Debra S. Witthar

Over 22 years' experience in nursing, comprehensive in fields of Critical Care, neurology, cardiology, nurse educator, clinical research, flight nursing, perioperative nursing, and movement disorder specialist. Over 10 years' experience as nursing instructor in a higher education institution teaching Certificate, Associate, Baccalaureate and Master's degree Nursing programs. Over 11 years in leadership and management, with 8 years of leadership experience in the Critical Care Unit.

Over nine years' experience as a clinical nurse instructor in critical care, med-surg, labor and delivery, pediatrics, emergency room, and simulation. Successful leadership which included clinical quality improvement, encouraging patient centered care with comprehensive patient safety, and enhancing contributions to education and research. Strong communication and collaboration with patient/family, staff, physicians, physician leaders, student, and academic partners with diverse populations.

Effective problem-solving skills, teamwork, multi-tasking, and organizational skills. Six years' experience as an Advanced Practice Provider for the care and management for the Movement Disorder and Memory patients and Critical Care patients. Research co-investigator and participant site for multiple movement disorder studies.

Core facilitator and creator of community education classes; Parkinson Disease Learning and Education Resource class and Deep Brain Stimulation class. Skilled in the management of subdural drains, VP shunts, External Ventricular Drains, ICP measurements, Deep Brain Stimulation, Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumps, Slow Low Efficient Dialysis (SLED), Rotoprone Beds. Proficiency in SIS, Blackboard/Canvas online classrooms, Microsoft Office Suite, Cerner and Epic EMRs, and nursing clinical compliance programs such as My Clinical Exchange (mCE), Certified Background/Profile, Online Clinical Coordination, Complion.

Neuro Critical Care Nurse Practitioner - Sutter Health - Sacramento, California

(2023-01)

Provides clinical expertise to acutely and critically ill neurosurgery and neurology patients and their families in inpatient settings.

• Responsible for responding to stroke alerts throughout the facility and management of acute stroke care.
• Resource expert for health care providers including nurses, residents and other ancillary staff.
• Assists with teaching programs for RNs and patients.
• Participates in research and helps in the development of research trials.
• Provides independent advanced level nurse practitioner clinical expertise to patients. This includes the management of chronic stable medical conditions, routine care, acute or critical care, and medical and specialty protocols.
• Performs non-invasive or invasive procedures such as arterial line insertion, central line insertion, intubation, lumbar puncture, etc.
• Provides direct patient care to a diversified patient population.
• Applies knowledge, experience and judgment to determine the importance of a situation, set priorities, and use abstract thought to evaluate clinical situations.
• Demonstrates leadership skills.
• Demonstrates accountability for own practices as defined by the Nurse Practice Act.
• Management of deep brain stimulation patients.

Doctor of Nursing Practice - Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Banner Del E. Webb Hospital, Banner Thunderbird Hospital - Sun City, Arizona; Glendale, Arizona

(2005-01 - 2023-12)

Plans and provides clinical support to patients, providers, and ancillary staff within the clinic.

• Interviews patients to obtain history, performs physical examinations, evaluates, and utilizes evidence-based research to make clinical decisions in patient care both in person and via telemedicine visits.
• Proactive in health promotion, provide patients and caregivers with information about their condition ensuring the best level of understanding and self-management.
• Maintain and develop relevant expertise and knowledge related to the intricacies of caring for patients with complex health needs as a result of having Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and other movement disorders.
• Programs and manages deep brain stimulation (DBS) devices.
• Research co-investigator at a participant site for multiple PD, DLB, ET and PDD studies.
• Trained in botulism toxin injections for sialorrhea and migraine headaches.
• Core facilitator of patient education and creator of the Parkinson Disease Learning and Education Resource class and the Deep Brain Stimulation class.
• Participates in outside activities that enhance personal and professional growth and development.

Clinical Manager - Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Banner Del E. Webb Hospital, Banner Thunderbird Hospital - Sun City, Arizona; Glendale, Arizona

(2005-01 - 2023-12)

Plans and provides clinical support and oversight to patients and staff while managing the Critical Care Unit.

• Provided clinical leadership, organizing, planning, directing, financial and personnel management within the department.
• Supervised employees, and participates in selection, orientation, counseling, staff development and evaluation of staff.
• Attended Banner Health Leadership Academy training.
• Conducted staff meetings and implementation of policy and procedures.
• Participated in quality improvement processes within the department, chart audits and reviews.
• Coordinated care with eICU providers.
• Management and evaluation of customer and staff satisfaction surveys, and quality improvement process.
• Development of nursing practice standards and policies, develop staffing, strategic planning, maintaining necessary regulatory and compliance approvals and quality accreditations.
• Personal commitment to the retention of new grad nurses through the development of the New Grad RN Critical Care education program.

Registered Nurse - Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Banner Del E. Webb Hospital, Banner Thunderbird Hospital - Sun City, Arizona; Glendale, Arizona

(2005-01 - 2023-12)

Management of day-to-day nursing procedures and care of critically ill and perioperative patients.

• Assessed patient physical, psychological, social, spiritual, cultural, educational and discharge planning needs.
• Formulates plan of care for patients, including discharge plan, while utilizing assessment data, patient, family, and multidisciplinary health team input. Ensure goals for patient are realistic, measurable, and developed in conjunction with the patient/family.
• Delegates appropriately and provides nursing supervision in the provision of care to patients by other licensed nurses and personnel.
• Reviews and revises plan of care to reflect changing patient needs based on evaluation of the patient's status.
• Provided care based on physician orders and the nursing plan of care in compliance with policies and procedures, standards of care, and regulatory agency requirements.
• Assesses and evaluates patients and family's response to care, teach and revise the plan of care as needed.
• Document assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation in patient records.
• Apply research based evidence within clinical practice while utilizing critical thinking skills daily.
• Educate and train newly hired RN's, new grad RNs and nursing students.

Flight RN/Medical Crew Supervisor/Simulation - AeroCare Medical Transport - Scottsdale, Arizona

(2009-01 - 2015-12)

Oversaw administrative duties as management within medical department for base and patient transport via medical air transportation.

• Assisted Education Coordinator with medical crew orientation of all new medical personnel.
• Performed monthly narcotic counts, chart audits, and aircraft inspections.
• Provided critical care transport for patient and families and utilized all skills required by a Critical Care RN.
• Facilitated and planned staff meetings, interviewed new hires and provided training to ensure competencies were up to date and met.
• Created online modules used to educate medical personnel.
• Taught and trained flight medical personnel using simulation, power point, examinations and didactic.

Registered Nurse - Kaiser Permanente Hospital - Sacramento, California

(2004-01 - 2005-12)

Assessed patient physical, psychological, social, spiritual needs.

Post Master's Certificate - Adult Gerontology Acute Care in Nursing - Grand Canyon University, College of Nursing (2024-10)

Doctor of Nursing Practice - Adult-Gerontology Nursing - Arizona State University, College of Nursing (2020-05)

Master of Science - Nursing Education - Grand Canyon University, College of Nursing (2016-10)

Bachelor of Science - Nursing - Grand Canyon University, College of Nursing (2010-09)

Associate of Arts - Nursing - American River College (2004-12)

Associate of Arts - Science, Mathematics, Engineering - Sacramento City College (1999-05)