). Teaching styles Problem solving [Pen]. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2016, from https://encrypted-
Learning styles Development of critical tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTwtdWXhSrqO2iipBww8stsLAeUCEJsHx
thinking pBRtdhZVSEzQtM45jY
Communication
model/theory Evidence-based practice Bengtsson, M., & Carlson, E. (2015). Knowledge and skills needed to improve as preceptor:
integration development of a continuous professional development course – a qualitative
study part I. BMC Nursing, 14(1), 1-7. doi: 10.1186/s12912-015-0103-9
([Education], (n.d.)
Bott, G., Mohide, E.A., & Lawlor, Y. (2011). A clinical teaching technique for nurse preceptors: The
five minute preceptor. Journal of Professional Nursing, 27(1), 35-42.
doi:10.1016/j,profnurs.2010.09.009

Clipart Kid [Digital image]. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2016, from
https://www.google.com/search?q=preceptor&biw=2402&bih=1156&source=ln
ms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwihpf6F39PQAhVm9YMKHSOiDrMQ_A
UIBygC&dpr=0.67#imgrc=hNIREeB132Kr1M:

Clipper, B., & Cherry, B. (2015). From transition shock to competent practice: Developing
preceptors to support new nurse transition. The Journal of Continuing Education
in Nursing, 46(10), 448-454. doi:10.3928/00220124-20150918-02

Condrey, T. (2015). Implementation of a preceptor training program. The Journal of Continuing
Education in Nursing, 46(10), 462-469. doi:10.3928/00220124-20150918-04

Cotter, E., & Dienemann, J. (2016). Professional development of preceptors improves nurse
outcomes. Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, 32(4), 192-197.
doi:10.1097/NND.0000000000000266

Watkins, C., Hart, P.L., & Mareno, N. (2016). The effect of preceptor role effectiveness on newly
licensed registered nurses’ perceived psychological empowerment and
professional autonomy. Nurse Education in Practice, 17, 36-42. doi:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2016.02.

Windey, M., Lawrence, C., Guthrie, K., Weeks, D., Sullo, E., & Chapa, D.W. (2015). A systematic
review on interventions supporting preceptor development. Journal for Nurses in
Professional Development, 31(6), 312-323. doi:
10.1097/NND.0000000000000195

Professional Papers

 Healthy Lifestyles and Prevention America Act
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kzFUKpd4dlZOOxKoclrMy38Lv_m5bY
t_229840iOi1Y/edit?usp=sharing

 Nursing Fatigue Related to Nurses Working Overtime
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tOpHCT05aiTa9DxJb3fC_cbQePkD6cf
l2E-v_Z62CXk/edit?usp=sharing

 PICOT Paper, The Effect of Nonnarcotic Interventions for Surgical Patients
in Decreasing Postoperative Pain

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NDhehpQVju2is3XcumWdKlpp7z--
gZHmH9R51bb7qMU/edit?usp=sharing

Professional PowerPoint Lectures

 Resolving Ethical Conflicts Using Advanced Directives
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1yYRzg2Tv-
s6KMZybUizeBZH3Obupx2n4c3LPfaCpEnA/edit?usp=sharing

Syllabuses and Lesson Plans

 Nursing Care of the Mental Health Patient Syllabus
https://docs.google.com/document/d/19wFP5M80d13pvA_gPxH8kOFoY1
PcpnLaAd0Nyo8ghE0/edit?usp=sharing

 Introduction to Cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) Syllabus
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1y5oO0ty9QSx0dn-
SiBgbPEBiqY6IFwl__VcIUwi-iCk/edit?usp=sharing

 Introduction to Cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) Lesson Plan
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XvbGLbKedjKu8zredX8e6ZQSTe3
_bKCHOsdFYZr7GuQ/edit?usp=sharing

Original Tests and Quizzes

 CAUTI Quiz Questions
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1He1zpkNBdy-dxknQ8S98-
_mVojuXqkSSH7I52Qw3XrY/edit?usp=sharing

Kathleen Widmer,

BS, RN

3014 8th Avenue West
Palmetto, FL 34221
(570) 872-7707

[email protected]